In Filch's office, a rare sight unfolded. Filch, with a content smile, savored his ice cream, while Mrs. Norris, his loyal cat, nibbled on treats from his other hand. For Filch, this moment was blissful. The flavor of his ice cream, mapo tofu, was an odd choice that even John found bizarre. It was a flavor that, if introduced in China, would likely be met with disbelief. This peculiar preference highlighted the eccentric tastes of European wizards, a group known for their unusual culinary inclinations.
John, who had made it a routine to visit and groom Mrs. Norris, noticed something unusual in the drawer: a purple corner peeking out. Driven by curiosity, he reached out and retrieved it, uncovering a letter before Filch could notice. The envelope read "Quick Spell," and upon seeing it, Filch's face turned a mix of blue and purple. John, rather than feeling disdain, was filled with curiosity. It puzzled him why Filch, a caretaker at a magic school, would seek out a correspondence magic course.
"Give it to me!" Filch's sudden outburst was filled with anger. He demanded the letter back and attempted to expel John from his office. Since Harry had discovered Filch was a Squib the previous year, Filch had struggled with his identity. No one longed for magic more than he did. He had witnessed his siblings wield magic effortlessly, a constant reminder of what he lacked. This led to his expulsion from his family home and eventually to Hogwarts, where he found refuge. However, his inability to perform magic made him feel inferior, shaping him into a person who took pleasure in catching students' mistakes. John was an exception; Filch harbored no ill feelings towards him, mainly because John never flaunted his magic and, importantly, Mrs. Norris was fond of him.
After being ejected from the office, John encountered Tom running outside. He advised Tom, much like a concerned parent, to be cautious of dementors. John surmised that Tom was likely searching for Fang and wouldn't venture too far. Distance, after all, has a way of diminishing attachments, and Tom's current indifference towards the large black dog seemed to confirm this.
John then proceeded to the library, where he presented Mrs. Pince with a note signed by a professor and a box containing two ice creams. Mrs. Pince, initially indifferent, was taken aback by John's gesture. The ice creams were enchanted to remain frozen for days. However, her demeanor changed upon reading the note. "It's expired," she declared, pointing out that Gilderoy Lockhart's endorsement no longer held any weight. John, realizing his oversight, felt a wave of disappointment. It seemed his only option was to visit the library at night.
As he passed by the faculty lounge, he overheard an exchange between Professor Snape and Professor Lupin. Snape's tone was dripping with sarcasm, "Lupin, it seems that the appearance of Johnny Silver Hand has improved your circumstances."
"Thank you for your concern. His Excellency Johnny Silver Hand is indeed a... remarkable individual," Lupin replied, carefully choosing his words. Snape's mockery was evident, targeting Lupin's past struggles as a werewolf unable to secure employment. The mention of Johnny Silver Hand, a figure known for his ruthless methods, made it difficult for Lupin to describe him as a 'good person.' Snape, witnessing his former adversary's newfound stability, was visibly upset, a testament to their longstanding rivalry.
"Lupin, don't assume I'm unaware of your true intentions here," Snape continued, his voice laced with accusation. Severus Snape ascended the staircase briskly, his proximity to Remus Lupin so close it was almost intimate. With clenched teeth and a voice laced with venom, he accused, "The moment that man escaped from Azkaban, you appeared at Hogwarts. Don't pretend it's mere coincidence!" Lupin's gaze darkened, his response firm yet calm, "It is just a coincidence, Severus."
"Don't address me by my first name!" Snape's tone grew darker, his warning clear. "I'll be watching you closely. You've learned too much from Johnny Silverhand, that merciless man. Perhaps he even assisted you in freeing your 'dear friend'." His use of "good friend" dripped with sarcasm, visibly affecting Lupin, whose eyes momentarily reddened.
"That's enough. Don't continue," Lupin implored, his usually pale complexion turning even paler. Snape, his voice strained as if fighting back emotions, added, "You've never been on the right side, not then, not now. He was..." Memories of a painful past momentarily overwhelmed Snape, prompting him to take a deep breath as the chill in his eyes intensified.
Lupin understood the reference to Sirius Black's past misdeeds and chose silence, recognizing the depth of Snape's resentment. Snape, sensing his upper hand, left the scene with a disdainful click of his tongue, his departure as dramatic as a bat taking flight.
Upon opening the door, Snape was confronted by John, his smug expression quickly souring. "Mr. Wick, eavesdropping is hardly appropriate," John remarked earnestly. "Professor Snape, I needed to discuss something with you," he continued, prompting Snape to suggest a change of location with a cold demeanor.
In Snape's office, John's request to access the restricted section was met with skepticism and ultimately rejection, marking his third denial of the day. Frustrated yet undeterred, John resolved to find another way, his determination unwavering.
Meanwhile, Tom, the loyal and agile dog, successfully navigated the secret passage beneath the Whomping Willow, delivering food to a recuperating Sirius Black in the Shrieking Shack. Their interaction, marked by mutual affection, highlighted the deep bond between them.
After facing multiple setbacks, John retreated to the Slytherin Chamber of Secrets to conduct experiments on Dementors. His attempt to separate a Dementor's soul from its body using a specialized spell initially showed promise but ultimately resulted in the creature's dissolution into smoke, leaving John to ponder the complex relationship between body and soul. John massaged his temples, trying to alleviate the throbbing headache caused by the incessant noise. In an unexpected turn of events, he had accidentally killed one of the Dementors during his experiment, necessitating the capture of another. He mused, "It appears to have a form akin to a soul, yet it seems more like it's pieced together from different parts." With no one else in sight, John took out a piece of parchment to jot down his observations, realizing he needed to capture another Dementor for his research.
The box containing the Boggart ceased its movements, as if sensing the ominous activities occurring outside. Boggarts, inherently cowardly creatures, typically transform into various forms to instill fear in others. Yet, this one seemed to understand the gravity of John's experiments.
Equipped with the box, John ventured outside the castle once more, employing his usual method to ensnare a Dementor. He resumed his experiments with a renewed focus, determined to uncover the mysteries of these dark creatures.
After some time, the Ministry of Magic began to notice the dwindling numbers of Dementors. The decrease was subtle at first, but it soon became apparent that something unusual was happening. The Ministry's concern grew as they tried to understand the cause behind the sudden reduction of one of the wizarding world's most feared entities.
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Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge