Three figures hurried through the corridors of Hogwarts Castle, an unusual combination of one Slytherin and two Gryffindors, one of whom was the Gryffindor prefect. They made their way to the second-floor girls' bathroom, pushing open the door and stepping inside.
"Percy, calm down!" John intervened as Percy's anger flared, his grip tightening on Ginny's shoulders to the point where she winced. "Sorry, Ginny," Percy quickly apologized, realizing his reaction was too harsh. "Can you tell us where it is?"
Ginny, with trembling hands, pointed towards a sink. John and Percy exchanged puzzled looks and approached, only to find nothing there.
"Is something missing?" John asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Percy, unable to contain his frustration, turned sharply towards Ginny. "Are you sure you remember correctly?" he demanded, his voice raised.
Ginny, tears welling up in her eyes, insisted, "I remember it was here."
In a fit of anger, Percy punched the mirror, causing John to urgently stop him. "Percy, stop!" he exclaimed, then called out, "Myrtle, are you there?"
"Of course I am," Myrtle responded, emerging from a broken toilet with a giggle. "There were three Gryffindor students here earlier."
"Ron and the others took the diary?" Percy surmised, recalling a previous incident involving the trio in the girls' bathroom.
"Wait, Percy. Let's not jump to conclusions," John advised, suggesting they use Percy's position to discreetly search the Gryffindor common room without alarming anyone. "Keep it quiet until we find the person responsible. It's not just about Ginny."
Percy agreed, understanding the gravity of the situation and the potential repercussions for both Ginny and the Weasley family. They decided to keep the matter secret, and John gave Ginny a Whomping Willow amulet for protection. "Wear this at all times and never take it off," he instructed sternly, and Ginny nodded, visibly shaken.
After ensuring Ginny's safety, Percy and John parted ways.
The next day, Percy sought out John, recounting how he had escorted Ginny back to the Gryffindor Tower and the subsequent encounter with the Weasley twins. Their curiosity and Percy's stern warning to keep an eye on Ginny had raised suspicions, but Percy was more concerned about their perception of him.
"George and Fred must think I'm crazy," Percy sighed, regretting his harshness towards his brothers.
John offered a sympathetic look, understanding the challenge of dealing with the mischievous twins. "Once we find the diary, we can put an end to all this. I'll leave Gryffindor in your hands, and please inform Penelope Clearwater for me," John said, his tone laced with a hint of teasing.
Percy, caught off guard by John's knowledge of his secret relationship with Penelope, could only stammer in response.
John smiled, revealing he had learned of their relationship during one of his patrols. Unbeknownst to Percy, John had access to the Marauder's Map, which had shown him Percy's frequent meetings with Penelope.
This revelation left Percy astounded, realizing there was little he could keep hidden from John. John pocketed the Marauder's Map and left Percy looking puzzled. As December approached, Professor McGonagall began collecting the detention list, a prelude to the holiday season. John had initially planned to return home for Christmas, but the unresolved issue of the Chamber of Secrets meant he would stay at Hogwarts. He decided to send a letter to Mrs. Wick, including two wizard cards for his father, Watson Wick, who had developed a fondness for the collectibles after discovering them through a Chocolate Frog. John considered trading some with Ron, but decided against it, knowing his father preferred to collect them on his own.
Neville Longbottom's appearance had become slightly leaner due to rigorous training. Draco Malfoy, noticing John's prowess in Defense Against the Dark Arts, sought him out for instruction. John devised a training plan for Draco, similar to Neville's, which included facing fears in the Screaming Shack. It was clear that Draco's courage was not much greater than Neville's.
During a Potions class, chaos ensued when an unidentified student threw a Firecracker into a cauldron, causing an explosion. John, reacting quickly, deflected a flying potion with an invisible barrier, sparing himself from the mess. He noticed that, aside from himself, only Harry Potter was unaffected by the incident. Hermione Granger was mysteriously absent, leading John to suspect a conspiracy.
"John Wick, you will be responsible for brewing the swelling reduction potion," Professor Snape announced, assigning John to remedy the situation despite his innocence. John accepted the task, earning extra points for his efforts.
Continuing his investigation into the heir of Slytherin, John discreetly involved senior students from all four houses without raising alarm. The search led to many dormitories being ransacked, causing rumors of a thief at Hogwarts. Percy Weasley, vigilant of his brothers, particularly the mischievous Fred and George, found nothing but prank items in their possession. Ron Weasley's belongings were also thoroughly searched, to no avail.
Just when John thought the situation would stabilize until Christmas, Gilderoy Lockhart stirred trouble by posting an announcement about a Dueling Club on the bulletin board. Confronting Lockhart, John expressed his disapproval of the initiative, especially since Lockhart expected John's assistance without offering anything in return.
Lockhart, realizing he needed John's help, offered a gesture of friendship. "I hope Gilderoy Lockhart can become your friend," he said reluctantly. John, recognizing the value of connections, accepted Lockhart's offer and provided him with two spell rings and two amulets. The amulets contained the Iron Armor Curse, while the spell rings were enchanted with the Disarming Curse and the Petrification Curse, among others, showcasing a variety of defensive and offensive capabilities.
Through these interactions, John continued to navigate the complexities of Hogwarts, balancing his role as a student with the responsibilities thrust upon him by the unfolding mystery of the Chamber of Secrets and the eccentricities of its inhabitants. The modifications John had made to the potions were no longer limited to a single use; they could now be utilized three times consecutively. This innovation, a direct outcome of John's advancements in alchemy, solidified Johnny the Silver Hand's indispensable role within the Auror Department. Lockhart, recognizing the immense value of this breakthrough, felt as though he had discovered a treasure.
At eight o'clock in the evening, the Crescent Stage in the Great Hall, a creation of Lockhart's own design, was ready for the event. John was taken aback by Lockhart's audacity in choosing an assistant for the evening's demonstration, especially since the assistant was none other than Professor Snape. John couldn't help but express his astonishment, remarking, "This is simply unprecedented."
The collaboration between Lockhart and Snape, two individuals from vastly different spheres within the wizarding world, was an unexpected development. Lockhart, known for his flamboyance and penchant for the dramatic, contrasted sharply with Snape's stern demeanor and serious approach to magic. The pairing was intriguing, to say the least, and promised an evening filled with surprises.
As the audience gathered in the Great Hall, the air buzzed with anticipation. The Crescent Stage, illuminated by enchanted lights that cast a soft glow over the assembled crowd, set the scene for what was to be a memorable demonstration. John, standing among the spectators, couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his contributions. His alchemical enhancements had not only increased the efficacy of the potions but had also played a pivotal role in bringing together two unlikely collaborators for the benefit of the wizarding community.
The event, conceived by Lockhart as a showcase of magical prowess and innovation, was about to begin. With Snape by his side, an air of solemnity and expertise complemented the spectacle that Lockhart was known for. As the curtains on the Crescent Stage drew back, the audience leaned forward in their seats, eager to witness the fusion of alchemy and magic that was about to unfold.
_________
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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