[Notification: Mission triggered - The Road to Redemption. Reward: Any skill point +1, Blessing of the Soul Walker.]
The system presented a redemption mission to break the blood curse, which significantly heightened John's concern for the matter. On August 21st, he suggested, "Let's add some fire ash snake eggs and test the blood magic potion this time." Despite knowing the difficulty of breaking an ancient curse, the challenge proved even more formidable than anticipated.
John, with a casual toss of his coat to the house-elf, watched as Dharma Alex drank a pick-me-up, causing the smoke from his ears to turn black. Together, they administered the improved blood demon potion to the sleeping giant snake. Despite their hopeful anticipation, the snake showed no change. "Failed again," Dharma Alex declared, collapsing wearily into a chair. The usual attention he paid to etiquette and demeanor vanished as he scratched his thinning hair and crossed out the formula on the parchment.
John, sipping a large mouthful of thick, sweet chocolate, looked tired and remarked, "It's not just the physical changes; the patient's soul has also been eroded."
"Do you suggest starting with the soul, John? The soul is a big taboo," Dharma Alex responded, looking at John with a mix of seriousness and concern. "Throughout history, those mad dark wizards who delved into the study of the soul were all evil incarnate, and none met a good end."
"I'm aware, Dharma Alex. You should know this isn't an easy path," John replied, rubbing his brows wearily. "I've always believed that there's no such thing as evil magic, only evil wizards."
"I don't want to see you stray from the right path. We're partners and friends," Dharma Alex said, standing up with difficulty. His body was emaciated, almost as if his skin was stretched over his bones. He then reactivated the dungeon's enchantment with a key from the wall.
Exiting the dungeon, John was greeted by the sunset. Another day had passed in their relentless pursuit. "I fear I won't be able to accompany you much longer, my friend," he mused, with the start of school looming. Aside from the books sent by Hagrid, John had made no other preparations.
In recent days, he occasionally glimpsed a silver thread, visible only to him. Dharma Alex, upon inquiry, saw nothing and could not interact with it, leading him to wonder if John was deluding himself. "It seems only those versed in ancient magic can perceive it," John concluded, lost in thought.
He had communicated with the spirit within the serpent, learning her name was Nagini. "It's a truly vile curse, altering the body, changing the species, and destroying the soul," John reflected, horrified at the thought of the curse's creator's genius and malevolence. It felt like a chess game against an ancient entity, with the curse seemingly insurmountable.
"Nagini's time is running short; I must find something to fortify her soul," John resolved, aware of the increasing fragmentation of Nagini's soul and uncertain if she would survive the year. His thoughts turned to unicorn horns, wondering if their reputed power could also mend a soul.
"Let's try it," he decided, his bond with Nagini deepening as he learned more about her tragic background. She was a victim of a blood curse passed down from her mother, who had raised her in a circus.
Leaving Belby Manor, John sought rest, though he found little solace in sleep. Despite only needing two hours of sleep, he chose to linger in bed a while longer. Awakening the next day, he had slept until noon, a rarity for him. He picked up a copy of the Daily Prophet, which featured an article on Sirius Black's continued evasion of capture. Rita Skeeter's sensationalist reporting criticized the Azkaban guards' negligence while lauding the Aurors' efforts.
"Indeed, reading her articles is like drinking the bitterest coffee for a jolt of awareness," John mused, setting aside the newspaper with a mix of amusement and disdain. Rita Skeeter, known for her penchant for sensational journalism, certainly didn't make her statements without a purpose. She understood that visibility was key to establishing credibility. Given that Rufus Scrimgeour had become an ally, John was more than willing to lend his support. This particular incident significantly boosted Scrimgeour's profile. He appeared in numerous interviews, promising the swift capture of Sirius Black and asserting his readiness to take decisive action when necessary. Scrimgeour's firm stance quickly endeared him to the public, who found his interviews far more compelling than those of Cornelius Fudge, whose tendency to evade responsibility was well-known.
After adjusting his appearance, John considered a different mode of transportation for the day. Stepping outside, he summoned the Knight Bus with a wave of his wand. The bright purple, triple-decker bus arrived promptly, and after paying the fare, John boarded. The bus navigated through streets and alleys with remarkable agility, showcasing its magical capabilities. John mused that it likely contained more enchantments than Mr. Weasley's car, though its ride was far from smooth. Inside, a wizard attempting to drink water ended up dousing himself due to the bus's erratic movements. John thought it fortunate that the beverage wasn't hot chocolate, sparing the wizard a rather unpleasant facial treatment.
Upon reaching the Leaky Cauldron, John made his way into Diagon Alley. The bustling street, with its array of wizarding shops and crooked buildings, was as lively as ever. He noticed Florin Fusco's ice cream shop doing brisk business with its latest offering: a tomato and scrambled egg flavor inspired by the mysterious Orient. John was hesitant to try it, observing that it seemed to appeal more to older wizards than the younger generation, despite the presence of a few Hufflepuff students.
Passing a Quidditch boutique, John's attention was caught by a display featuring the latest Firebolt broomstick. With the Quidditch World Cup approaching, the timing of its release was impeccable, though the price was only available upon inquiry. The shopkeeper boasted of an order from the Irish International Quidditch Team, prompting John to consider the lucrative nature of broomstick sales.
In the crowd, John spotted a familiar figure but lost sight of it before he could approach. Arriving at Lihen Bookstore, he was greeted by the prominently displayed "I Swing the Great Sword at Hogwarts" and a special offer on Gilderoy Lockhart's complete book series, complete with an autographed photo. The promotion was a hit, especially among witches eager for Lockhart's signature. John watched the scene unfold with amusement, silently encouraging the enthusiastic purchases.
Inside, John observed the bookstore clerk, who looked utterly defeated beside a cage of biting Monster Books of Monsters. It was clear that Hagrid's choice of textbook had left the clerk wishing never to see another copy. Fortunately, Hagrid had already provided John with his own copy, allowing him to purchase the rest of his textbooks without incident, including those for the divination class.
Upon exiting the bookstore, John noticed Harry Potter, now surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd. With a sympathetic smile, John mused, "Poor Harry, I hope he grows taller in the future." John, towering with pride, watched with a hint of sympathy as Harry was jostled by the crowd. By chance, he stumbled upon the Lihen Bookstore, which was hosting a special event. It was also time for John to purchase a new school uniform; his rapid growth spurt had rendered his current one embarrassingly short.
After securing his new uniform, John's attention was captured by a shop adorned with a large glass display window. Inside, a magnificent galaxy model encased in a glass orb commanded his gaze. He stood outside, mesmerized, and mused, "Hermione's birthday is just around the corner. She might cherish this as a gift." The price tag, however, gave him pause. Despite not being financially constrained, John couldn't help but balk at the cost. Nevertheless, he ventured inside and made the purchase, convinced of its worth as a present for Hermione.
With the galaxy model in hand, John exited Diagon Alley and, with a swift motion, apparated back home. The start of the school term was only ten days away, and there was much to prepare for. Yet, in that moment, John felt a warm satisfaction in finding a thoughtful gift for his friend, a small beacon of light in the bustling chaos of their magical world.
_________
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