After losing his ability to speak, John received fewer points in class. However, the atmosphere lightened when Professor Lupin returned from his monthly transformation, looking somewhat pale but managing a smile. The students, who adored Lupin, immediately voiced their complaints about Snape's harsh treatment during his absence. Malfoy, on the other hand, showed his displeasure, as he preferred Professor Snape over Lupin.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts class was far from dull, especially when John demonstrated his proficiency in casting spells silently—a skill typically not mastered until the sixth year, yet John had done so in his third. Lupin, intrigued, noticed the ring on John's finger. It was similar in style to one he recognized, but the color was different, and it was worn on the right hand, not the left as Johnny Silverhand did.
Curious, Lupin approached John after class, asking casually when he had started wearing the ring. John, surprised by the question, quickly wrote in the air with his wand, "Gift." Lupin considered this explanation, remembering that Halloween had just passed, but he couldn't shake off a nagging feeling of doubt. He knew of John's remarkable feat of repelling dementors with a Patronus Charm, a spell dark wizards were incapable of casting. This fact alone made Lupin question any potential connection between John and the notorious Johnny Silverhand, a man known for his ruthless ambition and dark magic.
Despite his concerns, Lupin hoped John had no ties to Silverhand, especially with Sirius Black's recent escape possibly being linked to him. As a teacher and a bystander, Lupin sincerely wished to keep his students away from such dangerous influences.
In Potions class, John once again caught Snape's resentful glare, prompting him to silently criticize Snape's unprofessional demeanor. Snape, feeling wronged, reminded himself of his reasons for being upset with John, who had lost his voice defending others from dementors—a noble act that reminded Snape painfully of Lily.
John, with his keen observational skills, likely knew of Lupin's werewolf condition, which could have been used to expel him from Hogwarts and implicate him in Sirius Black's escape. However, Snape's plans were thwarted, leaving him to stew in his resentment.
Daphne grew increasingly worried about John, especially when his usual hearty appetite diminished significantly. To avoid swallowing mandrake leaves, John resorted to drinking the paste directly. The Star Club, including Cedric and Percy, showed their support, offering remedies and expressing their gratitude for John's bravery in protecting the school.
This chapter highlights the complexities of relationships and suspicions within Hogwarts, showcasing the students' and teachers' varied reactions to the challenges they face. Concern etched in his eyes, John reassured Neville with a wave of his hand, indicating he was fine despite Neville's insistence that he visit the hospital wing. "No, thank you for your concern," John declined, opting instead for Neville's care, which resulted in Neville doubling his training efforts. Alongside Malfoy, Heinrich took on the role of John's rigorous instructor. As time passed, John remained silent, his anticipation growing for the upcoming full moon. However, he noticed Professor Lupin's keen eyes might be close to uncovering his secret. To avoid any confrontation, John requested leave from school activities.
Contrary to what many believed, John hadn't left Hogwarts. Instead, he secluded himself in a secret room, only emerging occasionally to check the weather, maintaining a different schedule from the rest of the school. This led to rare encounters with others, who assumed they were mistaken about seeing him.
John's preparations for the second full moon were meticulous, especially since clear skies were crucial for his plan. He placed a saliva-soaked leaf into a transparent bottle under the moonlight, adding his own hair, dew, and a hawkmoth chrysalis to the mixture. He then concealed the bottle in the Forbidden Forest, specifically where a spider's nest had been eradicated by Fiendfyre, leaving it deserted.
Following the ritual precisely, John awaited a storm and performed a daily spell at sunrise and sunset, pointing his wand to his heart and reciting, "Amato, Animo, Animado, Animagus." His return to classes was met with cheers from Slytherin House, which, to his surprise, still led in points thanks to the efforts of Daphne, Malfoy, and Heinrich. Their achievements kept Slytherin in the lead, much to the dismay of the other houses.
As December approached and with Christmas on the horizon, John's focus was on the impending storm necessary for his ritual. Meanwhile, he pondered whether Mrs. Wick would visit the school during the holidays. The trio of younger students hoped for his swift recovery, while Ron Weasley could barely mask his disappointment. Unbeknownst to John, Ron had hoped Gryffindor would surpass Slytherin in his absence, a plan now dashed with John's return.
During class one day, John received a letter from a long-eared black owl, which was affectionately greeted by his own snowy owl, Tom. The letter, from Tang Mi, detailed Cornelius Fudge's attempts to sway public opinion in his favor by vilifying John, now known as Johnny Silverhand, the ruler of Knockturn Alley. The "Daily Prophet" painted Silverhand as a tyrant, attributing every crime in Knockturn Alley to him, regardless of the truth.
With a sneer, John contemplated his response to Fudge's actions. "Sanctions? Hehe," he mused, recognizing that dealing with Fudge required a decisive and authoritarian approach. John began drafting responses, employing a mix of incentives, power negotiations, and coercion. His singular goal was to exert pressure on the Ministry of Magic, demonstrating the true extent of his influence and power. The Minister for Magic was not only foolish but also remarkably incompetent and selfish. "Sometimes, certain ruthless methods are unavoidable," John mused, his expression one of mischief as he sent off the last letter. As he rubbed the gemstone on his ring, an air of danger emanated from him. It was as if a predator had awakened, baring its blood-stained teeth, poised to strike.
Within three days, turmoil erupted within the Ministry of Magic.
_________
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Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge