"Little wizard," the goblin Pedro's diminutive stature seemed to be overshadowed as he coldly stared at Anton. "I am well aware of the kind of person Fiennes is, and the number of apprentices who have suffered torture and met their demise under his hands is countless."
"You do not hold as much affection for your teacher as you believe."
Pedro's words struck like a colossal arrow, instantly piercing the heart of the young wizard, leaving him visibly conflicted.
"This is not a potion; it is the tears of a two-headed siren. Those who consume it inadvertently will only be ensnared in an illusion. You are merely aiding your teacher in indulging in a beautiful dream."
The young wizard's eyes widened as he took a step back, exclaiming, "You're lying!"
The goblin sneered, "I see fear in your eyes. You do not love your teacher; you are terrified of him!"
"But you defied your teacher's wishes and brought your friend to me. Are you not afraid that he will subject you to the Cruciatus Curse once he discovers it?"
The goblin's words carried a persuasive tone, "You have no escape, do you?"
Very well!
The emotions are established, and the actors are working together harmoniously.
Fear filled Anton's eyes as he hastily rolled up his sleeves, revealing the intricate spells and runes etched onto his wrist. He spoke with anger, "What do you know? I am powerless against my teacher!"
The goblin lowered his head and rolled his eyes, his gaze filled with contempt. "Fiennes may possess some talent in the Cruciatus Curse, but such peculiar spells are incomprehensible and hold no significance to me."
Well then!
Anton's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "If I obtain the potion, I can make my escape, but I will be left alone and defenseless. I also require some money."
The goblin sneered and tapped his fingers against the pocket of Anton's wizard's robe.
Ding Ding!
The sound of galleons rang out.
"Little wizard, do not overstep your boundaries!"
Alright, let us proceed as planned. Anton let out a deep sigh, as if he had reached a decision. "You want to cure my uncle and remove the mark on my wrist."
The goblin nodded in agreement. "And in return, you must pour this potion into your teacher's meal. Tell me, can you do it? I can only offer you one year."
Anton nodded solemnly.
"Very well, Mr. Rosier." The goblin turned to the middle-aged wizard who was observing the scene nearby. "Would you mind serving as a witness and assisting us in casting the 'Unbreakable Oath's' spell?"
"I would be delighted." Rosier drew out his wand and smiled at the child and the goblin. The two of them stood at a similar height, which was quite amusing.
He gazed at Anton with a serious expression. "Little wizard, I must remind you that the 'Unbreakable Oath' curse cannot be broken by anyone, except for Dumbledore, the greatest white wizard of this century. No one else has managed to escape its grip."
"If the individual who has taken the oath ever breaks the agreement, their fate will be death."
Anton avoided looking at him. The middle-aged man's gaze was too intense. He cast a silent glance at Lupin, who sat in the chair, and tightly pressed his lips together. "I have no other choice, do I? I will handle it myself. I will pour the potion into the teacher's mouth."
"Very well." Rosier glanced at Anton with curiosity. "Please join hands."
With a flick of the wand, a pink-purple light materialized like a rope, encircling Pedro and Anton's arms.
It flickered momentarily before vanishing without a trace.
However, Anton had a peculiar understanding that if he were to break his oath, he would genuinely face death.
But...
Is it really that difficult?
He will find out soon enough.
Anton carefully stowed away the medicine bottle, only to see Pedro uncover an arm.
A gray and withered limb came into view, appearing to be a genuine human arm!
"A white hand." The goblin raised the arm as if it were a plastic object. "An arm with a trace amount of magical energy, a rather common ingredient in potions."
Anton felt a strong resistance within him.
Despite being the old wizard's experimental subject, he had consumed various potions over the past two months, encountering all sorts of concoctions.
But this... this was actual human flesh!
He couldn't accept it!
The goblin grasped Anton's hand and gently connected it to his forearm.
"Huh?" Anton exclaimed in surprise as he observed the arm seemingly growing from his own body, responding to his thoughts and movements.
"This is incredible!"
Even the young girl, Anna Rosier, heard the commotion and approached, wide-eyed with curiosity as she observed Anton's hand.
Pedro smirked. "It's just a minor trick. You can't lift heavy objects with it, only make basic movements, and you can't use it to cast spells with a wand."
As he spoke, Pedro muttered an inexplicable incantation under his breath, causing a faint light to illuminate Anton's arm.
After some time, Anton began to feel a sense of disorientation, unable to distinguish between his original hand and the newly attached one.
The spell had been completed.
The goblin removed the dried arm and pointed to the spell mark on the wrist. "You see, fancy curse spells are useless. A simple confusion spell will suffice."
Anton touched his wrist in astonishment, realizing that there was a complex, tattoo-like spell that he hadn't noticed before.
The goblin tossed the arm into Anton's hands. "You can attach it to any part of your body discreetly. Your teacher won't suspect that the spell has been transferred. Simply remove it when necessary."
"An excellent idea."
Mr. Rosier applauded and praised, "I was just contemplating how to lift this curse. Master Pedro's method is truly remarkable, without a doubt!"
The goblin waved his hand dismissively, as if he had performed something insignificant.
However, the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, clearly displaying his pride. "Your task is complete. Return to your teacher promptly," he said, glaring at Lupin with a cigar in his mouth. "The werewolf, also injured by the Cruciatus Master, what a bother."
"But it won't be a bother for me," the goblin boasted, holding a cigar in one hand and looking at Anton with pride. "It can be resolved within half a year."
Anton's eyes widened in disbelief. "Half a year?"
The goblin chuckled. "Indeed, it only takes half a year."
Anton could barely contain his frustration, as it had taken him nearly half a year.
"Alright, I don't appreciate human wizards in this place," the goblin remarked, turning to the middle-aged wizard. "Of course, my friends are an exception to this rule."
He smiled and cast another glance at the young girl, Anna. "I also extend a warm welcome to our little princess if she wishes to learn alchemy from me."
It's necessary.
I am an outsider here.
Anton paused for a moment. "May I visit my friend during treatment?"
The goblin hesitated briefly. "You may come and visit once every two weeks."
Anton nodded. "Alright."
He dragged the large suitcase and walked out the door. He gazed at the sea in a daze, clutching the old wand tightly in his hand.
Where will he go next?
He is like a fallen leaf, detached from the tree, drifting aimlessly with the current, without a single place to call home.
If Lupin were by his side, he could consider living in the Muggle world for a better quality of life.
But being alone is preferable.
He is a malnourished ten-year-old child, without an adult to support him. It's not easy for him to even find a place to rent.
Finally, he reached into his pocket and touched the galleon. "Alright, wizarding world, here I am again."