https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-347-Werewolf-Without-a-Full-Moon/13685338/
Chapter 348: Muggle's Artifact
"What... is this?" Hagrid squinted, straining to make out the delicate trinket before him—an object far too slender for his rough hands to grasp.
Dumbledore approached with caution, refusing to touch it directly. Instead, he extended a finger above the metal needle tube, slowly lifting it upward. Bit by bit, the needle was drawn out.
The silvery-gray metal was sharp as a blade, gleaming coldly under the dim light.
"This... looks like a Muggle thing," Hagrid said, poking it with his fingernail, puzzled.
"Recently, some healers at St. Mungo's have started incorporating Muggle medical tools into treatment," Dumbledore murmured, eyes narrowed as he studied it closely. "Still... Muggles do tend to favor such devices."
With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore summoned a silver phoenix from the tip of his staff—it flared into existence for an instant, then vanished like smoke.
Not long after, Keridy Bubagi and Madam Pomfrey hurried into the room, wrapped in thick cloaks over their nightgowns, their hair disheveled. Madam Pomfrey’s was loose around her shoulders.
They entered The Hog's Head, where the werewolf had been secured in a room upstairs. The only light came from a flickering oil lamp, casting a weak, yellow glow over a small patch of the room. The air was thick with the stench of grime and unwashed things. The place was a mess—objects greasy, surfaces sticky.
Hagrid stood by the bed, hand pressed over his wound. Dumbledore remained by the window, staring out into the dark night, expression unreadable.
"Dumbledore, Hagrid—"
Professor Bubagi’s greeting died in her throat as she turned and saw the hulking, fur-covered figure behind Hagrid.
The werewolf had woken from unconsciousness. He snarled, baring fangs, but was tightly bound by chains, unable to move.
"Aaah—!" The Muggle Studies professor shrieked, nearly bolting for the door.
"Calm down, Keridy," Dumbledore said, gently steadying her. "He can't hurt anyone now. I called you here to examine this object—Poppy, please attend to Hagrid’s wound."
"Of course," Madam Pomfrey replied calmly. Her Patronus had already alerted her to the supplies she needed. She pulled out a small, compact medical case—no bigger than two bricks—and set it on the floor. With a soft click-clack, the case unfolded, expanding rapidly into a towering, five-tiered cabinet two meters wide.
Hagrid’s wound still bled. He pulled off his jacket, revealing the deep, jagged gashes beneath. Professor Bubagi gasped again, her eyes darting nervously to the chained werewolf.
Her heart pounded, but the reassuring presence of the white-bearded headmaster steadied her. She took several deep breaths, then focused on the slender needle tube in her hands.
Madam Pomfrey, meanwhile, mixed silver powder with fresh white paste in precise proportions, spreading it evenly over Hagrid’s wounds. She asked seriously, "Did he bite you?"
"No," Hagrid shook his head. "I was careful. But... will I turn into a werewolf?"
Madam Pomfrey glanced at him. "Generally, no."
"Generally?" Hagrid’s voice rose in panic.
"Transformation into a werewolf requires being bitten by a werewolf during a full moon. The real infection comes from the blood and saliva of the beast after it shifts form."
She spoke matter-of-factly.
"Thank Merlin," Hagrid exhaled, relief washing over his face. "It’s not a full moon, and I wasn’t bitten."
But Madam Pomfrey’s frown did not ease.
"That’s the problem, Hagrid," she said. "Werewolves don’t transform outside of the full moon. Without knowing why this one changed, I can’t be sure whether his claws carry the lycanthropy virus."
"Even if you weren’t bitten," she added, "merely touching his blood or saliva could still lead to infection. Biting is the most direct route—but not the only one. Do you understand?"
Hagrid’s face paled further, his expression sinking into dread. The giant looked at her with such helpless misery, his eyes nearly brimming with tears.
After a long silence, he whispered, "Madam Pomfrey... please check him too. I hit him several times. His bones might be broken—eight or nine at least."
He knew the werewolf was Remus Lupin. In the fight, he’d held back, afraid of hurting him too badly, and had repeatedly failed to subdue him. But in the heat of the moment, he’d struck hard—so hard he’d heard bones snap.
Now, caught between fear for himself and guilt over what he’d done to Remus, Hagrid sat slumped on the floor, sighing heavily.
Madam Pomfrey gave him a soft, understanding look before turning to the werewolf.
"Awooo—!" The creature howled, snarling.
Madam Pomfrey withdrew a potion vial and poured its contents into the werewolf’s wide mouth. Within a second, the beast slumped back into unconsciousness.
Dressed in her white robes, the school nurse waved her wand, sending waves of pale green light over the creature’s body, scanning for injuries.
On the other side of the room, Professor Bubagi used magic to enlarge the needle tube for closer inspection. After a moment, she said, "This is definitely a Muggle artifact. And it’s not related to the medical equipment St. Mungo’s has started using."
"Unrelated?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes," Professor Bubagi said, her voice tinged with unease. "This needle is too thick—designed for large animals. The ones at St. Mungo’s are much finer. Most people wouldn’t even tolerate being stuck with them..."
"Look here—there are three tiny holes at the tip. I’ve never seen such a design. The craftsmanship is precise, almost surgical... but completely unnecessary."
"If it were necessary," Dumbledore asked, "what purpose might those holes serve?"
"...I don’t know," Professor Bubagi admitted, pausing to think. "Maybe to inject liquid faster? That’s my guess."
Dumbledore gave a slight nod, then circled his wand slowly around the needle tube, collecting the faint traces of blood and residue clinging to its inner and outer surfaces. The particles coalesced into a single, tiny droplet.
It was red—like blood.
Professor Bubagi watched as Dumbledore sealed it in a crystal vial. As she stared, a sudden chill ran down her spine.
There was something deeply wrong about that drop. Something... evil.
"Thank you for your help, Keridy," Dumbledore said.
"I didn’t do much..." Professor Bubagi said, flustered. "I’m happy to assist."
Dumbledore smiled. "You’ve come all this way in the middle of the night. Fawks will take you home."
A flash of crimson flame lit up the dim room. The phoenix appeared.
Professor Bubagi glanced at it with envy. "No—really, I don’t need that. It’s just a short walk."
"Tonight is not safe," Dumbledore insisted. "Let Fawks see you home."
His firm tone made her uneasy. She swallowed hard, then murmured, "...Alright."
(End of Chapter)
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