The celebratory mood from winning the championship lingered until the next morning, but the joy was somewhat diluted by the day's academic tasks. In the Slytherin common room, John found his thoughts preoccupied with the mystery of his missing wand. It was then that Malfoy approached him, a sheepish look on his face. Under John's intense gaze, Malfoy awkwardly began, "John, I have something to confess."
John gestured for him to continue, his curiosity piqued. Taking a deep breath, Malfoy nervously admitted, "I... I lost your wand." John was momentarily stunned, a question mark practically visible above his head. "You mean, you took the wand from my room?" he asked, trying to piece together Malfoy's involvement with the disappearance.
Malfoy fidgeted, his voice growing quieter as he explained, "Remember when you asked me to walk the dog? I thought I'd bring a toy for Tom to play with, and since Tom only has one toy..." His voice trailed off under John's increasingly menacing glare. "We were playing, and I accidentally threw the wand out like a chew toy with a bit too much force."
As Malfoy recounted the incident, John's anger was palpable. "I specifically said it was in the lower drawer!" he exclaimed, the truth now crystal clear. Malfoy had mistaken the real wand for a chew toy and had thrown it towards the Whomping Willow, never to be retrieved. It dawned on John that Tom, the dog, had been unjustly blamed for the mishap. Malfoy had essentially bullied a dog incapable of defending itself.
With a dangerous look in his eyes, John stared at Malfoy, who nervously attempted to lighten the mood, "Considering I helped Slytherin win the championship, could you perhaps spare me?" John retorted with a smirk, "Didn't you miss the golden snitch?" leaving Malfoy bewildered.
Ultimately, Malfoy's training regimen was doubled, with Heinrich appointed to oversee it. Back in the dormitory, John observed Tom lying dejectedly in his kennel. Approaching the dog for the first time in days, John gently patted Tom's head, saying, "Gouzi, you've been wronged." At his master's touch, Tom's tail began to wag once more, his eyes brightening as he affectionately licked John's hand.
John smiled, then glanced at the bag of dog food, "You may not have taken the wand, but I haven't forgotten about the dog food incident." Tom's tail ceased its wagging, and he resumed his forlorn demeanor. "I'm just teasing. You're free to play, but only within the common room," John said, lifting Tom's spirits once again.
Reflecting on his interactions with Sirius, John considered the complexity of their situation. Crookshanks was busy hunting mice, while Tom was merely enamored with the presence of a large black dog. John realized that, aside from providing dog food, he hadn't really assisted Sirius, who, according to his own testimony under Veritaserum, had been wrongfully accused.
Pondering Sirius Black's innocence and his role as Harry's godfather, John debated whether to inform Harry. However, he anticipated Ron's skepticism, especially without concrete evidence. Moreover, Ron might suspect John of conspiring with Sirius against Harry, given the loss of his pet rat, Scabbers.
John was unconvinced of Peter Pettigrew's death. The notion of an Animagus being easily killed by a cat seemed far-fetched. According to Sirius, Pettigrew had faked his own death before, and it was likely he had done so again.
"Sirius Black remains at large, and the truth about the castle is still shrouded in mystery," John mused, contemplating the implications of these revelations. After pondering the situation, John felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. Ron, in his eyes, seemed to have an unshakable loyalty to his friends, akin to that of a steadfast rock. Currently, John found himself in an uneasy alliance with Professor Snape, who had yet to question him about how he managed to capture Sirius. This silence from Snape suggested a curiosity about how John intended to handle the situation. With this in mind, John resolved to write to Rufus Scrimgeour. He retreated to the secret room to consume the last bottle of soul potion, which, as he had hoped, finally healed his right hand. Flexing his fingers, John grasped the quill firmly with his right hand for the first time in a while.
Realizing he needed a legitimate reason to gauge Rufus Scrimgeour's stance, John's thoughts turned to Buckbeak. Hagrid's failed attempt to save Buckbeak in London was a minor issue, but the case's outcome could reveal much about Scrimgeour's character. With a newfound determination, John penned a letter, sealing it with the emblem of Johnny Silverhand. Since owls couldn't access the secret room, John made his way back to his bedroom, accidentally bumping into someone around the corner. The sudden collision nearly caused him to drop the letter.
"John Wick, are you alright?" Lupin asked, his tone laced with genuine concern.
John assured him he was fine, quickly pocketing the letter before continuing on his way. Lupin's smile hid a deeper, unspoken thought.
As the term drew to a close, John found himself struggling with the workload. His once somewhat chubby cheeks had slimmed down, a testament to the stress and exhaustion he felt. Daphne, noticing his condition, prepared a colorful bowl of butter-fried rice for him. Despite the lack of taste, John couldn't help but compliment Daphne's effort, noting the vibrant colors she used, even if the ingredients were somewhat questionable.
The Club of Stars members were all preoccupied with their studies. Percy was buried in preparation for the NEWT exams, the Weasley twins were focused on the OWL exams, and Heinrich, the exchange student, seemed unfazed by the upcoming tests, confident in his abilities and the guidance he received from John.
Hagrid, distressed over Buckbeak's impending execution, found solace in John's reassurances. However, John's confidence waned as he realized his letter to Scrimgeour had been ignored. It seemed Scrimgeour was not interested in compromise or respect, a realization that only fueled John's determination.
In the Room of Requirement, John's training took on a new intensity. Wielding the Silver Wick sword, he moved with a precision and strength that belied his recent recovery. Whispering to himself, "I am a fire dragon," he watched as the blade ignited with flames, its power amplified by the super magic crystals. This moment of empowerment marked a turning point for John, a reaffirmation of his resolve and capabilities. The training ground was instantly engulfed in a sea of flames, transforming the space into a blazing inferno. As soon as the humanoid targets came into contact with the fire, they were incinerated to ashes. Amidst the scorching flames, a dragon made of fire took form, its presence dominating the area. John, wielding a silver sword, directed the fire dragon with precision. A swift slash, illuminated by a silver glow amidst the flames, decimated the remaining targets in less than three seconds.
Lowering his silver sword, John watched as the flames obediently receded back into the blade. The once rampant fire now seemed like a tamed beast, disappearing into the sword's metal. "This power surpasses that of the flame curse. Is this the strength gained from infusing it with a soul?" John mused, clearly pleased with the outcome. He reflected on how he had almost missed the opportunity to become akin to a Thunderbird.
His gaze then shifted to the super magic power crystal situated at the far end of the training ground. The crystal pulsed with a vibrant purple energy, its surface marred by cracks that seemed to threaten its integrity. "It still requires cautious handling," John thought to himself. The crystal had been artificially enhanced, pushing its capabilities beyond their natural limits. As a result, the super magic crystal lacked durability, and unleashing its power was akin to setting off a massive bomb in a confined space. John pondered the consequences of such an explosion, questioning whether he would be able to contain it.
The transformation of the training ground into a battlefield of flames and the subsequent control exhibited by John showcased not only the raw power at his disposal but also the delicate balance required in wielding such force. The potential for destruction was immense, a fact that John acknowledged as he contemplated the limits and responsibilities of his newfound power.
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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