Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 119 White and Black

Ellie's departure still saddened Ike, but there was nothing he could do when a renowned magizoologist in the magical world did such a thing.

Moreover, Ike himself knew that being taken away by Newt was the best choice for Ellie.

As the Christmas holidays approach, the pace of life at Hogwarts slows down again. This has become the norm; although many things, big and small, happen in the first half of each school year, things magically return to calm around Christmas.

Both professors and students have gotten used to it.

Unlike last year, not many students chose to go home this year, especially third-year students, most of whom stayed at school. Frankly, the British wizarding world isn't exactly peaceful these days. The Ministry of Magic has deployed a large number of Aurors, some stationed around Hogwarts with Dementors, while the rest are searching all over Britain for Sirius Black's whereabouts.

Little did they know that Sirius was an illegal Animagus, and all the searches and investigations were in vain.

But that's the job of the Ministry of Magic, and it seems that such actions have been happening almost every moment since Fudge came to power.

Just the Saturday before Christmas, Hogwarts opened up a second round of permits to travel to Hogsmeade, and after that weekend, the Christmas holidays would officially begin.

The young wizards were still very excited. The timing was perfect. Everyone was thinking of buying some things they liked in Hogsmeade, hoping to receive envy and praise from their family and friends during the holidays.

Of course, this applies to those who choose to go home for the holidays, while those who stay on campus do so to make the holidays more interesting.

Just like last time, Ike packed all the potions he had been practicing brewing over the years into a small handbag. He didn't go too early, arriving at the Pighead Bar close to noon.

Several snowfalls in the past few days have covered the entire Hogsmeade with a thick layer of snow, and the weather is incredibly cold. Even with prior preparations, Ike still felt his body was frozen stiff.

Disguised, Ike entered the bar and immediately spotted a witch in a thick coat sitting in the same spot as before. Rubbing his hands together, he went over and sat down directly opposite her.

"I thought we'd really have to wait until after Christmas," the witch greeted.

"Just here to try my luck."

"What would you have done if you hadn't run into me today?"

"Sell it to someone else," Ike replied casually, skillfully casting a silencing and blurring spell before placing the handbag directly on the table.

The witch looked at Ike with an inquiring gaze, and after receiving permission, began to examine the contents of the room.

"A compound decoction, an antidote, similar to last time... Hmm? There's even a bottle of Baffy's Brain-Awakening Potion!" The witch was surprised. "Is this the good one or the bad one?"

"You wouldn't believe me even if I said it was good, though it really is," Ike replied casually.

Ever since receiving a bottle of Buffet's Mind-Boosting Potion from Snape in July, Ike had been trying to brew one himself. After several months of effort, he finally succeeded in making the potion after his potion-making skill reached LV5.

Of course, the effect is not as good as Snape's bottle, but the difference is not that big.

"Alright, alright, it doesn't really matter whether it's true or not." The witch nodded, put away the potions, and took out a money pouch.

"There are 500 Galleons inside."

"The quantity of potions this time is about the same as last time, so I'll price them the same as last time. I can't give you this bottle of Baffaele Mind-Boosting Potion at market price, but at 150 Galleons, you're not losing out."

After checking the quantity of Galon, Ekko nodded and put it away.

"It's a pleasure working with you."

Just as he was about to get up, the witch suddenly asked, "Speaking of which... since you can get your hands on Baffy's Mind-Boosting Potion, what about Felix Felicis?"

"I can give you 300 Galleons a bottle!"

"No Felix Felicis." Ike shook his head. "And this is the last deal."

"No!" the witch exclaimed, somewhat flustered. "I can raise the price for you!"

"Sorry." As soon as he finished speaking, Ike ripped off the silence and blur spells, pushed open the door, and left.

With 500 Galleons in hand, Ike's assets had increased by nearly half again, and he was no longer short of money. He didn't need to buy expensive items like flying brooms; this sum could even buy a decent house in some wizarding villages. Buying ordinary potion-making and alchemy materials wouldn't be a big expense.

If it were really expensive materials, Ike could have easily found them himself in the Forbidden Forest, or at the very least, sneak into Snape's storeroom and beg for some.

Anyway, Snape couldn't do anything to him.

After waiting a while outside the Three Broomsticks bar, Stuart and his group, who had just finished purchasing another batch from Honeydukes, finally arrived. Pushing open the door, they found it still crowded, but thankfully managed to get a seat. After ordering their drinks, they began sharing their hauls.

Ms. Rosmerta quickly brought over the drinks. Ike picked up his lemon honey tea, took a sip, and quietly listened to Stuart and the others chatting.

A moment later, the bar door opened, and Ike glanced at it before instinctively shrinking his body.

"What's wrong, Ike?" Terry asked.

"It's nothing." Ike shook his head and shrank back.

Stewart, always eager for news, looked around and spotted Hermione and her two companions who had just squeezed in, separated by only two tables. He let out a long "Oh!" and then pulled Terry along.

"Alright, alright, stop thinking about it. Ekko's nemesis has arrived."

"Oh..." Terry, Michael, and Anthony all looked like they suddenly understood, but Ike shrank back, almost as if he was about to cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself.

Seeing Ike's reaction, the group finally stopped, satisfied. It wasn't anything else; the main reason was that if they really bullied Ike badly here, none of them would escape unscathed back at school.

With Ike's strength, he could subtly mess with them without them even noticing.

"If I'm not mistaken... that's Harry Potter?" Terry belatedly realized, "Wasn't he unable to come to Hogsmeade?"

"Maybe he has some other way," Stewart said dismissively. "Don't worry about it, it's just a nuisance."

If everyone's attitude towards Harry was mainly one of curiosity and admiration during his first year, then after the things he's done in the last two years, especially after losing the halo of defeating the Basilisk last year, at least the Ravenclaws aren't very fond of Harry anymore.

After chatting for a few minutes, the group naturally changed the subject.

A moment later, the tavern door opened again, revealing Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick, followed by a man whose head almost touched the ceiling. They were chatting with a chubby wizard wearing a domed hard hat, but it turned out to be Hagrid and Minister Fudge.

This time, it was Harry and his two companions who wished they could hide themselves.

The professors first went to the bar and then walked to the seat next to Harry. Quietly, the Christmas tree next to the table was moved to a new position, blocking the view between Harry and the professors' table.

Ike quietly sat up straight, his fingers twitching slightly, and the conversation over there immediately came into his ears.

"Do you think Black is still around here, Minister?" It was Ms. Rosmerta's voice.

"I believe he still is," Minister Fudge replied. "You know, he can't let that child go."

"It's truly unbelievable; among so many people who have sided with that nameless individual, Sirius is the one I least expected to see..."

"That's nothing. You have no idea what he did worst..."

"You should remember who his best friend was in school," Professor McGonagall said. "James Potter and Sirius Black. No two people were ever as close as they were..."

Ike picked up his glass, took a sip, and faced Stewart and the others, while listening to Professor McGonagall's conversation.

Honestly, if I didn't know the plot and only judged by what they said, Ike would also think that Sirius was a completely evil person. Betraying and killing one's best friend is unacceptable in any era or place, and his escape from Azkaban shows that he has extraordinary abilities.

Now, who would have thought that the truly wicked one was Peter Pettigrew, who had always acted timid and cowardly, merely following behind James Potter and Sirius Black?

In a daze, Ike seemed to see a black dog staring straight at him from next to the house across from the bar.

Suddenly, a faint smile appeared on his lips, accompanied by the words "...the incantation of unwavering loyalty...the secret man..." in his ear. Ike took another sip of sweet honey lemon tea.

"Sorry, Blake, I guess I have to step in..."

(End of this chapter)