Lucius Malfoy scrutinized the scene before him, yet he failed to perceive what John had suggested. Unperturbed, John continued, "He will become a formidable wizard, independent of his lineage. His own merits will be his legacy, one that will fill you with pride." John's words were generous, for compliments cost nothing to give. His voice, low and raspy, carried the weight of ancient tales, reminiscent of a troubadour from bygone eras.
"He is destined to chase after someone, a person who will alter the course of everything. Like a beacon in the night sky, he will illuminate the entire magical world."
Draco Malfoy felt a stir within him at these words, the image of John vivid in his mind. John's gaze, penetrating and insightful, seemed to pierce through Draco's soul as he posed a significant question, "Son, will you choose to follow this individual, or will you live your life shielded by others?"
Caught in a tumult of emotions, Draco finally declared with conviction, "I'm sorry, Mr. Johnny Silver Hand, but I already have someone I've chosen to follow. He may not possess your strength, but he is worthy of my loyalty."
Lucius, taken aback by his son's words, feared a misunderstanding. However, John raised a hand to forestall any response from Lucius. Approaching Draco, John spoke with an air of mystery, "I look forward to seeing this unfold."
The intensity of the moment compelled Draco to take a deep breath, to which he solemnly nodded, "That day will come."
John, satisfied with Draco's resolve, decided there was no need to pursue the matter of godfatherhood further. To divert Lucius from any dark thoughts, John presented several letters, "These are invitations from pure-blood families to Hogwarts. You will reclaim your position on the Hogwarts Board of Governors before Christmas this year."
Lucius's spirits lifted at the prospect of regaining his former status. However, John added a stipulation, "You must restrain from meddling excessively in Hogwarts affairs. This position is merely a title."
Lucius's expectations were dashed, his face clouding over. John's gaze, deep and commanding, met Lucius's, "You must learn contentment. Remember, the person you've antagonized is hailed as the most powerful headmaster in Hogwarts' history."
John's admonition struck a chord with Lucius, reminding him of Dumbledore's formidable reputation, a man who had contended with Dark Lords across generations. Lucius, conceding internally, recognized the necessity for the Malfoys to adopt a more subdued approach.
After Lucius and Draco departed, John remained in contemplation. "Lucius seems unaware of Voldemort's current predicament," he mused. Given Voldemort's weakened state, it was unlikely he could rally his followers as he once did. This ignorance was advantageous to John, who admitted to having gaps in his memory regarding certain events.
"Regardless, we'll face whatever comes. Harry and Dumbledore will handle what lies ahead," John resolved, pushing these concerns aside.
Casting a Disillusionment Charm on himself, John departed Johnny Silverhands. Reaching a secluded spot, he used Apparition to return home, his skill in the magical art improving with each journey.
Upon arriving, John noticed Tom's absence. "Basil, where's Tom?" he inquired. Basil, dozing in his designated spot, opened one eye lazily and glanced towards the window.
Approaching, John observed his own dog, Basil, alongside a large black stray dog they had encountered previously. "I was envious last time, but today we played together," Basil seemed to convey through his relaxed demeanor.
This chapter not only advances the plot but also deepens the character development, particularly of Draco Malfoy, showcasing his loyalty and the choices that define him. John's mysterious aura and his interactions with the Malfoys hint at larger forces at play, setting the stage for future events in this magical world. John watched with a mix of amusement and concern as his small dog, Tom, struggled to keep up with the long strides of the large black dog that had recently started visiting. The size difference between the two was comical, yet somehow, they had formed a close bond. John mused, "Could it be because they're both male?" He glanced at the black dog, noting its size, especially its long legs, and then back at Tom, remembering that Tom was female. "Well, Tom, a relationship between you two seems unlikely, especially considering the size difference," he thought, somewhat disheartened by the thought of his dog's unrequited affection.
John couldn't help but wonder if this was a peculiar case of love, where a handsome, long-legged stray dog had captured the heart of his pampered pet. "Let them enjoy their time together," he decided, knowing that soon he would be off to school and Tom would likely forget her distant admirer. With a shake of his head, he turned his attention away from the canine companions.
Meanwhile, Sirius Black, in his Animagus form of a large black dog, was hiding in Privet Drive, evading the Ministry of Magic and the Dementors. He was consumed with thoughts of revenge against Peter Pettigrew, the friend who had betrayed him and their other friends, leading to Sirius's wrongful imprisonment in Azkaban. The sight of Tom, the small dog, brought back memories of simpler times, including the taste of small dried fish, a luxury compared to the scraps he had survived on since escaping Azkaban.
Seeing Sirius drool at the memory, Tom quickly fetched a large bag of dog food, which, while not as delightful as dried fish, was a feast for Sirius. He devoured the food, finding pieces of jerky and steak among the kibble, a meal that nearly brought him to tears after years of hardship.
John, observing the scene, couldn't help but draw parallels between his dog feeding Sirius and the stories of wealthy families secretly supporting their less fortunate relatives. "I never expected you to be such a generous dog," he remarked, half-jokingly considering whether he should take measures to prevent Sirius from potentially causing trouble for other pets in the neighborhood.
Deciding to let the matter rest for now, John focused on his own responsibilities, including dealing with "The Monster Book of Monsters," a textbook chosen by Hagrid for his upcoming class on the Conservation of Magical Zoology. As he calmed the book by stroking its spine, John reflected on Hagrid's vindication. After decades of being blamed for an incident caused by Voldemort, Hagrid's name had finally been cleared, allowing him to take up a teaching position at Hogwarts.
John pondered the concept of justice, realizing that while it may eventually prevail, the time lost could never be reclaimed. "Justice may be late, but is it truly justice if it arrives after so much time has passed?" he thought, considering the years Hagrid had suffered due to a wrongful accusation. Despite everything, Hagrid's enthusiasm for teaching and his love for magical creatures remained undiminished, a testament to his resilient spirit. For fifty years, he had dedicated himself to the care of his beloved magical creatures. It was likely that Dumbledore was aware of this passion, which is why he decided to offer Hagrid compensation. Hagrid, who had never before held the title of professor, immediately thought of John. Given John's role as an assistant in the Defense Against the Dark Arts, Hagrid believed him to be highly experienced. However, upon reviewing the curriculum Hagrid had planned, John couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief.
"Forget about the Blast-Ended Skrewts and the like. Why can't we include some more appealing creatures?" John lamented, feeling a twinge of discomfort. Hagrid, with his boundless affection for all magical creatures, failed to see them through the eyes of the students. To him, every creature was enchanting and beautiful, but John knew better. Creatures like the Blast-Ended Skrewts were far from endearing to most students. Thus, John found himself revising Hagrid's list, striving to include magical animals that would captivate and educate the students without causing undue distress.
After meticulously reworking the curriculum, John looked up, exhausted from the effort. To his surprise, he saw a massive balloon floating across the sky. The sight was unexpected and out of place, yet it captured his attention, pulling him momentarily away from the world of magical creatures and into the wonders of the sky above.
_________
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