"Acquaintance?"
Frick paused, then fell into deep thought.
He's not someone who enjoys socializing with people; he can count the number of people he interacts with on two hands.
Is it that scoundrel old lizard across the street selling Potions ingredients? Or the witch next door?
Or... Mundungus Fletcher?
His expression suddenly became unnatural.
Yes, Mundungus Fletcher.
He knew that guy was a habitual thief; he'd been stealing for a long time.
But... surely he wouldn't go so far as to attack someone he knows?
"Looks like you have someone you suspect," Morris asked casually. "Who is it?"
Frick shook his head. "It's not certain yet. I need to make some preparations to catch that thief."
"Alright," Morris said, "Just don't lose my Aura Concealment Gem."
My heart... it's too late. In fact, this time only the jewels were lost.
"?"
Morris's expression froze. "What did you say?"
Frick, looking embarrassed, explained, "Those gems were the most conspicuous in the warehouse. The thief took half of them; he probably thought I wouldn't notice, but I kept a complete count."
The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.
Seeing Morris's furrowed brow, Frick quickly said, "I will make up for your losses, Morris. This time it was my fault."
Morris waved his hand helplessly, "That would be best."
He decided that it would be better not to store important goods in Frick's warehouse in the future.
But this thief is really spineless.
How much money can you make stealing just a few gems used to conceal one's presence?
The Christmas holidays passed quickly.
On the day he returned to school, Morris boarded the Ship in a Bottle and sailed straight back to Hogwarts.
This is the advantage of having private transportation.
The Ship in a Bottle fell from the sky and sank into the Black Lake.
Giant Squid suddenly surfaced and stretched out its tentacles, trying to climb onto the ship.
However, just as the tentacle was about to touch the bottle, an invisible force repelled it.
The Giant Squid tried again, but was bounced away once more.
This was repeated more than ten times, without exception.
Upon seeing this, Morris smiled slightly.
The Giant Squid probably used his Ship in a Bottle as some kind of novelty toy again.
However, he didn't mind.
Giant Squid are usually gentle and have stable emotions. They have no real intention to attack and are just playing around.
His Ship in a Bottle is no fragile thing.
Morris ignored it, simply moored the boat on the shore, and climbed off.
He looked up and saw Professor McGonagall standing not far away, her expression serious.
It was obvious that she was intentionally waiting for him.
Morris went up to her and asked curiously, "Good morning, Professor McGonagall. What's the matter? I remember reporting my itinerary."
Could it be that he broke some school rules again?
That shouldn't be the case.
Professor McGonagall's gaze passed over him, landing on the Ship in a Bottle behind him, a hint of confusion on her face. "I knew you'd come back this way today... but Morris, how did you manage to get this ship into Hogwarts so quietly? Didn't the Dementor stop you?"
The boat seemed to appear out of thin air on the Black Lake.
"It's simple," Morris said, "Just fly high enough."
Given the distance and the fact that his Ship in a Bottle possesses invisibility and a degree of scent concealment, it's normal that the Dementor couldn't detect him.
Professor McGonagall pondered for a moment, then asked, "How high can your ship fly?"
Morris answered truthfully, "It's about the same as Muggle's plane."
He thought for a moment and added, "Normally, it's between 30,000 and 40,000 feet."
Professor McGonagall's eyelids twitched.
She had no idea it would be such a large number.
Indeed, Dementor have no way of flying to an altitude of 30,000 feet to patrol.
So, does this mean Sirius Black could also have entered Hogwarts in this way?
Although the possibility is extremely small, it cannot be completely ruled out.
It seems necessary to talk to Dumbledore about this and strengthen Hogwarts' defenses in this regard.
Seeing that the other person hadn't spoken for a long time, Morris couldn't help but ask, "Professor, what are you thinking about?"
Professor McGonagall snapped out of her reverie and glanced at him.
"Nothing, I just suddenly remembered some things that need to be taken care of... Morris, this is for you."
She handed Morris a silver badge.
Morris took it and examined it carefully.
The badge was only the size of a palm, with the Hogwarts crest engraved on the surface and some words he couldn't understand on the back.
"What's this?"
"A tracking device," Professor McGonagall said. "Put it on your ship, and we'll know its location at any time."
Morris raised an eyebrow. "Is this... to spy on me?"
"It's the headmaster's order," Professor McGonagall said seriously. "I don't know exactly what you did, but the headmaster told me you did something dangerous during the holidays. For your safety, and for the safety of the school, we need to know where your boat is."
"And you can't take the boat out of the school grounds before summer vacation. If there's a problem, talk to the principal."
Morris looked somewhat helpless.
Dumbledore really doesn't trust him.
But upon closer reflection, it makes sense.
As a student, he really was... lawless?
"Alright then." Morris sighed, weighing the badge in his hand. "I'll do as you say."
Of course, he didn't think such a small badge could limit him.
He wouldn't care about any rules if necessary.
Professor McGonagall nodded, her expression softening. "There's one more thing; I need to inspect your ship."
"Why?"
Professor McGonagall looked at him with an apologetic expression.
"You know," she explained, " Sirius Black could Hogwarts anywhere, by any means. Your ship is no exception; I need to make sure there's no one hiding inside."
I see, that makes sense then.
Morris said, "My ship cannot be invaded by anyone. If you wish to go in and take a look, come on in."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entrance to the Ship in a Bottle opened automatically, and a ladder extended down from the boat.
The two climbed up.
Professor McGonagall stood on the deck and looked around.
"Incredible," she murmured in amazement.
"Let's go inside," Morris said, heading towards the cabin, with Professor McGonagall following closely behind.
Professor McGonagall was stunned as soon as she entered the living room.
It's very spacious inside.
Not far away, on the wooden floor, stood a tomb that looked more like a decoration than a decoration.
That was clearly not something that should be in the cabin.
She stepped forward and looked at the tombstone standing beside the grave.
It reads, "Made by the great Morris Black, in tribute to him."
Professor McGonagall looked at Morris with a strange expression. "Why would you have your name engraved on a tombstone... and what's with this tomb here?"
Morris followed her gaze.
"Oh, that one. He's the security guard here."
"As for the name... please don't worry about it."