Carrying a backpack filled with documents and a broom, Anton descended the stairs with all his belongings.
He was accustomed to carrying the most important items with him wherever he went.
Furthermore, this Goblin named Pedro visibly harbored a deep hatred for humans, although Anton didn't know the reason. However, Pedro occasionally unintentionally displayed his disgust towards Anton.
Adding to the annoyance was the presence of Fiennes.
Anton felt that the goblin might kick him out at any moment.
As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he overheard Fiennes mocking Pedro.
"Hush!" Fiennes hissed, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Stupid teacher," He continued, his voice laced with frustration and impatience. "You must have the 'Oculus' potion there," He accused, his tone dripping with accusation. "Take it out and let Anton use it. Your butcher-style treatment is so foolish," He concluded, his words biting with contempt.
"Enough!" Pedro exclaimed furiously, seizing his dragon-rib magic-patterned long knife and brandishing it in anger.
"Listen!", Fiennes exclaimed, his filled with frustration "I saw it, I saw it! I was so careful in observing your habits back then. I know you too well. You glanced at your wrist. There's the 'Goblin Treasure' runic symbol on it, I know it's in the forest. Did you hide the potion there?"
"Shut up, shut up!" Pedro wailed.
"If you interfere with me again, will you be responsible for the failure of the operation?" Pedro demanded sternly.
"Marvelous!," Fiennes exclaimed, fluttering around with excitement. He even pulled at his hair and waved his head like a flail, as if he were incredibly pleased. "Hahaha, if the stupid teacher's surgery fails, he will be killed by the 'Unbreakable Oath'," Fiennes cackled gleefully.
This lively scene caused Anna's eyes to widen in awe.
Anton gazed at his companion with a joyful expression on his face.
Meanwhile, Fiennes's voice buzzed in his ears, and at times, Anton couldn't help but admire the old man's unwavering determination.
However, amidst the buzzing, he caught a word that piqued his interest - the Runic symbol of the goblin treasure.
'A Runic symbol?' Anton pondered, realizing it was a new term. Unfortunately, the magic of humans and goblins couldn't be easily shared or learned from one another.
What intrigued him even more was the revelation that the goblin treasure resided in a forest. In other words, the forest on the second floor was under Pedro's possession?
The wonders of the wizarding world never ceased to fascinate him.
Sensing the emotional undercurrent between the two, Anton swiftly interjected, "Teacher, I'm here. Let's prepare for this operation. Aren't you curious about werewolves?"
Fiennes ceased his interference. Goblin Pedro breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at the gloomy sky outside the window, calculated the time, and hastily made preparations for the operation.
It was one o'clock.
A delicate instrument emitted a purplish-pink gelatinous substance, forming a cage adorned with tentacles in the spacious hall.
2:00 p.m in the afternoon.
Lupin entered the cage, donning loose hospital clothes. His face was pale, but his spirits were high. He smiled softly upon seeing Anton.
3:00 p.m.
Another massive instrument was installed by the goblin, and countless twisted rays of light danced in the hall.
Fiennes whispered in Anton's ear, "This is a magic sensory amplifier. It can be used as a magnifying glass substitute. In this light, you will witness the werewolf transforming into a ten-meter-high giant. I don't want the foolish teacher to see my apprentice's pranks."
Anton nodded, observing with curiosity.
4:30 p.m.
Only one hour remained until the moon rose.
Indeed, it was autumn now, and the night would arrive earlier than usual.
Pedro carried a massive box on his back, with five oddly shaped arms extending from it. One arm held something resembling a telescope, which placed in front of the Goblin's left eye.
He pondered carefully.
5:00 p.m.
Everyone was on edge.
At that moment, a knock echoed on the door of the island hut.
Knock knock knock
The dull thuds startled everyone, and the goblin impatiently waved his hand, telling Anna, "Whoever it is, tell them to come back tomorrow."
Anna nodded, and Anton followed her cautiously.
At this critical moment, there could be no mishaps. If the young girl couldn't handle it, he would do his best to create a suitable surgical environment for Pedro.
As she unlatched the door, a strange magic pattern flashed briefly then vanished, and then she opened the door.
Creek~
A middle-aged wizard stood before them.
He stood tall and burly, with a greasy face that seemed as though it had been washed with Muggle gasoline. His nose was long and aquiline, and his eyes lacked any spark of life.
It was Snape!
"Idol!" Anton exclaimed in surprise, stepping forward to block the gap in the door beside Anna.
Furthermore, Lupin was in the hall.
Lupin, whom Snape despised so much, was a member of the Marauders that had stolen Snape's love interest, bullied him at school, and nearly killed him or turned him into a werewolf.
Although Anton knew that Lupin was a good person, who knew if he was an accomplice or a helpless persuader.
It was all over.
This was simply the most unexpected turn of events!
At that moment, the sky darkened to a yellow hue, and the moon began to cast faint light and shadows on the horizon.
A massive iron cage floated behind Snape, containing a large viper that appeared to be on the brink of death.
"Snake!"
Anna's scream was filled with fear, a voice that seemed to roar with all her strength, almost causing Anton to keel over in fright.
He turned around in astonishment, only to find Anna standing upright, her eyes closed, and then collapsing to the ground.
The sight terrified her to the point of fainting!
Anton quickly rushed catch her.
Crunch, crunch, crunch
Pedro hurriedly approached, carrying a large metal box on his back. He opened the door, glanced at Anna, and stared coldly at Snape.
"Ah, the infamous Snape," Pedro said, his voice dripping in sarcasm "What brings you to me?"
Snape gestured towards the iron cage behind him, but before he could speak, Pedro impatiently waved his hand as if shooing away flies.
"Damn it!" Pedro exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice.
"Even though I invented the Blood Curse," Pedro continued, his tone filled with bitterness, "Does that mean that everyone who has been afflicted by it and turned into a Blood Cursed Being should come to me?"
Anton noticed Pedro glancing at Anna while speaking, his eyes filled with suspicion.
'Could it be?' Anton wondered aloud, his voice filled with intrigue and uncertainty.
Anton looked at Anna in his arms. The young girl furrowed her brow, clutching her clothes tightly with both hands, as if she feared something dreadful. Unlike her usual demeanor as the youthful version of the "Elegant Lady," in this moment, she appeared as fragile as a delicate flower that could be destroyed by a passing storm.
"The Blood Curse?" Anton mused, his voice barely above a whisper. "Invented by the Goblin Pedro?"
Snape shook his head, "I apologize for the inconvenience, Master Pedro. I hope you can help determine if there is another soul residing within this snake's body. You are an expert in this field."
"No time!" Pedro slammed the door forcefully.
A burst of curse light illuminated the area, and the door swung open once again.
Snape gazed at Pedro with an indifferent expression, stating, "This matter is of great importance to me. All I ask is for you to use your 'Goblin sight' to take a look. I will compensate you for any inconvenience caused, and I will also send you an apology letter along with the potion question you previously asked."
Pedro hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed.
A circle of ripples appeared in front of his head, and his eyes seemed to enlarge significantly.
After staring at the snake for a while, he finally shook his head, "I cannot discern what you seek, but it is evident that there is only one woman, and her soul has been completely transformed into a snake. It is highly unlikely for her to become human again by any means."
Snape visibly relaxed, and the iron cage behind him crashed heavily onto the ground in front of the door. "Consider this snake as compensation for my rudeness," he declared.
He turned and began to walk away.
Suddenly, Snape glanced back suspiciously.
Snape's gaze darted through the gaps between several individuals until it landed on a familiar figure in the hall.
"Lupin?"