The operation hadn't gone as well as they'd hoped, but they had gathered enough data.
Poor Lupin spent the days that followed in what felt like a nightmare, undergoing the procedure every single day.
But the results were clear. He could now choose which day to transform into a werewolf when the moon in the sky wasn't quite full.
This lifted everyone's spirits.
Pedro still had to endure the torment of the Secret Art known as Goblin's Eye.
Witch Volkanova's knowledge was far too advanced. Anton understood only the tip of the iceberg, and as new discoveries kept emerging, sometimes he had to return to his memories to confirm and look things up.
Pedro endured it all, because hope was finally within reach.
That day, an owl flew in through the window and delivered an acceptance letter from a Magic School to Anton.
"Ha ha ha ha!" Rosier was sharing some of the finest cigars in his family's collection with Pedro and Lupin. When he saw the letter in Anton's hand, he laughed smugly.
"Anton, no need to thank me. You've earned this."
"Durmstrang Institute specifically cultivates heirs from Pure-blood Families. They place greater emphasis on powerful, advanced magic, and they're more accepting of your Dark Magic. You'll receive the best education there. I've already asked Headmaster Karkaroff to keep a special eye on you..."
Lupin snorted. "No, Hogwarts is the best Magic School!"
At that moment, Anton turned around with a strange look on his face and held up the letter, turning it over.
The envelope was made of thick Parchment, with the address written in emerald-green ink. On the reverse was a wax seal bearing a shield crest: a large H surrounded by a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake.
"Good heavens, Hogwarts!" Lupin rushed over