Chapter 157: Palm-Sized Animatronic Pet

Wade smiled, saying nothing, but suddenly a voice echoed from beside him:

"The farthest distance in the world isn’t between life and death… it’s when I’m right in front of you, and you pretend I’m not even there. Meow."

Machionni stared in surprise. From behind Wade emerged a small white cat—pale fur, bright blue eyes, a slender tail curling like a question mark—perching on Wade’s shoulder and licking its claw with delicate precision.

The creature was barely larger than a chicken’s egg, its soft white fur slightly curled around its head, eyes like sapphire gems—utterly adorable.

Machionni glanced between Wade and the cat, then asked, “Is this it?”

“Unbelievable rudeness! I was the one talking to you, meow!” the cat huffed indignantly.

“Just as you see,” Wade said, “this little one is my new creation—Alice. A palm-sized animatronic pet. The future trend worldwide, meow.”

Alice leapt down from the shoulder, strolling around the table with practiced grace.

“Never needs a bath. Never needs feeding. Always clean, always beautiful. And I offer heartfelt companionship. Isn’t that wonderful, meow?”

“Of course… uh…” Machionni’s gaze flickered between the two, then settled on the cat. “Why are you doing all the talking yourself?”

“Wade’s practicing Animagus transformation, meow,” Alice replied, patting Wade’s arm with her claw. “He’s currently unable to speak. I’m acting as his spokesperson, meow.”

Every sentence was punctuated with a soft “meow,” and as she spoke, she playfully tugged at the sleeve of Machionni’s robe, pulling at loose threads with her claws.

Machionni narrowed his eyes. “So… is this your own idea, or are you repeating what he told you?”

“Master can influence me to some extent, meow,” Alice said with a sly tilt of her head. “But the initial personality input shapes how I express myself—how I behave, meow.”

“What else can you do?” Machionni asked, genuinely intrigued.

“Oh, I could tell you a thousand things, meow… I’ll explain slowly, meow…”

Wade placed a finger gently on Alice’s head. Instantly, her smug demeanor vanished. She sat upright on the table, tail swaying softly—suddenly dignified, poised.

Wade drew out his wand, and a stream of glowing text bloomed in the air:

> I don’t know why, but when I made her, I didn’t program her with a talkative personality. Yet she talks endlessly.

> This chatterbox is too much. Let me explain myself.

> The Palm-Sized Animatronic Pet is essentially an upgraded version of Wizard’s Chess. Its primary function is companionship—able to converse with its master, even check spelling errors in written work. I borrowed the Auto-Correct Feather Quill feature for that.

> My ideal animatronic would assist with weather updates, navigation, daily reminders, time alerts, help manage messages from the Book of Friends, and even play music.

> This is still an incomplete prototype—currently only capable of conversation. I envision them becoming like family, like friends—offering emotional support. But magic is subtle. Every single one develops its own unique personality.

“Even though I’ve said it a hundred times,” Machionni said, eyes blazing with excitement, “I must say it again—Wade, your inventions are always astonishing! This will bring us unimaginable wealth!”

Wade’s text flickered:

> I should caution you—these animatronics are expensive to make. The craftsmanship is extremely complex.

“Whatever the cost,” Machionni smiled, “as long as people love them, it’s no problem. Someone out there will gladly pay for it. Have you made others?”

> Yes.

“Alice is a proud, sweet little princess. What about the others?” Machionni leaned forward, curiosity sparking.

Wade pulled a dragonhide pouch from his backpack. Inside, the bag writhed and twisted, as if something alive stirred within.

He opened it and began pulling out the other animatronics.

First came a fiery red fox, head high, tail flicking.

“Disgusting sack! How dare you contain me?” it sneered, its narrow eyes gleaming with disdain.

Its bushy tail flared behind it like a banner of pride.

Next, a silver-gray hamster silently scurried to the table, clutching a biscuit and beginning to gnaw.

It had no actual eating function—crumbs scattered across the table like snowfall.

Then, a golden lion stretched luxuriously, its muscles rippling.

“Anything troubling you?” it purred. “Tell me—I’d love to hear your sorrows. It’ll make my day.”

Machionni blinked. “….”

Finally, a sleek black panther emerged, stepping with feline grace. In its mouth, it carried a single crimson rose, which it gently placed before Machionni.

“Before I met you,” it murmured, voice rich and deep, “my world was black and white. You brought color. Light. I want to protect you, care for you, make you happy. I’ll do only what you wish.”

Machionni stared, stunned. After a long silence, he finally asked, “Is… this one a romantic?”

Wade’s expression was utterly deadpan. The text appeared:

> Feel free to laugh. These are all bizarre. Completely off the charts.

“Not funny at all, Wade,” Machionni said, his eyes gleaming with a familiar, profit-driven spark. “Exactly because their personalities differ, the pets will be even more marketable!”

He studied the panther. “What determines their personalities?”

Wade paused, thinking.

> I don’t know… perhaps a subconscious thought during the initial casting, or the master’s mindset while crafting, or even the materials and form itself…

> Without extensive testing and comparison, we can’t be sure.

Machionni nodded slowly. “It’s a pity we can’t mass-produce identical ones. But that very unpredictability? That’s a selling point. Each pet is unique. That’s a powerful marketing angle…”

He began scribbling furiously on parchment, pen flying.

“People who own pets won’t just keep one. Even if they don’t need feeding, they’ll want to give their animatronic a home… not just a cage. A luxury villa! We can sell matching furniture, gardens, everything!”

“Then accessories—clothing, jewelry, even pet weddings! Families. Friendships between pets. Master can even host ceremonies!”

“Holidays? Special outfits! Mini flying broomsticks, tiny flying carpets—why not? We could even make a miniature Hogwarts Express. Muggle cars, planes—why not?”

He paused, eyes widening. “Wait… if we make them human-shaped… could someone fall in love with one? A partner who never betrays, never leaves…”

Wade watched the parchment grow longer, the list of ideas spiraling into the infinite.

He thought: In the past, people said the cheapest thing about pet ownership was the pet itself. Now, I can see it clearly—the day when every wizard’s wallet is completely emptied by Machionni’s dreams is coming.

Wade didn’t reveal the animatronics that used combined spells. But perhaps… when the technology matures, he could gift his parents a few obedient, clever little ones?

He left the entire creation process in Machionni’s hands. The rest—contracts, production details—would be handled by Remus Lupin in collaboration with Aslan Magical Workshop.

Wade’s focus remained on his studies.

His current priorities: improving Alchemy to enhance the animatronics, practicing Animagus transformation, and mastering the Inferno Charm.

Remus Lupin had agreed to teach him, but his instruction was always cautious. Wade had read volumes, written three essays—but still hadn’t begun practical training.

Wade wasn’t anxious. He had time. He had patience.

Every few days, he’d use a Disguise Charm to sneak into the Restricted Section, flipping through every book on the Inferno Charm. He’d studied them all.

After Charms class, he’d even asked Professor Flitwick about different fire spells—how to cast them, control them.

Though Flitwick had never set half a city on fire, his understanding of magical theory was unmatched.

After several sessions, Wade could dance flames across his fingertips—without burning himself.

He’d also grown accustomed to holding the mandrake leaf in his mouth. With time, he learned how to speak and eat normally.

He’d once heard of someone in his previous life who could speak and eat with a blade in their mouth.

Wade couldn’t do that yet—but he’d picked up a few tricks to keep the delicate leaf safe during daily movement.

At night, he’d use a spell to temporarily glue his teeth together. As long as he didn’t chew, the leaf—small as it was—wouldn’t accidentally be swallowed.

On the night of the full moon, Wade was fully prepared.

Professor Sprout carefully cut the leaf she’d chosen, then watched as Wade placed it in his mouth.

The bitter sap spread through his mouth.

“Kitchen has prepared some liquid food for you,” she said. “For now, avoid solid food. Try not to eat anything that requires chewing. And limit your water intake.”

“Though you can try again and again, the first attempt must be done with absolute belief. Stay focused. This process is grueling. Most people give up after failing once.”

“I trust your willpower,” she added gently. “But I still hope it goes smoothly. Don’t suffer too much.”

Wade smiled, eyes crinkling. “Thank you, Professor.”

“Don’t mention it,” she said, patting his shoulder. “And… try not to speak this month, if you can.”

…

Another Friday arrived.

Wade woke up, as usual, and first checked the mandrake leaf.

No bitterness. It was intact.

He felt reassured. After washing up and tidying himself, he stepped into the hallway—only to find a bowl of fragrant meat porridge and a glass of oddly colored vegetable juice already waiting on the table.

He closed his eyes, downed it in a few swift swallows, then mounted his broomstick and flew to the Room of Requirement.

Fred and George were already deep in the alchemical lab, busy with their work.

Since Wade had borrowed the Marauder’s Map, the three had been researching Alchemy together.

Michael had wanted to join at first—but after a few days of Runes, he gave up, decisively crossing Ancient Runes off his course list.

“Thanks for the warning, Wade,” he said seriously. “I’m never touching that again next year!”

Harry, Neville, Theo all nodded in agreement.

Only Hermione rolled her eyes and kept memorizing the Runes Dictionary.

The Weasley Twins weren’t great at Ancient Runes either—but their passion for Alchemy was undeniable. They had unique ways of bypassing complex problems, using simpler spells and more intricate processes to achieve their goals. Sometimes, Wade even learned new approaches from them.

Wade had already returned the Marauder’s Map to them, but they insisted it shouldn’t belong to just one person. They’d left it in the Umbrella Room.

Fred announced to anyone who might listen: “If you want to sneak out or go on an adventure—help yourself! But remember our principle—”

“—I solemnly swear I’m up to no good!” the twins said in unison.

Harry and Michael clapped hard.

Hermione glared. “If Professor catches you, your House will lose points. Remember that!”

The twins started calling her “Molly McGonagall” behind her back.

They never told anyone—but somehow, the nickname spread.

Hermione heard it.

And strangely, she didn’t mind. She even considered it a compliment.

…

Wade and the twins had set aside their research on the Marauder’s Map. The map wasn’t just full of advanced spells—it was deeply connected to Hogwarts itself, a condition impossible to replicate elsewhere.

Wade suspected the original four had used rare, precious materials—ink unlike any other. But without destructive analysis, the composition remained a mystery.

Even Remus Lupin wasn’t fully aware. Most of the materials came from James Potter and Sirius Black—two men who had inherited ancient Pure-Blood family vaults. What exactly they used? Remus had little idea.

He could only help with spell-related guidance—like the Trace Charm.

But Wade didn’t need that yet.

So their current focus was repairing the double-sided mirror.

After over two hours of work, Wade checked the time. He said goodbye to the twins and made his way to Professor McGonagall’s secondary Headmaster’s office.

Remus Lupin and Harry were already waiting.

Both were usually disheveled—but today, they were impeccably dressed. Hats, house ties, cufflinks—every detail precise. Their wizard robes were spotless.

Today was the day Sirius Black’s trial would take place.

They were about to depart for the Ministry of Magic.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end