After John returned, he scarcely left the confines of the Stars Club. Whenever someone sought him out, he was nowhere to be found. He confidently skipped the remainder of his classes, likely the only student to do so with such audacity. This behavior infuriated Snape to no end. Upon encountering John, Snape's expression soured considerably.
"Mr. Wick, if your mind isn't entirely consumed by thoughts of pumpkin juice, then perhaps you'll recall what you've neglected," Snape remarked with a smug tone.
John had grown accustomed to Snape's demeanor, viewing him as a rather peculiar figure. After a moment's thought, he realized he had overlooked a task. "A werewolf?" he inquired.
Snape's faint look of acknowledgment confirmed John's suspicion. Despite knowing the truth, Snape was displeased with Lupin's appointment as a professor. John contemplated whether he should personally address the recurring issue of the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Snape's attitude revealed his disdain for Gryffindor's perceived heroism, which he found hypocritical and repulsive.
"I understand," John nodded, turning to leave. However, Snape halted him. "John Wick, you've left your belongings behind." Following Snape's prompt, John noticed the badge on the table. With a subtle glint in his eye, he smiled and said, "I almost forgot." He pocketed the badge and exited, his expression neutral. John had intentionally left the badge to gauge Snape's reaction, which clearly indicated Snape's desire to distance himself from John.
"The Stars Club isn't appealing to you?" John mused, slightly disappointed. Snape's alliance could have simplified many matters, but it was evident that Snape remained aligned with Dumbledore's faction.
Regaining his composure, John proceeded to the Defense Against the Dark Arts office. Upon knocking, he heard Lupin's voice inviting him in. Inside, John found Lupin grading papers. Lupin's gaze hardened upon seeing John, who sat down and remarked, "Professor, you seem quite wary of me."
Lupin's suspicion had evolved into a firm hypothesis. Setting aside his quill, he looked at John intently and said, "John, you are Johnny Silverhand..."
John was taken aback. Had his secret identity been compromised? "The person?" he managed to say, his brief hesitation confirming Lupin's suspicion.
Lupin sighed, "I knew it. From our first encounter, I sensed something different about you." He recalled his experiences at Johnny Silverhand's store, cautioning John, "That man is dangerous. Immersing yourself in his world and idolizing him will only lead you astray."
Idolizing? Astray? John pondered the irony of admiring himself. Lupin, mistaking John's silence for contemplation, wore a pained expression. He had observed John emulating Johnny Silverhand's mannerisms, concluding that John held the man in high regard.
"If I hadn't witnessed that harrowing scene, perhaps I too might have idolized Johnny Silverhand, the mastermind behind it all. But there are no 'ifs' in life. Delving into soul manipulation is a forbidden art, even for Johnny Silverhand," Lupin advised.
Realizing Lupin mistook him for a mere admirer of Johnny Silverhand, John seized the opportunity to shift the conversation. With feigned embarrassment, he confessed, "You're a werewolf, Professor."
Lupin, anticipating John's direction, replied, "I'm aware that my condition is a result of Johnny Silverhand's intervention. I respect him, but I cannot condone his actions."
"A werewolf becoming a professor, don't you think that's all thanks to him?" John pressed, challenging Lupin's stance.
Lupin acknowledged the truth without hesitation. Having faced discrimination himself, he understood the significance of equality and the impact of Johnny Silverhand's actions on his life. With a complex expression, John admitted, "I accept all of this, so I will not continue as a professor. Truthfully, I don't wish to stay any longer, even though Professor Dumbledore has offered me the opportunity to do so."
Lupin sighed deeply, his gaze fixed on his most talented student. "John," he said earnestly, "I truly hope you don't end up like him."
"I won't," John replied, his voice firm. Yet, inwardly, he mused, *Because I am him.* Despite his internal conflict, John's serious demeanor reassured Lupin, who then proceeded to announce John's grades—a perfect score, as expected.
Exiting the room, John noticed the orderly space and realized Lupin had been truthful. However, Lupin's comparison of him to Johnny Silverhand left John feeling disheartened. *I'm genuinely trying to do good for the magical world,* he thought defensively. Given Lupin's stance, it seemed unlikely that John would revisit the Johnny Silverhand store, a prospect he regretfully abandoned.
Upon entering the auditorium, John was immediately pulled aside by Hermione. Assuming she wanted the time-turner back, he presented the shattered device, apologizing, "Sorry, this is broken."
"I want to say sorry to you, John," Hermione spoke simultaneously, causing a moment of stunned silence between them. Quickly realizing the situation, Hermione dismissed the concern over the time-turner, promising to explain its accidental breakage to the professor. Then, with a guilty look, she confessed, "I'm sorry, John. I doubted you."
Confused, John couldn't recall any instance that might have led to her suspicion. Yet, Hermione felt compelled to apologize, believing it a grave insult to doubt a friend, even silently.
"I thought you might have given Sirius Black the password to the Gryffindor lounge," she admitted, her anxiety about potentially losing a friend evident.
John remained silent, absorbing her words. Hermione's nervousness grew, fearing his anger. However, John's response was a gentle chuckle. "Hermione, I accept your apology," he said sincerely, relieving her immediate worry.
"Perhaps it's because I'm surrounded by too many secrets, making it hard for me to be completely open with others," John reflected, acknowledging the distance growing between him and his first friend at Hogwarts. Despite spending less time together, their friendship had endured.
"But, Hermione, I would never harm a friend," he assured her earnestly, reinforcing her trust.
Choosing not to probe into the dangerous events by the lake, Hermione respected John's privacy. They then agreed to explain the broken time-turner to Dumbledore together.
Wearing an extra long sleeve under his robe to conceal his healed hand, John felt a twinge of nervousness as they approached the headmaster's office. After ascending the spiral staircase, they were greeted by the familiar sight of the Sorting Hat and various peculiar silver instruments. However, John's attention was immediately drawn to the Elder Wand resting on the table, causing a sharp intake of breath.
Inside, the benevolent, silver-haired Dumbledore didn't seem surprised by their visit. "Miss Granger, Mr. Wick," he greeted, indicating two chairs prepared for them. As John sat down, he locked eyes with Dumbledore, his Occlumency shields instinctively rising.
"I'm sorry, Professor, I broke the Time-Turner," he confessed, bracing himself for the conversation ahead. Hermione was the first to speak, her voice carrying the weight of her courage. "It's all because of my foolishness," she declared, her tone heavy with guilt. Dumbledore, however, responded with a surprising calmness. With a gentle shake of his head and a smile, he reassured her, "Miss Granger, everything that exists is bound to break eventually. I'm just relieved that its destruction didn't cause you any harm." In that moment, Dumbledore exuded the warmth of a kindly grandfather.
His attention then shifted to John. "Mr. Wick, I'm grateful you've accompanied Hermione here," Dumbledore said, his voice tinged with gratitude. After a brief pause, his expression grew more serious. "I'll take the responsibility of explaining everything to the Ministry of Magic, though it might take some time. The interim minister is currently facing difficulties."
John remained stoic, focusing inwardly, as Hermione's curiosity piqued. "What's happening at the Ministry of Magic?" she inquired.
Dumbledore offered a knowing smile. "I suspect today's edition of the 'Daily Prophet' will shed light on a grave injustice—a wrongful conviction from twelve years ago." His hint was not lost on Hermione, a bright and perceptive witch. The realization struck her, and she immediately thought of Sirius. Unable to contain her urgency, she quickly stood up to take her leave.
John was also preparing to depart when Dumbledore halted him with a request. "John, I hope you can let go of certain things. The path of magic isn't always just," Dumbledore advised, his voice taking on a tone of solemnity and mild reproof.
John paused, a look of confusion crossing his face. "Professor Dumbledore, was the time-turner the only thing you requested?" he asked, seeking clarification.
Without waiting for an answer, John swiftly exited the room. Dumbledore, left alone, opened a drawer to reveal the Time-Turner, still intact. Despite the object's unharmed state, he sighed, a gesture of deep contemplation and unresolved concerns.
_________
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