There were no further attacks all the way through March.
The few mandrakes that had begun to grow quiet became noisy again, throwing a lively, raucous dance in the Third Greenhouse, much to Professor Sprout's delight.
They would probably be fully mature in another month or two. Then the people who had been petrified could finally wake up.
Cyrus was quite happy too. As time passed, his resurrection seemed almost within reach. The joy in his heart had gradually given his Patronus a shape. It was not very clear, but he could still make out an enormous bird.
Once the mandrakes mature, I can steal a leaf. After I'm resurrected, I can try an Animagus Transformation.
Voldemort was not an Animagus. He had nothing but contempt for such useless tricks. He did not even think much of fantastic beasts, let alone ordinary animals.
But Cyrus did not share that view. An unregistered Animagus was practically a symbol of freedom.
That morning, Cyrus sat at the Slytherin table, eating breakfast while reading a letter from Lucius Malfoy.
He had been communicating with Lucius in Malfoy's voice all this time, occasionally urging Lucius to act faster in Riddle's name as well. But the Hogwarts school governors came from families no less influential than the Malfoy family. This was not something that could be accomplished quickly.
Not to mention that he also had to find the right moment to coordinate with Cyrus and put pressure on the Ministry of Magic, forcing them to send Hagrid to Azkaban for a few days.
Cyrus had actually grown quite fond of the big fellow while spending time with him in Ginny's body. But for the sake of his resurrection, he could only let Hagrid suffer a little injustice.
"Azkaban's a wonderful place. The people there have