Chapter 204: Correspondence and Research
Ron leaned over to look at the parchnt, surprised, and said, "Why is my dad's na on here?"
On the parchnt, the nas of Jas Potter and Sirius Black occupied the center, branching out to various related individuals from their nas. For example, Jas led to Harry, and from Harry, various sources of information erged, like "Mr. Weasley," "Minister Fudge," and "Professor Lupin."
Harry explained, "Before we got on the train, Mr. Weasley warned
about Sirius and made
promise not to seek him out. He must know more."
"Should I write a letter to my dad?" Ron asked hesitantly, clearly nervous.
"I think—"
"Potter! Co over here," Professor McGonagall entered from outside, motioning to Harry.
The two of them spoke quietly in the corner, Harry's voice growing more excited.
After a while, he returned, placing a disillusionnt charm on the table and using a quill to add a new na to the parchnt: "Professor McGonagall."
"She knows too, but treats
like a child," he said with frustration.
Hermione looked at the tiny disillusionnt charm and suddenly said, "This was made by Professor Snape, commissioned by Dumbledore. It contains a strand of Sirius Black's hair."
She had promised Professor Snape not to reveal this earlier, but since the charm was already in Harry's hands, there was no need to hide it anymore.
Harry chuckled in exasperation, "So, everyone is trying to keep
in the dark?"
"Don't be that way, Harry. They have their reasons. But we can also investigate the past ourselves, can't we?" Hermione said.
Ron widened his eyes, "Do you even know what you're saying, Hermione?"
"This is important, Ron. We might be able to glean valuable information from it. Like what kind of magic Sirius Black was skilled in. In case we cross paths, it's better to know sothing rather than nothing." Hermione assigned tasks with confidence, "Ron, write to your dad, and Harry, focus on Professor Lupin."
"What about you?" Ron asked sensitively.
"I'll ask Professor Snape if he knows anything. But chances are slim; he was already out of Hogwarts when Harry's father attended." Hermione counted on her fingers, "Oh, and there's Hagrid. Rember? The night Malfoy got hurt, we went to comfort Hagrid, and he ended up kicking us out."
Ron nodded approvingly, "That's a good move. Hagrid is a blabbermouth; he'll spill the beans."
Harry suddenly reminded them, "Snape definitely knows as well. He hated my dad and probably Professor Lupin too. Maybe we could—"
"That's a good idea. Let's go ask him—'Dear Professor Snape, were you ever beaten to a pulp by soone nad Jas Potter when you were in school? We're interested in learning about one of his friends...'" Harry was left speechless.
Neville walked in, holding a letter in his hand. He looked around and approached the trio.
"Grandmother's letter, addressed to Professor Snape. I don't know if I should give it to him," Neville's round face showed hesitation.
...
Felix Harp saw this letter the next day. In front of Neville, he opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.
Neville stared at him, unblinking. "What did she say?"
"She's inviting
to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop this weekend for a conversation," Felix Harp smiled.
Neville swallowed nervously, "C-Can I co along? It's about , isn't it?" He managed to get out the script Harry, Ron, and Hermione had prepared for him the day before.
"Oh, no, you can't. You're not allowed in Hogsade yet."
...
"You agreed just like that? Without putting up a fight?" Harry exclaid, eyes wide.
"I, I..." Neville stamred, "I think Professor Harp made a valid point. I'm really not allowed in Hogsade Village."
"You could have asked him to take you along; he's a professor!"
"I didn't think of that at the ti..." Neville scratched the back of his head.
Harry stewed in his frustration.
anwhile, Felix Harp was engrossed in observing a glass jar.
Three days had passed, and the acromantulas inside were now the size of walnuts.
"I know you can understand , Mr. Acromantula," Felix Harp said.
"Wizard, what do you want?" the acromantula growled, its massive pincers clicking nacingly.
"A lot of things, but I need your cooperation."
"Impossible, wizard, you cannot insult ." It snapped, waving its pincers angrily.
If it had maintained its original size, this would probably have been quite intimidating.
Felix Harp smiled, "I should remind you, you attacked
first. I spared you because you're still useful. If that changes..."
The acromantula grew nervous, recalling the fear of being tornted (shrunken) by this wizard, "So, you'll let
go?"
"If you're satisfactory, why not? Do you look appetizing to ?"
"Fine, I agree." It quickly changed its tune.
"Next, I will use magic to gradually stimulate you, aiding your recovery. You must describe the corresponding sensations. Understand?"
"...Understood."
In Felix Harp's view, a blue magic resided within the acromantula, appearing highly organized, like chains obstructing its body's restoration. Yet, this magic was dissipating at an excruciatingly slow rate.
After all, this magic was a finite resource, and the acromantula was inherently magical, containing its own magic and struggling to shed the constraints on its body.
As the process progressed, its speed accelerated. From the data collected over the past three days, the transformation took place between 5 to 8 days.
'If I could have my magic automatically absorb free magic, could I maintain existence indefinitely?' Felix Harp speculated, though it was entirely unrealistic. At least, currently, he couldn't even touch a shadow.
Felix Harp carefully probed. The blue magic remained stable, seemingly disinterested in its forr master. Instead of using a resizing spell to undo the magic, he infused his magic into the acromantula, helping it resist and erode the blue chains.
Threads of blue mist erged from the acromantula's body. Soon, it had shrunk to the size of a waterlon. But it didn't dare move, letting Felix Harp prod and poke.
Every few minutes, Felix Harp would inquire about its sensations.
"How does it feel?"
"I feel nothing."
After a while—
"Now?"
"It's like stepping into a den from sunlight. My body feels much more comfortable." The acromantula favored cold and damp environnts.
"It was uncomfortable before?"
"The transformation process was painful, extrely disorienting. But after a while, I couldn't feel it anymore. I thought that's how I'd remain." The acromantula spoke.
Felix Harp looked at it in mild astonishnt. He knew acromantulas could communicate in human language, but he didn't expect them to express themselves so clearly.
"Do you guys chat in English and hold tea parties? Or did Aragog teach you?" Felix Harp asked curiously.
"I don't know what you're saying. It's Aragog who taught us," the acromantula replied.
Felix Harp understood sowhat. Wild acromantulas definitely lacked this ability. Being linked to Aragog, who was raised by Hagrid, made all the difference.
This led him to so new thoughts—perhaps he could dosticate them?
When he delicately broached this idea to Hagrid, the latter burst into laughter, "Hogwarts is already doing that! I visit every month or so to check on Aragog. He's quite old; he might not have much ti left. I also extract so venom from the acromantulas—it's good stuff, and a portion of the school's expenses co from it. But Aragog never lets
take too much; he's concerned about his descendants' hunting needs..."
Felix Harp stared at Hagrid in astonishnt; this was completely different from what he'd imagined.
Hagrid cheerfully added, "Finally, there's sothing you didn't know, Felix. Most of the intelligent creatures in the Forbidden Forest maintain connections with Hogwarts. Dumbledore assigned
this responsibility."
"Like unicorns; I bring them so herbs and redies. They don't mind
taking a bit of their hair. The good stuff is taken by Ollivander, what's left isn't very useful. I use it to make pads, rags, and such. Very practical..."
"Or the centaurs; they act as a barrier for the Forbidden Forest, alerting
if werewolves, giants, or dangerous creatures approach. If they encounter sothing they can't handle, they inform . They're skilled healers, different from wizards, but they're useful sotis. As for centaur divination, that's not my expertise..."
"Plants are the sa. Professor Sprout scatters seeds into the Forbidden Forest every year."
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