[Where are you?]
[I... I don't know... I saw the ship pass by the Outer Hebrides, then it kept heading west... to an island in the sea...]
[Is your situation temporarily safe? You don't need to tell me the details.]
[For now, it's relatively safe.]
[What kind of danger did you encounter?]
[It's... it's the people you asked me to investigate... I accidentally infiltrated their base and ended up on this island... I can't leave, and someone has been hunting me down...]
[Protect yourself, we will find you.]
[Be very careful, on this island there is... something that affects...]
On the parchment, there were several blank sections, as if the writer was on the verge of death and couldn't finish their crucial words.
Wade used a copying spell to preserve the conversation. Dumbledore read it for a while in silence, then suddenly stood up and tapped his wand on the wall.
Several portraits hanging on the wall immediately slid aside. One of the former headmasters in the portraits complained: "Dumbledore, am I some kind of eyesore to you?"
"Apologies, Eupraxia," Dumbledore said gently. "I just need a bit more space."
The wall rippled like a lake, spreading out in circles, and then a detailed world map emerged.
Dumbledore stared at the map, pondering for a moment, then asked, "Wade, what are your thoughts?"
"I examined this knockoff Book of Friends and noticed that the spells on it are somewhat peculiar. Then I remembered—this was an idea I had abandoned before."
Wade flattened the knockoff Book of Friends on the table and gently waved his wand. Strands of silver and gold light shimmered on its surface.
A regular wizard wouldn't understand what he was doing, but Dumbledore's eyebrows raised slightly.
Even without special vision, he could sense the subtle differences.
"Interesting…" the headmaster murmured as if talking to himself. "Its linking magic seems different from what you used."
"Yes," Wade replied. "Muggle mobile communications require base stations as exchange hubs.
I originally wanted to set up a similar base station for the Book of Friends, so it wouldn't be limited by the number of connections. As long as a specific code is entered, messages can be sent to anyone."
"That sounds promising," Dumbledore said. "So why was it abandoned?"
"Because in that case, messages from the Book of Friends would first be sent to the base station and then forwarded to the recipient.
This means that the base station could monitor and even modify all messages to some extent—so we ultimately abandoned this design," Wade explained.
Marchioni is a pure businessman, not the CIA, and has no interest in monitoring all wizards.
Of course, more importantly, this type of magic cannot be hidden. Any skilled alchemist (such as a graduate who obtained an Alchemy certificate in the N.E.W.T.s) or a highly proficient wizard (like Dumbledore) would be able to detect it.
Dumbledore said, "So you think Ms. Skeeter's message was altered?"
Wade nodded. "We can't rule out the possibility that this is bait from the enemy."
"Indeed, staying cautious is a good habit," Dumbledore praised, then added with a smile, "But don't worry too much, Wade—I'm with you!"
Wade was momentarily speechless, then chuckled. "That's true."
"Then let's go. Hopefully, I won't make you late for class," Dumbledore said casually. "And remember to bring that brave little owl."
"Got it."
Wade returned to his dormitory and picked up the cage containing the owl, which had worked tirelessly and was now fast asleep.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder.
Turning his head, he found his own owl, Eva, staring at him angrily and making a rumbling sound in her throat as if accusing him of choosing another owl. Her sharp claws dug into his robe.
"Not delivering letters today, good girl," Wade reassured her and gently placed her back on her perch. "I need this one to help me find someone."
Eva didn't seem to fully understand, but she silently turned her back on him and flicked her tail in protest.
Wade chuckled, pushed open the door, and stepped outside. He met Dumbledore, who was wearing a deep crimson traveling cloak, on the grassy grounds outside the castle.
Together, they left the school.
Behind them, Hagrid pushed the grand doors shut with force.
"Creak—"
The hinges groaned as the oak doors scraped against the ground, making a long, drawn-out sound.
Wade turned his head and saw the towering castle, shrouded in mist, and its silhouette flickered between near and far like an ink painting.
The owl woke up, and it flapped its wings in alarm and looked around anxiously. Wade quickly fed it a few pellets of owl treats and murmured softly to soothe it.
The bird lowered its head and gently pecked at Wade's fingers, its large eyes were clear and bright.
Dumbledore extended his arm. "Alright, let's go."
Wade grabbed onto his arm, muttering under his breath, "I really need to learn Apparition soon."
He had planned to for a long time, but things kept distracting him.
Dumbledore replied offhandedly, "When we return, I can teach you—if you don't mind adding another subject to your schedule. I know you're already quite busy."
Before he finished his sentence, they Apparated together.
For a moment, it felt as if they were being squeezed through an impossibly narrow pipe, and then—pop!—they were spat out on the other side.
Wade took a few quick breaths to steady himself, then wasted no time in asking, "Do you really mean that, Professor?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Of course, as long as you have the time."
"I definitely have time! I'm free all Sunday!"
Wade responded eagerly, his eyes were urging Dumbledore to set a time.
"Then next Sunday at 9 AM, I'll give you your first lesson—but remember, don't tell anyone else," Dumbledore said.
"Understood!"
Wade grinned. With that settled, he finally had time to take in his surroundings.
They were on a desolate and lonely island, filled with jagged rock formations. In the flatter areas, abandoned stone houses stood covered in green moss.
On the nearby hillside, there were plots of farmland enclosed by stone walls, now overgrown with weeds.
Diagonally across from them, a protruding cliff took on an unusual shape—it looked like a giant lying in the sea, with only its head above water and gazing blankly at the sky.
"What is this place, Professor?" Wade asked.
"St. Kilda, part of the Outer Hebrides," Dumbledore replied. "When I was younger, I came here while searching for ancient wizarding ruins and exploring the Callanish Standing Stones. Back then, the village here was still inhabited."
Wade looked at the desolate stone houses and decayed farming tools, and silently marveled at the sight.
It seemed like no one had lived here for at least several decades.
He was well aware of Dumbledore's age, but he often forgot that the old man had been born a full century before him.
Doing some quick mental calculations, he realized that when Dumbledore was born, Queen Victoria was still on the throne, the British Empire was expanding across Africa, the First Boer War had just ended, and William Gladstone had returned as Prime Minister.
The gap in time suddenly felt enormous.
Dumbledore, unaware of Wade's distraction, was focused on the owl in the cage, which was swaying unsteadily. Clearly, its first experience with magical teleportation had been just as unpleasant as it was for humans.
Wade opened the cage, took the owl in his arms, and gently stroked it. Once it had calmed down, he said, "We need to find the person who had you deliver a letter to me. You know where she is, don't you?"
"Coo—"
Owls are remarkably intelligent creatures, and this one, in particular, seemed exceptionally perceptive. It let out a soft cry, and to Wade's surprise, he saw fear in its round eyes.
"Don't be afraid," Wade reassured it. "You don't have to get too close. Just show me the place, and that will be enough."
"Coo?" The owl tilted its head as it studied him.
Wade turned to Dumbledore. "Professor, as you already know-" He paused, then added, "—I'm an Animagus."
Dumbledore simply remarked with admiration, "A magnificent peregrine falcon—very few wizards manage to take the form of a bird."
Wade sighed, realizing this was likely why the headmaster had brought him along. Then, curiosity got the better of him. "What about you, Professor? Are you an Animagus as well?"
As far as he knew, only seven wizards, including Professor McGonagall, were officially registered Animagi. Their names had been mentioned multiple times in "Transfiguration Today" magazine, and Albus Dumbledore was not among them.
But Dumbledore had once been Hogwarts' finest student, a Transfiguration professor, McGonagall's teacher, and the greatest wizard in the world. If anyone claimed he couldn't become an Animagus, no one would believe it.
Ordinary wizards might think that Dumbledore had no interest in the magic of transforming into a regular animal—after all, Animagi can't take the form of powerful magical creatures. It is understandable that he never practiced it.
But Wade believed that any wizard who pursued magic seriously would find it hard not to be fascinated by a transformation that altered everything—from outward appearance to mass, from cellular structure to muscles and bones.
Under Wade's curious gaze, the headmaster merely smiled, then took out his quill and softly incanted, "Bossetus."
This is a spell that turns ordinary objects into tracking devices. Though simple in theory, it isn't easy to cast successfully.
A strange green light flickered briefly, and the quill returned to its normal appearance.
"Keep it with you," Dumbledore said, handing the quill to Wade. "Snap it in half, and it will activate."
"Understood."
Wade didn't press further about the previous topic. After tucking the quill into his pocket, he transformed instantly into a peregrine falcon and soared into the sky with practiced ease.
"Coo?!"
The owl was so startled it nearly tumbled midair and flapped its wings forcefully to steady itself before taking off as well.
Dumbledore squinted up at the sky and watched as the two birds circled each other a few times, seemingly coming to an understanding, before flying westward, one leading the way and the other following.
Freedom. Confidence. Courage.
In ancient Egypt, falcons were revered as the god Horus, symbolizing kingship and divine protection. The Eye of Horus was believed to safeguard the dead on their journey to the afterlife.
Ancient Babylon had the image of a lion-headed eagle, the Roman legions carried the double-headed eagle as their emblem, the Sassanid Empire bore an eagle insignia, and both Russia and the United States have eagles on their national crests.
Around twenty countries in the world have eagles on their flags or coats of arms and treat these birds as messengers of the gods and symbols of power.
But real falcons are free spirits, they never form flocks and are uninterested in ruling over others. They are fearless in battle and fiercely loyal in their mating bonds.
Among all the wizards Dumbledore had ever met, none embodied the essence of a falcon more than Wade.
Even before Wade had completed his Animagus transformation, Dumbledore had secretly speculated about what animal he might become.
He had considered a shark, a sea serpent, a falcon, a peacock, a wild horse, a cat, or even a scorpion.
But in the end, he had felt most certain about the falcon.
And now, seeing his prediction proven right, the old headmaster felt a quiet sense of joy.
The two birds grew smaller and smaller, disappearing into the vast clouds above.
Dumbledore stood at the edge of the cliff and his deep red cloak billowed in the ocean wind. Seagulls soared nearby, letting out sharp, piercing cries.
…
Flying over the open sea was an incredible sensation.
The world seemed infinitely vast, yet the sky and ocean blended together, making it hard to distinguish direction. Even when drifting clouds took on ever-changing forms, the feeling of disorientation remained.
Wade wasn't sure if this was because of his human mind or if all peregrine falcons experienced this.
But the owl flew as if it had a built-in satellite map, unwavering in its course, as if an invisible thread were pulling it toward its destination.
Wade followed closely behind the owl. Even in the seemingly endless expanse of the sea, this remarkable bird always managed to find a place to rest—sometimes a tiny, isolated island, sometimes a human cruise ship, and occasionally even a whale floating on the surface of the ocean.
They traveled in intervals like this. Wade had packed plenty of food in his pockets, and magic allowed him to summon fresh water, so both he and the owl were able to maintain their stamina.
Eventually, a sizable island appeared on the horizon.
The owl stopped a fair distance away and landed on a green ocean buoy. With its entire body, it signaled that this was the place Wade was looking for.
However, when Wade tried to get closer for a better look, the owl spread its wings in front of him and let out a sharp, warning cry.
Wade guessed, "I can't get too close? Is it dangerous?"
The owl gave a serious hoot, and its eyes were once again filled with familiar fear.
So Wade refrained from approaching. He returned to his human form and first used magic to enlarge the buoy into a small boat so they could rest on it. Then, he took out a magical telescope and carefully observed the island.
From the outside, it looked like an ordinary, developed island.
Clean beaches, dense forests, a dock with several fishing boats, and a lighthouse standing tall on the cliffs.
A road wide enough for two cars to pass ran through the forest, though it wasn't clear where it led. However, from his high-altitude vantage point earlier, Wade had seen a cluster of glowing white buildings deep within the island.
Yet, despite scanning every visible area, he didn't see a single person. What he did find, however, were multiple surveillance cameras.
Wade pulled the quill from his pocket and snapped it in half.
In the next second, with a loud pop like fireworks exploding, Dumbledore appeared beside him.
"Found it?" the headmaster asked cheerfully. "Faster than I expected."
"We're here. It's that island up ahead," Wade replied. "The owl stopped me from getting closer—maybe they have some kind of long-range weapon…"
Buzzzzzzzzz—
Before he could finish his sentence, a strange humming noise emanated from the island.
The sound waves rippled outward in circles, but it grew weaker by the time it reached the buoy.
But both of their expressions changed slightly.
"Do you feel it, Wade?" Dumbledore asked, as his hair seemed to float slightly in the air.
"Yes."
Wade looked down at his hand and curled and uncurled his fingers.
He felt a faint tingling sensation—almost like a mild electric shock. It was as if the magic within his body carried a weak current, causing slight numbness and prickling pain, even making his muscles contract and tremble.
It is subtle—so subtle that it is almost unnoticeable.
Then what must the people on the island be feeling right now?
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⭐Harry Potter: Becoming a Study God (HP:BSG)- +235 Chapters
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