The Pacifist Necromancer of Hogwarts

Anthony stood in front of the garlic painting and took a deep breath.

Professor Quirrell? he called. Professor Quirrell, are you there? Look, I'm really sorry, but if you want to talk to someone...

He stepped forward and knocked on the door, his voice echoing hollowly in the corridor. The garlic on the portrait slowly fell down as the frame vibrated, rolled twice in the painting, and stopped.

Professor? Anthony knocked on the door again.

Suddenly, a loud flush echoed through the hallway, followed by a sharp sob.

Oh, here we go again! Can't a poor ghost get a moment of peace in her bathroom? Myrtle flew out of the toilet, floated angrily into the air, and looked at her with eyes swollen from crying. Looking outside the door, Ah, it's you, Professor Anthony. I thought it was the big guy again.

Hello, Myrtle. What big guy are you talking about? Anthony asked.

That big guy from Gryffindor is clumsy and can't do anything well. He learns magic much slower than others. Myrtle said maliciously, slowly floating down, I'm curious why he is still in school. , everyone else has graduated.”

Anthony knew who she was talking about: Hagrid? Even though he knew that Myrtle didn't care much about who killed him, he didn't expect that she didn't know the name of the murderer previously identified by the Ministry of Magic.

Yes - I guess so, at least it's the same name. Myrtle said, moving closer to Anthony mysteriously, You have to be careful with him, Professor.

Anthony asked doubtfully: Why?

Oh, you didn't see that, Professor Anthony. He was scary. He banged on your door as if he wanted to break in. Myrtle said, So of course I came out and told He lowered his voice. The look on his face when he saw me, professor, I guarantee you, was exactly the same as the students I caught wandering at night, extremely ugly... He must be planning something bad.

oh……

Anthony couldn't help but feel sorry for Hagrid. It shouldn't be a very pleasant experience to suddenly see a classmate who died back then yelling at you.

Do you know what he came to see me for? Anthony asked.

Myrtle said without interest: I think he mentioned things like drinking and bookstores. After discovering that you were not here, he said that he would go to a nearby pub to have a drink, and then left. She found Anthony He had no interest in speaking ill of Hagrid, so he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Ah, I know, thank you. Anthony said.

…

In the evening, the setting sun paints the sky a fiery orange-red color before melting into a soft, ethereal pink. The black lake reflects the sunset from deep red to light purple, while on the other side of the horizon, the dark blue night has risen, and purple clouds float lazily by the breeze carrying the aroma of earth.

In the distance, a soft cooing sound came from the Owlery, intertwined with the rustling of leaves in the Forbidden Forest. After Anthony finished eating the Welsh cheese brought by Coco, he was lying on the railing of the corridor to rest when he suddenly saw Hagrid coming back drunk.

The weather has been rare recently, but for some reason, Hagrid was wearing a weird big robe, opened the door of his cabin awkwardly, and ducked in amid the loud barking of Fang Ya. Anthony remembered that Myrtle said that Hagrid had come to see him in the afternoon, so he took advantage of the break after dinner to knock on Hagrid's door.

Who? Hagrid's voice came vaguely. Anthony suddenly realized that all the windows in the cabin were closed and the curtains were drawn tightly together. If he hadn't already known what kind of person Hagrid was, he might have actually believed Myrtle's assertion that Hagrid had evil intentions.

It's me, Henry, said Anthony.

Oh, it's you. Hagrid said. There were heavy footsteps behind the door, and then there was a tooth-gripping sound of rusty iron locks.

With a creak, the door was opened. Hagrid's beetle-like black eyes peeked out from the crack in the door.

You're really good at choosing the right time, aren't you? Hagrid said, burping, Come in, come in. He looked around behind Anthony, then slammed the door.

The room smelled of alcohol, and the lighted fire made the smell even stronger. The copper kettle for boiling water was upside down on the ground, and there was a strange, tattered bag on the table, with Hagrid's big robe resting on it. Anthony looked around in confusion: What are you doing - wait, what is that on your face?

Oh, this. Hagrid glanced down casually, looking at the piece of plaid hanging in front of his thick beard, Protective mask.

What do you want a mask for?

Hagrid looked a little uneasy. It's nothing. He rubbed his hands and said, You came to me suddenly, there must be something wrong, right?

Actually, not really. Anthony said, I heard you were looking for me, so I came over to see - I was in the library in the afternoon - where did you go for a drink?

Hagrid said: The Pig's Head Pub, just in Hogsmeade... Oh, you haven't been there yet... Anthony told him that he had actually been there once - if crawling out of the kitchen counts - Hagrid He was very happy, A very nice place, right? It's a little messier than the Leaky Cauldron, but more lively... Hiccup, there are a lot of good things. We should go there together next time, Henry.

Of course, of course. Next time, Anthony said, still unable to take his eyes off the robe and pockets on the table. What on earth is that, Hagrid?

Oh, this is...

You didn't buy anything too, did you? Anthony said helplessly, Have I mentioned to you? I once spent twenty galleons on a bottle of hair growth potion.

Hagrid looked a little proud: No, of course not, I won this back. He took the robe away, picked up the two corners of the pocket, and shook it gently -

A dark spherical thing rolled out from inside.

A lava-like orange-red light shone faintly from the uneven skin of the thing. As soon as it came into contact with the air, it began to explode, and a large plume of black smoke came out at the same time. Yaya jumped up in surprise, pressed against the wall, and screamed loudly.

Now Anthony finally knew what a protective mask was for.

Cough, cough...what is this, Zuko's new fried egg?

No, said Hagrid, lovingly placing the ugly, hard-shelled ball into the fire - the explosion died down to a soft crackle, like the sound of firewood - and solemnly declared , This is a dragon egg, Henry.