Chapter 320: House Gray at Spinner's End?
Lupin paused for a moment before asking, "When did this happen?"
"July 19th," Claire confirmed, clearly remembering the date well.
Lupin recalled that they had also been in Diagon Alley that day and had met Will.
It was the day the Streaming Mirror was released, and Diagon Alley was packed with buyers from all over.
Thinking of Will's enthusiastic smile back then, Lupin felt a pang of sadness.
He asked hoarsely, "So, Claire... how many days' scent can you detect at most? How long do you think that person's scent must have been on them?"
Claire thought for a moment and said, "If it's over a week, the scent gets very faint, making it hard to distinguish... For that person, the time they were in contact with the snake skin... it shouldn't have been more than three days."
"...Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm very sure."
This meant that among the people who were still at Hogwarts between July 16th and July 19th, one of them was the person who gave Will the commission.
They might not have caused Will's disappearance, but they definitely knew something.
And this period was during the holidays; there were no students at school, and even very few professors remained. Generally, everyone except Dumbledore, Filch, and Hagrid would go home to comfortably enjoy their vacation.
However, some professors felt it was more convenient to live at school for both daily life and magical research than to go home; or perhaps they considered the school their home because they had no family.
Dumbledore never forbade professors from staying at school during the holidays.
Lupin lowered his gaze, deep in thought for a moment, then looked up to see Claire staring at him anxiously. He said gently:
"I'll help you inquire... Perhaps Will just had something urgent come up and couldn't return in time."
Claire hesitated, then nodded, "I hope... that's the case..."
The two exchanged contact information using their Book of Friends. Claire had found a job organizing a warehouse and had to go back to work, so she could only bid a hasty farewell.
Lupin watched the blonde girl scurry away, lifting her skirt. Her dry hair, illuminated by the sun, appeared fuzzy and golden.
Her faded dress had several patches sewn onto it. Some passersby would instinctively frown and cover their mouths when she walked past, as if she smelled terrible.
Lupin was silent for a moment, then turned to go back to Sirius and the others.
At a small table outside Fresco's ice cream parlor, one adult and two children had ordered nut ice cream and were slowly eating it under a sun umbrella.
Harry was excitedly talking about something, and Sirius had a faint smile on his face, as if saying, "Good for you, kid." Wade had already spotted Lupin and waved hello.
Lupin smiled and instinctively quickened his pace towards them.
...
The following period was unexpectedly peaceful for Wade.
Harry was completely enamored with his new Firebolt. To allow him to freely enjoy flying, Lupin moved back to Hogsmeade with him.
Wade felt that Lupin seemed to have something on his mind lately, but since he hadn't brought it up, no one pressed him.
And Sirius, who had somehow found some clues about Lockhart, was once again rushing off on the trail of Peter.
After Wade handed the bearded Donovan over to Dumbledore, he didn't expect to see the man again.
He had originally thought Dumbledore would thoroughly investigate and then hand the man over to the Ministry of Magic for detainment. He never expected to hear something unexpected from Dumbledore a few — later.
"He has left. If you encounter him on the road in the future, remember to pretend not to know him."
Wade said in surprise, "Professor, are you saying..."
Dumbledore nodded slightly and sighed, "He will go on a brave journey, a lonely and fearless path... I must say, hatred possesses an incredibly powerful driving force, enough to make one disregard life and death..."
Wade guessed that Dumbledore must have been thinking of Snape at that moment.
On the tree-lined road, tall maple trees on both sides cast shadows, with dappled gaps forming scattered points of light.
This was a small road near Wade's home, and at the moment, only the two of them were on it.
Wade was silent for a moment, then asked, "Will the Ministry of Magic be involved in this matter?"
"Oh, Fudge already knows. But neither he nor Scrimgeour wants this matter to be made public..."
Dumbledore patiently explained, "Of course, I can understand their reasoning—the three escapees haven't been caught yet. If news like this breaks out again, the British Ministry of Magic's image will undoubtedly plummet. Especially since Fudge is currently preparing for a major event, he will do everything in his power to maintain the Ministry's glorious image."
Wade looked up.
He suspected Dumbledore was subtly criticizing the Minister for Magic, but he had no proof.
Dumbledore's expression was normal; no one could discern his thoughts.
"So, the investigation..." Wade asked.
"The Aurors have promised to investigate, but... since there were no casualties, the priority of this matter won't be too high."
Dumbledore looked down at Wade, who was unconsciously frowning, and smiled, "Don't worry that your family will come to harm because of this... Ever since we discovered certain individuals coveting underage Young Wizards, we've done some necessary work—"
Wade looked up at the Headmaster, silently asking for more.
"You've never introduced your parents to unrelated people, Wade, which has made our job of protecting you much easier."
Dumbledore explained, "No one—no matter who they are—can obtain a student's family information from Hogwarts."
"And if they investigate using Muggle methods, they'll find that the Gray Family moved out a long time ago—"
"—moved to Cokeworth, to a place called Spinner's End."
"—Spinner's End?" Wade murmured.
That particular name immediately made him realize something.
Dumbledore continued, "Yes—Severus's home is there. And then our guests will immediately discover how many surprises a Wizard skilled in Potions can prepare for uninvited visitors."
It was a while before Wade spoke. "...Will this put Professor Snape in danger?"
"I think the way Severus entertains guests might risk violating the law—if someone actually breaks in—but don't worry, a homeowner has the right to self-defense against intruders."
Seeing the smile on Dumbledore's face, Wade couldn't help but wonder, "Professor... aren't you going to ask me anything?"
After speaking with the bearded man, knowing he commanded Acromantulas, yet there were still no questions, no accusations, not even an attempt to probe?
Wade felt it was somewhat unreal, like someone who never heard the second shoe drop.
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