June had arrived, bringing with it the much-anticipated exam week. In Charms class, Professor Flitwick expressed his concern for John. "Mr. Wick, have you fully recovered?" he inquired, his voice tinged with worry.
John offered a grateful smile. "Thank you for your concern, Professor. I'm feeling much better now," he replied.
Professor Flitwick, still visibly shaken by the events, remarked in his high-pitched voice, "You were incredibly fortunate. That vile individual cast a rather feeble Killing Curse at you." He sighed, wishing he had been there to confront the perpetrator himself, confident in his abilities as a dueling champion to teach the attacker a lesson.
During the Charms exam, John executed a flawless performance, much to Professor Flitwick's satisfaction. His Pineapple Tap Dance spell was both perfect and graceful.
The next exam was in Transfiguration, where Professor McGonagall showed a similar concern for John. "This child has endured so much," she thought, recalling the series of unfortunate events John had faced, from being insulted by Malfoy at the start of the term to surviving both the Imperius and Killing Curses. "But, thankfully, he has been under divine protection."
"Vera Verto," John confidently chanted, pointing his wand at the mouse before him. In a flash, the mouse transformed into an exquisite snuff bottle. "Excellent work, Mr. Wick. A perfect transformation spell," Professor McGonagall praised, clapping her hands in approval.
In Potions class, the students were tasked with concocting a Forgetfulness Potion. The Defense Against the Dark Arts exam presented an unusual situation, as Professor Quirrell was absent due to illness. To John's slight discomfort, Dumbledore himself oversaw the exam, greeting him with his characteristic probing gaze and playful wink.
History of Magic, taught by the ghostly Professor Binns, was John's final and easiest exam. Despite the subject's tendency to induce sleepiness, its content was straightforward enough for both Muggles and wizards to grasp with some rote memorization. After jotting down the name of the wizard who invented the automatic stirring cauldron, John allowed himself a moment of relaxation.
Post-exam, Draco Malfoy approached John. The change in Malfoy's attitude was notable, especially considering the numerous messages of condolence he had sent to John during his hospital stay. "I'm feeling much better, thanks. And I haven't had the chance to thank you for all the condolences," John said.
"It was nothing," Malfoy replied, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance.
John, amused by Malfoy's demeanor, offered him some sweets from the pile of condolences gifts. Malfoy accepted one, albeit reluctantly, while Goyle and Crabbe nearly came to blows over them, prompting Malfoy to scold them.
It was then that Daphne Greengrass, a striking girl with blond hair, approached. "I heard about the Imperius Curse incident. It's hard to believe someone would do that," she said, her voice laced with concern.
John, rubbing his sore hand from the exam, agreed. "It must have been a desperate individual to venture into the Forbidden Forest," he mused.
Daphne, known as the beauty of Slytherin, was accompanied by Pansy Parkinson. With Malfoy's efforts to reshape John's image, he had garnered quite a following among the Slytherins.
As the crowd dispersed, John turned to Malfoy and said, "Draco, I think it's fair to say we're friends now."
Malfoy, caught off guard by the use of his first name, glanced at his companions before replying with feigned nonchalance, "Well, since you put it that way... John."
This exchange marked a significant step in John's integration into Slytherin's social circles.
Later, visiting Hagrid's hut, John received a letter from the gentle giant, informing him that the unicorn he had helped had sent a thank you gift. "Unicorns are intelligent magical creatures, and their capacity for gratitude isn't hard to believe," John remarked as he approached Hagrid's hut. Hagrid, who was seated on a large chair outside, noticed John's arrival and quickly set aside the pea pods he was shelling. "Ah, John, good to see you're alright," Hagrid greeted, his voice laden with relief. Despite having heard about John's recovery from Harry, Hagrid's concern was palpable. He enveloped John in a bear hug before setting him down and sharing the news, "Wei sent her horn as a token of her gratitude."
John, puzzled, asked, "Weiwei?"
"That's the unicorn's name. Unicorns have their own names, but they seldom share them with others," Hagrid explained as he retrieved the horn from his house. The spiral horn radiated a soft, shimmering light, its purity and beauty reminiscent of pearl paint. Unlike the horn Quirrell had brutally severed, this one was imbued with a sacred aura.
John accepted the horn, marveling at its value, which he humorously thought surpassed even the most prized possessions.
Tom emerged from the hut, followed closely by Fang, the affectionate dog. Fang, displaying a submissive demeanor towards Tom, seemed oblivious to the fact that Tom carried himself with an air of superiority, unaware of Fang's potential danger.
"Excellent work, Tom. And thank you for leading Professor Kettleburn here. Of course, Yaya did a splendid job guiding the way," John praised, petting both dogs. Tom had sought out Yaya that night, allowing the dog to guide him to Professor Kettleburn with John's letter in tow. Professor Kettleburn, dedicated to the study of magical creatures, lived near the Forbidden Forest, making him an ideal contact for John's concerns about the harm befalling the forest's magical inhabitants.
John had also reached out to several other professors, albeit without explicit details, merely hinting at the presence of intruders in the Forbidden Forest. He pondered why Professor Snape hadn't responded; his presence would have surely prevented Quirrell's escape.
With the unicorn horn now in his possession, John's thoughts turned to alchemy. Inquiring about additional materials from Hagrid, he was rewarded with a basket brimming with various magical ingredients, including the exceedingly rare acromantula venom—a substance so valuable, a small vial could fetch 100 Galleons.
Hagrid, seemingly a treasure trove of resources, offered John an invitation for tea. However, their moment was interrupted by the arrival of three breathless children.
"Hagrid, we need to ask you something," they panted, their faces flushed from running.
Harry, eager for answers, asked, "Do you remember the night you won Norbert in a poker game? Can you describe the stranger you played against?"
Hagrid, puzzled by the question, replied nonchalantly, "I can't say. He never removed his cloak."
The children's astonishment was evident as Hagrid continued, "The Pig's Head Bar attracts all sorts of odd folk. He might have been a dragon dealer. His face was hidden beneath a hood."
Harry's heart raced as he sensed they were nearing a breakthrough. "Did you mention Hogwarts to him?" he pressed.
Hagrid furrowed his brow, trying to recall, "Perhaps I did. He inquired about my occupation, and I might have boasted about being able to subdue even a Norwegian Ridgeback, let alone a fire dragon."
As Hagrid reminisced about the wine he'd consumed, Harry's suspicions were confirmed—the stranger was undoubtedly involved in the plot to steal the Philosopher's Stone. Hagrid's offhand remark about the calming effect of music on dragons only served to solidify their theory.
Before they could digest the information fully, the trio dashed off, leaving Hagrid bewildered and slightly alarmed.
John, stepping out of the cabin, couldn't help but advise, "Hagrid, perhaps it's wise to be more cautious with your words."
"Hagrid, you're in a bit of a pickle, but don't worry. We'll figure this out together," John reassured, ready to assist his friend in navigating the consequences of his inadvertent revelations. Struggling under the weight of a heavy basket, John said, "Okay, but first I need to drop these items off in my dormitory." However, suspecting that the trio had already devised a plan to navigate the trap, John reconsidered his initial decision. Facing Voldemort was a possibility he wasn't prepared for. Opting for a strategic approach, he headed to the Room of Requirement instead of his dormitory. There, he began crafting an amulet from the materials in his basket. With the Marauder's Map at his disposal, John could keep an eye on the movements of the trio at all times.
As night fell, the trio made their move. Glancing at the half-completed amulet, John hastened his efforts. Shortly after the trio ventured onto the fourth floor, John finished the amulet. Equipping himself with the newly crafted amulet, he also packed a bag full of potions. He was determined to use these potions to incapacitate Voldemort should his plan fail. Additionally, he armed himself with his large sword, ready for whatever lay ahead.
Upon reaching the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor, he found the entrance already ajar. Confronted by Fluffy, the three-headed dog, John quickly thought on his feet and threw a box containing a music box towards it. The soothing melodies lulled Fluffy into a deep sleep, allowing John to proceed through the trapdoor unimpeded.
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If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge