After returning to the Gryffindor common room, Harry found himself overwhelmed by Colin's incessant questions and chatter, prompting him to seek solitude elsewhere. It was then that Professor Lupin, looking notably pale and unwell, encountered Harry and invited him into his office for a more private conversation.
"Would you care for some tea?" Professor Lupin offered with a gentle smile, despite his pallid appearance. Harry, still processing the unexpected invitation, accepted the offer somewhat absentmindedly. As they settled into a conversation, the topic soon drifted to their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class together.
Harry, curious, broached the subject of why Lupin had prevented him from confronting the Boggart. "I assumed that facing a Boggart, it might take the form of Voldemort," Lupin explained, revealing his concern that the sight of Voldemort might terrify the other students. Harry admitted that while Voldemort was his first thought, it was the Dementors that had come to mind during the class.
Their discussion was abruptly interrupted by a knock on the door, revealing Snape with a potion in hand. Harry couldn't help but suspect Snape's intentions, fearing the potion was meant to harm Lupin. However, Lupin quickly clarified, "It's for my condition," attempting to ease Harry's concerns. The potion, a Wolfsbane Potion crafted by Snape, was evidently difficult for Lupin to ingest, causing him visible discomfort.
Lupin shared that he had once saved a considerable amount of the potion while working part-time at the Johnny Silver Hand store, distributing some to needy werewolves upon his departure. Now, with only two bottles left and unable to procure more, he had no choice but to rely on Dumbledore's arrangement for Snape to prepare the potion.
Observing Lupin's struggle with the potion, Harry felt it best to leave, mentioning he would look for John. Lupin, intrigued by the mention of John Wick, questioned his whereabouts, to which Harry admitted uncertainty.
As Harry departed, Lupin's thoughts wandered to his days as a student alongside Harry's mother, Lily Evans, noting the striking resemblance in Harry's eyes to hers. Reflecting on the past, Lupin lamented the fate of the Marauders: two dead, one a traitor, leaving him the sole survivor. His thoughts darkened further at the mention of Sirius, struggling with the betrayal of a once close friend.
Later, at the evening banquet, Lupin noted John Wick's absence among the returning students. Encountering John afterward, Lupin greeted him, only to notice John's near slip in addressing him by his first name, a familiarity that piqued Lupin's suspicion. John excused his absence, claiming to have lost track of time while studying, and departed, leaving Lupin to ponder the peculiar encounter, his gaze lingering on John's retreating figure with a mix of curiosity and concern. The gesture sparked a memory in him, and he stood there, murmuring to himself, "Coincidence?"
After a quick meal, John made his way back to the Slytherin common room, where students were trickling in, buzzing with excitement from their trip to Hogsmeade. Daphne approached John with a frown, demanding, "Why are you back so early?"
"Ran into some trouble," John replied nonchalantly as he settled into a chair. He pulled out a handful of cockroaches, offering them to Heinrich, who was lounging on the sofa. "Want some?"
Heinrich gave the cockroaches a silent, disdainful look. Though he said nothing, his expression clearly conveyed his disgust.
John chuckled, popping one into his mouth. "Actually, they're not bad." He then turned his attention back to Heinrich, his tone shifting to one of seriousness. "Do you need help with something?"
A look of intense desire flashed across Heinrich's pale face as he lowered his voice, "I want to become stronger. The Star Society shares power, and I want in."
John studied Heinrich's determined expression and smiled. "Ambition is a commendable trait. I'll help you grow stronger."
Rising from his seat, John added, "Come find me whenever you're ready." Heinrich nodded, a gesture of respect and gratitude.
...
John had hoped for a restful night's sleep, but the news of Sirius Black's attempted break-in jolted him awake. The rumor spread rapidly, throwing Hogwarts into a state of alarm. Headmaster Dumbledore ordered all students to the Great Hall for safety, including John.
John had managed to separate his soul once before, but only under extreme fatigue. As he made his way to the hall, his eyelids twitched with the effort of staying awake, yet he appeared unfazed by the commotion, as if he had anticipated it.
Harry, observing John's demeanor, grew even more curious. The Gryffindors and other students were abuzz with the night's events. The Fat Lady's portrait had been attacked by Sirius, who had failed to gain entry. The professors were now scouring the school, with Percy Weasley overseeing the students' safety. Sleeping bags appeared out of thin air, and John claimed one in a corner, hoping for just two hours of sleep to feel rejuvenated.
Amidst the whispers and speculation, Hermione voiced her concern, "Do you think Black is still inside the castle?"
"Dumbledore seems to believe so," Ron replied.
The trio settled into their sleeping bags, relieved they weren't in their tower that evening. Hermione couldn't bear to think of what might have happened if Sirius had chosen the previous night for his attempt.
Ron, exhausted from the day's activities, mused, "I reckon he's long gone, lost track of time."
Harry, however, pondered a different theory. Perhaps Sirius had deliberately chosen this moment to strike. It was easier to open a door from the inside than to force it from the outside. Could someone within Hogwarts have aided him?
As the students continued to speculate on Sirius's methods—whether through Transfiguration or stealth—Harry doubted these theories. An inside accomplice seemed more plausible.
Just as Harry's thoughts began to blur with fatigue, the door creaked open, revealing Dumbledore, Snape, and Percy. Snape's words immediately caught Harry's attention, "Have you considered how he managed to enter, Professor?"
Dumbledore responded, "Many theories, Severus, but none seem plausible."
Snape, with a meaningful glance, whispered, "Do you recall our conversation before the term started, Headmaster?"
"Yes, Severus," Dumbledore replied, a note of caution in his voice. "The idea that Black could enter without inside help seems—improbable."
Snape continued, "I voiced my concerns when you..."
Dumbledore cut him off, "I do not believe anyone in this castle would assist Black."
With that, Dumbledore ended the conversation, leaving Snape with no further arguments. It was clear that Dumbledore would not entertain the notion of an internal traitor, leaving the mystery of Sirius Black's attempted intrusion unsolved. "I must descend and locate the Dementors," Dumbledore declared with a sense of urgency. "As I mentioned, it's crucial to inform them once our search concludes." The primary goal of assembling the students wasn't just to safeguard them against Sirius Black's potential threat but, more importantly, to ensure their protection from any encounters with the Dementors. Recently, several Dementors had vanished, prompting both the Ministry of Magic and the Dementors themselves to express a desire to conduct a search within the school grounds. If it were within his power, Dumbledore would prefer to keep them at bay.
Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, the atmosphere among the three young students shifted dramatically; their drowsiness vanished, replaced by a heightened sense of alertness. However, amidst this tension, John remained soundly asleep, oblivious to the unfolding situation.
The decision to keep the Dementors informed was not taken lightly. Dumbledore understood the delicate balance between ensuring the safety of Hogwarts and maintaining a cooperative relationship with the Ministry of Magic. The presence of Dementors within the school's vicinity was a matter of grave concern, not just because of the immediate threat they posed but also due to the psychological impact on both students and staff. The very essence of these creatures, known to drain peace, hope, and happiness, could cast a shadow over the school that prided itself as a beacon of learning and safety.
As Dumbledore contemplated his next steps, the contrast between the vigilant students and the peacefully sleeping John served as a poignant reminder of the innocence and vulnerability that he was striving to protect. In a world where darkness loomed ever closer, the preservation of such innocence became a beacon of hope, a reminder of what they were all fighting to protect.
_________
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