The Hookah Skull

The brewing process for Wizard's Eye was extremely complicated, and took at least six or seven days.

Anna's Castle had a rich supply of Potion Ingredients, but some things couldn't be stored for long, so they still needed to make another trip to Knockturn Alley to buy them.

Like leeches and rats, for example.

And to avoid interfering with "Time," they also had to brew Polyjuice Potion. They got some hair from the Muggle world, then used it to disguise themselves so they could make the purchase.

That made the process take even longer.

While Anton was brewing the Potions, the Old Wizard drove Goblin Pedro away. He didn't want his knowledge spreading—especially not to his enemy.

Most importantly, while the Potions were being prepared, he continued teaching his Fiennes Potions course.

He used the perspective of Magical Power and the principles of spellcasting to deconstruct the discipline of Potion-making all over again.

Anna conscientiously refrained from peeking. Her excellent family upbringing had taught her what she should and shouldn't look at.

Besides, she had finally managed to return to thirty-eight years ago, so she begged Pedro to take her to see her mother.

Heaven knew how much courage it had taken Pedro.

After all, he was nowhere near as powerful as he had been thirty-eight years ago, and the Pedro from that time had nearly been blasted to smithereens by Rosier.

Now, that Pedro had faked his death and escaped, and Rosier was hunting him across the world, murder in his heart.

And he was going to sneak into her home?

Did he have a death wish?

But Anna's pleading was simply too pitiful, and it tugged at his heart, which was beginning to grow old and weary.

Anna was happy every day.

After returning, she would always come to the Laboratory and chatter beside Anton, telling him about the interesting things she had seen.

Her mother had told six-year-old Anna the story of The Little Prince to help her sleep, only to fall asleep first herself. Her mother had braided her hair beautifully. The Snakegrass her mother loved most had finally bloomed that day. Its petals were elegant and faintly fragrant.

Anna even scrunched up her nose and said sadly that perhaps the flower, which snakes loved so much, had attracted the great snake. That was why her mother had died saving her.

Until that day.

Pedro caught a great snake in a corner by the Castle's outer wall.

It was twelve feet long, a Viper, with many mottled scars left by old injuries.

It was the same great snake Anton had saved on the Island.

Anna cried bitterly. "So Anna's gigantic Time-Turner brought this great snake to thirty-eight years ago, and that's what caused Mother's death. Anna's a bad person!"

Goblin Pedro sighed and rubbed her little head. "Time travel is dangerous. Sometimes we think we're changing something, but really, it's just Fate mocking and playing tricks on us."

The Old Wizard fell silent too. He stroked his own head in his arms, didn't let out his usual cackling laugh, and sighed. "Fate is truly cruel."

Anton looked troubled.

He silently set down the Potions, took off his Dragonhide Gloves, and gazed at Anna with a complicated expression.

He hesitated, but eventually sighed and patted Anna's hand seriously.

"The truth is even crueler than what you saw."

"I don't know whether I should tell you, but sooner or later, you'll find out anyway."

Anna looked up at Anton in shock, panic plain in her eyes.

She glanced at Pedro, then stared at Anton with a resolute expression. "I remember you mentioning that you knew about my mother's story. Go ahead and tell me. I'm stronger than you think!"

"Perhaps."

Anton pointed at the great snake.

Pedro's Magic had it clutched in the grasp of a gigantic, purple-skinned Magical Golem, its posture fierce and hostile. The two seemed united against a common enemy, as if the Golem's ten hands would tear the snake apart at Anna's command.

"This snake's name..."

"Is Nagini."

"What!" Anna stared at the great snake in disbelief.

"What!" Pedro stared in shock. In a panic, he dispelled the Golem, and the snake dropped to the ground, quickly slithering into a corner of the room.

"What!" the Old Wizard exclaimed in shock. He... oh, he didn't have a part in this scene. Never mind his reaction. Moving on.

"That's right." Anton looked seriously at Anna and Pedro. "She is Nagini!"

"Impossible!" Goblin Pedro shrieked.

The air before him rippled, countless waves spreading out like ripples on water. Through them, his already wide eyes seemed to grow larger than his head.

Anna gripped the hem of Pedro's suit jacket tightly, watching his mouth in suspense, waiting anxiously and hopefully for his answer.

"I..."

"I don't know."

"I can tell there's a woman's soul inside the great snake, but she's been completely transformed. The Charm's influence has penetrated her soul. Her body can't change back, and her soul has completely solidified into the form of a snake."

Pedro stared blankly at Anton, his voice hoarse. "Tell me, if Rosier wasn't lying, then is she... is she really my daughter? The one affected by the Blood Curse I invented..."

He seemed to age all at once. His already short frame stooped, and his eyes filled with bitterness.

He slumped helplessly to the ground and slapped himself over and over. "I'm a bastard. I'm a complete bastard..."

Everyone fell into sorrow.

Anna wept as she looked sadly at the great snake. "Anna used to be so afraid of her. I didn't even dare look at her. She was right beside me for half a year, and I never once really looked at her."

She took a few small steps toward the snake. It reared up at once, flicking its tongue, its wary posture as if it were about to attack.

The Old Wizard cried out in alarm. "Anna, don't go near her! She's just a snake now. She'll kill you!"

"Ding!"

"Ding, ding!"

A clear ringing sound.

Everyone turned to look.

Anton was tapping the Cauldron in which he had been brewing Potions with his Wand.

"My Wizard's Eye is ready, Mr. Pedro. Didn't you say you'd teach me to imitate your Goblin's Eye Secret Art using the Biomimicry Charm?"

"Now's the perfect time. You can demonstrate how the Goblin's Eye explores memories."

"Right!" Goblin Pedro sprang to his feet.

"Right. I'll examine her memories. The Goblin's Eye isn't an ordinary Goblin Secret Art. It's unique to the profession of Time and Memory Goblin Collector. Even if the Blood Curse has wiped her memories clean, I'll still be able to see them!"

Anton waved his Wand, and some of the liquid in the Cauldron floated into the air. "Shall we begin?"

"Wait!" Anna cried anxiously. "Give me a moment!"

After Anton and Pedro agreed, she hurried deeper into the Castle. Before long, she returned carrying a strange magical object.

It was a skull, with a flexible tube extending from its base.

A line of German was engraved on its forehead: "Für das Grere Wohl-1898" (For the Greater Good)

"Use this. My relative Vinda Rosier left it behind." Anna held out the skull and handed Pedro the tube.

"The Hookah Skull. It'll let you show me what you see." Her gaze was more resolute than ever. "I! Want! To! See!"

Ps: Poor Vinda in Fantastic Beasts 2. The man she liked wasn't even straight.