It was a Saturday in Hogsmeade. "I need to devise a new strategy for the Stealing Curse Test," John mused. The Chamber of Secrets had been breached twice, and the adversary's use of the Confusion Curse was notably effective. To counter this, John sought a novel approach. He visited a local materials store and purchased acorns, known for their enchantment-dividing properties, given that oak trees inherently possess magical qualities.
John had opted to venture out alone, his thoughts frequently returning to a troubling prophecy. "It's best they venture out less, especially Draco," he concluded, storing the acorns in a small bag as he meandered through Hogsmeade.
Suddenly, a large black dog caught his attention. John was certain of its identity; after all, he had encountered—and kicked—the dog twice before. It was Sirius Black, who now seemed to gesture for John to follow. After a moment's hesitation, John reasoned that Sirius was unlikely to lure him into a trap for assassination. Thus, he decided to follow.
As they walked, John fixated on the dog's black fur, recalling a time he had touched it. Upon reaching a secluded hill, Sirius transformed back into his human form. His appearance had improved significantly; his hair was no longer greasy, and he seemed to have regained some of his former charm and maturity.
"We haven't been properly introduced," Sirius said, extending his hand. "Sirius Black."
John shook his hand, and Sirius, with a grin, remarked, "My left rib is still sore."
"Sorry," John replied, his tone devoid of actual remorse. He then inquired, "What do you want with me?"
Sirius acknowledged John's reputation: "I've heard about you. You're quite skilled."
John, raising an eyebrow, responded noncommittally to the praise. "Is this about your godson?" It was clear to John that Sirius's visit wasn't merely for a casual encounter; it had to involve Harry.
Sirius, with a shrug, adopted a carefree demeanor. "From the moment you suggested to Snape that I be handed over to the dementors, I knew you weren't one to be trifled with."
John couldn't help but smirk at the irony. "I also believe that someone who would trick another into facing a mad werewolf isn't exactly noble."
"Snape walked into that situation himself," Sirius countered, momentarily lost for words when reflecting on his past actions. "Let's leave the past behind. I'm here because I hope you and Harry can move beyond previous grievances."
John scoffed at the notion. "You seem to be under some misapprehension. Harry and I have no connection. If you're looking for a guardian, I suggest you turn to Dumbledore."
"A guardian?" Sirius appeared momentarily confused but quickly regained his composure, attempting to detain John who was about to leave. "You're aware of Harry's unique status," he said, hinting at a potential threat linked to Harry's past, possibly involving Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
"And what of it?" John retorted. "Harry's the 'savior,' isn't he? I have no interest in playing guardian. Seek out Dumbledore, Moody, McGonagall... Just leave me out of it."
With that, John brushed off Sirius's hand and departed, leaving Sirius to ponder his next steps. Despite John's dismissal, Sirius resolved to protect Harry from the shadows, aware that his own identity could attract unwanted attention from the Death Eaters, who were unaware of his Animagus form.
John's encounter with Sirius was merely a brief interlude in his day. Upon returning to the Star Club, he gathered everyone to announce his departure during the Easter break, urging them to stay vigilant in his absence. He distributed a series of protective devices from his bag, including a "Silent Heart" charm to Daphne, who sensed something amiss.
"John, do you believe the school is in danger?" she asked, voicing the concern that lingered in the air. "In danger?" she asked, her intelligence shining through as she quickly grasped the crux of the matter. The others halted their conversations and turned their attention to John. With a grave tone, John confirmed, "The Star Society has suffered two invasions. I've kept it from you until now. The perpetrator remains hidden in the shadows. We can't predict his next move, but his intentions are undoubtedly malevolent."
Cedric, thoughtful as ever, suggested, "Perhaps we could set up a magical surveillance system."
John shook his head, dismissing the idea. "It would be futile. This individual possesses formidable power, rivaling that of the headmasters. Therefore, I urge you all to steer clear of the Star Society until the semester concludes." John was aware of the busy times ahead and wanted to avoid any chance encounters between the society members and the intruder. He entrusted them with the sensitive Whomping Willow amulet, instructing Cedric to pass it on to Percy.
Turning to Fleur, Cedric, and Draco, John issued a stern warning, "You three need to exercise extra caution." After identifying them, he elaborated, "I suspect the mermaid incident and the intruder's actions are connected. His involvement in the second project suggests that the champions might be his primary targets."
Both Fleur and Cedric nodded in understanding, while Draco, puzzled, inquired, "What about me? I'm not a champion."
John replied with a calm demeanor, "Given your penchant for making enemies, it's plausible you might be targeted for retaliation."
Draco could only respond with a silent, bewildered stare.
After briefing them, John prepared a formidable trap for the intruder. Once everyone had departed, he meticulously ground acorns into powder and mixed it with black unicorn horn powder to set the trap. Following the removal of the Stealing Curse, he discreetly cast another surveillance spell in a concealed location, ensuring all bases were covered.
With the preparations complete, John awaited the arrival of Easter. During the holiday, he ventured into the Forbidden Forest, careful not to draw any attention. He was pleased to find that Zouwu's right eye had nearly healed, though the left remained unchanged. The creature, overjoyed at John's presence, eagerly approached for some affection. Hagrid had taken good care of Zouwu, but the creature still longed for the company of a rune horse, one of the few beings in the Forbidden Forest of comparable size.
John noticed an improvement in Ms. Maxim's demeanor towards Hagrid, a stark contrast to their last encounter which nearly jeopardized Hagrid's budding romance. Heeding John's advice, Hagrid wisely chose not to mention his giant heritage again. To John's surprise, Hagrid had cultivated a garden filled with tulips and other flowers next to the pumpkin patch, a gesture that seemed to have won Ms. Maxim over for a second date.
Despite John's skepticism about Ms. Maxim's feelings for Hagrid, which seemed to be more of a favorable impression than genuine affection, he couldn't help but hope for the best for Hagrid, whose affection was unmistakable.
Leaving Zouwu to its own devices, John proceeded to the unicorn colony. His arrival was met with some hostility from Wei Wei, upset over the baby dragons' havoc. However, after presenting the stars, the unicorns relented.
"It's time to leave, Amohan," John announced to the fire dragons. The addition of three new hatchlings had made the group eager to depart. Amohan, in particular, was visibly excited at the prospect of returning to the Valley of Never Breathing, a place no creature other than dragons could survive. Despite the challenges posed by their size, John was determined to lead them back to their homeland, a journey that promised to be both daunting and exhilarating. As the dragon emerged from the colony, John positioned himself on Amohan's back, his voice tinged with skepticism. "Are you certain you won't accidentally throw me off?"
"Don't fret," Amohan reassured with a tone of pride, "With thirty years of flying experience under my belt, I'm hailed as the Sovereign of the Never Breathing Valley."
John raised an eyebrow, a sense of déjà vu washing over him. "Why does that sound eerily familiar?" he mused, more to himself than to Amohan.
Ignoring John's comment, Amohan lifted his head towards the azure expanse above and unleashed a powerful roar that resonated through the air. With a graceful yet powerful flap of his wings, the dragon propelled himself into the sky, leaving the earth far behind. The other dragons, inspired by Amohan's lead, ascended one by one into the heavens. Among them, a Swedish Short-Snout carefully clutched two Charmanders, one in each claw, while a Chinese Fireball dragon followed closely behind.
As they soared higher, John couldn't help but marvel at the sensation of being a dragon rider. The wind rushed past him, a symphony of roars and the beat of wings filled the air, and the world below seemed a distant dream. It was a moment of pure exhilaration, a testament to the bond between dragon and rider, and a journey into the heart of adventure itself.
_________
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