Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 41 The Day of the Full Moon

The Weasley brothers, Simone Wayne, and others who knew the inside story did not reveal anything about Loren.

Dumbledore did not tell the Ministry of Magic the specific details of Peter Pettigrew's capture, nor did the Ministry of Magic inquire further.

Or rather, no one dared to ask Dumbledore what he didn't want to talk about. Fudge, having gained fame for no reason and in his moment of joy, didn't cause any trouble.

The Daily Prophet was even less likely to know the inside story, and the others, under Dumbledore's intervention, maintained a neat silence.

Dumbledore hadn't discussed this with Loren, but the two had reached an understanding. Dumbledore's intention was to protect his student, while Loren felt he was content with his current life and didn't want to be exposed to the public eye.

In the afternoon, Loren didn't spar with Hermione. Frequent practice might trigger her talent for self-correction, but it would be hard work. The right approach was to summarize and reflect after practice, and then consult Flamel for more theoretical knowledge about the Ironclad Charm that evening.

Loren scribbled on paper, listing spells one by one, categorizing them, selecting the applicable ones, and trying to build his own combat system.

The final spell that brings victory is not important. Whether it's a disarming spell, a stunning spell, a crushing spell, or even a killing spell, as long as it hits the enemy, it will disarm him.

Before that, defense, evasion, and control are the key to victory. Among the spells currently available, Loren has constructed his combat system according to three categories: defensive, control, and offensive spells.

The defensive spells are mainly the armor spell [armor protection] and the stopping spell [instant stop].

Control spells include Obstacle Spell [Obstacles Abound], Imprisonment Spell [Imprison Quickly], and Binding Spell [Petrify All].

The attack spells are the Severing Spell [Cut into pieces], the Disarming Spell [Remove your weapon], and the Stunning Spell [Faint and fall to the ground].

Once you've mastered the spells above, all that's left is to improve your combat awareness in the virtual duel room.

There is no static system; Loren will continuously enrich and refine it as he grows. New spells he learns later, such as Apparition, Fiendfire, and Divine Strike, will also be incorporated.

True magical masters, like Dumbledore and Grindelwald, can unleash the most suitable spells in the shortest amount of time, and are adept at using Transfiguration Charms to create intractable predicaments for their opponents. However, Loren is still far from reaching that level.

Aside from the Ironclad Spell, Loren could practice all the other spells on his own and master them completely in about two months.

……

"Flamel, is my plan feasible?" Loren told Flamel his idea.

Flamel pondered for a moment: "For students, this is more than enough; they should always start from the basics."

Footwork, breathing, and rhythm are more important factors in combat, but Flamel didn't mention them. Loren will understand when he can use the dueling room.

Loren inquired about more detailed information about the Ironclad Charm, and by comparing his memories from the daytime with the corrected information, he summarized a more comprehensive method of its use.

……

Sunday, the day of the full moon.

Loren felt listless and dispirited from the moment he woke up. He had never worried about Bates this much since learning he was a werewolf.

He used to live with Bates and knew that he would go up the mountain and lock himself away on the night of the full moon. There was nothing Loren could do for Bates, but he always felt more at ease when Bates was around.

Now that they are separated by distance, it seems that it is not just physical distance that separates them. As the full moon approaches, Loren's heart cannot find peace.

"Are you alright?" Ron noticed that Loren was eating very slowly, which was really unlike Loren.

Loren forced a smile: "It's alright."

Ron felt that this was a huge problem. Loren was always most energetic when he ate; yesterday he was able to eat a whole steak for breakfast.

Ron wanted to say something more, but Hermione pulled him back and shook her head at him.

After dinner, Harry dragged Ron to the sports field to play.

Hermione sat down next to Loren and looked at his expression.

"Come with me!" She pulled Loren out of the courtyard to another staircase, and they went up the escalator.

Beneath the Hogwarts clock tower's main bell is an openwork attic from which you can see the Black Lake, the Forbidden Forest, and most of the castle's buildings.

Hermione pulled Loren down to sit, dangling their feet outside the attic. The wind blew through the attic from one side to the other, and the morning mist still lingered, while the orange-red sunrise cast a soft glow.

"I sometimes come here to relax; the open view makes me feel better," Hermione began to speak.

Loren guessed it was probably because Hermione hadn't gotten along well with her roommate before.

"Actually, I already knew!"

Loren was a little confused. "What do you know?"

"At Flourish and Blotts, there were lots of books about magical creatures—fairies, trolls, vampires—but you didn't even look at them and just grabbed the book about werewolves."

Wow, Miss Wow, she really knows everything! She even noticed that.

"I've also looked into some information about werewolves. Werewolves transform during the full moon and lose their minds; it's a painful process," Hermione said in a low voice.

Thinking of Grandpa Bates' aged face, Loren remained silent.

"And your request to practice spells with me is also a sign."

Loren wondered, "Is my practice of spells related to Grandpa Bates being a werewolf?"

"Tonight is the full moon, you must be feeling terrible right now." Hermione's voice began to tremble with tears.

Something's not right.

"Loren, let's go find the professor in a bit!" Hermione sobbed. She was very sad that her friend was a werewolf.

Loren realized Hermione was mistaking him for a werewolf, and seeing the girl about to burst into tears, he quickly explained, "You're overthinking it! I'm not a werewolf!"

"Hmph—" Hermione hiccuped, her hand pausing as she wiped her eyes. "Huh?"

Loren began to explain that Grandpa Bates was the werewolf, and he had a poor appetite because he was worried about Grandpa Bates.

Hermione felt like her face was on fire. It was so embarrassing—to presumptuously assume someone was a werewolf and bring them here to say such nonsensical things.

"Yes, I'm sorry, I was just guessing." Hermione struggled to her feet in a panic, wanting to leave this ridiculous scene.

"No, I'm glad to have a friend like you." Loren pressed her down and took out a handkerchief to hand her.

Loren was initially amazed by Hermione's careful observation and keen insight. Even though the result was wrong, the fact that someone was paying attention to your actions and worrying about the difficulties you might encounter was heartwarming in itself.

After calming Hermione down, the two began to chat about trivial things: Hermione and her roommate, Filch and Peeves' argument, and the tree over there laden with small orange berries...

(End of this chapter)