The vest was temporarily out of commission, and John had taken to using different handwriting styles for each of his aliases, Johnny Silver Hand and John Wick. This was a precaution to prevent anyone from connecting the two identities. While John Wick's connections might have been able to navigate the complexities of the Ministry of Magic for a matter as trivial as a hippogriff's trial, Dharma Alex's pride wouldn't allow it. Tang Mi, the captain of the security for Johnny Silver Hand's store, was competent, but even he needed the backing of someone influential to sway the Ministry.
"Forget it, there's still time. No need to worry," John reassured himself. Buckbeak's trial wasn't until April 4th, giving them a few months to prepare. Leaving Hagrid's cabin, where the half-giant's sobs were too loud for comfort, John stepped into the snow outside.
There, he found three figures—one large and two smaller ones—half-buried in a snowdrift, only their backsides visible. Yaya was the first to emerge, pulling out the other two like carrots from the ground. John couldn't help but wonder what game had led them to bury their heads in the snow. After dusting off the snow from his coat, John looked up at the sky, a sense of resignation in his voice. "It seems the Animagus transformation won't be completed within these two months."
The following day, the trio was back to their diligent selves, scouring the library for defense materials with the same fervor they had when searching for Nicolas Flamel in their first year. John, meanwhile, had acquired two unicorn horns from Hagrid, who had them in stock and was in no mood to venture into the Forbidden Forest. John had considered seeking unicorns himself, but knowing their sensitivity and purity—only allowing pure-hearted virgins to approach them—he decided against it. Unicorns could detect malice, making their horns and the wands crafted from their hair particularly resistant to dark magic.
Back in his workspace, John ground the unicorn horn into powder and added it to his cauldron. The potion transitioned from a bubbling green to a serene milky white. After taking a sip, his expression remained unchanged, his focus shifting to a pair of shoes on the table. These were his flying shoes, now awkwardly large due to his growth. Intent on upgrading them, he discarded the original pair in favor of the new Meteor Shoes, designed for enhanced speed, agility, and durability.
Slipping on the oversized shoes, John tapped the heels together, and they magically adjusted to fit snugly against his skin, their material soft yet resilient. He was confident that ordinary spells couldn't damage them. He had also inscribed runes representing Ehwaz, the rune of transportation, ensuring smooth travel over any terrain.
With a snap of his fingers, the Room of Requirement transformed, revealing a racetrack. John tested the shoes, feeling the rush as the meteor pattern on their surface lit up with each step, signaling he had reached maximum speed. It was like flying, surpassing the speed of most broomsticks on the market. He wondered how they compared to the legendary Firebolt.
After a test flight, where small wings appeared on the shoes for added lift, John landed, the wings vanishing as he snapped his fingers once more. The racetrack dissolved, revealing the Chamber of Secrets of Gryffindor. Now a descendant of Gryffindor, John had access to secrets and powers beyond his wildest dreams, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with his new Meteor Shoes and the legacy of his house. John had mastered the magic of altering the Room of Requirement. Although he didn't possess the Gryffindor sword, the Room of Requirement was more than enough to fulfill his needs. It could be argued that the Room of Requirement was the most extraordinary magic within Hogwarts, a testament to the ingenuity of the school's founders.
Christmas brought an avalanche of presents for Tom Riddle, nearly burying him under their weight. John Wick's pile of gifts was substantial, and Johnny Silverhand's was expected to be even larger. Among the gifts John received were many from his fellow Slytherin students, as well as from his uncle. His parents had sent presents too: Watson Wake gifted a chirping toy bird, while Mrs. Wake presented a finely crafted pocket watch. John's father had included a lengthy letter, which, beyond daily pleasantries, primarily requested John to craft him a magic wand, core or not. John couldn't help but smirk at his father's directness.
The gifts from his uncle were part of a larger family tradition. With John's grandfather and Mrs. Wick included, the family boasted twelve children. This time, all nine of John's uncles and both aunts had sent gifts, a change from the previous occasion when only the eldest uncle had done so. The gifts were varied, ranging from nesting dolls to daggers and knuckles—tame in comparison to firearms. Uncle Andre, who had taken John hunting, sent a large box of meat, which, thanks to the cold weather, didn't pose any risk of spoiling.
The aunts' gifts were less martial, consisting of gloves and scarves. After trying these on, John proceeded to open the rest of his presents. The Slytherin students had mostly sent candies and small gifts. Malfoy had sent exquisite snacks, which coincidentally were similar to those sent by Daphne. Heinrich had gifted a book on dark magic, which John discreetly set aside. It seemed that word had gotten out about John's fondness for food, resulting in an abundance of edible gifts. While John would have been thrilled with such presents the previous year, they now seemed somewhat mundane.
At noon, John noticed Harry, Ron, and Hermione dining together, with the latter appearing to be left out. It was clear there had been a disagreement. With the school's population reduced for the holidays, Dumbledore had suggested a communal meal. Alongside Dumbledore, McGonagall, several other professors, and Filch, there were a few students, totaling twelve people. John kept his distance, wary of Dumbledore's potential to detect his soul injury.
Dumbledore, noting John's absence, inquired about it. Filch, donning a new tuxedo instead of his usual brown coat, proudly announced it was a Christmas gift from John. Dumbledore's interest was piqued, given Filch's usual unpopularity. When asked about John's whereabouts, a fifth-year Slytherin mentioned he had left with Edgar to attend to some matters.
The conversation shifted when Trelawney brought up a superstition about a curse involving thirteen diners, where the first to rise would supposedly meet an untimely end. Her warning, however, was largely dismissed.
After the meal, Harry was eager to return to the common room, having received a Firebolt. He and Ron were ecstatic, paying no heed to Hermione's concerns about the broom's mysterious origins. Their excitement was solely focused on the Firebolt, even as Ron harshly rebuked Hermione when Crookshanks once again went after Scabbers. Harry sensed Ron's moodiness but chose not to comment, his attention firmly on the new broom. In his heart, Harry felt a mix of excitement and apprehension as he returned to the Gryffindor common room. Together with Ron, he admired the Firebolt from various angles, their eyes gleaming with awe. Suddenly, the doorway opened, and Hermione entered, followed closely by Professor McGonagall.
"Miss Granger has informed me that you've received a broomstick, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall stated, her sharp eyes immediately locking onto the Firebolt. Harry felt an urge to hide the broom, but it was too late; Professor McGonagall was already approaching, and there was no escape.
Upon questioning, it became clear that the broom was a gift with no accompanying note, no identified sender, and an unknown origin. Professor McGonagall expressed her intention to temporarily confiscate the broom for inspection. Harry, his voice trembling, tried to assure her, "It's fine! Really, Professor."
"You can't be certain, Potter," Professor McGonagall replied. Her tone was kind yet tinged with a hint of helplessness. With Sirius Black on the loose, and at such a sensitive time, Harry's desire to ride a Firebolt of unknown provenance was concerning, regardless of its quality.
"I will keep you informed of any developments," she assured him, explaining that the broom would need to be disassembled and inspected by a professional. Harry could only watch in dismay as she took the Firebolt away.
Ron, unable to contain his frustration, turned his anger towards Hermione. "What were you thinking, going to Professor McGonagall?" he demanded, his voice raised in anger.
Hermione, feeling both wronged and embarrassed, her cheeks flushed with a mix of shame and indignation, defended herself. "I did it because I believe, and Professor McGonagall agrees, that the broom might have been sent to Harry by Sirius Black!" she exclaimed, her intention pure but the outcome unfortunate.
Even Harry couldn't suppress his irritation at Hermione's actions. Feeling deeply aggrieved, Hermione turned and walked out of the common room, leaving behind a tense atmosphere. Her actions were meant for the benefit of her friends, yet they had only served to create a rift between them.
_________
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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