The Pacifist Necromancer of Hogwarts

In the afternoon, it really snowed. The clouds were overcast and the cold wind howled outside the glass window. All the lights in the library were lit, and the fireplace in the sitting area was burning brightly.

Anthony sat on the velvet sofa with his notebook and two ghastly flesh-and-blood magic documents, leaning on the small round table. His shoes and trouser legs were warmed by the flames dancing a few feet away.

The worse the weather was, the more he liked the library. The soft crackle of firewood beside him merged with the swishing of others turning pages and the scratching of quill tips on parchment, like some kind of warm and eternal shelter from the howling cold wind. and the long, severe winter firmly blocking the door. And, somehow, in the soft, rustling sounds of the library, anyone could understand that the blizzard or the darkness was bound to fail.

He spent the whole afternoon in the library, half of the time studying flesh magic, and half of the time reading a small book about the habits of fire dragons, and carefully comparing the black and white illustrations with Noble's behavior in his own memory. By nightfall, he had decided to give Norbert a chunk of apple wood soaked in brandy for Christmas.

Anthony closed the book and realized that he had almost forgotten to eat dinner again. He stood up just in time to see Professor Sprout and Snape enter the library.

Professor Sprout had a happy expression on his face and nodded to several students who were walking towards him. Under the patched wizard hat, her nose, cheeks and ears were all red, obviously she had just come back from outdoors.

Snape was as sullen as ever. The student hurried past him cautiously, clutching his book or bag tightly, trying his best to keep Snape's attention away from him.

Good suggestion, Severus, I really should plant some sniffers. said Professor Sprout. The Sylvanos sniffers would be very happy... Ah, good evening, Henry. I don't have any. Saw you at dinner.”

I'm going to the lobby, Anthony said, gesturing for her to look at the notebook in his hand. I've been in the library all afternoon.

There are fried fish and steak tonight. Professor Sprout told him. The fish is fried with butter and sprinkled with black pepper. It is very delicious.

I'm already looking forward to it. Anthony said, By the way, Pomona, have you found the shopping list?

Professor Sprout said Oh: No, but I can remember the names of a few of them. It would be great if you could help me confirm whether Flourishes and Blotts Bookstore has the series Magical Plants from Various Places and Their Characteristics ...well, I think I already have Mediterranean Magical Aquatic Plants and Their Properties, so I don't need this one... In addition, there are also Carnivorous Trees and Carnivorous Grass Care Encyclopedia and Africa and Asia Supplement to Hallucinogenic Plants Atlas of Fungi...

Wait a minute, Pomona. Anthony said funnyly, reopening his notebook and turning to the last page, Magical Plants and Their Characteristics of Various Places, you don't need the Mediterranean one...what else are there?

Ah, of course. Professor Sprout said, speaking slowly, Carnivorous Trees and Carnivorous Grasses Care Encyclopedia. The plants in the second greenhouse have not been very energetic recently... probably because they moved too much. , but I ate less.”

Anthony didn't know whether he should express sympathy for these carnivorous grasses that served as pillows: Well...

While Professor Sprout was announcing the title of a book, Snape caught a student bringing a sugar quill into the library.

He deducted three points from Hufflepuff, while Mrs. Pince angrily pointed at the framed notice hanging above the entrance to the library: If you simply can't read, then don't come to the library! Article 107: No one is allowed to bring any form of food into the library, including food that has not yet rotten or that has rotten!

Anthony looked up and said in surprise: Kevin?

Mr. Anthony - er, Professor Anthony, Kevin Jones, a first-year Hufflepuff, whispered. He was holding a roll of parchment, from which the ends of several quills protruded.

Kevin glanced at Snape and said to Professor Sprout guiltily: I'm sorry, Professor Sprout, but I didn't intend to eat it in the library at all - I just forgot that it was not an ordinary feather. Pen, I forgot to take it out.”

The skeptical looks on Snape's and Mrs. Pince's faces showed that they didn't think this was a valid reason at all.

Professor Sprout smiled kindly at Kevin: It doesn't matter, it's normal. I forget things sometimes. Give the delicious quill to Mrs. Pince - that's right - okay, Just do what you originally wanted to do.”

Kevin said happily: Okay, Professor Sprout, I wish you a good evening! Goodbye, Professor Anthony! He glanced at Snape again and added politely, Goodbye, Professor Snape , Mrs. Pince.”

Goodbye, Anthony said, watching Kevin disappear behind rows of tall bookshelves.

Kevin still wears his sneakers and has a T-Rex sticker on the side of his right shoe. The Tyrannosaurus rex hopped away as he walked, its mouth wide open in protest at all the books Kevin passed.

This year's Hufflepuff freshman, Professor Sprout said, Do you know him, Henry?

Anthony nodded and wrote in his notebook the last title Professor Sprout announced: We are neighbors.

Oh, I see. Professor Sprout said clearly. Jones is an outgoing, kind student. I can imagine him trying to make friends with his neighbors. They must be very happy to know that you are a professor at Hogwarts. surprise.

Anthony laughed: Yes. He recalled how the Joneses complained about Snape's indifference, and couldn't help but glance at Snape. Snape caught his gaze keenly and looked back coldly.

Anthony wondered if Snape had also noticed the completely different ethos between Hufflepuff and Slytherin. If Kevin, as a Muggle-born student, was somehow sorted into Slytherin by the Sorting Hat, his school life would never be what it is now, and he probably wouldn't be so lively and happy to greet the professors.

Snape asked: What's the matter, Professor Anthony?

Nothing. Anthony shrugged, lowered his head and looked through the book list again, Have you decided which books you want to buy, Professor Snape?

No, Snape said simply. From his tone, Anthony heard and there will be no need to ask this question again. Obviously, what Snape said did not mean that he really wanted to buy any books through Anthony's bookstore clerk friend, but just to embarrass Lockhart.

Professor Sprout said: But, Severus, didn't you just say that three or four of the papers cited by Damocles were included in several collections of papers that are difficult to find?

Snape said: I don't think Flourish and Blotts—

You have to try it, Severus! said Professor Sprout.

Anthony also said: You may not believe how many strange books are stored in Flourish and Blotts, Professor Snape.

Professor Sprout encourages: “An extra opportunity to ask is never a bad thing.”

Snape hesitated, stepped forward, and stretched out his hand to signal Anthony to hand the pen to him.

Anthony watched as Snape quickly scribbled several overly long book titles on paper, and was somewhat surprised to note that Snape did indeed know how to use a pen. He even flicked the pen impatiently when the ink got stuck rather than dipping the nib back into the inkpot as wizards usually did.

These three, Snape said.

Anthony glanced at it and did not try to read the series of reports, papers and longer subtitles of a certain potions conference in a certain place in a certain year and a certain month. He closed the notebook and nodded to Professor Sprout and Snape: Okay, I will tell you next week whether Flourish and Blotts has found what you are looking for. But now, I need to leave quickly—— Maybe I can catch up on some butter-fried fish.”

Professor Sprout's eyes widened: Oh, God, of course! Go ahead, Henry. I'm so sorry.

After Anthony said goodbye to Professor Sprout and Snape, he quickly walked towards the hall and heard Professor Sprout behind him persuading Snape to be friendly to his colleagues. Snape caught another couple sharing chocolate frogs in the library, deducting ten points from Gryffindor.

…

Anthony met many students leaving the hall along the way. Everyone was full of food and drink, with glowing faces, talking and laughing loudly with their friends. He nodded to the students who greeted him, squeezed through a group of black school robes, and came to the auditorium that smelled of food.

The long table that was mostly empty still contained gleaming silver plates, filled with overly sumptuous food. The lights in the auditorium were brightly lit. The students still sitting at the table swept away the remaining food on the plates, while not forgetting to talk to the people next to them. People were talking, making the auditorium echo with a hum of human voices.

There was no one on the faculty bench, but Anthony was still able to grab a piece of fried fish and four spoonfuls of mashed potatoes. Professor Sprout was right, this was indeed the best fried fish he had ever eaten since entering Hogwarts. The house elves must have put in a lot of effort.

Anthony couldn't help but think of Pettigrew's body that Dudu had removed. Based on what the house elf had told him, he had some doubts that Dudu was referring to the Room of Requirement.

He took a bite of the mashed potatoes, pushed the events of Azkaban to the back of his mind, and determined to focus on enjoying his dinner.

…

When Anthony started drinking pumpkin juice, he saw Professor McGonagall walking into the auditorium, avoiding a few students who were hurriedly leaving with their mouths wiped, looking around, and walking towards the staff table.

Minerva. Anthony greeted, watching Professor McGonagall pull out a chair and sit next to him, and noticed the black and blue under her eyes, Are you okay? Have you had dinner?

Not yet. Professor McGonagall said, leaning back slightly and allowing herself to lean on the back of her chair. I have arranged Peter Pettigrew's burial place, near his mother's.

Anthony poured her a glass of pumpkin juice: He...well, will there be a funeral?

I don't know, said Professor McGonagall, sitting up straight and studying the food in front of her. Did the Ministry of Magic send you an owl, Henry? The fried fish looks good.

The fried fish is indeed good, Anthony said, before he could answer Professor McGonagall's question, No, what's the matter?

They sent me at least three letters, and I think Albus received more. Professor McGonagall said, also taking a piece of fried fish. The owl flew around with the letter, and even caused several Attention Muggles. God, they don't even care about the Statute of Secrecy!

Anthony remembered the Ministry of Magic's feat of letting countless owls swarm into his room, and said sympathetically: I know, Minerva, they have never been very rigorous in this regard.