So some people would bury it deep in the seldom-trodden forest.
For wizards, the most frustrating scenario might be after a year and a half of preparation, finally having everything ready, and then during a thunderstorm, going to find the crystal bottle only to discover that it had long been dug up by a curious animal.
Sirius and the others had encountered many pitfalls before, but later they gathered a lot of information and had long since helped Vid with all sorts of preparations.
"Remember the spell," Sirius instructed, "Every day at sunrise and sunset, point the magic wand at your heart and recite the spell: 'Amado, Animo, Animado, Animagus.' Don't skip even once. If you miss a day, you'll have to start over."
"Got it." Vid nodded, "I have an alarm clock set to remind me every morning and evening."
"One alarm isn't enough." Sirius remarked with a face full of past regrets, "You better prepare several... what if you oversleep one day?"
Vid and Lupin couldn't help but laugh.
After laughing, Lupin couldn't help but feel a bit emotional and apprehensive.
"The next storm could come at any time, but only when you feel that second heartbeat will you be ready."
Sirius added, "Even when you feel that heartbeat, the habit of reciting the spell morning and evening can't change; you can't skip a single time until the moment arrives."
Vid remembered something he had been worried about and asked, "Do you guys know... if there's any way to influence the form you take after the transformation?"
"What do you want to become?" Sirius asked.
"Hmm..." Vid hesitated, "I can't turn into a slug or an ant, can I? What's the point of transformation then?"
Sirius burst out laughing.
"There's no way to control that, Vid!" he said. "You know, James and I originally wanted to become lions, but in the end, he was a stag, and I was a black dog."
Lupin also said, "If you want to know in advance what animal you'll transform into, you can first learn the Patronus Charm. In general, even if the form of the Patronus Charm is different from the transformation, the difference won't be too great."
"But I believe you don't need to worry about becoming a slug or an ant." Sirius said as well, "The form you take is closely related to the wizard themselves; it's a reflection of your innermost self."
After some discussion, Sirius shared with Vid some amusing stories from their Animagus practice until late into the night, when Vid decided to return to school.
After all, it was still only Tuesday, and they had classes to attend the next day.
As they were saying goodbye, Vid said, "Remus, let's go out this weekend."
Lupin was taken aback, then his expression turned somewhat serious on his wolfish face: "This time is also..."
Vid nodded.
"Alright." Lupin agreed, then asked, "Is it just the two of us again this time?"
Vid was silent for a moment.
He looked at Sirius — the man was watching them curiously, but he tactfully did not press for more.
"Does Mr. Blake have time?" Vid asked.
"Of course, I'd love to join!" Sirius eagerly replied, "Remus has been so secretive about it, I asked him but he wouldn't say anything."
Vid chuckled and then said, "This time Michael and the others won't be joining, but Dumbledore will be."
Lupin was surprised and slightly widened his eyes, then a smile spread across his eyebrows and eyes.
"With Dumbledore there, I bet everything will go more smoothly," he said happily.
Lupin had been quietly worried that Vid didn't trust Dumbledore.
Both of them had changed his life and given him great gifts, and he didn't want to see any conflict between them.
Now it seemed that Vid and Dumbledore had also established sufficient trust out of his sight.
Lupin felt comforted and happy because of this.
After Vid left, Sirius immediately wrapped his arm around Lupin's neck.
"Now you must tell me, right? What secret do you guys have?"
Lupin thought for a moment before saying, "Actually, there are many things I haven't figured out either. I can only tell you what happened before, and you can decide for yourself..."