I, Hogwarts Second Week

"You can't even tell the truth," Owen said with an unhappy face.

"What? Is self-stable education popular in the wizarding world now?"

"Okay Owen, you should know the situation a little bit!" Harry bumped Owen's arm and whispered hurriedly.

"So--" Owen rolled his eyes at Harry and said, "You admit that you will come back to class if you change professors, right!"

"I didn't!" Harry immediately retorted.

"I think it's obvious!" Owen sneered, "You are a conscienceless ungrateful wolf! Humph!"

"." Harry's face turned blue and red.

Hermione hurriedly comforted him, "Don't be fooled by him, he is just unbalanced because he has classes and we don't"

As she said that, the little witch found that her explanation was getting more and more confusing. It was as if they were really happy that they didn't take the Care of Magical Creatures course.

"Uh--that--Hagrid, what is that!"

Seeing that both sides' faces were getting worse and worse, Hermione hurriedly changed the subject.

She noticed that there was a big bucket in the corner.

A strange creaking sound came from inside.

Looking carefully, she found that the bucket was filled with a foot-long maggot-like thing, slimy, white, and twisting constantly.

Hermione put down the tea bucket in her hand, suppressed the churning in her stomach, and tried to smile, making her tone sound just curious, not disgusted.

"Fuck. So disgusting!" Owen frowned and said bluntly.

"Giant grubs." Hagrid glared at Owen and said coldly

"Will it turn into a fly?" Owen stood up and moved his bench to the other side.

Pulling Hermione along.

"My God - why do you raise such things?"

"No!" Hagrid said angrily, "I raise them to feed Aragog."

As he said that, his face suddenly sank.

Tears dripped from his big eyes.

Without any warning, he suddenly burst into tears.

"Hagrid!" Hermione called out, jumping up and hurried around the table - she deliberately went around the far end to avoid the bucket of giant grubs.

She put her arms around Hagrid's shaking shoulders. "What's the matter?"

"It's... it's..." Hagrid sobbed, tears streaming from his dark eyes, and he wiped his face with his apron, "It's... Aragog... I think it's dying... It's been sick all summer and it hasn't gotten better... I don't know, if it... if it... what should I do... We've been together for so long..."

Hermione patted Hagrid's shoulder, not knowing what to say at all.

Harry understood how she felt.

No one would consider a talking giant spider as a friend.

Hagrid was the only one in the world who would do this.

"What can we do?" Hermione ignored Owen, whose eyes suddenly lit up, and focused on Hagrid.

"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do, Hermione." Hagrid sobbed, "You know? In the tribe, in Aragog's family... they saw that he was sick, and acted strangely... It's a little hard to control..."

"When will he be able to control his offspring?" Owen shrugged.

In the past few years, almost all the Acromanthus spiders have turned to Voldemort. The ones left in the Forbidden Forest are the old, weak, and sick, and the remaining ones are not obedient beasts. They just haven't shown up in the past two years because they are afraid of the power of wizards.

This time, Hagrid didn't refute.

Because it is true.

It's no secret that the Acromanthus spiders turned to Voldemort.

These beasts can be found in many places.

"Aragog is not dead yet!" Owen suddenly became energetic and said, "Wait until it is completely dead, remember..."

"Owen!" Hermione scolded.

"Okay, okay. Okay! I'll shut up." The boy spread his hands.

Finally, he muttered softly.

"A gallon of the old man's venom can probably be sold for hundreds of galleons."

Although Owen's voice was low, Hagrid's room was not big.

The sound of his words just now was completely heard by others.

Harry and Ron both showed embarrassed expressions.

And Hermione was a little angry.

As for Hagrid-what did he say?

He was a little discouraged.

Looking at the lost soul.

"Well, Hagrid, I think you should cheer up. After all, you are still a professor, and-" The girl frowned, suppressed some touch in her heart and continued: "And your friends must not want to see you like this."

"Besides-what about Ms. Olympe Maxime? How are you and her going? I haven't heard you say you've been there."

Suddenly, Hagrid's room became colder.

Owen quietly gave Hermione a thumbs up. Good guy, you are good at exposing people's scars.

I haven't heard about the progress between the two of them for more than a year. Doesn't it explain the problem?

If they were getting along well and were talking about marriage, would Hagrid not be happy to tell them?

Sure enough, as soon as Hermione finished speaking, Hagrid's big face immediately became even darker.

"Oh! No!" Hermione covered her forehead and instantly realized that she had said the wrong thing.

The giant, who had already stopped crying, had tears in his eyes again.

"The situation in Europe is so chaotic now, especially in Paris. Ms. Olympe Maxime will definitely focus on the war. She has no time to talk about love affairs now." She hurriedly found an excuse for Ms. Olympe Maxime.

Although it is not clear what happened between the two.

But there is no problem in saying this.

Because all problems can be attributed to the war.

On the other side, Owen whispered to Harry.

"That eight-eyed giant spider is going to die." He said.

"What's wrong?" Harry looked at him sideways.

"The venom of the spider king is extremely precious. When the time comes, you can mention it to Slughorn, and he will definitely be interested." Owen said very confidently, "You can use this news to get closer to him."

"?" Harry was stunned.

Then he said, "It is indeed a way. But what does Dumbledore want from Slughorn?"

So far, Dumbledore has not told Harry what he needs.

He just asked him to have a good relationship with Slughorn.

Owen glanced at Hermione who was comforting Hagrid, then turned his head and whispered, "Slughorn used to be Tom's professor and his most proud student."

"Regarding Horcruxes, Dumbledore guessed that some of the knowledge might have been revealed to Tom by him."

"You don't think Voldemort was born knowing it! He also learned and grew up slowly."

"Horcruxes!" Harry's eyes widened. It was the first time he heard this news. "Did Slughorn create the current Voldemort?"

"No--" Owen shook his head. "It has an influence but it is not decisive. Decades ago, there was a book about the Horcruxes in the Hogwarts library. Horcrux books. You know, there are so many books in the castle that a person probably can't read even one-tenth of them in his lifetime, and no one knows how many dark magics are in them. "

"Voldemort found information about Horcruxes from those books."

"Of course, Slughorn has to tell you in person what Voldemort said, but your burden is heavier now." Owen paused and continued, "You also have to find out the truth about Regulus' death. Slughorn must know something, which may be more important than Voldemort's Horcruxes."

"Why me?" Harry whispered blankly.

"You are the most suitable! Anyway, Slughorn doesn't talk to me now. Hermione has also been affected. As for Ron - he has no talent in potions, and even if he has that old textbook, he is just mediocre. You are the most suitable. Besides, this is the task given to you by Dumbledore."

Owen certainly knew Dumbledore's purpose.

First of all, it's about the number of Voldemort's Horcruxes.

Although he had speculated that there were seven Horcruxes before, there was no evidence, and old Dumbledore needed to verify it from Slughorn.

In addition, Voldemort's seven Horcruxes.

The diary, the locket, the golden cup, the crown, the mysterious statue and Harry, six of which have been found or destroyed.

But the Gaunt ring is gone.

The Riddle family's ancestral home was razed to the ground a few years ago.

The ring was probably taken away by Voldemort at the time.

No one knows where the Gaunt ring is now.

Dumbledore needs more memories of Voldemort to speculate its current location.

This is very important.

Even Owen is worried that Voldemort may have discovered the secret of the Resurrection Stone.

The Resurrection Stone, one of the three holy artifacts, is inlaid on the Gaunt ring.

His grandfather Grindelwald was always looking for the Resurrection Stone.

It can be used to create a group of Inferi.

And Voldemort, because he has never had love in his heart and no one has loved him, he will not see anything even if he holds the Resurrection Stone. In the original book, he never discovered the secret of the Resurrection Stone.

But after the Battle of Berlin, Owen guessed that he might have learned the secret of the Resurrection Stone.

"——Huh." Owen sighed slightly.

Although the Resurrection Stone is a powerful weapon for creating an army of Inferi, Inferi are just - except for causing some trouble, they can't have any effect on wizards. Even the Muggle army can easily kill these Inferi. If it is not a sudden outbreak in a densely populated city like a city, they won't even suffer any casualties.

But trouble is trouble.

Who would want to fight a group of Inferi if it is not necessary?

————

Hermione kept comforting Hagrid for the next time.

And Harry talked about what he saw and heard in the headmaster's office.

This included a memory of Voldemort that he saw in the Pensieve.

About his mother and father.

What Harry said surprised Owen. He didn't expect that in such a chaotic situation, Dumbledore would still have the mood and time to show Harry those.

Maybe from this time, the old man Dumbledore had already hinted at the connection between him and Voldemort, and the fact that Harry had to face death again.

They talked for about an hour.

The rain outside was a little lighter, so they got up and left Hagrid's hut.

Buckle was caught by Owen.

This dragon must not be left alone.

In addition, Hagrid was in a bad mood recently, and he might not have taken good care of it.

He should take it back to the castle to raise it.

On the ridge, the path was very muddy after the rain.

Every step would bring up mud, and no matter how careful they were, their trouser legs would still be stained.

Just as they returned to the bridge and prepared to enter the castle.

An abrupt figure squeezed out of the air with a "puff".

"Master." A bullfrog-like voice sounded.

The person who came was a house elf wearing a pair of dirty rags and almost naked.

Its head was bald, but a lot of white hair grew out of its two big bat-like ears. Its eyes were bloodshot and gray, and its fleshy nose was so big that it looked like a pig's snout.

You knew who it was when you heard Owen.

Kreacher, the elf of the Black family.

Only it will still use the slave's name for the master, calling him master.

Other elves, like Dobby or the Hogwarts kitchen elves would only call him sir.

"Kreacher?" Harry was very surprised that this elf would appear here.

"Why are you here?"

"Someone is looking for you." Kreacher replied in a low voice. "It's Miss."

Hearing the sound, Owen frowned slightly.

"time and location!"

"Now," Kreacher said. "In the Forbidden Forest." It pointed in a direction.

"Okay, I get it." Owen nodded.

The next second, Kreacher disappeared again with a 'pop'.

"She wants to find you?" Hermione knew about the deal between Bella and Owen.

They also knew that their contact person was Kreacher.

"It seems to be a very important matter." Owen nodded, and immediately changed direction and headed towards the direction of the Forbidden Forest.

Hermione followed immediately.

Harry and Ron were confused and full of questions. They didn't know how to stand and followed them without stopping too much.

"The war in Europe has been going on for several months. It's normal for Voldemort to know new moves. But -"

"But she shouldn't come to you personally!" Hermione helped Owen tell his guess. "If it's general information, just let Kreacher pass it on."

"That's right." Owen nodded, "A month ago, I think she passed on the message, but she said that the recent chaos among the Death Eaters made it difficult for me to contact them. Now."

"Is there another conspiracy?" Hermione asked immediately. She had never believed in dark wizards like Bella.

"Probably not." Owen said, "She is protected by the Loyalty Charm, and if she is trying to coax us out of the castle, then she should arrange the meeting place further away, not at the edge of the Forbidden Forest."

"There is Professor Dumbledore in the castle, and there are Aurors who are watching her. She won't be that stupid."

"And -" the boy's mouth raised slightly, revealing a sneer, "Where does she get the confidence to think she can beat me?"

"Even if our dear senior Tom comes in person, it is absolutely impossible to defeat us silently."

"Yeah" Hermione pursed her lips, her face full of worry, but Owen was right. With their current strength, even Voldemort couldn't easily defeat them.

The two fell silent.

Harry and Ron behind him didn't interrupt either.

Although they were surprised by the name Bella, all confusion would be revealed soon, so they were not in a hurry to ask questions at this time.

The four of them walked slowly towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

The sky in the distance was covered with dark clouds, blocking the last trace of sunlight, and the forest was shrouded in heavy shadow.

The wet ground reflected a faint light, as if it were a silent lake, with no waves, only bottomless darkness.

The leaves trembled in the cold wind and made a rustling sound, as if whispering unknown secrets. The raindrops slipped from the leaves and hit the ground, causing splashes of water. The sound echoed in the silent forest, which was particularly abrupt.

The air was filled with the smell of moisture and earth, mixed with an indescribable dullness that seemed to suppress people's breathing.

Suddenly, the four people stopped.

Just in front of where they saw it, there was a fir tree that would have required four adults to surround it. Bellatrix Lestrange was slumped against the trunk of a tree.

Her black gown-like skirt was stained with mud.

His face was a strange blue-white color, and one of his eyes turned a turbid milky white.

She had one hand on her neck and one hand on her wand.

The exposed part of the chest was covered with acne-like wounds.

Green, yellow, and blue are intertwined and mixed together in a filthy mess.

His neck was beating violently.

It was clearly visible even if she covered it up with her hands.

It seemed that there was some kind of creature under the skin, sucking her blood.

Owen stepped forward quickly.

In Bella's weak, cold and sinister eyes, she took away the hand that was protecting her neck.

"Is this a dead root?"

Owen asked speculatively.

Because what was under her skin was very much like some kind of roots, with countless cyan threads spreading to all sides of her body.

It was as if the roots were using her body as a breeding ground, growing wantonly.

"Hub." Bella said weakly.

After just uttering two words, I no longer had the energy to speak.

Seeing this, Owen didn't say anything. He took out the phoenix wand, pointed the tip of the wand at her neck, and slid it gently.

The already cracked skin suddenly cracked.

Then he stretched out his left hand and cut his index finger, and a drop of blood emerged.

In another vision that ordinary people cannot observe, along with that drop of blood is the overflow of terrifying ancient magic power.

Almost instantly, as if inspired, the roots under Bella's neck stretched out several roots, trying to swallow his blood.

Of course Irving will not let it succeed.

He slowly removed his fingers.

He lured the roots out of Bella's body little by little.

Of course, he had simpler and more brutal methods, but although those methods could kill the roots 100%, they would also kill Bella at the same time.

This intelligence girl was still a bit useless, and it would be a bit of a loss to kill her now.

That's why Owen used such a primitive method.

The extraction of the roots was extremely painful.

This could be seen from Bella's suddenly arched body, her unconscious trembling, and her whole mental distraction, as if she had suffered a stroke.

And this pain did not end quickly. Instead, it lasted for a long time.

Peeling off the [dead roots] like peeling silk from a cocoon was certainly not something that could be done quickly.