130: Snape’s Hint and the Soul-Devouring Curse

130: Snape’s Hint and the Soul-Devouring Curse

Money isn't everything, but for most people, money is pretty persuasive.

Even in the magical world, this principle still holds true.

John quickly gathered all the necessary materials. In a delicate box lay the leaves of the Mandrake.

Once the first full moon arrived, John could begin his Animagus transformation.

"Speaking of which, Remus will also transform during the full moon."

Remembering Lupin's condition, John figured that despite the Wolfsbane Potion, Lupin probably wouldn't be showing up to class in his werewolf form.

Sure enough, during Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Snape took Lupin's place.

"Sorry, I'm late, Professor Lupin, I..."

John noticed Harry arriving late, with confusion written all over his face.

"This class started ten minutes ago, Potter, so I believe Gryffindor deserves to lose 10 points. Sit down."

Snape, standing at the podium, lifted his eyes slightly, his tone calm yet dripping with sarcasm.

Harry didn't move. He stared at Snape and asked, "Where's Professor Lupin?"

"He said he's feeling unwell and won't be able to teach today," Snape sneered.

No student had ever dared to challenge his authority before. Fixing Harry with a cold glare, he added, "Didn't I tell you to sit down?"

Harry's mind raced after that statement.

He thought about how Snape had always coveted the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and remembered the dark, murky potion Snape had given Lupin the other day.

It was almost as if Snape had poisoned Lupin. Harry didn't move, continuing to stare daggers at Snape as he asked again, "What happened to him?"

Snape's patience was running thin. His eyes widened slightly as he replied, "He's not in any danger."

Though Snape said this, his expression suggested that he wouldn't mind if something had happened.

In a calm yet icy tone, he added, "Gryffindor loses another 5 points. If I have to tell you to sit down a third time, it'll be 50 points."

Finally, Harry slowly made his way to his seat. John smirked slightly. Snape might act tough, but he had answered every one of Harry's questions.

Snape glanced coldly around the room. "Before Potter interrupted me, I was discussing the material you've already covered. Professor Lupin left no records..."

"Excuse me, sir, we've learned about Boggarts, Red Caps, Kappas, and Grindylows."

Seeing Snape's frustration, Hermione quickly recited everything they'd covered in class so far, even reminding him, "We were about to start learning..."

"Quiet. I didn't ask."

Hermione's display of knowledge only made Snape's attitude even colder. He was clearly displeased with Lupin's teaching methods. "I was merely criticizing Lupin for his lack of structure in this class."

"He did teach us..."

Dean Thomas, seeing both Harry and Hermione speak up, decided to follow suit and chime in as well.

However, as soon as Dean opened his mouth, he was met with Snape's deadly glare.

John was speechless. Does your mother's name happen to be Lily too? You're that brave, huh?

It wasn't hard to notice how dark Snape's expression had become.

Sensing that the classroom was on the verge of descending into chaos, John gave a light cough.

It wasn't loud, but the classroom gradually quieted down.

John looked up at Professor Snape with a polite smile and said, "Please, continue."

Who reminds someone like this?

Unfortunately, Snape didn't catch John's exasperated expression. Instead, with a hint of displeasure, he added, "Due Monday morning. This class clearly needs better discipline. Weasley, stay behind."

Ron had been fuming about Snape's deliberate disregard for Gryffindor, but after seeing John receive double the homework, he began to count his blessings as a mere unnoticed student.

Just as he was about to blend into the crowd and slip away, Snape called him out directly.

His legs wobbled a bit as he looked at Snape's pale face, which now bore a smile that was anything but reassuring.

"Harry, Hermione, help me!" he pleaded to his two friends, but all he got in return were helpless looks.

In the end, Ron was punished by being made to clean the hospital wing's toilets—without magic.

Frustrated, he muttered about how it would be great if Sirius Black could sneak into Snape's office and take care of him once and for all.

...

That night, John looked up at the sky.

Tomorrow would be the full moon. He made his way to the Chamber of Secrets.

Last time, when the Dementors had searched the grounds, they hadn't found the Chamber.

Now, a new Dementor was cornered against the wall, with John holding his wand in one hand, casting the Patronus Charm. His albatross Patronus pinned the Dementor in place.

Before him were two bottles: one containing a silver-white essence, the other, a black one.

After a moment of hesitation, John picked up the black one.

"Let's see if this can be used for soul separation."

If Dementors had physical bodies, then the black mass in front of John could be considered as such.

The essence was a mixture of curses and dust. John pressed his right hand over the black mass.

It began to absorb onto his hand, slowly forming into a black sphere.

Strands of darkness were drawn out, and John blew them toward the Dementor.

"Fuu~"

The black threads, like spider silk, gradually spread over the Dementor's form.

Its tattered cloak started to unravel, being devoured by the black sphere.

Seeing this, John narrowed his eyes.

"A case of similar entities devouring each other, huh."

Staring at the black sphere in his hand, he took out a ring.

"Come here."

Holding a ring adorned with a bright green gemstone in his palm, the darkness was drawn toward it.

The blackness slowly tainted the green gem, with spiderweb-like cracks appearing on its once-pristine surface.

"I'll call this the Soul-Devouring Curse."

He placed the ring on his right ring finger, clenched his fist, and turned back to the now weakened Dementor. With his hand open, he began stripping layers of blackness off the Dementor, which flew into the ring.

The Dementor screeched sharply as its body was gradually stripped of its cursed physical form, leaving behind only a mindless soul.

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