Matthew returned to the Hogwarts world, and as soon as he arrived, he received a letter.
"Voldemort?" Matthew frowned slightly. It was actually a letter from Voldemort's soul fragment in the diary Horcrux.
After reading it, he was even more puzzled. Voldemort had actually invited him to meet, saying he wanted to have a chat and that they should have much in common. The wording was remarkably sincere.
"Is he trying to recruit me?" Matthew was somewhat baffled. Shouldn't the most urgent matter for this Horcrux soul fragment be resurrecting himself? Why had he come to recruit Matthew instead?
"Not going." Matthew had no intention of going. It was far too risky. While he was no longer afraid of a mere remnant soul, if Voldemort used Recording Magic or some similar method to record their meeting, it could easily damage his reputation.
With a slight circulation of magic, the letter instantly turned to dust in Matthew's hand and scattered into the air.
After that, Matthew went alone to Hogsmeade Village. He needed to purchase a batch of Potion Ingredients.
However, the moment he stepped beyond Hogwarts' boundaries, he sensed something unusual—a feeling of being watched.
Matthew gave no sign of it and headed straight for Slug & Jiggers Apothecary. This time, he did not intend to buy any contraband, so he made no disguise.
He replenished his supplies of Dittany, Skele-Gro, blood-replenishing potion, and Calming Potion ingredients before leaving.
But he did not return directly to Hogwarts. Instead, he headed toward the Shrieking Shack, an abandoned haunted house in Hogsmeade Village. It was said that at night, wails like the cries of ghosts and wolves could be heard from within.
Matthew spread out his Magic Sense and noticed a little tail following behind him.
Following Matthew was a black dog.