Anton slung a backpack stuffed full of notes and his broom over his shoulder, and headed down stairs. He always kept his most important things close at hand, wherever he went.
More importantly, he knew this Pedro, harbored a deep, unmistakable hatred for humans—every now and then, he'd let his disgust toward Anton slip out unintentionally. And as if that wasn't bad enough, he had Fiennes to put up with too. Anton just couldn't shake the feeling that Pedro might kick him out at any moment.
No sooner had he reached the bottom of the steps that he heard Fiennes mocking Pedro.
"Quiet!" Fiennes snapped, his eyes narrowing sharply. "You old fool," he went on, biting with irritation. "You've got Wiggenweld Potion on you — I know you do. Hand it over so Anton can use it. Your rough, clumsy way of doing things is totally ridiculous."
"Enough!" Pedro roared, yanking out his rune‑carved dragon‑bone dagger and waving it around furiously.
"Listen here!" Fiennes shot back, thoroughly exasperated. "I saw every bit of it! I studied every little trick and habit of yours years ago — I know exactly how your mind works. You kept glancing at your wrist. That rune is the mark of the Goblin's Treasure. You stashed the potion somewhere out in the forest, didn't you?"
"Shut up! Just shut up!" Pedro wailed, sounding desperate.
"Interfere one more time, and if everything goes sideways — would you take the blame?" Pedro snapped fiercely.
"Brilliant! Absolutely perfect!" Fiennes cried, flitting about in unrestrained delight. He tugged at his own hair and swung his head about like a flail, positively giddy. "Hahaha! If your ridiculous little plan falls apart, the Unbreakable Vow will be the death of you!" he cackled, thrilled at the very idea.
Anna stood rooted to the spot, her eyes wide with disbelief at the chaotic, lively scene unfolding before her.
Anton glanced over at his companion, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Fiennes droned on in his ear; sometimes Anton couldn't help but respect how stubborn and determined the old ghost was.
But somewhere in all that chatter, one phrase stood out clear as day — the goblin treasure.
'Goblin Treasure?' Anton wondered to himself. It was a term he had never heard before. Wizards and goblin magic were vastly different, after all; neither race easily shared or taught their secrets to the other.
But what really got him curious was hearing this "treasure" was hidden somewhere in the forest. Wait a second — did that mean all the woods on the second floor belonged to Pedro?
Every new discovery only deepened his awe for the endless mysteries of the wizarding world.
Sensing the tension crackling between the two, he quickly stepped in. "Master, I'm ready. Let's get started — aren't you curious to see how this works on werewolves?"
At his words, Fiennes fell silent. Pedro let out a breath of relief. He glanced at the dim, heavy sky outside, calculated the time, and hurriedly set everything in order.
1:00 PM
A intricate device hummed to life, releasing a thick, purplish‑pink substance that slowly solidified into a cage‑like structure, lined with curling tendrils, right in the center of the great hall.
2:00 PM
Lupin stepped inside. He wore loose, soft robes like a patient's gown; his face was pale, yet his eyes were bright and alert. The second he spotted Anton, he gave him a kind, warm smile.
3:00 PM
Pedro set up another enormous device across the hall, and soon countless warped, shimmering beams of light began to twist and dance through the air.
Fiennes leaned in and whispered, "This is a magic sensory amplifier — works just like a magnifying glass. In this light, you'll see every detail of the transformation. And mark my words — I'm not letting that daft excuse for a master of mine catch on to any clever tricks my apprenticemight have up his sleeve."
Anton nodded, watching everything with growing curiosity.
4:30 PM
There was only an hour left till the moon comes up!
Autumn had already arrived, and as expected, the sun set way earlier this time of year.
Pedro hefted a large box with five odd arms; one held a telescope he pressed to his eye. He stood still, deep in thought, calculating every detail.
5:00 PM
Tension hung thick in the air.
Then, a sharp rap echoed at the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The heavy, insistent knocks startled everyone. Pedro waved a hand irritably at Anna. "Whoever's out there, send 'em off — say to come back tomorrow."
Anna nodded, Anton followed close behind, fully alert. It was too critical for mistakes. If she couldn't handle it, he would step in and do whatever it took to keep things steady for Pedro's work.
She undid the latch, and for a split second, a strange glowing pattern flickered across the wood before vanishing. Then she pulled the door open.
Creak…
Standing there was a middle‑aged man.
He was tall and broad, with a sallow complexion, greasy hair, a long hooked nose, and eyes as cold and dead as stone.
It was Snape.
"Professor Snape!" Anton blurted out in shock, instantly stepping forward to stand between him and Anna, blocking the doorway.
His mind raced — Lupin was right there in the hall.
Lupin was the one person Snape hated more than anyone else. He was part of that group — the Marauders — who stole the girl Snape loved, bullied him non‑stop at school, and even once almost got him killed or turned into a werewolf.
Even though Anton knew Lupin was good at heart, he couldn't be sure if the man had been a willing accomplice or just a helpless bystander back then.
Everything was falling apart. This was the very last thing they could have anticipated.
Just then, the sky dimmed to a sickly yellow, and the first faint glow of the moon edged over the horizon, casting long, ghostly shadows across the ground.
Floating behind Snape was a heavy iron cage, and inside coiled a large python, looking weak and barely alive.
"Snake!"
Anna's shriek split the air — sharp and terrified, so loud it nearly knocked Anton right off his feet.
He spun around, only to see her standing rigid, eyes rolled back, before her legs gave way and she crumpled; the sight had scared her senseless.
Anton lunged forward and caught her just before she hit the floor.
Scuffle, scuffle, scuffle.
Pedro rushed over, still hauling that big metal box on his back. He brushed right past Anton, glanced briefly at Anna, then fixed Snape with a cold, hard stare.
"Ah, the great Snape himself," he drawled, every word thick with sarcasm. "To what do I owe this delightful visit?"
Snape gestured toward the iron cage hovering behind him, but before he could utter a word, Pedro swiped his hand sharply, as if swatting away an irritating fly.
"Damn it all!" he snapped, frustration bubbling over. "Just because I created the Blood Curse, does every soul cursed by it—every wretched Maledictus—believe they can simply turn up at my door?"
As he spoke, his gaze kept drifting back to Anna, sharp and full of suspicion.
'Could it be?' Anton wondered, a mix of unease and curiosity twisting in his chest.
He glanced down at Anna. Her brows were drawn tight, hands clutching her dress in fear. Usually poised and graceful, she now looked as fragile as a flower in the wind.
"The Blood Curse?" Anton murmured under his breath. "Pedro created it?"
Snape shook his head. "My apologies for the intrusion, Mr. Pedro. I only ask that you confirm whether a second soul resides within this serpent — you are the leading expert in such matters."
"I don't have time for this!" Pedro slammed the door shut.
A burst of dark magic flared, and the door was blown wide open again.
Snape regarded him with cool indifference. "This matter is of grave importance to me. All I ask is that you cast your magic and examine it. I will compensate you handsomely for the trouble, along with a formal apology — and the solution to that potion dilemma you asked about some time ago."
Pedro hesitated, then gave a sharp, reluctant nod.
A shimmering, rippling glow unfolded before his face, his eyes widening and glowing with an eerie, piercing intensity.
He stared at the serpent for a long, tense moment, then shook his head. "I cannot give you the exact answer you seek — but one thing's certain: there's only one soul in there. She was once a woman, but her whole being has been completely changed into a snake. No magic anywhere can ever turn her back into human."
Snape's shoulders sagged in visible relief. The iron cage behind him crashed heavily onto the ground before the door. "Keep the creature," he said. "Consider it compensation for my intrusion."
He turned to leave — then abruptly glanced back, his gaze sharp with suspicion.
His gaze swept past those in the doorway and fixed on a familiar face deeper inside the hall.
"Lupin?"