The Pacifist Necromancer of Hogwarts

After the meeting time was determined, Anthony completely buried his head in the pile of parchment. He didn't give Potions a second glance - if Snape really expected him to understand, Anthony would have to think carefully about whether Snape was crazy - but the curses and rituals were certainly interesting.

Apart from breaking the chandelier in his bedroom, the family pets didn't bother him much. The Wraith Mouse had somehow decided to decorate his room - his room - with apples, and felt it was the right decision to have a second-hand chandelier said to be fifty years old holding a dozen apples on top.

Beyond that, the Wraith Chicken had paced over curiously, wanting to know what exactly it was that Anthony was holding up to look at while brushing his teeth, and the Skeleton Cat condescendingly tried to remind Anthony to pour him a drink.

Go away, Anthony said to the cat, pushing it away from a passage discussing the role of skeletons in ritual. However, from the necromancer's perspective, that whole paragraph is ridiculously wrong.

The cat turned back and bit his finger sharply, sinking its teeth into the flesh. Anthony hissed and said thoughtfully: Use the blood of the dead instead of wine... um...

He changed the pen to his left hand and wrote a few lines crookedly. The cat scratched him impatiently and jumped away.

…

On Friday morning, Anthony opened the window and found the sky eerily gloomy. The whole city was dusty, and the lights in the supermarkets looked a little dim. The cashier at Whaley's supermarket greeted him with a smile, handed him a sandwich for breakfast, and kindly wished him to enjoy his holiday.

I hope. Anthony took the sandwich, smiled and shook his head, I hope my current colleagues welcome me as you did.

Hogwarts in Scotland is also shrouded in dark clouds. The dull, humid air hinted at the coming of at least one rain.

Anthony came out of Hogsmeade—Honeydukes allowed him to borrow their Floo fireplace because he was a big customer who ordered five boxes of coconut sorbet—passed by the train station where the Hogwarts Express stopped, and walked around Heihu, worried all the way, worried whether he would remember to close the window and take Bai Xian back to the room when he left.

Snape greeted him at the gate.

This refers to Snape striding out of the castle, turning his cold eyes to Anthony, nodding to him impatiently, skipping all the pleasantries: You're late, Anthony. If you still have a little Gratitude, I hope you remember who this is all for.”

Anthony looked at his watch: I think I was actually three minutes early. But okay, sorry.

You will be late when you step into the room. Follow me. Snape said coldly, turning around and leading him down the narrow stone stairs to the cellar.

Snape's office was as dim as ever, the fireplace dark and empty. Anthony tried not to think about whether this meant that Snape's floo network was closed, and any flame head that tried to emerge would be immediately doused with water.

Anthony found a chair to sit on at Snape's look, and watched as he took out a box from the cupboard behind him, carefully took out four very small bottles, and placed them on the table.

Anthony had to get closer to see a silvery drop of water at the bottom of each bottle, just like a grain of mercury, except that some were closer to silver-gray in color, while others were more white.

Anderson's Pure Blood, Siegel's Resurrection Potion, Gardner's Silver Moonlight, and Senai's Water of Continuity. Snape introduced softly, his eyes lingering on them, Very exquisite imitations... Each has been improved and revised dozens or even hundreds of times...

Anthony waited for his but but did not wait for the transition word. He raised his head in confusion, and with a cold smile on Snape's sallow face, he said softly: Tell me, Anthony, why can't we just use them?

I don't know. Because they're too expensive? Anthony said, seeing Snape's unabashed you're about to get a T look on his face.

No, because this bottle can burn through the throat of the person who takes it. This bottle will make people eat only toads that have just eaten Flobber caterpillars. This bottle will make people get burned by the sun... Snape said, drama He paused for a moment, And this one has no effect, it just perfectly imitates unicorn blood in form.

That's great, Anthony said.

You haven't read Progress in Potion Simulations of Unicorn Blood since the Sixteenth Century at all, have you? Snape whispered ominously.

Anthony said frankly: Yes. In fact, he had even forgotten what its title was.

Excellent, Anthony, said Snape. Excellent.

Look, Snape, you know I've only had a year of magical training, and you know I know nothing about Potions. Anthony said, ignoring Snape's Obviously comment, I don't understand why you I feel that I need to participate in the topic of potions, and I thought that you would be enough. Even the principal has no intention of participating in the topic of unicorn blood simulation, and I don’t think I can help with any production details.

Because it was obviously you who summoned your little pet, and it was you who wanted to curse it in a whimsical way, just to... what is that saying? Ah, that's right, 'you can still have its companionship after school starts'. Snape said, his voice containing more anger than he should have.

He slammed the cupboard shut: It was you who witnessed Quirrell's spellcasting process - although you still knew nothing about it - it was you who came up with the idea of ​​imitating the ritual at that time. And our headmaster, the great Dumbledore, for some unknown reason Reason, thinking I should support your stupid decision.”

Well, I'm sorry, Anthony said. If you find this subject very difficult, please do tell me, because I really don't understand it at all. I don't want it to take up too much of your vacation time... I can try to find Other methods.

Snape stared at him fiercely for a while, then sat on the chair opposite him with a very ugly look on his face.

So? Anthony prompted, If you still want to continue the discussion, can we skip the potions - by the way, I appreciate the energy you put into this, no irony - and go into the curses and rituals link? I saw that you also sent materials about this, which probably means you have some details you want to discuss?

…

Antony and Snape got into an argument over whether Quirrell said I curse you with living blood or I curse you with living flesh.

'Flesh' doesn't make any sense. Snape said impatiently. Blood and flesh are two completely different things. They cannot be compared.

Of course they can, they will bleed when the flesh is cut off, and the flesh will be damaged when bleeding. They are things wrapped around the bones, and it is difficult to separate from each other. Anthony explained, The clever Portia took advantage of this to Let 'cut a pound of flesh' become a dead letter.

Listen, Anthony, blood and flesh are not the same thing magically! Fire dragon blood has at least twelve uses, and the biggest effect of fire dragon meat is just to relieve pain. If you are really as humble as you pretend to be, At least admit your ignorance and look at other people's research. Not that I expect you to actually know anything.

The review you sent is full of errors. They are the same thing in my magic - flesh and blood belong to the realm of life, and it is a part that I cannot reproduce no matter how hard I try.

That can only mean that you are trying in the wrong direction. Snape said mockingly. Try to separate blood from flesh. Maybe you will find that the reason why you keep failing is not because of magic, but because of your mind.

Anthony shook his head: Do you think I haven't tried it? Flesh and blood are intertwined in the realm of life and death, and it is impossible for Quirrell to separate them. In fact, if he really only said 'blood', I would even doubt it Will this curse succeed?

Oh, who justifies his ignorance by claiming to have only received a year of magical education? snapped Snape. And now he's a Master of Curses? You must think you're extremely smart, Anthony?

That's a curse specifically for necromancers. For God's sake, who is the necromancer, Snape! Anthony said loudly, and then sighed, Okay, can we stop this fight between the two sides? The debate that cannot be persuaded has moved on to the next discussion point?”

Snape didn't answer, his expression was a little strange. Anthony thought about it for a moment, then realized what an inappropriate exclamation he had just said, and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.

Well, for Death's sake, I'm the necromancer, he said. Can we skip the debate? In fact, I don't know why I'm discussing this with you. I thought you were just responsible. Imitate Quirrell's blood.

Snape narrowed his eyes and said diplomatically, I don't know if you've noticed, but the curser needs to be a living person.

Yeah, Anthony said, then suddenly realized what Snape meant, Wait, you're not saying...

At the same time, this person needs to know your...disgraceful identity. I hope you understand that this means that your choice is not very wide. Snape maintained his smooth tone and looked at Anthony coldly, Quirrell , of course, you can definitely find him and convince him to do it again; Dumbledore, too busy and noble; Minerva, geez, I really wonder why you keep hiding your dark magic in front of her; Magic Ministry, tempting options; in addition, there is still...

Anthony heard himself say, You.

Sound logic, Anthony.

I'm really sorry. Anthony said, I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble. You know, this is not your responsibility, but mine. I will find someone else, forget about the curse, Si Nep, I would be very grateful if you would help me simulate Quirrell's blood.

Snape looked at him inscrutably for a while, then suddenly said: Eight unicorn tail hairs.

What?

Eight unicorn tail hairs. Snape repeated impatiently, Add the basilisk corpse, and we are clear.

Oh, okay, I'll give it a try. I don't know if Hagrid can do anything about it, Thank you.

Snape nodded gruffly and reluctantly accepted his thanks.

…

They almost had lunch in Snape's office, but Anthony happened to (or not) notice a shelf by the wall. There were rows of large glass jars on it, each filled with disgusting stuff.

It's either the hall or the kitchen. Anthony insisted, Or I'll come to you to discuss it after lunch. Whatever you do, I want to eat in a warm and bright place.

So there’s the kitchen.

Snape's face was as gloomy as the weather outside the castle, but Professor McGonagall happened to hear that Snape was in school and came to him to discuss Roger Davis's final grade.

She welcomed Anthony with surprise, accepted his invitation to lunch, and agreed that the elf would be pleased to see more people in the kitchen. And when Professor McGonagall really wanted to do something, she rarely failed.

Caredi wants me to teach three grades at the same time, Anthony said, grabbing a piece of apple pie for dessert.

As Snape pointed out, he preferred not to remind Professor McGonagall that he was a necromancer.

For some irrational reason, he was a little worried that the fact that he was a dark wizard would hurt her feelings. And Snape actually stopped trying to continue discussing the relationship and difference between skeletons and skeletons, and instead asked about Professor McGonagall's sixth-grade course selection.

Which three? Professor McGonagall asked.

I think she meant third, fourth and fifth grade. But I was a little hesitant because fifth grade... you know, they have O.W.Ls.

But if you are not prepared to continue teaching fifth years, they will only receive fourth-year Muggle Studies training from you. Professor McGonagall pointed out, Their third-year students are also Caredi students. I don't think it is too frequent. It would be good for them to replace professors.

Anthony joked: No more often than Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Well, if you must compare it to Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor McGonagall said, allowing herself to relax slightly and lean back in her chair.

But you have a point, Minerva. Anthony said, I will think about it carefully... By the way, no matter which grades I teach, the textbooks will not change. I don't think Caredi is prepared either. Replace textbooks, so you don’t have to worry about sending a textbook list for now.”

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows slightly and said, It couldn't be better, Henry.

What's wrong? Anthony already knew this was her I have some rude complaints tone.

Gilderoy Lockhart, our possible future colleague... She glanced in that direction because of the sound Snape made. He wrote me a letter not long ago, telling me that if he really accepts After receiving our offer letter - which, as you may know, has not yet been mailed out - he hopes to use a series of his best-selling books as Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks. A complete set, for every grade level.

Anthony asked: Including Teaching You to Get Rid of Household Pests? That seems to have always been Flourish and Blotts' best-selling book. And he knew that Mrs. Weasley had one, and he heard that she wanted to buy another hardcover. .

No, said Professor McGonagall, wiping her mouth gracefully with a napkin. It's the Lockhart and Dangerous Creatures series.

Snape remarked drily: What a shame, Vermin sounds like the one most likely to be useful.

Anthony said fairly: I know that set, it's really nice. The illustrations are beautiful, the text is very interesting, and they are all based on his personal experience. If it weren't for the fact that the whole set may be difficult to afford for some students, maybe it will become Here’s their favorite textbook.”

That's right, Henry. Professor McGonagall said, Seven years are a complete set... I can only hope that if he is finally hired, he can stay for a few more years and stop asking students to buy so many Book.