Chapter 352. Old Friend Not Reunited
Kariel froze, then burst into laughter. "This is impossible!"
"Why would it be impossible?" Graynwhite asked, stepping out of the cave with Giant’s travel pack slung over his shoulder.
"Because I know Wade CannotMagic — he’s just some bookish little fool who only reads!" Kariel said confidently. "He’s probably wearing thick glasses right now, studying advanced math or chess at St. Paul’s Academy. Most likely getting picked on by classmates — and secretly hoping I’d come to his rescue!"
The two were so focused on their conversation that they walked right past Wade without noticing the falcon hiding at the cave’s edge, tucked among fallen leaves and weeds.
After all, the falcon was still not fully grown. When suppressing its wings, its size was barely larger than an ordinary crow, and its dark feathers blended perfectly into the night shadows.
Graynwhite sighed. "I told you already — stop watching so much Television. Do you really think all smart people are like those nerdy characters on screen?"
Kariel shot back with a straight face: "Well, Wade is like that — though maybe he doesn’t wear glasses."
"Kid, don’t play dumb. Listen —" Graynwhite’s tone turned serious. "The Wade Gray I’m talking about is the one you know — but he’s no bullied bookworm. He’s a rising star, a true prodigy in alchemy!"
Kariel fell silent, stunned. He stared at the ground, lost in thought.
They trudged along the forest path, crunching through thick layers of branches and leaves. The forest was pitch-black, yet they moved with ease, avoiding every obstacle without needing any light.
Wade followed silently above, gliding just behind, pausing now and then to maintain a safe distance.
He couldn’t get too close — not if he wanted to stay hidden. But the forest was quiet, and Wade could clearly hear every word.
"Wade Gray is now one of Dumbledore’s most trusted allies," Graynwhite continued. "He invented the Streaming Mirror, the Book of Friends, and the Magic Puppet. He’s even a partner at Aslan Magical Workshop."
"Streaming Mirror and Book of Friends? Not that impressive," Graynwhite added. "But the leader wants the Magic Puppet’s recipe. He even sent agents to infiltrate Aslan Workshop."
"Yet we found out the process was split into dozens of separate procedures — every step, from magical material creation onward, was kept under absolute secrecy. Even after bribing a few employees, we couldn’t get close to the core method."
"Only a handful of people in the world fully master the Magic Puppet’s creation. And among them, Wade Gray is the most accessible — and most valuable."
"The leader wants us to obtain the recipe from Wade Gray. Ideally, we’d persuade him to join us willingly."
"So do you understand now, Kariel? Why you — a trainee still in the training camp — were sent on this mission?"
Kariel’s cheerful expression had vanished. He stayed silent for a long time before finally whispering, "So… what do we do? Just kidnap Wade… I mean, Gray?"
Graynwhite shook his head. "Over a month ago, an operation team tried. Everyone sent disappeared — completely wiped out. We still don’t know who did it."
"Now that Wade Gray is back at Hogwarts, with Dumbledore protecting him, taking him is nearly impossible."
"But I heard there are people inside the school on our side," Kariel ventured. "Can’t we use a Portkey…?"
"Idiot!" Graynwhite snapped, eyes narrowing. "Portkeys are tracked far easier than you think! Do you want to expose our secret base to a wizard like Dumbledore?"
He gave the boy a sharp slap on the head. "You clearly didn’t pay attention in class — you need more discipline!"
Kariel grinned, rubbing his head. "Can’t blame me — theory lectures are boring! So what does the leader want me to do?"
"Patience. We wait for the right moment. First, change your face. Find a chance to meet Wade Gray — you were friends as kids. Even with a new appearance, reconnecting should be easy…"
Graynwhite lowered his voice, speaking in hushed tones as he outlined their plan.
After a while, Kariel asked, "Can we get me transferred to Hogwarts? I’m stuck outside while he’s inside — no chance to act."
"Think again," Graynwhite snapped. "Hogwarts isn’t some Muggle school! Transferring is possible — but I’d bet your real identity would be exposed the moment you step inside. I heard there’s an advanced magic that reveals a person’s true name."
"Hogwarts has stood for a thousand years. Who knows what kind of protective enchantments are layered into its walls? Trying to sneak in under a fake identity? Forget it."
Though Graynwhite scolded him harshly, his mind was already raging at the incompetence of the agents who’d taken Kariel in the first place.
If not for the minor wizard disappearance scandal that had rocked the British magical community, Kariel could’ve entered Hogwarts as a legitimate transfer student. That would’ve made reuniting with his old friend so much easier.
Kariel yawned, brushing off Graynwhite’s words. He tilted his head upward, gazing at the distant lights of a Muggle town. His blue eyes were sharp and clear.
They walked into the town, then knocked on the door of a tattered inn in the middle of the night. The door creaked open, and they stepped inside.
The sudden noise startled the night birds, who flapped upward before settling back down with a rustle.
On the window’s branch, two brownish long-eared owls sat, slowly turning their heads, scanning for mice. Then, without warning, a third bird appeared behind them.
The owls snapped their heads around a full 180 degrees, staring at the falcon with intense focus, letting out soft, warning hoots.
The falcon stared back.
Fortunately, long-eared owls are slow and calm. If it had been a barn owl, it would’ve already been attacking.
So Wade watched as the owls — with their squirrel-like ears — shifted sideways, giving him space. Then they resumed their watchful gaze, eyes fixed on the sparrows perched on the nearby wires, as if zoning out.
The falcon acknowledged their kindness and took a few steps forward. Now, the three birds stood side by side — an oddly peaceful scene.
Wade was satisfied with his position. He didn’t even need to turn his head — he could see Kariel and Graynwhite clearly as they entered the room.
They dropped their parcels, but didn’t rest right away.
Kariel pushed the television aside, shoved a bright red lollipop into his mouth, then sat on the bed, staring intently at the Streaming Mirror — focused on the exterior of The Hog’s Head.
Graynwhite, meanwhile, pulled out a pen and notebook. As he opened it, several photos slipped out.
He cursed under his breath and bent down to pick them up.
The falcon narrowed his eyes.
Among the photos were Werewolf Will and Remus Lupin — and a female werewolf named Clare.
(End of Chapter)
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