https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-357-The-Book-of-Friends-Improvement-Plan/13685348/
Chapter 358: Dumbledore Returns
He listed each task he needed to accomplish in his notebook, then carefully considered which Magic, Ancient Runes, and Spells to use. For any unclear parts, he planned to consult Professor Mor later; for any spells he hadn’t fully mastered, he’d borrow books from Madam Pince.
The librarian seemed to know every book in the entire library by heart. Even when Wade could only vaguely describe what he needed, Madam Pince would instantly produce the exact volume. Though she was so familiar with the library, Wade still saw her holding a book in hand every time he passed by—always reading.
Only when a student broke the library’s rules would she snap into action, storming over with furious speed and angrily shooing the offender out.
Exactly like now—
A group of students, arguing for no clear reason, were chased out of the library by a tattered chicken-feather duster, clutching their heads as they ran. Other students stared in shock, their whispers dying instantly in the silence.
The duster fluttered back to the long table near the administrator’s desk, landing with a soft thud into a wicker barrel. Its feathers pulsed gently, as if breathing.
Madam Pince smoothed a stray lock of hair from her temple, turned, and returned to her post. Seeing Wade waiting by the table, she finally offered a faint smile.
“What book do you need this time, my dear?”
A few minutes later, Wade returned to his seat, arms full of thick tomes. He barely sat down before he noticed someone had taken the seat beside him.
“—Harry?”
Harry nodded. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Wade signaled him to stay quiet, then pulled out his wand and swept it gently across the surrounding area. Afterward, he tucked the wand away.
The murmurs around them faded into a soft, distant hum—like bees buzzing far off in a meadow. Unnoticeable unless you were listening closely.
“Now we can talk,” Wade said.
“You don’t know about Remus?” Harry nodded, then shook his head.
“I didn’t know at first… but just now, Professor McGonagall told me.”
He looked up, worry etched into his face. “So it’s true? Remus… turned into a werewolf in public… and attacked someone?”
Wade replied, “He transformed on the street in Hogsmeade. But no one saw it—”
The vampire who witnessed it should be in Dumbledore’s pursuit by now. So it didn’t count.
Those vampires had tried to get the story into the newspaper, but Wade had been watching The Daily Prophet closely. The paper carried a headline saying “Peace Prevails,” and people seemed uninterested in the three escaped prisoners.
Meanwhile, Minister Fudge had passed a new law banning government officials from giving interviews to streaming mirrors—something that sparked widespread backlash.
When Wade saw the news, he sent a quick message to Coliver, the head of the equivalent of a television network at Machionni’s side, asking him to submit a request for an interview with Madam Umbridge every few days.
After a pause, Wade continued, “And he didn’t attack anyone. Hagrid was nearby and managed to subdue the wild Remus. Dumbledore arrived shortly after, and no one in Hogsmeade was injured.”
“But… how could he have transformed like that?” Harry still looked troubled. “I asked Hermione—she said that doesn’t fit the typical werewolf pattern.”
Wade knew Remus Lupin had likely been secretly targeted. But until he knew the true reason, he wouldn’t speak without proof. Instead, he said:
“Just like Professor Dumbledore—He’s investigating. He may tell us soon.”
Harry nodded, then fell silent for a long moment before whispering, “I just hope Remus gets back to normal soon… I asked Professor McGonagall to let me visit him. She wouldn’t allow it…”
“I also heard he wasn’t taken to St. Mungo’s,” Harry added. “She just said someone professional is helping him. I don’t know who…”
Watching his expression, Wade said nothing.
Harry still imagined some legendary healer—someone powerful and kind. If he knew it was actually Professor Snape… he’d probably assume Remus was already dead.
He’d heard that yesterday, in Potions class, Snape had reduced every first-year Gryffindor to tears—and even his favorite Slytherins hadn’t escaped the scolding.
Wade wisely kept that thought to himself.
…
It wasn’t until Sunday afternoon that Wade finally received a message from Dumbledore.
He rushed straight to the Headmaster’s Office, not even bothering to knock before the oak door burst open.
Boom!
The heavy door slammed into the wall with a thunderous crack.
Severus Snape stormed out, face dark with rage, his eyes sharp enough to cut. Even seeing Wade didn’t soften his expression. He gave a cold grunt, flicked his black robes with a single hand as the wind caught them, then strode down the spinning staircase—impatiently, he didn’t wait for it to turn slowly, but instead took the steps three at a time with sharp, rapid strides.
Wade lowered his hand, still half-raised in greeting, and knocked lightly on the open door.
“Come in, Wade.”
Wade stepped inside. The Headmaster looked exhausted, as if he’d just returned from a long journey. His gray cloak hung on the rack, frayed at the edges, and his long white beard was dusted with grime.
Dumbledore didn’t even bother to cast a Scourgify on himself. Instead, he reached into a cabinet and pulled out a box of Lemon Drops, offering it cheerfully.
“Care for one?”
Wade shook his head. “Thank you, but I don’t like them. They’re too sweet.”
“What a shame,” Dumbledore said, returning the box to its place. He popped one into his mouth and closed his eyes, savoring it with a blissful expression.
Wade couldn’t help but smile. Then the Headmaster waved a hand, and a glass of pomegranate juice appeared before him. He thanked Dumbledore, took a sip, and waited quietly before speaking.
Just seeing Dumbledore calmed the restless edge in Wade’s mind.
Then, one by one, the long table filled with sweets: maple syrup pie, honey tarts, toffee pudding—everything imaginable.
After a thoughtful pause, Dumbledore carefully selected a honey tart as his first treat of the day, and once again, offered it with genuine enthusiasm.
This time, Wade accepted. He picked up a pudding—among all the sweets, only this one wasn’t overly sweet.
Dumbledore took a bite and sighed, “I’m sorry. Whenever I’m with Severus, he looks at me like I’m eating poison. It ruins my appetite.”
“You must have had a difficult few days,” Wade said, understanding. Then, with a curious tone, he asked, “Those vampires… did they cause you much trouble?”
“Vampires aren’t the real problem,” Dumbledore said. His expression shifted instantly, his eyes sharpening. A moment later, he relaxed, smiling again. “But that’s a good message.”
“Remus has regained his reason. He should be back to normal by tomorrow afternoon. You can bring Harry and visit him in the Infirmary then.”
(End of Chapter)
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