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Chapter 204: Letters and Research
Chapter 204: Letters and Research
Ron leaned over to look at the Parchment, surprised. "Why is my dad's name here?"
On the Parchment, the names of James Potter and Sirius Black were prominently displayed in the center. From their names, various related individuals were linked, such as Harry, and from Harry, the names of various information sources like 'Mr. Weasley', 'Minister Fudge', and 'Professor Lupin'.
Harry explained, "Before I got on the train, Mr. Weasley warned me to be wary of Sirius and made me swear not to go looking for him. He must know more."
"Should I write to my dad?" Ron asked hesitantly, admitting that he was a bit scared.
"I think—"
"Potter! Come over here", Professor Mcgonagall called from outside, beckoning Harry.
The two moved to a corner and whispered. Harry's voice grew increasingly agitated.
After a while, he returned, looking grim. He placed a Scrying Mirror on the table and picked up his Quill to add 'Professor Mcgonagall' to the Parchment.
"She knew too, but treated me like a child."
Hermione, looking at the miniature Scrying Mirror, suddenly said, "This was made by Professor Hep at Dumbledore's request. It contains a strand of Sirius Black's hair."
She had promised Professor Hep not to reveal this information early, but since the Scrying Mirror was now in Harry's hands, there was no need to keep it a secret.
Harry laughed bitterly. "So, everyone is trying to keep me, the one directly involved, in the dark?"
"Don't be like that, Harry. They have their reasons. But we can investigate the past ourselves, can't we?" Hermione said.
Ron's eyes widened. "Do you know what you're saying, Hermione?"
"This is important, Ron. We might uncover valuable information, such as Sirius Black's magical specialties. If we ever run into him, it's better to know something rather than nothing", Hermione said assertively, assigning tasks. "Ron, write to your dad. Harry, try to get information from Professor Lupin."
"What about you?" Ron asked sensitively.
"I'll ask Professor Hep if he knows anything, though it's unlikely since he started school after Harry's father graduated", Hermione said, counting on her fingers. "Oh, and Hagrid. Remember that night when Malfoy was injured, and we went to comfort Hagrid? He got so agitated that he practically kicked us out."
Ron nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea. Hagrid is a big talker; he'll slip up."
Harry suddenly reminded them, "Snape definitely knows. He hates my father and Professor Lupin. Maybe we can—"
"Great idea, we'll go ask him—Dear Professor Snape, were you beaten up by a guy named James Potter in school? We want to know more about one of his friends—"
Harry was speechless.
Neville entered, holding a letter. He looked around and then came to the three of them.
"A letter from my grandmother, addressed to Professor Hep. I don't know if I should give it to him", Neville said, his round face showing hesitation.
...
Felix read the letter the next day, opening it in front of Neville and pulling out the parchment.
Neville watched him intently. "What did she say?"
"She invited me to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop this weekend to discuss things in detail", Felix smiled.
Neville swallowed hard. "Can I come along? This is about me, isn't it?" He awkwardly repeated the plan Harry and the others had devised for him.
"Oh, no, you're not allowed to enter Hogsmeade yet."
...
"You just agreed? Didn't you try to persuade him?" Harry asked, eyes wide.
"I, I..." Neville stammered. "I thought Professor Hep made a good point. I'm not allowed to go to Hogsmeade village."
"You could have asked him to take you. He's a professor!"
"I didn't think of that..." Neville rubbed the back of his head.
Harry fumed in silence.
Meanwhile, Felix was examining a glass bottle with great interest.
It had been three days, and the Acromantula inside was now the size of a walnut.
"I know you can understand me, Mr. Acromantula", Felix said.
"Wizard, what do you want to do?" the Acromantula growled, its large pincers clicking together.
"Many things, but I need your cooperation."
"Impossible, Wizard. You cannot insult me", it snarled, angrily waving its pincers.
If it had said this with its original size, it would have been quite intimidating.
Felix smiled, "I need to remind you that you attacked me first. I spared you because you were still useful. If you're no longer useful..."
The Acromantula tensed, recalling the fear of being shrunk by this Wizard, "So, you'll let me go?"
"If you're satisfied, why not? Do I look like a tasty snack to you?"
"Fine, I agree", it quickly conceded.
"Next, I will use Magic to gradually stimulate you, helping you return to your original form. You need to describe the sensations you feel, understand?"
"...Understood."
From Felix's perspective, a blue Magic force was coiled within the Acromantula, highly organized like chains, preventing its body from restoring. However, this Magic was dissipating very slowly. After all, it was a form of Magic without a source, and the Acromantula, being a magical creature, had Magic within it, actively fighting against the bindings.
The process would speed up as it progressed. From the data collected over the past three days, the time frame was estimated to be between 5 to 8 days.
'If I could make my Magic automatically absorb ambient Magic, would it be able to exist permanently?' Felix speculated, but this was entirely unrealistic, at least for now, he couldn't even grasp the slightest hint of it.
Felix carefully probed the blue Magic, which remained very stable, seemingly indifferent to him, the original caster. Instead of using a Size-Altering Charm to cancel the Magic, he infused his own Magic into the Acromantula's body, helping it to resist and erode the blue chains.
Strands of blue mist began to emerge from the Acromantula's body, and soon it had grown to the size of a watermelon. But it didn't dare move, allowing Felix to prod and poke it as he pleased.
Every few minutes, Felix would ask the Acromantula about its sensations.
"Any feelings?"
"Nothing at all."
After a while—
"How about now?"
"It's like stepping from the sunlight into a dark nest. My body feels much better." The Acromantula preferred cold, damp environments.
"Was it very uncomfortable before?"
"The transformation process was painful and very uncomfortable, but after some time, I got used to it. I thought I would stay this way forever", the Acromantula explained.
Felix looked at it with surprise. He knew Acromantulas could speak human languages, but he didn't realize they could express themselves so clearly.
"Do you usually chat in English and have tea parties?" Felix asked curiously.
"I don't know what you mean. Aragog taught us", the Acromantula replied.
Felix began to understand. Wild Acromantulas definitely didn't have this ability; they could manage a few short phrases at best.
But this batch from the Forbidden Forest was different. Their origin was Aragog, who was raised by Hagrid from a young age.
This gave him some new ideas. Perhaps he could domesticate them?
When he tentatively suggested this to Hagrid, Hagrid laughed heartily, "Hogwarts is already doing that! I visit Aragog every one or two months. He's very old and doesn't have much time left. I also collect some Acromantula venom while I'm there. It's a valuable resource, and the school uses part of the proceeds from it. But Aragog doesn't allow too much to be taken; he has to consider the needs of his offspring..."
Felix stared at Hagrid, stunned. This was completely different from what he had expected.
Hagrid happily continued, "Finally, there's something you don't know, Felix. Most of the intelligent communities in the Forbidden Forest maintain contact with Hogwarts. Dumbledore has me manage this area."
"For example, the Unicorns. I bring them herbs and supplements, and they don't mind if I take some of their hair. Ollivanders takes the best for wands, but the rest is useful for making cushions and rags, which are quite practical..."
"Or the Centaurs. They act as a barrier for the Forbidden Forest, watching out for werewolves, trolls, and other dangerous creatures. If they encounter something they can't handle, they inform me. They are also skilled in healing, using methods different from Wizards, and sometimes they can be quite effective. As for their divination, I don't understand much about that..."
"Plants are the same. Professor Sprout plants a batch of seeds in the Forbidden Forest every year."
(End of Chapter)
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