John had recently begun to suspect something was amiss with his dog. It wasn't just Tom, but Crookshanks seemed to be in on it too. Watching Tom exit the lounge, John glanced at the empty dog food container and pondered. "He's eaten enough for three dogs, yet hasn't gained any weight. Is this some kind of joke?" Tom required an ample supply of dog food to assert his dominance over Fang, prompting John to always bring three times the usual amount. However, the dog food that was supposed to last until the semester's end was already depleted. Even John, who could be slow on the uptake at times, realized something was off.
Determined to uncover the mystery of the disappearing dog food, John cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and stealthily followed Tom. Unaware of John's presence, Tom met up with Crookshanks, who had also sneaked out, and they left together. The cat and dog duo exhibited an unusual harmony, primarily because Crookshanks seemed to be the brains of the operation, while Tom played a supportive role.
Their destination was the Whomping Willow. John watched in disbelief as Crookshanks skillfully pressed a paw against the knot on the tree, a trick that had taken John a month to discover. Yet, here was a cat, seemingly aware of it too. With the Whomping Willow momentarily immobilized, Tom darted inside. Crookshanks then took up a watchful position, guarding the entrance to the secret passage.
John attempted to follow, but Crookshanks blocked the entrance. After a short while, Tom emerged, the dog food nowhere in sight, leaving John's suspicions frozen in realization. Were these two pets secretly caring for something in the Shrieking Shack? And how did they come to know about this hidden passage?
Filled with questions, John decided to investigate further. Crookshanks, ever the clever one, took a circuitous route before leaving, as if to throw off any potential followers. John couldn't help but admire the cat's intelligence, musing that Crookshanks must have inherited Hermione's intellect, making him the Hermione among cats.
However, John was not easily deterred. After casting a Supersensory Charm to ensure Crookshanks had not returned, he ventured into the secret passage beneath the Whomping Willow. It had been a while since his last visit to the Shrieking Shack, a place he had gradually forgotten about since his last encounter with Malfoy.
The eerie atmosphere of the Shrieking Shack greeted him as he entered. A piece of dog food on the floor caught his eye, prompting him to inspect it closely, wand at the ready. "Reveal yourself," he commanded, tapping his wand against the furniture, but nothing out of the ordinary appeared. "Strange," he muttered, finding nothing but the dog food after a thorough search. With that, he turned to leave.
Shortly after his departure, a figure emerged from a hole shaped like a dog's burrow beneath a large tree outside the Shrieking Shack. "Clever little wizard," Sirius Black mused, a human-like expression on his face. As an Animagus, Sirius possessed a keen sense of smell, far superior to that of ordinary dogs. This heightened sense of smell was his assurance of evading capture by Aurors, as a Disillusionment Charm could hide one's appearance but not their scent.
The Shrieking Shack was no longer a safe haven for Sirius, who had to find a new hideout. His last attempt to approach Harry at the Quidditch pitch had ended with him being pursued by Dementors, making him wary of any direct contact with Harry. Fortunately, he had two loyal friends willing to assist him. All he needed was the right opportunity to confront his target personally.
As anger and hatred flickered across the face of the large black dog, Sirius began to dig the burrow deeper, ensuring a means of escape.
John, having doubled back in hopes of finding something he might have missed, found nothing. The Shrieking Shack remained a mystery, its secrets hidden just outside his grasp. John had no means of discerning the events unfolding through the Marauder's Map. Upon his return from the castle's exterior, he encountered Professor Lupin. With a nod of acknowledgment, John was prepared to continue on his way when suddenly, a swift movement caught his attention. Turning, he found himself face-to-face with Lupin's wand.
"Is Professor Lupin considering harming a student at Hogwarts?" John inquired, his tone laced with disbelief. In the deserted corridor, Lupin's gaze bore into him, questioning, "Why didn't you dodge?"
John's response was marked by an unsettling calmness, uncharacteristic of a third-year student. "Because I'm not afraid," he stated simply, his demeanor unflinching.
Lupin, taken aback, lowered his wand, offering an apology. "I'm sorry, I thought you might be Sirius Black in disguise. Given his recent intrusion into the castle."
John, unfazed, acknowledged the misunderstanding. "I understand. I've just returned from outside." His next words carried a hint of mystery, "As long as it's not about murder."
The mention of murder caught Lupin off guard, prompting John to shift the conversation towards Hogwarts' history, expressing a desire to compile a collection of stories, particularly those involving murder. Lupin, sensing John's keen interest, couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
As they parted ways, both men were left pondering the other's true intentions.
Meanwhile, John's magical abilities continued to grow, evidenced by his self-upgraded Level 5 runes. His focus then turned to the Silver Wick sword, which he enhanced with a powerful enchantment, ensuring that wounds inflicted by it were beyond magical repair. He also established a mystical connection with the sword, ensuring it would come to his aid in times of peril.
Despite his advancements, John was reminded of his physical limitations when wielding the sword. His attention then shifted to the preparation of a soul-repairing potion, a task made challenging by the scarcity of dementor souls and the increased vigilance of the Aurors.
John's encounter with Lupin and his subsequent actions underscored his complex relationship with the magical world, marked by a blend of curiosity, ambition, and a hint of darkness. As he navigated the challenges ahead, it was clear that John was no ordinary student, his journey intertwined with the secrets and shadows of Hogwarts. To ensure Sirius Black's capture, the Ministry of Magic had heightened security measures, especially around Hogsmeade. Despite these precautions, John believed that if those outside Hogwarts remained elusive, those within Hogsmeade's vicinity could still be apprehended. With this in mind, he ventured out, utilizing the secret passage hidden by the one-eyed witch statue. His destination was Honeydukes Candy Store, from where he emerged under the cloak of a Disillusionment Charm to blend seamlessly with his surroundings.
The streets of Hogsmeade were deserted at night, save for the eerie presence of Dementors gliding through the darkness like specters and a handful of Aurors patrolling the area. These guardians of the law, however, did not deter John. His attention was quickly drawn to a solitary Dementor, drifting away from its counterparts.
John's plan was bold, yet he moved with a purpose, his steps silent against the cobblestone paths. The Dementors, with their soul-sucking kisses and the despair they spread, were formidable foes. Yet, in the shadowed corners of Hogsmeade, John saw an opportunity. The Aurors, vigilant as they were against threats like Sirius Black, had not anticipated an attack on a Dementor itself.
As he approached his target, John's mind raced with strategies. The Dementors, though fearsome, were not invincible. He knew that their strength lay in their ability to feed on fear and despair, but John harbored a resolve that was immune to such tactics. His plan was not just to confront the Dementor but to challenge the very nature of their existence.
The night air was cold, and a thin mist hung over Hogsmeade, adding a ghostly ambiance to the already tense atmosphere. John's heart beat steadily, a testament to his courage and determination. The Aurors, preoccupied with their own patrols, remained unaware of the drama unfolding in the shadows.
John's encounter with the Dementor would not be an easy battle. It required precision, bravery, and a deep understanding of the dark creatures. Yet, he was driven by a sense of duty and a desire to protect, qualities that defined the very essence of those who stood against the darkness.
As he prepared to face the Dementor, John knew that the outcome of this confrontation could have far-reaching consequences. It was not just about proving his own strength but about challenging the fear that Dementors represented. In the silent streets of Hogsmeade, under the watchful eyes of the Aurors and the haunting presence of the Dementors, John was ready to make his stand.
_________
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