— What are you reading? — I'm sitting in the chair beside you.
It was late, everyone was asleep (I checked with the Shikigami), and only Hermione Granger was sitting by the small fire in the faculty lounge, reading some kind of Talmud. She's the one I need. This is where I'll strike first.
— Goblin Rebellions. Origins — the girl looked up at me, dropped the book into her lap, and released her wand with a flare. — And why are you so late? — Hermione rubbed her eyes.
— 'When you go to bed, take this. You can drink it with water or dissolve it in water, just not too hot. — I hold out a small envelope containing the potion.
— What is it?
— I don't know the equivalent in local potions, but it restores the body to its most ideal state. It heals wounds, removes accumulated toxins, cures chronic diseases, and eliminates acquired injuries and ailments. It's comprehensive, but it doesn't last long. — As I spoke, the sleep left the girl's eyes and she looked at me in disbelief as I finished. — What?
— That's impossible! — came out softly and hoarsely.
— Why? — I tilted my head slightly to my shoulder without taking my eyes off her.
— Because the side effects of such a complex remedy would turn the medicine into poison!
— This potion has no side effects. And yes, it doesn't cure old age or slow down aging. But it does regulate and accelerate natural regeneration.
— That can't be true. — I was told firmly. — It's impossible.
— Stop it — I said with a tired wave of my hand. — You only know what you read in the literature available in Britain, but the world, you know, it does not end.
— Anyway, only the elixir of life causes such effects.
— This elixir of yours has a one-time effect, even an explosive effect. This potion only stimulates the body and activates a bit of personal magic in the body to enhance the effect. You'll need to drink it for at least a couple of weeks to see a lasting effect, with a single serving you'll have tired eyes, tired muscles, and the first signs of a cold gone. That's it. — Seeing the skepticism in the girl's eyes, I continue. — Yes, you have not even seen all the local literature to make such a statement, let alone what is available in Europe. And this potion — generally from Japan. You know what I mean? There aren't five recipes in Britain for what they know, so you can't say you know better. In fact, that's why I came to you. Here. — I put a brand new little book on the table by the chairs.
— The Laws of Magic. Part One. — Granger read it aloud and turned to me with a questioning look on his face.
There's a small private publishing house in London that does mostly advertisements, menus, and other small things. Megan found the place two weeks ago and immediately placed a large order for a run of specific literature.
Simply put, an old squib split my rather hefty copy of Laws into four smaller books. Once printed, the owners' memories were wiped clean, but a fair payment for the work followed — why ruin an innocent man?
— What you see. It says it all. When you're done with the first part, come back for the next. — I'll get out of my chair. — And if you give this book to anyone without my permission, our communication ends here. The Headmaster, our Dean and Snape will take it away as soon as they see it, so you'd better wrap it in something. — I'll leave in silence.
Let's see what happens next and is she as normal a girl as she seems? What if Hermione Granger is a spy and an agent of influence under the Chosen One? We're going to find out. And now it is necessary to rest — there are too many events, too much energy and nerves needed for everything.
Lupin had signed the magical contract after talking to Dumbledore. The werewolf was now allowed to do other things and had even started to help Ms. Travers with Kiriko's training. To say that the man was stunned when he met the girl would be an understatement. He was dumbfounded, and I had to explain a few things, as well as add that I'm not a chimerologist, i.e. the girl was not assembled from dead flesh and brought back to life.
After an unbreakable vow of silence from both adults, I told a little more about the dolls, adding details. It made sense, even if it was a little creepy, especially for the English, who'd had a lot of trouble with slate-crazed chimerologists and a few necromancers. And Voldemort liked to dabble in creating inferi. In short, the conversation was long and difficult, but it ended well, and Lupin confirmed the teacher's good gift. For now, Kiriko is using a crystal wand, and then we'll see.
The brothers — Kaje and Hino — also turned out to be a dust bag for me. It turns out that these two birds have been here in Britain all along. Back in Japan they separated from me after hearing a whisper from the depths of the spirit world telling them where I was going to build my house, and then they came straight here.
Knowing that they would have to wait, they fell into a deep sleep, "pupated," and when they awoke, it turned out that I was already in Britain, and they had been reborn as incarnated spirits of the warm winds (Kaje) and the warmth of the sun (Hino).
Why they didn't tell me, I couldn't understand, because their logic had changed as well. They both firmly believe that according to my path, I had to see, understand and feel many things before settling down in one place. They added that I had everything I needed to hear that whisper, but if I didn't, it was fate.
And then there's the Chinese. What do they want from me? Aren't there enough other wizards and sorcerers in Britain? Why are they picking on me? Well, at least they're not bothering me, for now they're studying me from afar, just like me, but it's only been a few days and it's too early to tell what their goals are.