Chapter 365: What Was Injected?
“You’ll learn it eventually,” Wade said, pulling his Assignment back and raising one eyebrow. “Finish your own work, then.”
He watched Kariel scratching his head in frustration, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips—Schadenfreude made sweet music. Then, as the boy ran his fingers through his hair, the sleeve of his robe slipped down, revealing a thin, dark scar on his forearm.
Wade’s gaze flickered, sharp and still.
He knew what that was. A mark left by a whip.
Sometimes, Wade couldn’t understand how Kariel, after Dumbledore’s “education,” could have truly turned over a new leaf—willingly becoming an ordinary student. Or was he still loyal to the organization, merely playing along, doing exactly what they wanted, even now?
It was clear Kariel wasn’t being treated well—there were signs of that. Yet, in daily interactions, the shadows of his past seemed to vanish, as if they’d never existed.
It had been over ten days since Hogwarts welcomed him, and the initial curiosity about the transfer student had long faded. Kariel fit right in with Gryffindor, and he got along well with students from other Houses.
But through all that time, he never once mentioned his parents.
Wade had asked Relf. He knew Kariel hadn’t secretly used the school’s owls to send letters to the Johnsons, nor had he asked the Headmaster to pass along a message. As if those two once-close family members had simply been fleeting figures in his life.
He couldn’t make sense of it. But for now, all he could do was treat Kariel as an ordinary classmate—and keep observing.
Suddenly, Kariel looked up.
“What’s wrong? You’ve been staring at me…”
“Ink on your face,” Wade said.
“What? Where?”
Wade pointed. Kariel hurriedly wiped at his cheek with the back of his hand.
…
After dinner, Wade turned an old coal oil lamp can and a water cup into a food box. He and Harry loaded it with a generous meal and headed toward the Infirmary.
Remus Lupin had fully regained his human form and now occupied a private room. The wounds inflicted by Hagrid had healed, but his body had suffered lasting damage. He’d also undergone a full moon transformation during his recovery, leaving him weak and barely able to eat solid food. Most of the time, he was asleep.
For the past few days, Madam Pomfrey had strictly limited visitation—just a quick glance each day. There’d been little chance to talk.
But lately, Remus’s condition had improved dramatically. Yesterday, she’d even told them he could now receive regular food.
At the door, Harry knocked. A moment later, Remus’s voice called, “Come in.”
The door opened.
Remus sat upright in his hospital bed, scowling as he clutched a steaming cup. A nauseating, pungent smell wafted from it—so strong that Wade felt his throat tighten, his eyes stinging as if assaulted by poison. He didn’t even wait. With a flick of his wand, he cast a Bubble Head Charm on himself—just in time.
Harry immediately grabbed his arm. “Please, Wade, help me—”
Wade cast the charm on him too.
Now, both of them looked like they were floating under glass domes, breathing fresh air. They each took several deep breaths, as if resurrected.
“Remus,” Harry managed, voice strained. “What is that? Some factory’s toxic waste?”
“Factory?” Remus sighed. “It’s a healing potion.”
He closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and took a sip. Instantly, his body convulsed. A grimace of pain twisted his face.
Harry stared at him with a mix of awe and dread. Just smelling it made him vow never to drink such a potion in his life.
Wade offered gently, “Remus, I brought dessert. Want some?”
Harry quickly placed his own food box on the table. “Yeah! And pumpkin juice too!”
“No,” Remus said, shaking his head. “The sugar only makes it worse. I’ve tried it. It’s like drinking regret.”
He took a deep breath, bracing himself, then drained the entire cup in one go.
Then he began to shiver—shaking violently, as if freezing.
Wade took the cup from his trembling hands. The potion clinging to the inside looked thick, black, and sticky—like tar. Even he felt a chill.
He tapped the empty cup with his wand. Instantly, fresh water poured in, filling it to the brim.
Remus drank it all down. Only then did he seem to recover.
Seeing the worry in both their eyes, Remus made a face. “Tastes like death.”
Harry couldn’t help laughing.
Wade opened the window and cast a small Wind Charm, swirling the stench out of the room. Only then did he remove the Bubble Head Charms.
Remus wasn’t hungry for dinner. He sat on the bed, savoring the rare chance to talk with them.
“Madam Pomfrey’s stricter than my teachers were,” Remus grumbled. “I’m stuck here all day—I’d go mad if you two didn’t come.”
Harry nodded. “I’ll be back tomorrow. We’ll have time after lunch—right, Wade?”
“Yeah.” Wade nodded, then casually cast a Scourgify Spell on the cup.
“Too bad I don’t have any black tea to serve,” Remus said, glancing at Harry. “I heard your Divination class didn’t go well?”
“Even you heard about that?” Harry shrugged, unbothered. “I don’t think Sirius Black is a bad omen. We know Professor Trelawney’s full of nonsense.”
At first, he had been shaken. But after a few days, the fear faded. He now saw the black dog in the tea leaves as nothing more than a coincidence—and found the professor’s dramatic reactions kind of amusing.
Remus chuckled. “I underestimated you. I was worried you’d be scared.”
“Nothing to fear,” Harry said, shrugging. “I knew she was a fraud before I even picked the class.”
Wade turned to him, voice quiet. “Remus… what did they inject you with? Why did you transform early?”
Harry turned sharply, eyes wide. “Yeah! What was it?”
“It wasn’t a potion,” Remus said, frowning. “Snape confirmed it wasn’t any known potion. But it’s more potent than most.”
“Snape?” Harry blurted.
“Yeah,” Remus said. “He helped investigate. Did a lot of work. Even made me a healing potion himself. He’s the best in this field.”
Harry immediately looked back at the cup—now clean and empty. He murmured, “I think I know what that smell was…”
Wade ignored them, pressing on. “So… no one’s figured out what it is?”
“No,” Remus said. “But Snape did consult a scholar from a Muggle university. They confirmed it’s a substance called ‘Hormone.’ And it’s a type… never before discovered.”
(End of Chapter)
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