Chapter 478: Lupin's Visit
Chapter 478: Lupin's Visit (Please subscribe, favorite, and vote!)
After Hermione wrote a letter and had Owlhermes deliver it to Norway, the next morning, they had just finished breakfast when they heard the doorbell at the gate ring.
"Didn't we tell anyone about the location of our new home? It's an independent estate with no neighbors. Why would someone visit so early? It couldn't be a salesman, could it?" Liam muttered to himself as he went to open the door, while Hermione was clearing the breakfast dishes. She had recently become interested in household magic, so she took every opportunity to practice using magic for chores in their house, which was protected by a Magic Barrier.
"Why are you here so early?" Liam asked as he approached the iron gate. Standing there was Lupin, dressed in a slightly old-fashioned plaid suit, which surprised Liam. The owl had been sent out the previous night, and considering the flight time to Norway, it meant Lupin must have received the letter early this morning and rushed over immediately. "Have you had breakfast? If not, I can prepare something for you."
"I received your letter when I woke up and hurriedly ate a sandwich before coming over. So there's no need to trouble you", Lupin said as he walked in after Liam opened the gate. It was clear that his work helping werewolves had brought him both mental and material satisfaction. He looked much more vibrant than when he was a professor, and while his suit was a bit old-fashioned, the quality of the fabric was excellent. This suggested that with a stable job and income, Lupin wasn't the ascetic he once seemed to be.
"Is it true? Have you found a way to treat werewolves?" Lupin asked repeatedly as they walked through the yard, which was unlike his usual composed self. Liam understood his excitement, as the curse had affected Lupin's life profoundly, causing most of his misfortunes. The prospect of a solution naturally made him emotional.
"Yes, I gained some insights during our engagement trip", Liam replied. Fortunately, the Imperial Magic Realm and the European Magic Realm had limited contact, providing ample room for imagination.
"Indeed, that mysterious land", Lupin said with a wistful expression. "Professor Dumbledore mentioned that they are quite open to foreign scholars, but their language and culture are a significant barrier to learning from them."
Liam could only shrug and smile. In Harry Potter's world, the entire European magic system was the same, with regional variations. Even the Near East, North Africa, and American magic, influenced by European culture, shared the same origins. However, China's magic system was entirely different. Without a deep understanding of the local culture, it was difficult for most people to grasp it. Liam had only managed to understand the Classical Chinese magic books thanks to the knowledge he gained from Uncle Kiu. Hermione, on the other hand, relied on her foundation in Classical Chinese and frequent consultations with Liam through the Phoenix Mark to understand some of the texts.
Entering the house, Hermione had already prepared tea on the coffee table in the living room. Lupin sat on the sofa and looked around, saying, "Your new home looks wonderful. It truly feels like a home."
"Thank you", Hermione smiled, pleased that her efforts in housekeeping were appreciated. After some small talk, they got straight to the point.
"Professor Lupin", Hermione began, "our research results cannot actually turn werewolves back into humans." She paused and looked at Lupin, who did not appear impatient but listened attentively. He knew that Liam and Hermione were reliable and would not have contacted him unless they had a genuine solution.
"It doesn't matter", Lupin said. "After all, Werewolves have existed for over 3,000 years, and so many great Wizards throughout history couldn't solve this problem. So, I'm grateful for whatever progress you can make. After all, you are the only ones who have been willing to invest the effort to study Werewolves, even if your results bring us only a tiny bit of progress."
"It's not just a tiny bit of progress", Liam said. "We've made more progress in Werewolf research than anyone currently alive. We now have confidence that we can keep Werewolves in their wolf form while maintaining their human consciousness and eliminating their ability to infect others."
"What, is that true?" Lupin stood up excitedly, knocking over the teacup on the tray beside him. Fortunately, Liam waved his wand and caught the cup mid-air.
"It's true", Hermione nodded seriously. "We came to you because we are confident enough to proceed with this. The only issue is that no matter how much we simulate or conduct theoretical analysis, we still need to perform actual tests. Since this is the first time, we can't guarantee 100% success—"
"That's why you mentioned in your letter that this is a dangerous method, right?" Before Hermione could finish, Lupin interjected. "I know you wrote that letter to ask me to find a volunteer for your research, so I came. After all, they chose me as their leader, and in moments like these, I must step up."
"Alright", Liam sighed after a few seconds of eye contact with Lupin, then led him toward the Laboratory. It was no surprise to Liam that Lupin had become the leader of the Werewolves. First, Lupin had gathered them together, and with his help, they had found stable jobs, homes, and the basic dignity that any intelligent being deserves. Second, Lupin had been a Prefect in his youth and a teacher at Hogwarts in recent years, which demonstrated his excellence. In a world where strength is respected, it was natural for the Werewolves to unanimously choose Lupin as their leader.
Moreover, Lupin possessed a strong sense of justice and a willingness to make sacrifices. It was only natural that he would be the first to volunteer for the treatment. Seeing the determination in his eyes, Liam abandoned any thought of trying to dissuade him.
The Laboratory was located 155 meters underground in an adjacent garage, which Liam and his team had excavated using magic. The entire Laboratory was built to the standards of a radiation-world shelter, and after its construction, Liam and his team added numerous defensive spells. The Laboratory could be seen as a miniature shelter, equipped with an independent power source and internal recycling systems, capable of sustaining ten people underground for over five years.
"This is—" Lupin's mouth dropped open as he stepped out of the hidden elevator and into the Laboratory. The room was spotlessly clean, and an unseen white light source illuminated it brightly but not glaringly. There were three doors in the room, one directly opposite the elevator exit, and the other two on either side of the walls.
"This is the changing room. Go to the one on the left and put on the patient's gown. Hermione and I will change into our work robes on the right, and we'll meet back here", Liam said, then led Hermione away. Lupin entered the room on the left.
Opening the door, he found a small cloakroom. Inside the only metal wardrobe, he quickly found a complete set of blue patient gowns, including undergarments. When he put on the gown, he realized it was slightly too large, so he used his wand to shorten the sleeves and pant legs before leaving the room.
By the time he emerged, Liam and Hermione, now dressed in white lab coats, were waiting for him in the foyer. They led him further into the Laboratory.
(End of Chapter)
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