Spring had returned to Hogwarts, bringing with it warmth, blossoms, and a surge of youthful energy. Freed at last from their heavy winter robes, young witches and wizards spilled out across the castle—lounging in their common rooms, dashing up and down staircases, filling the sprawling grounds and open fields with laughter and life.
Even the typically gloomy Elvis had started challenging Jimmy during flying lessons.
Ever since he'd gotten used to balancing on a broomstick, his flying had improved by leaps and bounds. Qin Yu even thought that, given time, Elvis might make a decent Quidditch Keeper.
As for the Slytherins who shared their flying class—especially Jerome—none of them dared stir up trouble anymore. The memory of Qin Yu chasing Jerome through the sky with a wooden sword was still painfully vivid. In fact, Jerome swore his backside still twinged whenever he remembered it.
(Qin Yu: "It was a sword, not a stick!")
And facing Qin Yu, who dominated the Quidditch pitch, Jerome had long since accepted defeat. He couldn't win in a fight, nor could he match his skills—he could only admit who was boss.
Not that Qin Yu cared much about making a kid back down. If Jerome ever got bold again, well, another lesson could always be arranged.
While the others practiced flying, Qin Yu simply drifted above the grounds on his broom, taking in the scenery. Spring had painted the hills in fresh green, and the view around Hogwarts was nothing short of magical.
…
Whether by fate or mischief, Qin Yu spotted a familiar figure by the flying lawn during class: Lucius Malfoy, his blond hair slicked back as always, with the house-elf Dobby trailing behind.
This time, Lucius stopped right at the edge of the flying pitch, lifting his chin with that trademark arrogance, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes as he watched Qin Yu circling above.
Ha, this old fox is definitely up to something, Qin Yu thought, instincts prickling.
Beside Lucius stood Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House. Dressed in emerald robes, she looked up at Qin Yu with a grave expression and called, "Qin, we need a word with you."
She'd already spoken with Madam Hooch, so there was no confusion when Qin Yu began his descent.
"Good morning, Professor McGonagall! Good morning, Mr. Malfoy!" Qin Yu greeted them politely as he landed.
"Good morning, Qin," Lucius Malfoy replied, giving a curt nod.
"Professor McGonagall, is there something I can help you with?" Qin Yu asked, feigning innocence.
"Qin, it's like this…" Professor McGonagall began, her tone unusually stern.
But Lucius Malfoy cut in, "Actually, I have a few questions for you, Mr. Qin."
"Oh? What do you need from me, Mr. Malfoy? Is this about what happened in the Forbidden Forest last year?" Qin Yu asked, keeping his voice steady.
"Not only about that," Lucius said, lips curling as he left the rest unsaid.
So there's more? Qin Yu felt a chill run down his spine.
"Qin, let's discuss this in Professor Dumbledore's office," Professor McGonagall suggested.
"Of course, Professor McGonagall!" Qin Yu agreed at once—having Dumbledore present was always reassuring.
He followed them toward the Headmaster's office, but deliberately slowed his pace. Dobby kept glancing back at him, eyes wide with anxiety.
When they'd fallen a few steps behind, Dobby sidled closer and whispered a word so quietly that Qin Yu barely caught it.
He frowned, and Dobby repeated, a little louder:
"Ver-i-ta-serum!"
!!!
The meaning hit Qin Yu like a jolt of lightning.
Damn it—there was no escaping this time?
Last time, Lucius had tried to dose him, but Snape had managed to derail things. This time, it seemed, Lucius was determined.
A thousand wild thoughts stampeded through Qin Yu's mind. Every instinct screamed at him to run for it. But he knew—rationally—there was no way out.
"Mr. Qin, do hurry up!" Lucius called from ahead, then snapped, "Dobby, what are you dawdling for? Get over here!"
"Yes, Master! Dobby is coming!" the elf squeaked, scurrying to Lucius's side.
Qin Yu sighed and followed, his expression a storm of worry and resignation.
He could only hope that old Dumbledore might help him, or that Professor Snape had managed to tamper with the Veritaserum. Otherwise, if he accidentally let slip his Obscurus Power—who knew what they'd do to him? Would he end up as some sort of experiment?
The image of that undead white mouse—burned to ashes by Professor Swinton—flashed through his mind, sending a shiver down his spine.
Lost in these anxious thoughts, Qin Yu recited the password and stepped into Dumbledore's office with the others.
Professor Dumbledore was busy at his desk, quill scratching across parchment. He looked up as they entered.
"Lucius, my apologies for not meeting you at the door. I was just finishing something up," Dumbledore said, setting aside his quill.
"No trouble at all, Professor Dumbledore. My business today is quite routine—just verifying information about a Hogwarts student, as requested by the Board of Governors," Lucius replied, sounding almost pleasant.
Obviously, the student in question was Qin Yu.
"Yes, I gathered as much from your letter. We'll be happy to cooperate," Dumbledore said, rising and leading everyone to the sitting area.
He shot Qin Yu a gentle, reassuring look, unnoticed by the others.
Qin Yu felt his nerves settle a little.
"It's like this, Professor Dumbledore," Lucius began, "According to intelligence from the Muggle world, there were several serious breaches of wizarding secrecy last year. For example, at the London Zoo's reptile house, a boy was seen talking to a python. Near a Muggle neighborhood, someone witnessed a giant willow tree being uprooted… We have reason to suspect that the person connected to these incidents is a Hogwarts student—Qin."
He finished with a sharp look at Qin Yu, who did his best to appear startled and nervous.
"I… I…" Qin Yu stammered, eyes flicking between Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall.
"Lucius, I hardly think these incidents are so unusual," Dumbledore said mildly. "Magical outbursts among young witches and wizards are to be expected."
"But I believe the danger of these incidents has been severely underestimated—especially what happened in the Forbidden Forest last year. There are still many unanswered questions," Lucius replied, his tone icy.
"Oh? I thought the Forbidden Forest matter had been thoroughly investigated," Dumbledore said, unruffled.
"I'm afraid there are still some gaps," Lucius pressed.
"And what do you propose?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"I believe the best course is to have Mr. Qin give us a full and honest account," Lucius said, fixing Qin Yu with a pointed stare.
"I—I can do that, Mr. Malfoy," Qin Yu replied, voice trembling.
He glanced nervously at the adults, playing the part of a confused, anxious student to perfection.
"Excellent, Mr. Qin." Lucius nodded, then produced a small vial and addressed Dumbledore: "Professor Dumbledore, might I trouble you for some tea?"
At that, Qin Yu nearly groaned aloud. The old fox had actually brought his own Veritaserum. Even if he wanted Snape's help, it was too late now.
No wonder Dobby had risked warning him—but there'd been no time to prepare.
"Of course, Lucius." Dumbledore conjured a teacup with a wave of his wand.
Lucius inspected the tea carefully, then uncorked his vial and added three drops of the colorless, odorless potion.
As the cup slid across the table toward him, Qin Yu's palms began to sweat.
What now? Did Dumbledore have a plan? If he revealed the Obscurus Power, he'd be branded a threat—maybe even expelled.
Worse, what if the Veritaserum made him spill everything—the system, his true origins?
Where the hell was the system now? Shouldn't it pop up with a couple of options—surrender or run for it?
A hurricane of panic raged in his mind, though he managed to keep his face blank.
Just as his trembling hand reached for the teacup, a long-lost, familiar voice echoed in his head:
"It's fine."
Two simple words. Qin Yu was so relieved he nearly wept.
——Dimensional Wall——
[Author's Note: Sorry, I'm exhausted and my head's pounding, so I'll end the chapter here. Busy tomorrow, but if I get home early, there should be another update.
Thank you, Sunan zh, for the two big swords—I'm truly honored! And thank you to every reader for your gifts, encouragement, and reviews. Your support is my motivation to keep going.
I really do spend hours every day plotting and writing. If you could click on ads or send a free gift, it only takes a few seconds, and it helps me keep going. Several friends have urged me to start a new book, but this one means a lot to me and I don't want to give up early. Even if I do start a new project, I'll keep updating this one. With ten thousand bookshelf reads a day, even if just a few hundred people send a free gift (right now it's only a bit over a hundred), I can keep writing. Thank you all so much!]
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