The Ancient Wizards of Hogwarts

July 31st.

Remus Lupine walked into a café on the streets of London. He looked rather haggard and pale. His eyes glanced around the cafe, and finally settled on the man with disheveled hair and black robe by the window.

Lu Ping sat down opposite the man, smiled and said to the waiter who came over:

"A latte, thank you."

"OK, just a second."

The waitress had a business-like smile on her face and turned around to leave without staying too long.

Lupine looked away from the waitress and asked in a low voice:

"Why do we need to meet here?"

Snape's eyes glanced back and forth from the few Muggles in the cafe, and he said mockingly:

"At least it's hidden enough here that no one will easily perform magic in front of Muggles. Besides, aren't you quite skilled? It seems that you have been making a living in the Muggle world for the past ten years."

The corner of Lupine's eye twitched, and his gaze fell on the coffee in front of Snape. The latter picked up the coffee and took a sip with an expressionless expression.

If you say he is skilled, aren't you yourself equally skilled?

The waiter quickly brought a cup of latte, and Lupine smiled and thanked him.

Snape watched the waiter go away and asked in a deep voice:

"What did you find?"

"a lot of."

Lupine leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, "You may still remember that he performed extremely well in school, getting the best grades in every exam, and he also served as a prefect and president of the student union. As soon as he graduated I went to the former principal Armando Dippet, hoping to stay at the school to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Dippet declined on the grounds that he was too young.”

"He disappeared for a while after that. He turned down a job at the Ministry of Magic to work at Borgin's Burke, where the store manager at the time was Caractacus Bork."

He took a sip of coffee, but Snape remained silent, listening to his narrative.

"Hepzibah Smith was a frequent visitor to Borgin Burke as she loved to collect various antiques and often showed off her collection to others. Two of the most precious pieces were undoubtedly the two founders of Hogwarts. Human relics, Hufflepuff’s cup and Slytherin’s locket.”

"In 1946, he once visited Hepzibah Smith at her home. Hepzibah died unexpectedly two days later. The cause of death was that her house elf, Heggie, mistook a rare and deadly poison for candy because of her old eyesight. To her evening cocoa tea.”

"The Ministry of Magic decided it was an accident."

"However, when Hepzibah's family took inventory of her belongings, they discovered that two of her most valuable collections were missing. Before that, he had resigned from Borgin Burke and disappeared."

Snape finally stopped being silent:

"Do you think he is absconding out of fear of crime?"

"It is clear,"

Lupine took a sip of coffee and said with a wry smile, "He probably thought that this could not be hidden from the Ministry of Magic. After all, Hepzibah's death could be faked, but the two missing treasures would definitely lead to investigation, so he took those two items with him overnight. The thing escaped. I'm afraid even he himself didn't expect that the Ministry of Magic had no intention of pursuing it, but instead hastily closed the case."

"Coupled with the fact that Hepzibah had many secret treasure locations, it took her family a long time to confirm that the treasure was missing. But by then the Ministry of Magic had already closed the case, both Hepzibah's family and the Ministry of Magic We don’t plan to spend any energy re-investigating.”

"We all know what happens next."

"In 1956, after disappearing for ten years, he returned to the UK and announced his new name to the public in a high-profile manner."

Lupine and Snape fell silent at the same time. They didn't know whether the spell that Voldemort attached to their names was still effective. Although thirteen years had passed since Voldemort fell from power, they didn't dare to gamble.

So they all tried their best to avoid mentioning Voldemort's name, for fear that they would fall short by pronouncing the name.

Lu Ping took a sip of coffee silently and asked slowly:

"What about you? What did you find out?"

Snape spoke calmly:

"Among the relics of the four founders of Hogwarts, only Gryffindor's sword has been confirmed to have remained in Hogwarts. The gold cup and locket have disappeared, while Ravenclaw's diadem was hundreds of years ago. It was stolen by Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter Helena and has never been found."

"Before Rowena Ravenclaw died of illness, she once commissioned the Bloody Baron to go find Helena. But no one knows what happened specifically during this period. They only know that they died in Albania and returned as ghosts. To Hogwarts."

"Albania?"

Lupine's heart tightened and he immediately asked, "I remember Professor Quirrell met him in Albania?"

"I think so."

Snape's voice was low, "Dumbledore's intelligence shows that he is probably hiding in the Albanian forest."

Lu Ping was silent for a long time and asked hesitantly:

"Will those treasures be in his hands?"

"Won't."

Snape spoke slowly, "If you take everything seriously, then there is no point in making a 'treasure'. It was for this reason that he gave the diary to Lucius, so other treasures will probably be taken away." He is entrusted to the safekeeping of other loyal subordinates, such as Bellatrix Lestrange, and for example, Sirius Black!"

When Snape said the name, his expression turned into gritted teeth, and his palms on the table were clenched into fists.

Lu Ping's eyes froze slightly when he heard the name, but he quickly returned to normal:

"They are all imprisoned in Azkaban. Only senior officials from the Ministry of Magic are allowed to visit. Maybe we can use Polyjuice Potion to infiltrate."

Snape glanced at him with cold eyes and interrupted him coldly:

"Didn't you read the newspaper?"

"What?" Lupine was slightly startled until Snape handed over a newspaper with a sneer.

There was only one man in the photo on the front page, a man who was extremely familiar to Lu Ping.

His face was deeply sunken, his black hair was tangled, and he was roaring hysterically around him. He seemed to have completely lost his mind, but his eyes clearly revealed a disturbing fanaticism.

Next to the photo is a newspaper caption:

The infamous Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban and is still at large!

Lupine's breath suddenly stagnated, jailbreak? From Azkaban?

Why did he escape from prison? Why at this time?

At this moment, Snape's slightly mocking voice came into his ears:

"For over two hundred years, no one has ever been able to escape from Azkaban, but Sirius was able to escape without a wand. It's amazing, isn't it? Lupin, maybe you can tell me how he did it. Jailbroken?"

"You doubt me?"

Lu Ping took a deep breath and asked in a deep voice.

Snape sneered again and again:

"Perhaps you can tell me why I shouldn't doubt you?"

Lu Ping's eyes were gloomy, with a bitter expression on his face:

"Severus, you should know that I have nothing to do with this matter. I have been investigating his affairs."

Snape believed his explanation, but his tone was still cold:

"You really don't have the chance to do it yourself, but you can tell others and let others help him, right?"

Lupine smiled bitterly and fell silent, knowing that no matter what he said, Snape would not believe it.

Although he and Snape temporarily established a cooperative relationship based on the common purpose of protecting Harry, Snape was still hostile to him. Lu Ping was very optimistic, because he felt that this was a good start, which at least meant that they had begun to initially establish trust in each other.

The results of it?

Snape had just told him that Voldemort was making Horcruxes when Sirius escaped from prison.

How could such a coincidence happen?

Not to mention Snape, not even Lupine believed it!

In fact, Lupine could actually guess how his former friend escaped from prison.

Little is known about Sirius being an Animagus, only the four Marauders knew about each other. So as long as Sirius turns into a black dog in prison, the dementors won't pay any attention at all, and he can easily escape from that heavily guarded prison.

But Sirius doesn't have a wand. Even if he can use the talent of Animagus to escape from prison, he is destined to be unable to escape from the island, unless he can swim all the way back to England from the island in the middle of the North Sea!

is it possible? Normal people would find it impossible, so normal people would think that someone was secretly helping Sirius!

Lupine was even doubting himself. Is it possible that he had really done something that he didn't even remember?

After all, the Imperius Curse can control other people to do anything, and Legilimency can read and modify memories. So occasionally there will be wizards who don't remember things they have done, or who remember doing things they actually didn't do. This situation is very common in the wizarding world.

But the problem is that when Lu Ping carefully recalled his memories over the past month, he found no gaps in any day, or even any incongruous memories. Everything was perfectly normal.

But if he is ruled out as a suspect, who else can help Sirius escape from prison?

Could it be that he really swam all the way back to England from Azkaban through perseverance?

Even if he really had such perseverance, he had obviously been imprisoned in Azkaban for thirteen years, so why did he escape at this time?

Lu Ping spoke hoarsely:

"You can use Legilimency on me. You should know that I have never had any talent in Occlumency, so I can't deceive you."

"I will."

Snape said coldly, "But before that, give me your wand."

Lupine's smile became increasingly bitter, and finally he handed the wand to Snape obediently.

Based on his knowledge of Snape, he felt that Snape might seek revenge. Not only would they use Legilimency, they would even use Cruciatus to dig out his bones, but Lu Ping still had no idea of ​​resisting because he knew that his resistance would only make things worse.

It can still be explained now, but the resistance really cannot be explained.

Although he knew that his suspicion could not be cleared, Lu Ping couldn't help but ask:

"Did you and Dumbledore send anyone to protect Harry?"

He didn't know why Sirius escaped from prison so coincidentally, but he knew that since Sirius had escaped from prison, he had only two purposes - either to find his master, or to murder his master's archenemy, Harley. ·Potter!

Snape said calmly:

"Ash will protect her."

Lu Ping frowned slightly and said in a low voice:

"Severus, he is only a minor wizard! Moreover, Sirius may..."

He hesitated and said, "Maybe it's his uncle."

"uncle?"

Snape sneered, should Sirius call him Grandpa Ash? Of course, it could also be great-grandfather?

He didn't care about the Black family's affairs, but he knew Ash had nothing to do with Voldemort.

Maybe Ash will become the new Dark Lord in the future, but he will never join forces with Voldemort.

Just like Dumbledore could never live in peace with the Dark Lord.

The mountain in the wizarding world is too small to accommodate two tigers.

and……

Snape glanced at Lupin's cheek with his peripheral vision and looked into his anxious eyes.

He did doubt Lupine, but the moment Lupine took the initiative to hand over his wand, he knew that Lupine probably really had nothing to do with this matter.

But he didn't intend to let Lupine go just like that.

Even if he is really innocent, the interrogation process of Legilimency and Veritaserum cannot be omitted.

——

"Happy birthday, Harley!"

The Dursleys were sitting around the kitchen table. There was a huge cream cake on the table. Ash, who was sitting next to Harry, was smiling and handing Harry a gift box with a pink bow.

"Thanks."

Harley took the gift from Ash, her face flushed and she was extremely excited.

She can guarantee that this will be the best birthday she has ever had!

Although the Dursleys used to celebrate her birthday and prepare a big cake every time, Harry used to be very happy. But this was the first time that she had a friend who was studying at Hogwarts together and a friend who could use magic to celebrate her birthday!

Although Hermione and her parents were traveling in France, Cassandra was unable to celebrate her birthday because Mr. Malfoy prevented her from coming.

But!

Isn't this better?

Harley couldn't hide her secret joy, and her heart beat faster every time she peeked at Ash.

At the urging of her cousin Dudley, Harry closed her eyes and made a wish and blew out the candles. Then she took the knife and fork from Aunt Petunia's hand, cut a large piece of cake under Dudley's expectant eyes, and then blushed. He handed his face to Ash who was standing aside.

"Where's mine? Where's mine?"

Dudley's expression was dull and he asked quickly.

Snapped!

Vernon Dursley raised his hand and slapped his son with a look of hatred on his face, while Petunia also stared at Dudley with a stern look she had never seen before.

Although the Dursleys have always doted on their son, they also think there is nothing wrong with their son's gluttony.

Children should take more nutrition, but don’t you take a look at what’s going on now?

Dudley lowered his head weakly, wanting to cry without tears.

He just wants to eat cake! What's wrong with him?

Fortunately, Harley was sensible. After cutting it for Ash, she quickly cut a large piece for her cousin.

However, under Dudley's expectant gaze, Vernon stopped halfway, took the cake directly, and spoke righteously:

"Harry, Dudley has eaten enough. He needs to lose weight. Just cut him a little less and leave more to me."

Dudley's eyes were dull, you are really my biological father!

Ash looked at the cordial interaction between the big family and couldn't help but sigh in his heart:

"As expected of Harley!"

If it were James' son, would you still want to eat the cake? Still thinking about birthdays? Not being locked in the room counts as a victory!

But Lily's daughter is different. Not only are the treatment of the two completely different, it can at least be said to be a huge difference.