The screeching sound was deafening, as if it could pierce through the eardrums. On the dementor's body, a layer as thin as smoke seemed to be violently torn apart by an unseen force. John was more focused than ever, his wand acting like a scalpel as he meticulously controlled the process, stripping the dementors layer by layer. The magic crystal hanging around his neck shimmered, and the third dementor perished as John accidentally exerted too much power. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, John's brows furrowed in frustration. He couldn't understand why he still struggled to control every trace of his magical power with precision.
"It's impossible to read a dementor's mind. Their cries are the only indication of their state," he mused, removing his earplugs with a stoic expression. With a single tap on the cabinet, the Boggart inside fell silent, shrinking back as if it were dead. John's gaze shifted to the newly added reagent shelf, where a vial containing a smoky substance sat. This substance, akin to blood, was something he had painstakingly extracted from the Boggart. The black smoke within the vial moved aimlessly, reminding John of another creature from the wizarding world.
Beside the vial, several strands of silver silk floated. These strands appeared pure and almost divine. "Is this the undigested soul of the dementor, or its own soul?" John pondered for a moment before donning his gloves and using his wand to carefully extract the silver threads. They resembled what he had seen coming out of Nagini, and he grasped them without hesitation.
A wild idea took hold of John. "Return of the soul," he whispered, pointing his wand at his own head. The silver thread entered his ear, and suddenly, John's vision changed dramatically. He found himself unable to move, confronted by a black-haired wizard with a cold, disdainful gaze. A flick of the wizard's wand sent John reeling in pain, feeling as though his bones were shattering and his skin was being peeled away inch by inch. A scream rose to his lips, only to realize his tongue had been severed, and his face contorted in agony.
Surrounded by others who were similarly imprisoned, a sense of resentment began to swell in John's mind, eventually engulfing the entire room. After enduring prolonged torture, John's eyes snapped open, and he found himself back in the secret room, gasping for air. The experience had felt terrifyingly real. Glancing at the clock, he realized that half an hour had passed.
"It's too dangerous to implant a soul into the body," John concluded, his body still trembling from fear. He closed his eyes tightly, taking a moment to recover. The table in front of him bore the imprint of his fingers, a testament to the pain he had just endured.
"We'll have to find another method in the future," he muttered, noticing his fingers were bleeding. Casting a spell to stop the bleeding, John couldn't help but notice a silver lining to his ordeal. After a restful night's sleep, he felt surprisingly refreshed.
"What happened?" John exclaimed in amazement, looking at the book in front of him. Without activating the master mode, he found he could read ten lines at a glance. This unexpected development led him to speculate, "Could it be because of that soul fragment?"
The idea that stuffing soul fragments into the brain could enhance mental power seemed like something a dark wizard would do, and John considered himself a good person. This enhanced state lasted for an hour, suggesting a time limit to its effects.
"If it could be made into a potion, it would be akin to a stimulant in the magical world," John mused as he walked out of the classroom after class, still longing for the feeling of heightened mental acuity.
...
On the eve of Halloween, the Slytherin common room was filled with laughter. Daphne reluctantly said goodbye to her sister Astoria, while Malfoy and his cronies made a vow to celebrate. After handing Filch the permission slip for Hogsmeade, John caught sight of Harry. Pleading with Professor McGonagall, Harry said, "Please, Professor McGonagall, my aunt and uncle...er...forgot to sign the form." Professor McGonagall, maintaining a solemn and businesslike expression, replied, "I'm afraid not, Potter. As I've said, you cannot go to Hogsmeade without a permission slip." Unbeknownst to the young wizards, Professor McGonagall had a deeper reason for her refusal. She was aware that Sirius Black, a notorious fugitive, was searching for Harry. Despite Hogsmeade being a village solely inhabited by wizards, Sirius's reputation for having caused destruction with a single curse weighed heavily on her decision.
Harry was visibly disheartened by this, prompting John to raise an eyebrow in confusion. He wondered if his previous warning to the Dursleys had been ignored. The thought of persuading those stubborn guardians was daunting; if Harry ever turned against them, the Dursleys would be in grave danger.
Seeing Harry's disappointment, Hermione and Ron tried to console him. "There's still the Halloween banquet tonight," Ron said, attempting to lift Harry's spirits. However, Harry, who might have once looked forward to such events, found little solace in the thought, preferring the company of his friends over the festivities.
Indeed, the Dursleys had neglected the matter entirely, having not been in contact since Harry's departure. In his anger, Harry had left without securing their signature, a detail he had overlooked until it was too late.
John, trying to be helpful, clapped Harry on the shoulder and said, "It's okay. There are plenty of joke products, delicious candies, and butterbeer to enjoy in the future." However, this only seemed to deepen Harry's longing for Hogsmeade, causing his mood to further sour. Hermione, frustrated, chided John, "That's not how you comfort someone."
Unperturbed, John patted Harry's shoulder once more before leaving. Meanwhile, a curious sight unfolded outside: a dog and a cat, carrying packages of dog food and dried fish, respectively, roamed the grounds. This unusual pairing caught Ron's attention, though he quickly relaxed upon realizing he hadn't brought his mouse along.
"It was a good decision to give Crookshanks to Tom," Hermione remarked. The cat and dog, known respectively as Crookshanks and Tom, had formed an unlikely alliance, much to the surprise of Hogwarts' students. Their friendship had even helped ease the tension between Hermione and Ron.
After promising to bring back gifts from Hogsmeade, Ron and Hermione hurried off, leaving Harry to return to the castle alone. Filch watched him warily, while Mrs. Norris meowed for attention, prompting Filch to feed her some dried fish.
The adventurous duo of Tom and Crookshanks made their way to the Whomping Willow. With Crookshanks skillfully disabling the tree's defenses, they ventured into the secret passage below, leading to the Screaming Shack where Sirius Black was hiding.
Sirius, having narrowly escaped capture by the Aurors thanks to his Animagus abilities, grinned at the sight of the two animals. They seemed to communicate in their own way, barking and meowing, yet conveying a clear message: Sirius was ready to take action.
If John had known that Tom was distributing dog food to others, he would have likely scolded the dog for not living up to expectations. Yet, in this moment, the unlikely camaraderie between a cat and a dog hinted at a larger plan unfolding, one that could change the course of events for Harry and his friends. To catch that accursed mouse and bite him to death was the sole focus. Of course, there was no need to worry about finding the way. After all, as a Hogwarts graduate, Sirius knew the castle like the back of his hand.
Navigating through the familiar yet eerily silent corridors of Hogwarts under the cloak of night, Sirius's heart pounded with a mix of excitement and vengeance. The once lively halls, filled with the laughter and chatter of students, now echoed with the soft patter of his footsteps. The moonlight streaming through the windows cast long shadows, making the suits of armor seem like silent guardians watching over the school.
Sirius moved with purpose, his mind replaying the betrayal that had led him to this moment. The thought of finally confronting the traitor, the one who had turned their world upside down, fueled his determination. He knew the risks involved in returning to Hogwarts, a place swarming with those who believed him a criminal, but the chance to right a wrong was worth any peril.
As he crept closer to his destination, Sirius couldn't help but reminisce about his days at Hogwarts. Memories of mischief, adventure, and unbreakable bonds formed in these very halls flooded his mind. It was a bittersweet reminder of what had been lost, but also of what still could be saved.
Determined to not let the past cloud his judgment, Sirius focused on the task at hand. He knew that capturing the traitor was just the first step in a long journey to clear his name and protect those he loved. With every step, he steeled himself for the confrontation that awaited, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The castle, with its ancient magic and secrets, seemed to acknowledge Sirius's resolve, its walls whispering encouragement. He was no longer just a fugitive on the run; he was a warrior fighting for justice. And with that realization, Sirius Black pressed on, guided by the light of the moon and the fire in his heart, ready to confront his destiny.
_________
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