Ancient Warlocks at Hogwarts

Chapter 132 Bones of Birds and Snakes

"Hi, you're here!" Hagrid welcomed a few people into the door. After everyone entered the room, he stuck his head out and looked in the direction they came from for a while.

"The school has been uneasy recently. We have to be on guard." He said to Andre and the others.

Obviously Hagrid should have also heard about Flint's attack, so it's not surprising that he is worried like this.

Andre smiled and comforted: "Don't worry, no one was following us when we came over."

"That's impossible to say. Who knows where the wizard who attacked the students is hiding." But Hagrid still shook his head, "Forget it, let's not talk about it. I think Professor Dumbledore will definitely solve this problem. Let’s take a look at the bones of birds and snakes, which Professor Kettleburn spent a lot of effort to obtain.”

As he spoke, he pulled out a large wooden box from under the bed, which was also covered with a piece of stitched mink skin.

Andre and the others turned their gazes curiously. They had never seen such magical animals as birds and snakes. Even its skeleton was quite attractive.

As Hagrid opened the lid of the wooden box, a pile of silver-white bones appeared in front of several people.

"Is this sterling silver?" Ron asked.

"No, haha," Hagrid laughed, and then said: "This is not silver, but the eggs they lay are entirely made of silver, so many evil-minded wizards specialize in stealing birds and snakes. eggs to make a fortune."

"This has also caused birds and snakes to become increasingly rare in the magical world. It has to be said that sometimes too high a value is not a good thing for these animals." Andre said: "By the way, Professor Kettleburn is from Where did you get these bones?”

"Don't worry, the professor didn't go poaching," Hagrid explained: "Didn't he raise a bird snake before? That one he brought back from India, where he found a hidden bird snake. In the settlement, these bones are left behind by old birds and snakes that died of natural causes, and the professor just went to collect some."

Even if the Professor of Care of Magical Creatures obtained the bones from poaching.Andre didn't have any psychological burden on this. After all, he had taken Sophia to poach fire dragons. The reason why he asked this was just out of curiosity.

Of course, in comparison, fire dragons are far less rare than birds and snakes. This dangerous magical animal is actually overrun in some countries with weak Ministry of Magic.

"I have read in books that the bones of birds and snakes actually also contain silver, but compared to their eggshells, the purity is not that high and needs to be refined before it can be used." Hermione also said at this time.

"Is there still such a thing?" Hagrid was stunned for a moment, "I don't know about that."

"Hermione is right, but using these bones to extract silver is putting the cart before the horse. Their value is higher than the same weight of Sickle." Andre nodded. Of course, he also knew about the composition of bird and snake bones. You know, after all, he is the one who wants to use this material to make space props. How could he not study it in detail?

"That's right. If I had a box that could hold something as big as a house, I wouldn't trade it for a bunch of Silver Sickles." The little witch also agreed.

But Ron was a little disapproving: "I don't think so. If you give me a bunch of Sickles, I will definitely be happier."

"But you don't have a box like this," Hermione couldn't help but retort.

Seeing that the two were about to quarrel over a trivial matter again, Andre interrupted them: "Okay, let's get rid of these bones first."

"Yes, yes, Professor Kettleburn is also waiting for Andre to make him a similar box. He told me that maybe he will be ready to retire next year. The magical animals in the forest are difficult to take away, which is the main reason why he agreed to help. In fact, he needs a box that can keep animals more than us." Hagrid also said.

Andre knew this very well, and Hagrid would be the one to take over Professor Kettleburn as the Care of Magical Creatures teacher next year, but he probably didn't know the news yet.

Picking up a bone from the box, Andre stroked it carefully. After confirming that there was nothing wrong with it, he said, "Well, but before that, Hagrid, you have to help me make these bones into two boxes. You know, I don’t have this skill.”

"Of course there's no problem with that, but have you ever thought about what kind of box it should be made of? I mean, if it were made of just these bones, it wouldn't look good." Hagrid did not refuse Andre's request, he was very happy to do so. To help in this matter, not to mention the closeness between him and a few people, the fact that this box is related to the little female dragon Norbeta makes him have to pay special attention to it, and if the box is successful, He could see his favorite fire dragon every day, which undoubtedly helped him fulfill his dream.

"Just use these bones to make the skeleton. It can be covered with a layer of calfskin or other leather. It's best to make it look like an ordinary box." Naturally, Andre had already made plans. , he stated his request without hesitation.

"It's not difficult. I happen to have some unused lambskin here, which is just right for your box." Hagrid thought for a while and said, "But it will take me a day or two to make two boxes. Okay, so you have to wait until Wednesday or Thursday to pick it up, and then I will ask Hedwig to bring you the letter."

This was also what Andre expected. Making a suitcase by hand was not an easy task, otherwise he wouldn't have entrusted it to Hagrid.

"Then leave this matter to me, you can rest assured." After talking about the box, Hagrid stood up and poured a cup of hot tea for everyone, and then asked: "By the way, about what happened at school these two days?" Do you have any other news about the two things that happened? I know that you four are the most well-informed people in the castle."

Hearing Hagrid's flattery, Andre, Hermione, and Harry didn't react at all, but Ron couldn't help but burst into tears. He said proudly: "Yes, except for Filch Apart from the cat being killed and the captain of the Slytherin team being attacked, we are the only students who know that another accident happened yesterday."

No need to guess, Ron must have been talking about Jerome's disappearance, even though Professor McGonagall had told them not to tell other students about it, so as not to cause greater panic and raise questions from the students' parents.

But Andre didn't have any objections to what he told Hagrid, so he didn't stop Ron from continuing.

"Didn't everyone think that Andre killed Filch's cat before? Because the portraits said that he was the only one at the crime scene, and Peeves insisted that it was Andre who did it."

"But the next morning, Andre told us that he had not killed the cat."

When talking about this, Hermione interjected: "I was the only one who believed Andre at that time, but you all thought he was lying."

"Yes, yes, after all, everyone hates Filch's cat," Ron nodded perfunctorily, and then continued: "Andre said he wanted to find the real murderer, and then we used the portrait to The clues given to us identified a person named Marion Jerome, who was a seventh-year Ravenclaw student. On his wand, we found traces of having used the Death Curse."

Hagrid suddenly asked nervously: "You mean the Death Curse?"

"That's right," Ron said, pretending to be mysterious: "It's the Death Curse you're thinking of. It's one of the three Unforgivable Curses banned by the Ministry of Magic."

"But," Hagrid didn't seem to believe it, "are you saying that a Ravenclaw boy killed Filch's cat with a killing curse in the castle?"

"Oh, no, we haven't confirmed this yet." Ron shook his head. "The only thing we can confirm is that Jerome did use the Death Curse in the castle. As for Filch's cat, If so, we are not sure whether he killed him now, because you know that just on Sunday, on the path outside the Quidditch pitch, Slytherin's Flint was attacked, and Andre said the killer used the Cruciatus Curse."

"Merlin's beard," Hagrid couldn't help but cover his face with his big hands, "I didn't understand at all. According to your words, the Unforgivable Curse actually appeared twice in Hogwarts in just a few days?"

"That's right, Hagrid." Harry also supported Ron's words. "Sirius also confirmed to us yesterday that Flint was indeed attacked by the Cruciatus Curse. He has been sent to the hospital since Sunday night. When we arrived at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Maladies, it is said that he still hasn't woken up yet."

"I can't believe it. When did Hogwarts become so dangerous? And, where is that Jerome you are talking about? Now that you have discovered that he used the Death Curse in the castle, will it actually be true? He was the one who killed Filch's cat and attacked Flint."

"No, when Flint was attacked, Andre and I were both staring at Jerome in the library. He didn't have time to commit the crime." Hermione shook her head and said.

"Wait, wait," Hagrid interrupted the narration of several people again, he said: "You mean you and Andre are staring at that Ravenclaw boy?"

"Yes," Hermione pinched her clothes in embarrassment, "I also know that I should tell Professor McGonagall, but Andre doesn't agree, because we stole Jerome's wand before, and then The Flashback Curse was used to confirm that he had used the Death Curse in school, and Professor Dumbledore did not approve of this approach."

Hagrid was stunned for a moment. He didn't know what to say. This was obviously an idea that only a child would have, but Andre's usual behavior was not like that of a child. He had no choice but to keep a straight face: "No matter what, Said, this matter must be told to the professors now, it is too dangerous for you to do so."

"Don't worry, Hagrid." Ron said with a smile: "Professor McGonagall and others already know about this, but this is also the third accident I want to tell you. We went to find Sirius yesterday. We were going to tell him about Jerome, but at Sirius we discovered that this senior Ravenclaw student was missing?"

"Missing!?"

Ron nodded: "Yeah, you still remember how Andre discovered Scabbers last year, oh, it's Peter Pettigrew, right?"

"Is it the magic map?" After saying this, Hagrid remembered that last year it was Andre who first discovered the name Peter Pettigrew on the Marauder's Map that should not exist, and then told him to Ron of mice are linked together.

"Yes, we didn't find Jerome's name on the map." Andre said: "He should have been eating in the auditorium at that time, but it was not shown on the map."

"Is there something wrong with the map?" Hagrid asked the same question as Professor McGonagall.

"It's impossible. That map was actually used by Sirius and the others before. I mean, when they were still at Hogwarts, the map never had any errors." Unfortunately, this question is destined to get the same answer. Andre said: "And after we told Professor McGonagall about this, she and Professor Flitwick immediately went to find Jerome, but there was no trace of him in the castle."

"So now there are actually not just two accidents in the school, but three." Ron finally concluded, "But Hagrid, don't tell anyone about this. Professor McGonagall has warned us not to leak the news. Others The students are still being kept in the dark.”

Hagrid naturally understood the seriousness of this matter. Just the fact that Flint of Slytherin was attacked was enough to cause a headache for the school. If the outside world knew that there was a missing student in the castle, I am afraid that those who took notice would The school director who is at the helm will be instigated by some thoughtful people again. In that case, Dumbledore will face even greater pressure.

"Ah, it's almost dinner time," Hermione looked at her watch at this time and immediately exclaimed in surprise: "We should go back to the castle."

"Actually, if you don't mind, I can prepare dinner for you." Hagrid said enthusiastically.

But facing this invitation, Andre and the others had no intention of accepting it. They rejected it awkwardly but politely: "No, no, let's go back to the castle to eat."

"Are you afraid that the food I cook will not taste good? Don't worry, I know how to cook a lot. Harry must still remember the cake I brought you last year." Hagrid said without any self-awareness.

Fortunately, Andre quickly thought of an excuse: "No, of course not, it's just that if we have dinner at your place, it will probably be dark by the time we get back to the castle. As you know, Hagrid, how terrible has it been lately?" Gwartz is not very safe.”

Harry and the three of them nodded in agreement.

"Oh, yes, that's indeed the case. How about I send you back?" Hagrid patted his head and said.

"There's no need to worry at this point, and we're going back via the main road."