Neville Is First Again!

In the ancient and mysterious underground room beneath the Castle, a cold, eerie green light suddenly illuminated.

Along the wall, shelves were filled with large glass jars, inside which floated all sorts of sticky, creepy things, such as severed hands covered in black hair, venomous snakes with their respiratory muscles slowly expanding, chunks of meat from unidentifiable species, and unknown plants with their roots spreading out...

As a blurry shadow darted into the room, the wick of the enchanted candle flickered a few times under the lampshade before gradually stabilizing. In the flickering light, the writhing, twisting black shadow quickly contracted; Severus Snape, Head of House of Slytherin, had returned to his office beneath the Black Lake.

Snape sat expressionlessly behind his desk, his snake-like eyes fixed on a certain spot in the space, as if he could see a scene far away through layers of barriers.

I don't know how much time passed.

Thump thump thump—

A slow knock sounded, and Dumbledore, with his disheveled white beard, pushed the door open and entered with a gentle smile on his face, "I went to the Kitchen to return the teacup, and while I was at it, I stopped by your place, Severus. Do you mind if I sit for a while?"

"Of course, I mind very much," Snape refused bluntly, showing no mercy to the headmaster.

"Alright..." Dumbledore blinked, looking a little aggrieved. "Then I'll just have to stand here and chat with you."

Snape laughed in exasperation, "I'm not one of those immature students. Don't act so childishly in front of me."

Dumbledore slowly pulled out a chair and sat down, pouring himself some tea from the teapot on the table as he said, "In fact, you are indeed my student, aren't you?"

Snape chuckled and then shut his mouth, seemingly not wanting to talk to him anymore.

"Want to know what I think of you?" Dumbledore took a sip of the tea in the Slytherin Head of House's office, then put down his teacup, his expression indescribable.

Snape said calmly, "Dwelling on the past is a pointless waste of time, and I have no interest in listening to your preachy nonsense meant for young wizards."

"Yes, yes, it's a painful memory..." Dumbledore said to himself, "But I'm going to talk about something much further back, about your student days... Seeing Remus tonight, I realized that you've kept this secret very well all this time."

"Severus, I remember you always hated Remus and his friends when you were in school, didn't you? If you had revealed his Werewolf identity, it would have been a great way to get revenge on them. Why didn't you do it?"

Snape glanced at Dumbledore's slightly crooked nose, his words laced with sarcasm. "You think I don't want to? Are you senile, Dumbledore? It was a certain headmaster who specifically requested that I keep this a secret."

"Perhaps you're right. I often feel that this old brain of mine is becoming increasingly useless," Dumbledore tapped his head with his thick, rough index finger. "But I think that with your clever, young mind, Severus Snape, you have hundreds of ways to expose Remus's Werewolf identity, even let his friends reveal it, and then watch them turn against each other. What do you say, clever Severus?"

"Hmph..." Snape's tone became even more sarcastic. "That's a good idea. Maybe I'll be able to use it later."

"To be honest, there was a time when I looked down on you, Severus," Dumbledore said softly. "But I think these years of working together have allowed me to unveil the murky veil that surrounds you, just like the bottles and jars in this room, which may look sinister and terrifying, but are meant to save lives."

"Heh, you're wrong. The ones on the front shelf are all infamous poisons."

In the dimly Potions Master's office, the green candlelight flickered under the lampshade, as if confirming Snape's words.

Dumbledore moment, then said, "I have received word that the International Confederation of Wizards has decided to hold its next general meeting in New York, and the British Ministry of Magic has agreed to this change."

"It sounds like the Ministry of Ministry of Magic's finances must be much better," Snape said bluntly.

"That's what I was about to say," Dumbledore said softly. "The goblins of Gringotts recently reported that after Wormtail Peter was brought to justice, their Dark Arts detection devices spotted Bellatrix Lestrange near Diagon Alley Gringotts."

"You may have noticed that there are far fewer Dementor roaming outside the school. They've been reassigned to patrol Diagon Alley."

Snape frowned. "Gringotts... how could those greedy goblins who only have eyes for gold possibly find that madwoman?"

Dumbledore seemed to chuckle, "Thanks to Quirrell's attack on Gringotts, the goblins have improved their detection of Dark Arts."

"What does that crazy woman want to do?" Snape asked.

"Moody suspects it's because of what's in her underground vault, but she's currently a wanted criminal by the Ministry of Magic, and the goblins won't handle her case." Dumbledore raised his teacup as if to take a sip, but then put it down again. "However, the goblins also didn't agree to the Ministry of Magic searching Gringotts ' underground vault; they consider it a huge blow to Gringotts' reputation."

"That's very much in line with the style of those goblins. I hope that when that person leads the Death Eater to break through Gringotts, those goblins will also be able to defend the underground vaults to the death," Snape said with a sinister glint in his eye.

Dumbledore smiled. "No one can blame them, after all, the goblins don't know Voldemort is coming back soon. Wizengamot has already intervened, and I believe the goblins will agree to make an exception this time..."

"Be careful, Severus ..."

The night was deep, and the full, bright moon hung high in the deep blue sky, making even the surrounding stars appear dim. The clouds moved, dragging large shadows with them.

Silently.

In the corner of the upper floor of the Shrieking Shack, a thick blanket was spread on the floor, and two young wizards snuggled together. Loren's head was on Hermione's shoulder, and Hermione's head was pressed against Loren's head. The two were sleeping peacefully with their backs against the wall.

A fluffy white blanket was draped over the two of them, dispelling the chill of the night.

A little wizard is a little wizard indeed. He clearly said he was just too sleepy and needed to rest for a while before continuing to ask for information, but now he's already asleep.

Lupin the Werewolf glanced at the two little wizards huddled in the corner, shook his head with a smile, reached out and picked up another roasted chicken leg, tossed it into the Werewolf's mouth, sucked off the flesh, spat out the bone, and let out a satisfied sigh.

That's so convenient.

I heard that the heat-insulating alchemical storage item was made by Loren. That's amazing, even more amazing than they were back then.

"I wonder if I could trade with him for one..." A thoughtful look appeared in Lupin the Werewolf's terrifying eyes. "He seemed to have mentioned wanting a Boggart ..."

It just so happens that starting a club and teaching students the Patronus Charm also requires the use of Boggart. Loren previously demonstrated a method for precisely controlling Boggart; I wonder if this method could turn Boggart into Dementor in front of the other students...

"Never mind, I can still buy a few more Boggart anyway." Werewolf Lupin decided to go to Professor McGonagall this week to apply for funding.

He grabbed a few more roasted chicken legs and enjoyed them one by one.

In the corner, the sleeping Loren could no longer lean against the wall and slowly slid down, dragging a little Witch down with him.

Sleeping fully clothed.

Early morning, Hogwarts Castle Entrance Hall.

"It's all your fault! If you hadn't suggested we take a break, I definitely wouldn't have fallen asleep!"

"Mmm, you're right, I did cast Stunning Spell on you... I wonder who drooled on my collar last night, it still smells bad... Ugh~"

"You're talking nonsense!" Hermione's face flushed red, whether from embarrassment or anger, "I clearly cleaned it with Cleaning Charm!"

"..."

Watching the two young wizards playfully bickering as they walked toward the Great Hall, Lupin, now back in human form, leaned against the doorframe and looked back toward the rising sun.

Although the bright moon last night gave him some idea of today's weather, Lupin couldn't help but squint and smile with a relaxed and contented expression when he saw the radiant sun.

Golden morning light pierced through the clouds and mist, and the dazzling sun seemed to be dispelling all the fog. The rare clear weather in autumn made people unconsciously relax and want to find a grassy area, cover their eyes, and take a good nap in the bright sunlight.

Lupin took a deep breath, filling his chest with the fresh morning air, and exhaled contentedly. "Burp~"

Lupin kept his mouth shut and took a deep breath.

My Werewolf form had such a good appetite that I couldn't control myself last night and ate too much.

Mr. Filch, the caretaker, carrying Mrs. Norris, passed by, glancing at him with some curiosity before disappearing around the corner of the corridor.

"Good morning, Remus!" Professor Hagrid the Department of Protecting Magical Animals, walked in from outside and greeted him warmly from a distance. "It's a beautiful day!"

Good morning, Hagrid. Yes, it's a beautiful day.

Next, he went upstairs to the Hospital Wing for a check-up. As soon as Madam Pomfrey heard his voice, she hurried over, calling out, "Remus, let me see how you are?"

Madam Pomfrey had known about his Werewolf identity for a long time. When they were in school, it was always the school doctor who took Lupin to the Whomping Willow Hole to Transfiguration. In her eyes, Remus Lupin had always been the poor little wolf cub he used to be.

Lupin smiled and nodded at her, "I feel great. Apart from being a little sleepy, I feel like I can easily finish today's classes."

Professor Lupin has three classes on Friday.

On the other side, Loren and Hermione found a restroom to quickly wash up and then hurriedly returned to the Great Hall.

Surprisingly, none of the young wizards noticed them. The Gryffindor table was now completely surrounded, filled with a cacophony of exclamations and discussions that nearly lifted the Great Hall.

"Merlin's beard! Neville, how did you do that?"

"Neville! You are the first, you are the first, you are the only one!"

"Lomberton! Glory of Gryffindor!"

Loren and Hermione were stuck outside the crowd, only able to hear the young wizards praising Neville, but after listening for a long time, they still couldn't understand what was going on.

Just then, a young wizard with light brown hair suddenly emerged from the crowd. Loren quickly pulled him over. "Seamus, tell me, what's going on so early in the morning?"

"My God, you guys don't know yet!" Seamus waved his hands, his expression excited. "Neville has completed the first step of the Animagus Ritual again! Last night, on the night of the full moon, Professor McGonagall took him to bury the Secret Potion!"

The Animagus Ritual requires the shaman to Mandrake Leaf in his mouth for a month.

A month later, on Full Moon, it was taken out and placed in Crystal Vial along with saliva, a hair, a silver teaspoon of dew, and Death's-head Hawkmoth Chrysalis, to create Secret Potion...

"Merlin's beard..." Hermione exclaimed softly, covering her mouth.

Loren's eyes also showed amazement as he began to recall Neville's every move over the past month since the start of the semester.

When school first started, Neville thanked him timidly, gave him a candy gift bag, and joked and played with them...

As the end of the month approached, Neville became increasingly taciturn, only speaking when absolutely necessary. Back in his dorm, he would sit silently with his laptop, ignoring even Ron's attempts to talk to him about Quidditch, apparently because he had Mandrake in his mouth.

bite--

Ding ding—

Professor McGonagall, High Table, tapped her wine glass with her fork. "Children, children, pay attention."

The noisy young wizards fell silent for a moment, their eager eyes fixed on Professor McGonagall.

"Those interested in Animagus can keep an eye out for the exams after Halloween. Members of the Teaching Class who wish to begin can also consult Mr. Longbottom privately. Now, return to your seats," Professor McGonagall said.

Amidst the noisy discussion, the young wizards returned to their seats in groups, finally giving Loren and Hermione a chance to sit next to Neville.

"Impressive, Neville!" Loren exclaimed. "Even when Professor Trelawney threatened you with Divination, you didn't damage Mandrake Leaf. What incredible resilience!"

"No, no... It was my mom's idea. My tongue is big, so she found a small Mandrake Leaf and put it under my tongue. It doesn't affect my speaking or eating, as long as I don't bite my tongue, it's fine."

Neville blushed; despite having experienced it several times before, he still wasn't quite comfortable in this kind of public attention.

"That's really impressive!" Loren exclaimed.

Holding Mandrake in one's mouth is neither particularly difficult nor particularly easy, but at least he himself couldn't do it, and at least no one in the Teaching Class except Neville could do it either.

"We absolutely have to succeed this time!"

"Go Neville!"

Throughout breakfast, young wizards would occasionally pass by, each expressing their amazement at Neville and encouraging him to become the first Animagus in the school.

Compared to when he first started school, chubby Neville has lost some weight, but he is still the same as before. When faced with compliments, he just blushes and replies in a low, sullen voice.