The Pacifist Necromancer of Hogwarts

On Wednesday morning, Anthony packed his things and walked out of the house with his suitcase. The Wraith Chicken came out from behind the curtain and stood on the window sill watching them leave.

Anthony waved to it and began to look forward to the Christmas holidays. Even though it was only a few dozen feet away, he already began to miss his old sofa, his familiar bed, the refrigerator with a to-do list on it, the light that sizzled when it was turned on, and the skeleton behind it. The cat keeps beating the grudge chicken.

Since Nico Flamel didn't think unicorn blood was a priority in this whimsical project, Dumbledore suggested several experiments they could try now.

Nico Flamel provided enough alchemical products for the Wraith Chicken to be expelled three or four times - he may have vaguely guessed something, but did not ask more, just warned Dumbledore to be careful - and Anthony looked at it from the perspective of undead magic. Modified part of the experimental design.

They will begin the first phase of their attempts next Saturday.

If all goes well, Anthony will probably be able to return to school with the Wraith Chicken after Christmas.

However, if luck is very bad - which is very common for me. Dumbledore wrote, we may still need to take a step back and continue to consider the impact of unicorn blood and wait for the results of Severus' research ; Or take a step back and start by persuading Connelly to publish a wanted notice for Quirrell.

And this was all decided last night. Phoenix is ​​really a very practical pet.

After reluctantly accepting the white leaves handed over by Anthony, Fox disappeared in the firelight with his reply in his mouth. While he was still reflecting on his close encounter with the Phoenix, Fox had already brought back Dumbledore's answer.

Anthony seriously considered whether he should compare and contrast the fax with the phoenix that delivered the letter. Fox didn't seem to like the idea though, because when he said it, Fox almost pecked him.

…

Under the cover of magic, the suitcase containing the skeleton cat was light and airy. Anthony took a taxi to Charing Cross Street, had a few drinks at the Leaky Cauldron - Tom insisted on not giving him a discount, but came with a piece of sour and chewy black bread - and then entered at the appointed time. He walked into Diagon Alley, greeting students who recognized him along the way.

Because the Weasley family was coming to Diagon Alley to buy things they needed for school, they made an appointment to meet at the gate of Gringotts. However, Anthony waited for a while and instead of seeing the red-haired family, he saw Hermione Granger leading two adults dressed as Muggles over.

The brown-haired little witch pointed at the shops on the street and chattered, and sometimes smiled at the classmates who greeted her.

Professor Anthony! Hermione shouted, ran up the steps, turned around and introduced to the two people behind her, Remember Professor McGonagall? Professor Anthony is also a professor at Hogwarts - Professor, this is My parents. After I came home, they were very curious about the wizarding world, so I thought of letting them come to Diagon Alley to see it.

Mr. Granger shook hands somewhat awkwardly with Anthony, then Mrs. Granger.

What subject do you teach? asked Mr. Granger, as if expecting Anthony to suddenly transform into a cat in front of him.

Anthony said: Muggle Studies. He smiled and nodded to a few students who greeted him. He heard them discussing in low voices as they passed by to get more money. Zuko's fireworks seemed to have some new tricks. .

Muggle... research? Mr. Granger repeated, turning to look at his daughter.

Hermione explained: It's about studying people without magic. It's an elective course that won't be open until the third year, so it's not on my transcript.

But, sorry, what's the point of studying that? said Mr. Granger, confused.

Hermione stood on tiptoes and looked around: How strange, haven't Harry and Ron arrived yet?

What a coincidence, I'm also waiting for the Weasley family. Anthony said, Is Mr. Potter coming too?

Oh, well, I guess so, Hermione said, then immediately changed the subject, Professor, how difficult is Muggle Studies?

There was a hint of uneasiness in her tone, and one could almost immediately tell that she was trying to hide something. Anthony and the Grangers looked at each other and smiled.

I don't think you need to take this class, Miss Granger, Anthony said. For example, overall, which do you think is the fastest, trains, cars, planes, or subways?

Plane. Hermione said without thinking. Planes don't need to consider traffic jams during flight, and they can fly in a straight line. Overall, its propulsion system is also more advanced.

There is less air resistance at high altitudes, Hermione, Mrs. Granger added, I think that may have something to do with it.

Anthony smiled and said: That's why I won't suggest you choose a course. My best students can't give more than this answer.

Hermione has always been the best student, Mr. Granger said, with undisguised pride in his voice. His awkwardness and embarrassment had disappeared, and he asked Anthony persistently: What is worth studying for people who don't know magic? Isn't Hogwarts a school that teaches magic?

Hermione kept her eyes on the street full of people when she suddenly shouted, Harry!

Harry, this way! Come here! she called, running and jumping down the stairs to meet him.

Harry looked extremely embarrassed, his face and body were covered in gray, there were several large cracks in the lenses of his glasses, and there were tiny cracks like spider webs next to them. Hagrid stood beside Harry, furious, but Hermione ran down the steps and hugged Harry, and Hagrid looked down at them, his expression softening.

What happened to Mr. Potter? Anthony asked Hagrid, and repaired Harry's glasses.

Hey, Henry, you're here too! I didn't see you... Great. Harry walked through the wrong furnace door and came out of Knockturn Alley. I saw those scum gathering there and went to check it out. What happened... He looked down at Harry and asked roughly, Who did you say you were looking for?

The Weasleys, Harry said.

I think they're here already, Anthony said, raising his hand and waving.

Several red-haired young men emerged from the crowd, and then Mr. Weasley. He was out of breath from running, and was visibly relieved when he saw Harry: Harry, we have been looking for you everywhere. Molly is so anxious - Oh, Henry, you found him?

No, it's Hagrid, Anthony said. Hagrid met Potter in Knockturn Alley -

Knockturn Alley! shouted Mr. Weasley.

Cool as hell, man, Ron said enviously.

While Mr. Weasley (and the hurried Mrs. Weasley) warned the children that it was not cool to go to that kind of place, Anthony whispered worriedly to Hagrid: Why did you go to Knockturn Alley?

He hoped that it wasn't because Hagrid felt his cabin was so empty that he wanted to raise something interesting. Acromantulas and dragons are enough.

Hagrid answered him as quietly as possible, but in fact everyone heard: I'm going there to buy a medicine to get rid of flesh-eating slugs. The cabbage patch is full of them...

I remember you had a lot of medicine for gardening. Anthony said doubtfully. Pomona said she gave you what she didn't need and what she had left over.

This is a new problem this year. Hagrid said vaguely, Maybe I didn't deal with the dead mice properly... Professor Sprout was not in the school, so I went to ask Professor Snape - he had already replied School - but he was in a bad mood and told me that he was not responsible for the school's food maintenance and asked me to come to Knockturn Alley to buy some. Okay, I have to go. See you at Hogwarts!

He squeezed through the crowd (Oh, don't step on my robe!), and his tall, broad figure disappeared at the intersection leading to Knockturn Alley.

I think Snape is deliberately trying to embarrass Hagrid! Ron said angrily, following Mrs. Weasley up the steps of Gringotts.

Mr. Weasley was chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Granger enthusiastically. Judging from their expressions, they seemed to be gradually understanding the significance of the establishment of Muggle Studies.

But he's a professor, Hermione said. What good will it do him to let the school's cabbages be eaten by slugs?

Harry guessed: Maybe Snape doesn't like cabbage.

Anthony followed Percy, watching him adjust the badge on his chest as he walked, trying to ensure that everyone passing by could see the words on it clearly.

As he crossed the threshold, Percy almost tripped at the door of Gringotts. The twins smiled evilly, supported him, and said something jokingly. Anthony watched as Percy's face turned red, and it gradually developed to the point where it was almost the same color as his hair.

How is that owl doing now? Anthony suddenly remembered and asked.

Percy shook his twin brother's hand away and patted his robes. Fred or George replied: Still the same, still refusing to eat anything other than meat.

“Elon is eating veal now.”

Because someone asked us not to feed rat jerky to the owls.

Even if it's the cheapest owl food.

Mrs. Weasley turned her head and shouted: No one is allowed to put a dead mouse on Ron's bed!

That was just a mistake. The Weasley brothers said to Anthony with a smile, We only wanted to release one.

Ron heard their conversation and said angrily: Scabbers is my pet! Not some owl food! He took out the fat mouse from his pocket and carefully stroked it along its bald gray fur. With. The goblin in charge of reception at the entrance to Gringotts frowned and looked at him.

No one wants to eat your pet, Fred said. It's just you who is suspicious. Elon is a young and strong owl, but he hasn't flown outside our room for more than a month.

George added: And Elon likes to eat the lean part when eating steak. Scabbers is so fat that there is only oil left, and Elon doesn't like it.

Only Ronnie treats Scabbers as a treasure. Fred mocked, Even if Scabbers bites Ronnie.

Ron was so angry that he said loudly: That's because it was scared by your crazy bird! Let that crazy bird be your brother!

They've been like this all holiday, Harry said to Hermione unsurprisingly. Don't worry about - well, don't worry about Scabbers. Ron swore that anyone who tried to hurt him would step over his body.

Anthony stopped: I heard your final grade was not satisfactory, Fred?

Fred suddenly choked and coughed loudly. The goblin next to them glanced at their noisy group again.

No, it's just a P in Herbology. George said, The other grades are amazingly good.

Thank you for the E, Professor, Fred said. That was as surprising as the sudden call to my name.

You can't expect me to call everyone Mr. Weasley, said Anthony. I was just curious if anyone else knew about the bitch-

Professor! Professor Anthony! Fred shouted, glancing at Mrs. Weasley's back, If you are willing to suddenly lose your memory, this is the third surprise.

Okay. Anthony let them go.

…

The Weasleys and Harry were going to the vault to get money, while the Grangers stayed in the hall to exchange Muggle coins for magical currency. The goblin behind the counter saw Anthony leading the Grangers over, and seemed to recognize him.

Anthony was originally going to negotiate for the Grangers - he was indeed already very familiar with the whole process - but the Grangers declined his help. They looked at the goblin curiously and a little scared, gathered up their courage, and walked away carefully. past.

It's okay, Professor, Hermione said. Mum and Dad are just very curious.

Anthony looked down at her and could only see the top of her head with shaggy hair.

Professor Anthony, shouldn't I really choose Muggle Studies? Hermione looked up and asked him, I heard Ron said that his brother obtained twelve O.W.Ls certificates, which included Muggle Studies. Is it right?

If it's twelve, that does include it. Anthony said, But - I don't know, so this is really just a question rather than a question - do O.W.Ls judge results based on the number of certificates?

Hermione shook her head: No, but I want to do my best. If I get twelve certificates, every one of them will definitely be an O.

This is a very difficult idea, but based on what other professors have said about you, I think you should be able to do it, Miss Granger - if you find that this is really what you want. Anthony affirmed, I don’t know if anyone in the history of Hogwarts has done this, but I can guarantee it will be very, very, very challenging.”

As he spoke, he wondered how Ron's brother could get 12 certificates. As far as he knew, there were often overlapping times in Hogwarts' class schedules, and some students regretfully told him last semester that they would have chosen Muggle Studies if it weren't for the conflict in class schedules.