John had always oscillated between being meticulous and negligent. It took him three days in Daphne's company before he vaguely recalled where he had heard a particular phrase. "Didn't Hermione mention that on my birthday?" he pondered, slightly dazed. The familiarity of the statement puzzled him until he realized Hermione had been the one to say it. "Does she think I shouldn't give gifts to Gryffindors?" Upon reflection, John considered this a significant issue. As the leader of Slytherin's informal group, his actions had already altered Slytherin's stance towards Muggles and half-bloods considerably. However, the traditional rivalry with Gryffindor remained unchanged. It seemed almost ingrained in their bones that Slytherin and Gryffindor were destined to be at odds, and John was no exception.
With this realization, John concluded that his actions were justified. Friendship had predated house divisions, and his loyalty to Slytherin was unwavering. He humorously thought to himself, "I'm not betraying my house. I've been wrongfully accused!"
After much internal debate, John decided he owed Daphne an apology, especially since their disagreement had caused him to miss a class on Muggle studies. Approaching Daphne, he earnestly said, "I realize I've been in the wrong recently, and I want to apologize."
His sincerity caught Daphne off guard, softening her initial resentment. "I share some of the blame. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did," she admitted, feeling embarrassed about her behavior over the past few days.
John, understanding her discomfort, tried to lighten the mood with a joke. "It's like having Professor Snape around," he said, attempting to mimic the professor's stern demeanor.
Daphne's shocked expression puzzled John. Was comparing someone to Professor Snape really that surprising? Before he could ponder further, a chilling voice interrupted, "Mr. Wick, I suggest you seek approval from someone else."
Startled, John turned to find Professor Snape, clad in his black robes, smirking disdainfully at him. Attempting to defuse the tension, John blurted out, "Hi, Professor, I was just commenting on how distinguished you look." The lie was so blatant that even Daphne struggled to keep a straight face, while Snape's expression barely concealed his irritation. Dropping a note, Snape swiftly departed.
John's heart sank as he realized any positive rapport he had built with Snape might have just evaporated. Picking up the note, he saw it was signed by Snape himself. "What does this mean?" John wondered, confused by Snape's cryptic actions.
Despite the awkward encounter, John now had the approval slip he needed. His recent preoccupation with Dementor research had kept him from visiting the restricted section of the library, but with the slip in hand, he was eager to delve into the forbidden tomes.
Meanwhile, Daphne, left behind, could only stomp her foot in frustration.
October brought with it the usual excellence of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. John had to admit, despite his skills, he couldn't match Professor Lupin's teaching prowess. "It's remarkable that he's still teaching. The young wizards in the werewolf community could learn a lot from him," John mused, admiring Lupin's ability to engage and educate his students in a manner that was both informative and enjoyable.
John had a habit of fidgeting with objects in his hand, often his wand or a ring if he wore one. He joked to himself that his wand would probably be worn down by the time he graduated. In Divination class, John added... John's academic performance was exceptional, earning him high praise from Professor Trelawney, who affectionately began calling him "darling." His success extended to the Conservation of Magizoology class, where, despite initial challenges, John managed to resolve all issues, much to everyone's relief. Draco Malfoy, influenced by John's guidance, showed remarkable improvement and refrained from complaining to his father about the class's difficulties.
Hagrid, in his quest to impress, often sought out enchanting creatures like pretty flower fairies, which delighted the students, especially the girls. However, he also considered introducing less menacing magical animals, which, although they seemed mundane to him, were well-received by the students. John humorously challenged Hagrid's ambitious idea of bringing a fire dragon to class, highlighting the creature's danger even to adult wizards, let alone students. This led to a playful banter between them, with John ultimately dissuading Hagrid from pursuing such a risky endeavor.
At the Quidditch pitch, the atmosphere was vibrant, with students from all four houses practicing diligently, regardless of the weather. Hufflepuff, under the new captaincy of Cedric Diggory, who had honed his skills with John the previous year, showed impressive agility and skill, particularly in maneuvers that belied his tall stature. Cedric warmly greeted John, who responded with an encouraging gesture before heading to the library's restricted section.
In his quest for knowledge, John borrowed a book titled "The Origin and Speculation of Dementors," a choice that surprised Mrs. Pince, the librarian. Despite her initial reservations, she was swayed by John's charm and curiosity. Before leaving, John's mention of enjoying the ice cream he had sent her, particularly the unique flavor reminiscent of mapo tofu, left Mrs. Pince pleasantly surprised, revealing her unexpected taste preferences.
Passing by the Quidditch pitch once more, John observed the intense practice sessions, now dominated by Gryffindor's team. Oliver Wood's leadership and Harry Potter's relentless pursuit of the Snitch, along with the Weasley twins' innovative tactics, showcased the team's determination. Despite Wood's reluctance to have a Slytherin spectator, John, understanding his position, left without protest, acknowledging his own constraints that prevented him from joining the Quidditch team.
Reflecting on his busy schedule, John wished for a way to control time, recognizing the complexity and taboo surrounding such magic in the wizarding world. Back in the Gryffindor common room, he eagerly delved into "The Origin and Speculation of Dementors," intrigued by the book's initial assertion that a dementor represents a fusion of soul and matter. This revelation aligned with John's own observations and experiments with dementors, sparking his interest to explore the subject further. John's gaze was fixed on the book, his mind racing with thoughts. The revelation before him was both shocking and intriguing. Dementors, those cruel and pitiful creatures, possessed only a fraction of intelligence and were incapable of reproduction. This information led John to an unexpected comparison—the basilisk. Unlike dementors, basilisks were the result of human intervention, a deliberate selection and manipulation of genes from nature. But dementors were an entirely different case.
The book speculated that dementors were not natural creatures but rather creations of humans. They lacked gender and the concept of reproduction, existing more like wraiths, emerging from dark and decaying places as if they were fungi. This notion sent a shiver down John's spine, prompting him to wonder about the kind of person who would create such a horrifying entity as a dementor.
With a sense of dread, John continued to read, his curiosity overcoming his apprehension. The text revealed that the creator of the dementors was an exceedingly malevolent being, the first resident of Azkaban—Alexis.
This discovery left John with more questions than answers. What drove Alexis to create such monstrous beings? How did this act tie into the history of Azkaban, a place already shrouded in darkness and despair? The implications were vast, suggesting a depth of evil and manipulation that went beyond what John had previously understood about the wizarding world's darker corners.
As he delved deeper into the book, John realized that understanding the origins of the dementors was crucial. It was not just about satisfying his curiosity but about uncovering a piece of the puzzle that was the complex tapestry of magical history. The creation of dementors by Alexis, a figure now etched in his mind as the epitome of darkness, was a testament to the lengths some would go to wield power and instill fear.
Determined to learn more, John turned the page, his resolve strengthened. The story of the dementors and their creator was a grim reminder of the potential for evil within the wizarding world, but it also served as a call to action. Knowledge was power, and John was intent on uncovering the truth, no matter how unsettling it might be.
_________
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