John couldn't help but notice the jealous look directed at him, but he simply shrugged it off, deciding to prioritize purchasing his books. However, his shopping was interrupted when he stumbled upon Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy embroiled in a heated altercation. The Weasley twins were cheering on the sidelines, clearly entertained by the spectacle. They might have even joined in if not for the fact that Mr. Malfoy was clearly outmatched by the larger Weasley family presence.
"What's going on here?" John mused, observing Mr. Malfoy's expression darken as Mr. Weasley snatched a copy of "Toadstools" from his grasp. Hagrid soon intervened, pulling the two apart as Mr. Malfoy spat out some bitter words and spitefully tossed a book into Ginny's cauldron.
"They're being surprisingly restrained, considering they're not using magic," John noted. It was clear to him that both men were wary of attracting the Ministry of Magic's attention. After all, a physical altercation was one thing, but using magic in such a dispute was an entirely different matter.
"My goodness, is there a fight happening?" Watson exclaimed, suddenly remembering his son's intention to buy books. Upon arriving, he found the area in disarray, with Mrs. Wick anxiously searching for her son amidst the chaos.
John watched as Mr. Weasley received a scolding from Molly, much like a child being reprimanded. Having completed his own shopping, John bid farewell to Harry and the others. As he did so, he noticed an old book, resembling a diary, in Ginny's cauldron. He assumed it was just another second-hand book the Weasley family was accustomed to using and thought little of it.
Since John's family were Muggles, he couldn't use the Floo Network to return home. Instead, they spent another day in London before heading back. Once home, John eagerly delved into the materials he had acquired, including those sent by Hagrid in the following days.
"These are brilliantly written," John remarked, closing a book by Gilderoy Lockhart. The stories were captivating, with hidden magical principles that intrigued John. "Could it be that this Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is actually competent?" he wondered, considering Lockhart's rich experiences might make him an excellent teacher.
Feeling a sense of anticipation, John set aside the book and began working with dragon tooth powder. This substance, slightly poisonous, was mixed with other ingredients to create a viscous liquid. He applied it to Iron Wick's sword, which turned black and then mirrored after the application was evenly spread.
"Coating it with dragon teeth should imbue it with a demon-repelling effect, though its actual efficacy remains to be seen," John mused. He had enhanced Iron Wick's sword to combat magic, ensuring it could inflict damage on magical creatures.
After inspecting the blade's sharpness and durability, John stored the sword away. His attention was then drawn to a pile of letters from various alchemists and rune experts. These correspondences were the result of his diligent efforts over the vacation, seeking advice and building connections within the wizarding world.
Nicolas Flamel had advised him on the importance of networking, reminding John that progress often required collaboration. Thanks to his status as a Hogwarts student, many experts, proud alumni themselves, were more than willing to assist.
Among the letters was one from Dharma Alex Belby, expressing interest in John's suggestions for improving the Wolfsbane Potion. "Where there's a will, there's a way," John thought, recalling the potion's potential to allow werewolves to retain their sanity during transformations. Moved by compassion for those afflicted, John had shared his insights, hoping to make a difference. John was taken aback by the unexpected invitation from Dharma Alex Belby, who expressed a desire to meet him in person at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Considering the opportunity to broaden his connections, John agreed to the meeting. Setting aside the letter of invitation, he opened the last piece of mail, which brought a wave of sadness over him. The LeMays, his cherished mentors, had passed away. They had chosen not to inform John of their passing, wishing him to remember them in life rather than in death. The news deeply saddened John, especially since their departure was marked by a modest commemoration, witnessed only by their friend, Dumbledore.
Upon arriving at St. Mungo's, not located in the bustling Diagon Alley but hidden within a nondescript red brick department store in London named Tao Tao Limited, John found himself stepping into a world of magical healing. He explained his visit to a mannequin in the storefront window, which served as a unique entrance to the hospital. Inside, on the second floor, he encountered a scene of distress: a wizard suffering from a werewolf bite, with Dharma Alex Belby, a thin man, meticulously recording the patient's reactions to the injury.
Belby explained that while silver couldn't heal werewolf bites, a concoction known as Baixian provided essential nutrients to help patients endure the initial pain. When Belby noticed John, his initial impatience turned to surprise upon learning John's identity. He had expected a seventh-year student, not someone who appeared much younger. Despite John's youthful appearance, Belby recognized his talent and invited him to visit his manor, an invitation John gladly accepted.
After their meeting, John encountered Neville Longbottom wandering the hospital corridors. Neville's presence puzzled John, who quickly learned that Neville was there to visit his parents, former Aurors left mentally incapacitated by Death Eater torture. The sight of Neville's parents, unable to recognize their own son, deeply moved John, who offered his friend comfort in the face of such tragedy. The encounter underscored the heinous acts committed by Voldemort and his followers.
Leaving the hospital, John bid farewell to Neville and his stern-looking grandmother, who waited outside for her grandson. The visit to St. Mungo's had been eventful, but John's thoughts soon turned to the Wolfsbane Potion, a remedy for werewolf bites he remembered from his third year at Hogwarts, still unreleased to the public. Recalling its key ingredient, aconitum, John pondered the potion's complexity and the risks involved in its use, given the plant's potent toxicity. Several days after sending his theory to Dharma Alex Belby via letter, John eagerly awaited a response. Finally, a reply arrived, succinct yet promising: "Success."
_________
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