Chapter 222: Black's Trail
Chapter 222: Black's Trail
To be honest, Felix wasn't sure if Luna had the talent for divination. The young girl was always quite unique, but his main concern was: "You often go to the Forbidden Forest?"
Luna was taken aback, seemingly trying to figure out how to answer, and Felix was curious to hear her explanation. However, she soon drifted off into a daze.
Felix snapped his fingers in front of her, and Luna, as if in a dream, said, "Firenze is a good person."
Felix wasn't sure if her words were in response to his question, but he understood her meaning: the Centaur named Firenze would protect her.
He tentatively said, "Maybe I could meet your Centaur friend? I happen to be going to the Forbidden Forest this weekend to release a creature..."
"Oh, I'm not sure. Firenze said his companions are very traditional—by that, I mean they have short tempers", Luna replied. "I can mention it to him, though."
...
Two more days passed, and Hogwarts was shrouded in a continuous drizzle. Dark clouds hung low, making the air feel stifling. The temperature plummeted, and Madam Pomfrey repeatedly reminded the young wizards to wear warmer clothes.
"We don't need her to tell us that. I mean, we're not idiots", Ron pointed to the weather outside, where a light rain was tapping against the second greenhouse.
Harry listlessly picked at the pods, "Wood will be thrilled. He thinks our first match will be in the rain, and he can't wait to add this to our training... Finally, he's getting his chance."
Professor Sprout clapped her hands to get the young wizards' attention and reminded them, "Be gentle with your movements, or they'll retaliate."
But it was too late. Seamus Finnigan's movements were very rough, as he was recounting his experience in Runes class to Neville, "You saw it, right? As soon as I touched that fiery red rune, it reacted strongly. I suspect... ouch!"
The pod in front of him burst open, shooting out seven or eight hard beans that hit him in the face. One of them even hit Neville, who groaned in pain.
Professor Sprout quickly walked over and surveyed the scene, "Not following instructions and ignoring the teacher's advice! I should take points from you, Mr. Finnigan." She led Seamus and Neville to a corner, "Just a bit of ointment. Honestly, if you handle bubotuber pus as carelessly as this, you'll definitely suffer..."
A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the dim castle. Felix put away his wand and turned to write on a piece of parchment. Beside him, a glass container held a fist-sized Acromantula, which angrily said, "You're not keeping your word, Wizard!"
Felix replied, "I promised to release you before Halloween, but I didn't specify the exact day. And... are you really not considering my offer? I can make you my assistant."
"What kind of assistant? Like that young girl?" the Acromantula asked. It had met Hermione, who was very interested in it until Felix showed her its true size.
In its normal state, the Acromantula was as large as a small carriage, covered in hard black hair, with a small and ugly head and a pair of large pincers that clicked constantly.
"Something like that, but you'll need to continue cooperating with my research", Felix said.
The Acromantula thought for a moment, then began to rant angrily. Felix, annoyed by the noise, cast a Silencing Charm on the glass container.
"Finally, I have the detailed test data. The remaining work is to conduct some repetitive tests on other creatures and compare the results to have a clear understanding." Felix put away a thick stack of parchment.
He would do this for every ancient magic he currently possessed, and Flitwick highly approved of his cautious approach.
That night, a light drizzle turned into a torrential downpour, with large raindrops pounding against the castle's windows. In a half-asleep state, Felix heard a low, buzzing alarm.
He sat up abruptly, his wand instantly in hand. After a few moments of quiet waiting, seeing no one, he quickly realized something and rushed out of his bedroom, pushing open the window of his office—
The rain was whipped into the room by the fierce wind, and the darkness outside made the alarm sound much clearer.
"It's the miniature scrying mirror at the castle entrance. Sirius Black is here!"
He flipped over the window, and a faint light flashed from his ring, summoning a broomstick. In the next second, he was riding the broom through the thick, curtain-like rain, disappearing from the office.
When he arrived at the castle entrance, no one was in sight. Only a spot above the main gate was flashing with a golden light, accompanied by a loud buzzing sound.
Felix pointed his wand at himself, and large clouds of mist rose from his body, making him look like a boiling kettle. At that moment, Dumbledore appeared, wearing a gray-blue nightgown, without his glasses, and with a fiery red phoenix perched on his shoulder.
"Hello, Fawkes", Felix greeted.
Fawkes let out a low, melodic chirp.
A tabby cat appeared in the distance, transforming into a breathless Professor Mcgonagall as she ran.
"Did you find anything, Felix?" Dumbledore asked in a serious tone.
"It's clear I was too late", Felix said, pointing at his broom. Among the three of them, he was the closest to the castle entrance. "I came as fast as I could, but the rain helped him a lot."
"It's Sirius Black?" Professor Mcgonagall asked, visibly worried.
"Clearly..." Felix waved his wand, silencing the alarm.
"We should search the castle, Dumbledore", Professor Mcgonagall said sternly. "Filius Flitwick, Severus Snape, Argus Filch..." She recited the names, and three silver-white cats flew out of her wand in different directions.
Dumbledore watched silently as Professor Mcgonagall's Patronus disappeared. He bent down to examine the ground at the castle entrance, his fingers brushing over the cold marble. Then, he quickly entered the castle and questioned the portraits nearest the entrance.
"Was anyone else here?"
"No, we didn't see anything", the portraits' inhabitants chimed in. "Of course, we could be deceived, Headmaster."
Dumbledore nodded, saying nothing.
"Is it possible that Black is hiding inside the castle, Albus?" Professor Mcgonagall asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Unlikely", Dumbledore said softly. "Felix arrived quickly; he wouldn't have had the time to cover his tracks. He likely just appeared far away, triggering the alarm. But we should be prepared, Fawkes—"
(End of Chapter)
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