The healing properties of unicorn horn are well-documented, and John had utilized this knowledge to concoct a potion for Nagini, using powdered unicorn horn. Upon their next interaction, Nagini's condition had markedly improved. "Thank you, I'm feeling much better," she expressed, her voice devoid of the previous misery. For once, she didn't feel isolated in her suffering.
John, relieved, responded, "I'm glad to hear you're doing well."
Revitalized, Nagini engaged in conversation with a newfound lightness in her tone. "It's been so long since I've been able to have a normal conversation. Usually, it's 'it' that initiates."
"'It'?" John seized on the keyword, curious. "Who is 'it'?"
"The blood curse. It's taken control of my body, relegating my soul to the shadows," Nagini revealed.
John pondered this. A blood curse with its own consciousness? This was a new and troubling concept. As their conversation unfolded, he learned more about the nature of the blood curse. Initially weak, like an infant, the curse would grow stronger over time, eventually transforming the host into a creature of the curse. Once fully matured, the curse would dominate the host's body, leaving the original soul powerless and trapped.
"This blood curse... it possesses a soul," John concluded, his brow furrowed in thought. This was no ordinary soul; it was intricately linked to Nagini, almost to the point of being inseparable. It was, for lack of a better term, demonic.
"A spell targeting the soul," he murmured, eyeing Nagini's serpentine form. Healing Nagini had inadvertently also strengthened the blood curse. "Then the solution is to break and rebuild."
A determined light sparked in John's eyes. If the curse was bound to the soul, then the solution was to sever that bond. However, he was acutely aware of the risks involved. The process would be excruciating, potentially fatal. If removing Fenrir's arm was akin to a cut, then freeing Nagini would be like tearing the soul apart. The slightest mistake could obliterate it entirely.
"You need to be fully prepared," he cautioned, taking a deep breath. Though he had identified a potential solution, the path forward remained daunting. The blood demon potion could break the curse, but it required simultaneous manipulation of the soul.
"The Blood Curse is akin to permanent transfiguration. If I use the Animagus approach..." A new idea began to form in John's mind, involving another form of transfiguration that required a specific ritual and potion.
"I'll need to search the records at Hogwarts," he decided, the silver light in his hand dissipating as their conversation concluded. The prospect of starting school had never been more appealing.
...
August 31st. Only one day remained until the start of the school year.
John made his way to Diagon Alley, eager to escape his father's eccentric requests. Watson Wick had taken to asking John for increasingly fantastical feats, the latest being a mouse capable of cooking, inspired by too many viewings of Ratatouille. Despite Watson's attempts to train Tom, their dog, into a culinary prodigy, John recognized the absurdity of these endeavors.
Preferring to spare Tom from any further outlandish experiments, John departed a day early for the Leaky Cauldron. He mused to himself about the limits of magic and his father's boundless imagination.
Upon arrival, John noticed Tom's sullen demeanor. "Feeling a bit gloomy?" he asked, understanding his dog's longing for adventure. Despite his attempt at consolation, reminding Tom of his youth and inexperience compared to the savvy street dogs, it seemed to do little to lift Tom's spirits.
Tom, now questioning his place in the world, found a distraction in Basil, John's other pet, and chased after him in a playful attempt to groom him.
Shaking his head at the scene, John set out for Diagon Alley, not for supplies, but to satisfy a peculiar craving. He had heard tales of an ice cream parlor that served flavors as bizarre as tomato and scrambled egg, and even mapo tofu. Intrigued by the culinary creativity, John was eager to taste these unconventional treats for himself. Transformed into ice cream, John made his way to Diagon Alley. The last time he visited, Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor was bustling with customers, but today, it seemed much quieter, likely due to some less appealing menu additions. As he approached, John spotted a familiar face among the sparse crowd—a black girl who, upon noticing him, exclaimed in surprise, "John!"
Puzzled, John blinked a few times before recognition dawned on him as the girl smiled broadly, revealing her bright teeth. "Hermione? Why are you so dark?"
The trio was all there, having already purchased their school supplies. Observing Hermione effortlessly carrying a large bag of books, John couldn't help but wonder if she had taken up some secret strength training. Hermione, puffing up with pride, explained, "I went to France too."
"I know, but did you go for a tan? Ron went to Egypt and didn't come back nearly as tanned as you," John remarked, only for Hermione to shoot him a glare. Shifting his attention to Ron, John noticed he was still accompanied by Scabbers. After winning the lottery, Mr. Weasley had intended to buy Ron a new wand, but it turned out the wand John had crafted was perfectly suited for Ron—a fact even Ollivander had praised, saving the Weasleys a considerable amount of money.
As they caught up, the conversation inevitably turned to Harry's latest escapade. Ron couldn't help but laugh at the incident with his inflated aunt, while Hermione understood the gravity of the situation. Harry himself realized how fortunate he was not to be expelled, especially since John had downplayed the seriousness, making Harry believe it wasn't a big deal.
With Hermione's birthday approaching, her parents had given her ten Galleons as a gift. She planned to buy an owl, much like Harry's Hedwig, Ron's Errol, and John's Basil. Ron, meanwhile, intended to purchase some medicine for his depressed pet, Scabbers. The trio decided to make the trip together, leaving John behind as he waited for his ice cream.
John's order soon arrived, featuring three distinct flavors. The first, scrambled eggs with tomato, surprisingly wasn't as bad as he feared, though the mapo tofu flavor that followed was a different story entirely, eliciting a strong reaction from John. The final flavor, cantaloupe, offered a much-needed reprieve.
Determined not to suffer alone, John bought twenty ice creams—ten of each bizarre flavor—to share the experience with his friends. He magically preserved them in a small bag and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron, only to be intercepted by Fred and George Weasley.
"John, perfect timing," they chimed in unison, their tone suggesting they had a proposition. "We have a deal for you. Great value. Just follow us."
Their synchronized speech was unmistakable, and without needing further explanation, John knew he was being led into one of the twins' schemes. As they passed Gringotts and ventured deeper, heading towards Knockturn Alley, John felt a mix of amusement and apprehension. The twins, smirking, finally revealed their plan involved a letter from "Silver Hand Angel Investment," hinting at an innovative idea, a product, and the involvement of a "qualified young genius." Upon hearing Fred and George's simultaneous declaration, "That genius is you," John was taken aback. They were suggesting that he should pitch to the silver-handed angel investor. The Weasley twins were well aware of John's exceptional alchemy skills, which is why they thought of him for this endeavor. However, the situation struck John as peculiar—interviewing with a silver-handed angel investor meant interviewing himself. He couldn't help but marvel at the twins' ambition. "You two are merely in your fifth year, and already you're thinking about entrepreneurship?" he mused.
John found it amusing yet impressive. "Indeed, the fifth year at Hogwarts seems to be a pivotal time," he reflected. "Voldemort embarked on creating Horcruxes in his fifth year, and here you are, aiming to secure your first fortune at the same stage."
This comparison highlighted the stark contrast between the paths chosen by individuals at similar points in their lives. While Voldemort delved into the dark arts, Fred and George were channeling their energies into a venture that could potentially bring them success and innovation. John couldn't help but admire their spirit and determination, even as he grappled with the oddity of potentially negotiating with himself as the investor.
_________
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