Ch: 13-25
Chapter 13: Moon Base
The next morning, before the night had fully receded, the air was filled with the scent of metal and magic.
The gate of the world hummed in its energy circuit, and light flowed like water along the runes.
Lin An stood before the gate, his fingertips lightly touching the center of the rune array.
After a night of contemplation, a thought gradually took shape—
This laboratory must be moved off Earth.
The magical intensity of the gate of the world was too astonishing; any high-level Wizard could sense its energy from several kilometers away.
Coupled with the large number of Muggle prisoners and Dark Wizards used during the experiments, if even a trace were leaked, the Ministry of Magic would eventually trace it back.
No matter how stringent the defensive spells, there was always a possibility of them being seen through.
Reason told him that Earth was no longer safe.
The only absolutely safe place—the Moon.
This idea was not an impulse but the result of meticulous deduction.
It was far enough, the surface was stable, there was no biological interference, and it was suitable for establishing an independent research area.
As long as the gate of the world could operate, any coordinates could be reached.
The rune light flickered, and the metal gate slowly opened.
The expandable briefcase he carried was gripped tightly in his hand, all data, experimental apparatus, and core devices already stored within.
An energy fluctuation flashed, and the gate of the world transformed into a stream of light, engulfing him and the entire experimental system.
If an astronomical telescope were pointed at the lunar surface at this moment, observers would witness an incredible sight—
A giant silver gate appearing from the void, followed by a figure stepping out, his feet silent.
His first step landed on the grey-white dust.
There was no wind in the vacuum, yet a cold, icy stillness could be felt.
The air was unbreathable, oxygen scarce.
Lin An immediately cast a Bubble-Head Charm, a silver shield enveloping his body, supplying his lungs with sufficient oxygen.
He then activated a Gravity Charm—this technique was the result of years of Alchemy research, inspired by the "Anti-Gravity Tree" recorded in the "Ghoshawk's Guide to Magical Plants".
It was a strange plant that could grow suspended on mountaintops, its roots capable of releasing a reverse gravitational field.
Lin An had personally traveled to the Nepalese mountains to discuss its structural principles with local Wizards.
Years later, he finally mastered the Gravity Regulation Technique, now executing it with fluid ease.
His steps gradually became stable.
The surface dust was loose due to low gravity, but he precisely controlled his magic, balancing his body's gravity with the surface tension so as not to sink.
He then released a Warming Charm, regulating the surrounding temperature to resist the lunar night's cold snap.
The gate of the world was moved to the shaded side, in a hidden terrain.
Using earth element magic to excavate a passage, silver-grey dust flew, and a deep cave formed amidst magical vibrations.
The cave entrance was sealed with rocks and runes, then a Space Expansion Charm was applied, increasing its internal area a hundredfold.
Next, various laboratory modules from the briefcase were released in sequence—Alchemy Room, Rune Room, Gene Pod, Data Library—each settling into place.
The walls were laid with constant temperature rune arrays, and gravity circuits were carved into the floor.
Magical plants grew from culture dishes, the air was reconstructed by purification magic, and oxygen concentration and humidity were almost identical to Earth's.
A new habitat took shape.
A few days later, the defense system was also fully activated.
Hundreds of defensive spells were stacked, including illusions, invisibility, spatial disruption, and mental interference.
If a Wizard approached, they would perceive only a dead, silent void.
This underground space was named—Moon Base.
After the new base was built, experiments resumed.
The main research objectives remained the "Code of Life" and the "Werewolf Conversion Factor."
Recently, a substance sample capable of reconstructing bloodlines from the infection source was successfully extracted and named "Lunar Silver Factor."
This molecule could perfectly embed itself into the bloodline chain and trigger localized magical reorganization.
If controlled properly, it might allow Muggles to directly acquire magic.
Instruments hummed, and streams of rune light swirled.
The silence of the lunar surface contrasted eerily with the roar of the underground experiments.
A week later, the research achieved a phased result.
The stability rate of the magical reaction chain reached seventy percent, still insufficient for live testing.
At this moment, the communication mirror flickered, and a silver light appeared in the air.
A familiar figure appeared in the mirror—
Momo, the House-elf.
His voice was urgent: "Master, an anomaly has occurred at Gringotts. Hagrid entered the bank with Harry Potter and reportedly withdrew a valuable item."
Lin An's expression subtly changed.
"The Philosopher's Stone."
This item had been on his research list for several years.
If he could obtain it, the research on the Code of Life would enter a new phase.
However, the opportunity to seize the Stone was fleeting.
The gate of the world could return to Earth at any time.
The energy array activated, surrounded by silver light. The Moon Base fell into a brief silence, with only the runes gently trembling in the darkness.
Amidst flickering light and shadow, the figure vanished without a trace... At dawn, Diagon Alley was bustling with people.
Lin An appeared in a shadow, donned a Disillusionment Charm, and blended into the crowd.
In front of Gringotts' marble doors, Hagrid was clumsily squeezing through the crowd, clutching an envelope and a bag, looking flustered.
Not far away, several Wizards disguised as Muggles quietly followed.
"Dumbledore truly doesn't fully trust anyone."
The thought echoed in his mind.
The Philosopher's Stone was destined not to be seized at this moment.
The guard was too tight, the plan too risky.
His gaze swept over the light and shadow at the street corner, then retracted.
There was no disappointment, only calm judgment.
The essence of research was never about contention, but about understanding.
The Philosopher's Stone would eventually be brought to Hogwarts, and that would be the real opportunity.
The wind swept through the long street, and his Wizard's hat swayed slightly.
Lin An walked away along the cobblestone path, his steps unhurried.
Dust swirled in the wind, and the distant church bells echoed leisurely.
In the depths of that forgotten lunar shadow, the silver gate stood silently, like an eye watching the world.
Unbeknownst to anyone, the prelude to a new era was quietly unfolding.
Chapter 14: The Day School Starts
September 1st, 1991, the first day of the new term at Hogwarts.
Lin An Alvin left the Moon Base, changed into the robes personally tailored by Madam Malkin, carried his familiar leather trunk, and stepped from the teleportation circle under the moonlight into the Dark Forest.
He had originally planned to take the Hogwarts Express to relive his student memories and observe the Son of Destiny, Harry Potter.
However, upon recalling the noisy children and meaningless pleasantries in the carriage, all his interest instantly vanished.
After Apparition was complete, Lin An hovered half a meter in the air, his figure stopping steadily.
The air was crisp and cold, and the forest was silent.
He slightly raised both arms, magic surging in his palms, balancing his body in the air.
Many years ago, Lord Voldemort achieved "unsupported flight" using his own magic, a sight that shocked countless Wizards.
Lin An was naturally no exception—geniuses never lag behind.
He used the Levitation Charm as the framework and the Gravity Charm as the core, deducing a completely new spell formula.
Now, flying required no wand guidance; it was controllable solely by will.
The night wind swept past, causing his robes to billow. A faint light appeared in the distance, and a short figure was waiting in the woods.
That was the Phantom of Hogwarts—Professor Flitwick.
"Professor, long time no see." Lin An landed and bowed slightly.
"My goodness, it really is you! It's been five years." Flitwick looked up, his face full of smiles.
The embrace was brief but sincere.
"Where have you been all these years?"
"Traveling everywhere, searching for answers," Lin An replied.
"Should I be calling you Professor now?" Flitwick shook his head, smiling. "But to me, you'll always be that Ravenclaw student who liked staying up late writing experimental notes."
The two talked as they walked along the stone path toward the Castle.
Under the cover of night, the silhouette of Hogwarts grew increasingly magnificent, its spires faintly visible in the mist.
Flitwick and Lin An had a very deep relationship.
Lin An, a former Ravenclaw student, was his star pupil—intelligent, calm, and rational to a frightening degree.
Furthermore, they had forged a peculiar master-student bond due to their research into Dark Arts.
That year, Lin An proactively sought out Flitwick, asking for guidance on Dark Arts research.
He was initially rejected, but when Lin An proposed, "Fear stems from ignorance; if you do not study the darkness, you will never understand its structure," the statement silenced Flitwick.
Ultimately, the Professor agreed to supervise the research and set three rules:
Before every experiment, the Patronus Charm must be cast to prove that reason had not been corrupted;
They must stop and rest every two weeks, during which time contact with any Dark Arts was forbidden;
All research results must be recorded, verified, and re-demonstrated, and must not be secretly hoarded.
Under this strict constraint, the two co-authored several Defense Papers, which were subsequently included by the "Dark Defense Alliance."
At that time, Lin An was only a student, yet he obtained High-Level Membership Status based on his research results.
Dumbledore had learned of this incident, but Flitwick strongly defended the research, allowing it to continue.
Until graduation, the literature co-authored by the two was still regarded as a paradigm for Defense studies.
When they reached the Castle gate, the stone arch opened automatically.
The Great Hall was brightly lit, and candlelight flickered over the long tables.
Familiar faces like Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape were seated in order at the Teachers' Table.
Lin An was led to the High Table, exchanged a few pleasantries with the Professors, and his eyes inadvertently swept over every corner.
Having not returned for five years, Hogwarts was still the same—the walls were warm, and the air carried the scent of ancient magic.
As the night deepened, students entered one after another.
The first-years walked into the Hall with trepidation and excitement, and the Sorting Hat was placed on a stool.
The ancient hat cleared its throat and began to sing a new song.
"Forge wings with wisdom, use courage as a blade,
If the light of loyalty never dies, the darkness will eventually be tamed..."
The melody was strange yet solemn. Lin An quietly hummed along, a trace of nostalgia in his expression.
The Sorting Ceremony began.
The first person called was Hannah Abbott.
Next, a name rang out—"Susan Bones."
Lin An's gaze softened.
That was Amelia's niece, which made her his cousin.
The Hat covered the girl's head, and a whisper emerged:
"Exceptional talent, well-trained, stable magic within... Clearly, a powerful Wizard stands behind you.
He taught you to think and seek knowledge; Ravenclaw is a good choice.
Yet that obsession with being recognized also shows me ambition and pride—Slytherin is also suitable.
However, loyalty and diligence run deeper, and your hard work deserves respect—Hufflepuff!"
Applause erupted in the Hall.
Lin An nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips.
The trajectory of fate had not changed; it still followed the path of the original novel.
"It seems the training wasn't enough," he murmured softly, his eyes dimming slightly.
The sorting continued.
When Harry Potter put on the Sorting Hat, the entire hall fell silent for a few seconds.
Moments later, the Hat shouted: "Gryffindor!"
Thunderous cheers echoed throughout the Hall.
Dumbledore stood up and clapped, more enthusiastically than any student.
Pride flickered in McGonagall's eyes, and Snape's expression was icy.
At the end of the High Table, Professor Babbling noticed Lin An was only clapping slowly, his expression calm.
So she turned her head and teased, "Mr. Lin An doesn't seem excited? Are you worried the Savior will steal your thunder?"
"Perhaps."
Lin An smiled faintly, his tone light. "But fame is not worth mentioning. What truly matters is whether the Wizarding World can still accommodate new possibilities."
Babbling raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like challenging prophecy."
"Prophecy is merely a hypothesis that has yet to be disproved."
As he finished speaking, a ripple spread across the red wine in his cup.
Moonlight poured through the window, spilling onto the silver plates on the High Table, where light and shadow intertwined into cold, sharp patterns.
Lin An gazed intently at the moon.
Waiting silently behind that brilliance was the Moon Base, and the gate of the world that had not yet fully opened.
The lights of Hogwarts were warm and familiar,
But the fire deep in his heart—the obsession named "Truth"—was still burning silently.
Chapter 15: Salvation and Prejudice
The evening feast had not yet concluded. Candles flickered in the Great Hall, and the aroma of wine permeated the tables.
After the new students were seated, Dumbledore raised his glass to give a speech, his tone as gentle as ever.
Once the formalities were over, the Professors gradually resumed their conversations.
Professor Babbling—the Ancient Runes scholar who always loved to stir up discussion—suddenly turned to Lin An, a meaningful smile on her face.
"Professor Alvin seems uninterested in the Savior himself?"
The voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to silence the entire high table.
All eyes gathered upon them.
Lin An gently raised his eyes, his expression unchanged: "The Savior? Are you referring to Harry Potter?"
"Of course." Babbling raised an eyebrow. "You must know, if it weren't for that child, the Dark Lordwould probably still be ruling the world."
"I've always found this matter rather ridiculous," Lin An said flatly.
"Ridiculous?" Professor McGonagall frowned.
"A one-year-old child, whose magic wasn't even fully awakened, defeated the strongest Dark Wizard in history? Do you truly believe such an absurdity?"
The air in the Great Hall solidified.
Harry's name had always symbolized hope and legend.
No one expected the new Professor to publicly question this myth.
"It is well known that Lily Potter used self-sacrifice to cast the ancient protective magic—the Seal of Love—which caused the curse to rebound," Babbling retorted. "This is the miracle of Ancient Magic."
"I never deny the existence of that magic," Lin An nodded. "I merely find it strange why the world praises the child who survived, rather than the mother who truly gave her life?"
The entire table fell into brief silence.
The wine glass between Snape's fingers trembled slightly, his gaze dark.
Lin An continued: "What Lily Potter demonstrated was the highest form of Ancient Magic—self-sacrifice. For hundreds of years, she was the only one who successfully awakened that primal cosmic force. Even the Unspeakables in the Department of Mysteries failed to master the magic of Love. If we speak of saving the world, the true Savior should be her."
Babbling was speechless.
Even Dumbledore temporarily paused his actions.
Flitwick quietly asked, "If this is known, why does the Wizarding World still bestow the title of Savior upon the child?"
Lin An's gaze swept over everyone: "The reason is simple—Lily Potter was Muggle-born."
This sentence seemed to drop a bomb.
The air solidified, and the sound of the flickering flames seemed harsh.
"Nonsense!" McGonagall slammed the table and stood up. "The Savior is celebrated because the prophecy long ago indicated that the one who would end the Dark Lord would be born at the end of July!"
"But the number of people who truly know the contents of that prophecy is extremely small," Lin An's tone was as steady as water. "Aside from Dumbledore and Snape, almost no one knows. Since the public hasn't heard the prophecy, why do they still fully believe the myth of salvation? Only because the child is named 'Potter'—the name of an ancient pure-blood family."
McGonagall was momentarily speechless.
Babbling gave a slight cough, trying to ease the atmosphere, but found that the other Professors had fallen silent.
Lin An picked up his wine glass, his voice low but clear: "Discrimination doesn't always take the form of hatred. Sometimes, it hides beneath tradition and habit, cloaked in the guise of honor. Just like Mr. Arthur Weasley—that sincere Wizard who loves the Muggle world, yet never realizes he treats them like rare curiosities. A benevolent gaze is still a condescending one."
Flitwick looked thoughtful, and McGonagall's face was stiff.
Dumbledore finally spoke: "Lin An, the Wizarding World is not as dark as you imagine. Lily is revered, and her sacrifice is etched into everyone's hearts. It's just that people wish to find a living symbol, to give hope a tangible form. A child is easier to worship than the departed."
Lin An smiled faintly: "I never doubt the Principal's tolerance, but that tolerance is built atop the structure—you possess the qualification to forgive the world."
The Great Hall fell into silence.
Several young teachers looked embarrassed, while the older Professors wore complicated expressions.
Hagrid, who was usually cheerful, said softly, "No one denies that Mrs. Potter was great, but people prefer to commemorate living hope."
"Living hope?" Lin An repeated softly. "Or a more convenient symbol?"
No one answered.
After a long silence, Flitwick gave a wry smile to smooth things over: "Perhaps Professor Alvin intends to remind us that history books shouldn't be so thin."
Lin An nodded slightly: "I am merely reminding everyone that prejudice does not always exist as malice. It often takes the form of systems, the shell of tradition, and the root of silence. Even I am not exempt—the Bones Family benefits under the system, and I, too, profit from this corrupt structure. To know its flaws yet still ride the wind, that is the greatest hypocrisy."
His voice was calm, yet sharp.
The Professors' table was utterly silent.
Dumbledore sighed: "You are still so sharp, Lin An. It's just that the world may not be ready to hear the truth."
"The truth never needs preparation." Lin An stood up and gave a slight bow.
"It merely depends on whether the listener is willing to understand."
The night was like water; the light refracted in the wine glasses, reflecting countless fragments of light.
Lin An turned and left the high table, his steps steady and silent.
Those behind him watched him leave, and no one spoke again.
When the students' laughter echoed in the Great Hall once more, everything seemed to return to normal.
However, that conversation, like a grain of fine sand, quietly settled into everyone's hearts—
Unassuming, yet impossible to ever ignore... Walking out of the Great Hall, the lights in the corridor flickered intermittently.
Lin An looked up at the night sky.
In the distance, the moonlight was like silver, and the coordinates of the gate of the world flashed in his mind.
"Ancient Magic, bloodline prejudice, the lie of salvation... all of this is just a framework."
"To truly break it, one must rebuild the rules."
His wand gently spun, and a point of light rose up, falling into the distance like a shooting star.
That was a signal from the Moon Base—new research data was being transmitted back.
Lin An smiled slightly.
The trajectory of truth never pauses because of noise.
Chapter 16: The Uproar of Departure
The uproar in the hall subsided within seconds.
The students' expressions displayed a rare uniformity—shock, confusion, and apprehension.
Everyone at the Professors' table instantly sensed that something was amiss.
As their eyes met, they quickly found the culprit—Professor Babbling.
The Ancient Runes scholar nonchalantly put away her wand, her gaze steady and her expression completely unapologetic.
—During the debate about "saving the world," she had quietly cast the Amplifying Charm (Sonorus),
allowing all the students in the Great Hall to hear the teachers' argument.
The expressions of several Professors became subtle.
Some frowned, some sighed, and others secretly rejoiced.
Only Babbling showed a smile of unclear meaning—she always believed that the value of education lay in "shock."
Low whispers erupted from the student tables below.
The Weasley twins exchanged glances and burst out laughing simultaneously.
"They really hit the nail on the head about Dad." Fred lowered his voice. "That line about 'treating Muggles like curious playthings' sounds exactly like something he would do."
George nodded slightly, his expression mixed with embarrassment and agreement.
Ron's face flushed crimson, and he kept his head down, afraid to look up.
Meanwhile, Percy had already pulled out his quill and was quickly recording something on parchment—it was a letter intended for home.
On the other side, Draco Malfoy wore a look of derision.
"Finally, someone speaks the truth," he said, his lips curling slightly. "Potter is just an ordinary young Wizard, not some savior."
The description of Lily Potter's sacrifice displeased him—but if it diminished Harry's halo, he didn't mind.
In the center of the crowd, Harry remained silent.
It wasn't out of shame, nor was it out of anger.
In fact, he had never truly felt special.
Only now did he fully understand the truth of that night for the first time.
It turned out his mother had died protecting him.
It wasn't fate that chose him, but the hand of an ordinary woman reaching out in the darkness.
"Perhaps that Professor was right."
"Mother is the true savior of this world."
Lin An's voice echoed in his mind, causing an unspeakable pain in his heart.
On the other side, Hermione Granger sat quietly.
Her normally bright eyes were now clouded by complex thoughts.
The halo of the Wizarding World seemed to shatter the moment she listened to that debate.
To her, Hogwarts had been a symbol of dreams and miracles, but now it was like a mirror, reflecting the grayness of human nature.
The clever girl instantly understood reality.
—This was not a fairy tale, but a real society.
Class, bloodline, and prejudice existed here too.
Being Muggle-born meant a low starting point and high barriers.
To be seen, one had to put in three or even four times the effort.
The expressions of several Muggle-born students nearby also became solemn.
It wasn't the first time they had noticed inequality, but they had never imagined such prejudice ran so deep.
Someone whispered, "I thought it was only like this at school... things would get better after graduation."
Another shook their head: "Perhaps the entire Wizarding World is the same."
Their internal fantasies were shattered, leaving only calm and clarity.
Just then, Dumbledore stood up.
His silver beard swayed gently with his movement, and his tone was gentle: "My children, do not be troubled by irrelevant matters.
The world does not consist only of shadows; there is also light.
Many people are working hard to make the Wizarding World a better place.
Every one of you has the opportunity to become a part of that light—choice determines the future."
His voice was calm, yet carried a certain soothing power.
At that moment, many students' minds gradually settled down.
The Principal cleared his throat and switched to a lighter tone: "Now, a few small matters before the start of term.
Firstly, the third-floor corridor is forbidden; secondly, casting spells in the corridors is prohibited;
Finally, please do not venture into the Forbidden Forest without permission. That place is not safe for young Wizards."
The topic gently shifted, and the atmosphere regained some vitality.
"Next," Dumbledore said, smiling and gesturing with his hand, "allow me to introduce a new colleague.
This academic year's Alchemy course will be managed by—Professor Lin An Alvin Bones."
Applause broke out.
Under everyone's gaze, Lin An stood up, his expression calm.
Without saying a word, there was inherent power in his eyes... A soft gasp from the student tables broke the silence: "Is that Lin An?"
Hermione was so excited she nearly stood up.
"Of course it is! He's one of the Wizards I admire most!"
Harry and Ron glanced sideways at the same time.
"You know him?" Harry asked.
"Of course! He is one of the most outstanding young Wizards of the 20th Century."
Hermione spoke rapidly, her voice thick with admiration.
"He served as Ravenclaw Prefect and Student Body President, won the Barnabas Finkley Prize for Exceptional Spell-Casting, represented Britain in the Youth Delegation to the Wizards' Council,
won the gold prize at the International Alchemy Convention in Cairo for his thesis on 'Interconversion of Magical Elements,' and was the Potion Competition champion—
the youngest Senior Wizard and Alchemy Master!"
Ron was stunned.
"You... remember all that?"
"I read a book called *Greatest Wizards of the Twentieth Century*, and both he and Dumbledore are in it."
Harry nodded thoughtfully, but Ron frowned.
"But my father said the Bones family studies the Dark Arts.
They believe that the Dark Arts are not the source of fear, but the key to understanding.
That family even wanted to organize Wizards to jointly study the Three Unforgivable Curses and find countermeasures."
"Studying doesn't equate to falling into darkness," Hermione countered. "If they can crack the curses, isn't that salvation?"
Ron shook his head, his expression resolute: "Dark Arts corrupt the soul. That kind of power—it shouldn't be touched at all."
Harry, sitting nearby, asked in a low voice, "What are the Three Unforgivable Curses?"
Hermione immediately replied, "Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra.
The Dark Wizard You-Know-Who used them frequently during the war, causing countless deaths.
Harry, the lightning scar on your forehead originates from the Avada Kedavra curse."
Ron added, seizing the opportunity: "That's why studying it is practically courting destruction."
Neville Longbottom, sitting beside them, suddenly interjected, "Don't say that. Professor Lin An is a good person."
The three of them looked at him simultaneously.
Neville's voice trembled slightly, but he spoke earnestly: "My grandmother told me that the Bones family saved many people during the First Wizarding War.
Without them, my family might have already..."
Before he could finish, applause erupted at the table again.
Dumbledore smiled and gestured for Lin An to speak.
Everyone quieted down.
The Alchemy Professor slowly walked to the front of the stage.
The light shimmered across his golden robes.
"It is an honor to return here."
"Hogwarts will always be my true home."
This short sentence moved the expressions of many people.
As his gaze swept over the student tables, Lin An saw those green eyes—
Harry Potter was watching him quietly.
Their eyes met briefly, then separated.
Chapter 17 The Secrets of Hufflepuff
The applause in the Hogwarts Great Hall had not yet subsided. Just as Dumbledore finished his introduction, the name of the new Alchemy Professor caused murmurs among the students.
At the Hufflepuff table, a blonde girl spoke first: "Susan, your last name is Bones. Is he your relative?"
Susan Bones looked up, nodding with a slight, nervous smile: "Yes, Lin An Alvin Bones is my cousin."
"Then you must know him well, right?" a classmate beside her pressed.
"Actually, not much," Susan mused for a moment. "But when I was little, he was very kind to me—he'd buy candy and toys. But the moment magic training was mentioned, he became very strict."
Several students exchanged glances, looking curious.
Susan continued: "I remember when I was four, he made me drink a strange potion. My magic suddenly exploded, and everything in the room flew up. Later, I learned it was the 'Magical Riot Chamber' he designed specifically for me."
"Magical Riot Chamber?" a student exclaimed.
"Yes," Susan nodded. "My cousin said that every Wizard has a Magical Core inside them. If, during childhood, you constantly deplete and restore your magic, your control will be stronger in the future. He wanted me to master my magic from a young age, so I wouldn't be dominated by emotions."
The Hufflepuff students listened intently. That kind of training seemed almost cruel to ordinary people—but it was precisely why Susan's magical control was astonishingly precise.
"Later, he left Britain to travel," Susan's tone softened. "He would only send letters and gifts for Christmas and my birthday."
She paused, a smile playing on her lips: "When I was eight, he sent me a handwritten magic book and a wand."
"A wand?" her classmate exclaimed.
"That book was an Alchemy creation," Susan whispered. "It carried a Memory Charm. Whenever I studied a specific spell, I would enter my cousin's memory, seeing his practice process and feeling the details of the magical flow."
Hearing this, a collective gasp of astonishment erupted around them.
Susan smiled and boasted, "It doesn't affect my will, it just shares experience. Aunt Amelia supervised me practicing for two hours every day, without fail."
It was that three years of training that allowed Susan to reliably cast basic spells before she even started school.
It wasn't until the day she boarded the train that she was surprised to discover that almost none of her peers understood magic... His golden robes shimmered in the candlelight, his expression calm.
"Students," a deep, steady voice began, "some of you may have heard my name, and some of you may never have met me. I am Lin An Alvin Bones, and I will be responsible for the Alchemy course."
The Great Hall immediately fell silent.
"Alchemy is an elective course, generally limited to students in the third year and above."
"My course will not appear on the O.W.L or N.E.W.T exams—but what I teach will be an art that can change destiny."
He smiled slightly: "Now, allow me to give a small demonstration."
His gaze swept over the crowd and finally stopped in front of the Ravenclaw table.
"The young lady wearing the eagle badge, please step forward."
The girl whose name was called paused briefly, then stood up and walked out of the crowd.
"I—I am Penelope Clearwater."
"A beautiful name." Lin An nodded slightly. "May I borrow your badge?"
The girl handed over the blue and silver brooch.
Lin An clasped his hands together and chanted softly. An ancient and complex spell flowed through the air, and a pale green light flashed in his palm.
A few minutes later, he returned the badge.
"Please put it on."
Penelope did as she was told.
The next second, her body became light as a feather, and her feet left the ground.
Gasps of surprise echoed through the Great Hall.
The girl hovered in mid-air, then skillfully circled, looking exactly like a freely dancing ghost. She flew faster and faster, her skirt brushing past the candlelight, her laughter clear.
Students stood up one after another, their eyes filled with shock and envy.
Even the teachers' table buzzed with hushed discussion.
Dumbledore watched the badge, a rare look of astonishment flashing in his eyes.
—Wandless casting, on-site transfiguration, a short charm granting the attribute of flight.
To complete a temporary enchantment of this complexity using Alchemy, even he couldn't do it.
The only one who might possess such ability was perhaps Nicolas Flamel.
Five minutes later, the badge's light faded, and Penelope landed steadily.
Lin An waved his hand lightly, a Cushioning Charm took effect, and the girl returned to her seat unharmed.
Applause erupted in the Great Hall once more.
The students excitedly discussed:
"This is true Alchemy!"
"It's cooler than Quidditch!"
"If only I could learn that kind of spellcraft—"
However, Lin An's expression remained calm, showing no hint of self-satisfaction.
He lowered his head slightly, his tone placid: "The essence of Alchemy is not miracle, but order.
Any miracle is built upon repeatable laws."
As his voice faded, the entire hall fell silent.
Dumbledore revealed a meaningful smile.
Professor McGonagall tilted her head and whispered, "He is more dangerous than the students imagine."
Snape didn't respond, merely staring coldly at the new Professor.
Lin An turned and returned to his seat.
A brief thought flashed through his mind—
"Odin only needed a few words to bestow the Eternal Enchantment upon Thor's Hammer, yet I still need several minutes just to make a badge float for five minutes."
"I still have a long way to go."
His gaze fell upon the night outside the window.
Moonlight refracted through the glass onto his fingers, cold and sharp.
The demonstration was over.
The applause died down, but an inexplicable sense of shock still lingered in the air.
Chapter 18: The Alchemy Class Declaration
The applause in the Great Hall lasted for a long time.
The display of the flying badges sent the students into a frenzy, with waves of applause.
However, the reactions of different grades were not entirely the same—
First and second-year students looked frustrated, while older students began to consider whether to choose this course.
"Alchemy doesn't count towards O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s," a student whispered, "it would be bad if it took too much time and affected our grades."
"But that's Professor Bones!" another person lowered their voice, "He personally invented Duel Monsters!"
When the Great Hall finally returned to order, Lin An spoke again.
"Before the official class begins, I have a few words, especially for Muggle-born students."
His voice was not loud, but it carried a certain reassuring power.
"After you came to the magic world, you must have discovered—Wizard society is extremely lacking in entertainment.
Everyone's 'leisure activities' are nothing more than Quidditch, Wizard Chess, or—Duel Monsters."
Laughter came from the student seats.
"Yes, that game did come from my hands," Lin An said softly, "but no one knows that it was inspired by a Muggle comic book."
Everyone was stunned.
These words plunged the entire Great Hall into a brief silence.
Seconds later, murmurs started again—a Muggle comic? A Wizard actually reads Muggle things?
Lin An's lips curved slightly, and he continued: "When I was a child, I read that comic, I can't remember the name.
But I remember its spirit—courage, strategy, and trust in the heart.
So during my time at Hogwarts, I created a real-life dueling system, taking its core concepts."
He deliberately paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"To all Muggle-born students, have you ever wished that the Wizarding World also had televisions, movies, cameras, game consoles, record players?
Do you wish that after going home for the holidays, you could still bring something magical to your families?"
The young students listened with bated breath.
Hermione Granger's eyes sparkled.
At that moment, only his voice remained in the entire Great Hall.
"I won't teach you to replicate Muggle technology, but I will teach you how to create a magical version of the world.
If you choose my class, I will teach you how to reshape these ideas with Alchemy—
To make images flow in crystal, to record notes in runes, to make wands into light brushes."
Applause erupted again, this time from the lower seats.
The Muggle-born students were almost the first to stand and applaud.
"Of course," Lin An smiled, "innovation is not limited to entertainment.
No matter what novel, what comic, what dream the inspiration comes from, it can be realized with Alchemy.
Perhaps the next person to change the Wizarding World is among you all."
Dumbledore showed a relieved smile.
At that moment, the surname Bones was once again imbued with the meaning of "hope."
However, the atmosphere at the Slytherin long table was completely different.
Many students had subtle expressions—dissatisfied, yet restrained.
Their parents had already instructed them:
"You must curry favor with Professor Bones."
In the eyes of pure-blood families, Lin An Alvin Bones's talent meant "potentially the next Dumbledore,"
or even—"possibly the next Dark Lord."
Therefore, even if they were unconvinced, no one dared to be openly disrespectful.
They applauded politely, but their attitudes were as stiff as masks.
The speech ended, and Lin An bowed slightly.
As he passed Dumbledore, the Principal whispered, "Thank you."
He didn't respond, just nodded gently.
He already understood the meaning of that thanks.
Those words just now were not only a course guide but also words to mend the rift.
Professor Babbling had inadvertently exposed the wound of bloodline discrimination,
causing many Muggle-born students to feel frustrated, even doubting whether their efforts were meaningful.
And Lin An's words rekindled hope—
Making them realize that inspiration and creativity are the true core of magic.
He returned to his seat and took a sip of red wine.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Professor Quirrell's movement—the man, always timid and stammering, was secretly peeking over.
That gaze carried unnatural restraint and resentment.
Lin An chuckled softly in his heart.
"Lord Voldemort."
That look belonged to an existence who once dominated fear.
Now hidden in a fragile shell, trying to maintain the disguise.
Displeasure, suspicion, and a hint of vague fear.
—Fear that he would become another uncontrollable force.
Lin An ignored it.
At this moment, Lord Voldemort was just a remnant of a soul.
If he really made a move, he wouldn't even be able to maintain a complete Horcrux.
He lightly tapped the rim of his wine glass, a calm calculation flashing through his mind:
"If he tries to resurrect early, the Moon Base can serve as a counter-node... No rush."
...At the other end of the Great Hall, Hermione and Harry were still excitedly discussing.
"Did you hear? All those things he mentioned—television, games, record players!"
"Yeah," Harry mumbled, biting into a chicken leg, "I saw a CD player at the Dursleys', but they never let me use it."
"That's a machine that plays music," Hermione explained, her eyes shining with enthusiasm, "If it could really be done with magic, that would be amazing!"
The more they talked, the more engrossed they became, even Ron was drawn in.
"So you Muggles have those things? You can listen to songs and watch images?"
"Of course," Hermione smiled, "Maybe by the end of the semester, you can even build one yourself."
As they were speaking, a transparent ghost passed through the table.
The students gasped.
"It's Nearly Headless Nick!" someone shouted.
Nick bowed slightly, his voice gentle: "Originally I was called 'Nearly Headless Nick,' but later I became 'Completely Headless Nick.'"
Everyone was stunned and asked in unison, "How is that possible? Ghosts can't be injured anymore, can they?"
Nick took his head off his neck and proudly displayed it: "Thanks to your new Professor.
When Lin An Alvin Bones was still studying, he specifically requested an experiment from me to research soul structures.
He promised that if I cooperated, he would help me'sever' completely."
The students were dumbfounded.
Ron blurted out, "He... he studies ghosts?"
"He also invented spells that can harm spirits," Nick said proudly, "I became an official member of the Headhunters because of it!"
Laughter and gasps mingled.
This old story quickly spread among the students; in less than half an hour, almost the entire school knew—
"Professor Bones can make ghosts truly 'die' once."
...The feast lasted until late at night.
When the crowd dispersed, Lin An was led by Professor Flitwick to the faculty dormitory.
The room was spacious and tidy, with minimalist furnishings, exactly to his liking.
He pulled a note from his jacket pocket, on which a sentence was scrawled:
"Tonight, meet me in the Black Forest. You owe me an explanation. —Severus Snape."
Chapter 19: The Contract
The night was deep, and the wind howled through the Forbidden Forest.
Lin An Alvin Bones left the dormitory and followed the stone steps into the dark woods. The air was thick with moisture, and a blue-glowing magic mark floated ahead, guiding his direction.
Following the trail of light, a dark figure soon emerged from the shadows of the trees.
Severus Snape.
His face was as stern as ever, his black robes flapping loudly in the night wind, like a bat in the shadows.
"Lin An Bones," Snape said in a low voice, "It has been five years since we last met, and you still haven't given me the final proof."
"Proof?" Lin An asked calmly, "I thought I had already convinced you that everything I said was true."
"That's right." Snape's gaze remained icy, "But the last piece of the puzzle is still missing. Don't forget, you are also bound by a magical contract."
Lin An sighed softly: "In that case, I will let you see it with your own eyes."
He flicked his fingers, and the air instantly tore open. The two vanished within the Forbidden Forest.
—Scene Change—
That was a memory from Lin An's sixth year at Hogwarts.
At that time, Snape had just started teaching, and his office was filled with the scents of herbs and dragon hide.
Lin An walked in and handed over a piece of parchment. It was a magical contract.
Snape glanced at it, a cold sneer appearing on his lips: "Mr. Bones, are you mocking me?"
The contract stated clearly—
As long as Snape signed his name, Lin An would gain shared access to all of his magic knowledge, including improvements to charms and Potions. In other words, everything Snape created would belong to Lin An.
Given Snape's pride, how could he tolerate such a demand?
"Professor, please don't rush to refuse." Lin An said calmly, "Hear me out; perhaps you will be interested."
"Speak," Snape replied coldly, "but don't waste my time."
Lin An composed himself slightly, his tone becoming low.
"Since my parents passed away, I began studying death. I wanted to know if there was a type of magicthat could resurrect the dead. Unfortunately, the answer is no—at least not for Wizards."
Snape frowned: "Even the greatest Alchemists cannot reshape life, let alone the soul."
"Indeed." Lin An nodded, "The body and the soul are the two sides of death. If the body collapses or the soul is damaged, life terminates. The soul is nearly immortal; even the Avada Kedavra curse cannot harm the soul."
His pace was steady, yet it carried a chilling calmness.
"So I thought, if we could recast the body and recall the soul, perhaps we could bring the dead back to life."
Snape's breath hitched: "Absurd. No one can replicate a perfect body."
Lin An smiled slightly: "Alchemy cannot, but Muggle technology can.
Through gene cloning, they are already able to replicate organisms. The technology wasn't mature then, so I—facilitated cooperation between several of the smartest Muggle scientists to accelerate the process."
Snape stared at him, his expression severe.
"Even so, what about the soul?"
"That requires the aid of a legendary Holy Relic." Lin An whispered, "Besides the Philosopher's Stone, there are three Deathly Hallows—the resurrection stone, the elder wand, and the invisibility cloak."
"Nonsense." Snape sneered, "Those are just fairy tales."
"You are wrong. They are real." Lin An's tone was calm, "The elder wand and the invisibility cloak are both in Dumbledore's hands. The resurrection stone is protected by Dark Arts, and I cannot retrieve it yet. But that is only a matter of time."
Snape took a deep breath: "Your story is fascinating, but what does it have to do with me?"
Lin An leaned slightly forward: "Professor, we both know—you deeply loved that green-eyed girl. You know the legacy she left behind, and you know the origin of the invisibility cloak.
Therefore, you should understand what I am trying to convey."
Silence. The air was practically frozen.
Snape subconsciously gripped his wand, his knuckles white.
That night, he ultimately did not strike.
The next day, he quietly traveled to the Muggle world to visit the technology company Lin An had mentioned—the results were exactly as stated.
The following morning, Snape signed the contract.
—Scene Change—
Back in reality, the dark figure in the Forbidden Forest reappeared.
The two Apparated, arriving at a dilapidated stone house.
The Gaunt Shack.
The ring, inlaid with a black stone, lay quietly on the table.
The two worked together to dispel the curse traps set by Lord Voldemort, which took half an hour. Lin An reached out and took the ring.
Snape's gaze was instantly drawn, and his breathing quickened. The stone on that ring—the resurrection stone.
Seven years of research and obsession erupted at this moment.
His fingertips were nearly touching the stone surface.
Lin An reached out and stopped him.
"Do you want to die?"
Snape froze for a moment, reluctantly pulling his hand back: "Apologies... I lost myself for a moment."
"Normal." Lin An said lightly, "You are not the first Wizard to be tempted."
The two left the residence. Lin An looked back, waved his wand, and resealed everything.
Under the cover of night, his gaze met Snape's.
"Severus, no one must know about this."
"I know how to keep a secret."
Lin An's tone suddenly turned cold: "No, you don't.
This ring will be used for a greater plan, and if you leak even a single word, I promise—you will be reunited with Lily in the underworld."
Killing intent swept over him like a physical force. Snape's body stiffened, and he took half a step back.
That oppressive feeling reminded him of Lord Voldemort.
"I will make an Oath not to reveal a single word."
"Very well."
They exchanged glances, magic intertwined, and the Oath was established.
Lin An turned and left.
The moment he stepped out of the Forbidden Forest, the presence behind him vanished into the night.
Reaching the school gate, he suddenly stopped.
"Come out."
From the depths of the shadows, an unfamiliar presence slowly emerged.
Chapter 20: The Lost Ghost
Lin An Alvin Bones stopped at the edge of the shadow. The magic in the air vibrated slightly, and a white orb of light gradually emerged, subsequently transforming into the translucent figure of a woman.
She had waist-length hair, a cold and elegant demeanor, and carried the scholar's reserve and confidence in her every movement. She was none other than Ravenclaw's daughter—HelenaRavenclaw.
"Lin An," she spoke calmly, her voice carrying a hint of coldness, "It's been five years. You just abandoned me like that?"
Lin An gave a faint smile: "I told you before I left that this day would come. You can't blame me."
"Oh? With your ability, couldn't you have used Apparition to visit me?" Helena raised an eyebrow.
"Apparition is forbidden at Hogwarts."
"Not even the Forbidden Forest? Or could you have had a House-elf bring you?"
Lin An was silent for a moment, his expression slightly awkward. That look made Helena's heart stir slightly, but she maintained her stern demeanor.
"Let's not talk about the past." Lin An stepped forward, his tone gentle. "I'm back. I'm teaching at Hogwarts this semester. We have enough time in the days ahead."
He raised his wand and chanted softly.
"Flesh Manifestation."
magic fluctuations spread out, and Helena's translucent figure gradually solidified. Her skin, hair, and even her tenth-century style dress became tangible.
She gently touched her arm; warmth and breath had returned. Before she could express her surprise, Lin An reached out and pulled her into his embrace.
In that moment, the chilly darkness seemed to be dispelled, leaving only the warmth of a reunion after a long separation.
"Stop dwelling on the past," he whispered in her ear. "From now on, time belongs to us."
Helena gave a light huff, her tone carrying a trace of imperceptible petulance: "Hmph, if I didn't think you were somewhat charming, I wouldn't forgive you so easily."
Lips met teeth, breaths mingled. The two, like lovers separated by a thousand years of time, released their long-suppressed emotions in the brief reunion.
Footsteps suddenly approached—it was Filch on his night patrol.
Lin An frowned, waved his wand, and cast a spell: "Disillusionment Charm."
Their figures turned into transparent ripples. He held Helena, rose into the air, and quietly flew toward the Professor's Quarters.
That night, they slept close together.
For a ghost, this should have been an impossible experience; but under the influence of Lin An's Alchemy and soul magic, anything was possible.
When dawn broke slightly, Lin An woke up. Helena was gone from his side, leaving only a faint residue of magic.
He murmured, "It seems the duration of the 'Flesh Manifestation Spell' is still too short... but shouldn't she have left a message? Is she sulking?"
After washing up, he headed to the Great Hall for a meal. Along the way, a familiar figure caught his attention—Neville Longbottom.
The boy was holding two gifts, his expression nervous but full of anticipation.
"Professor!" Neville ran up and handed over the packages with both hands. "The first one is from my grandmother, and the other I saved up to buy... Thank you for saving my parents."
Lin An was slightly startled. The gifts were an old book and a bag of sweets.
"Thank you, Neville." He smiled as he accepted them. "The value of a gift isn't in its expense, but in the thought behind it."
The young man bowed gratefully and left.
Along the way, he met Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The three of them, having overheard the conversation, questioned him curiously.
Neville explained without hesitation:
"After Lord Voldemort was defeated, my parents were placed under the Imperius Curse by Bellatrix Lestrange, leading to their mental breakdown.
Years later, Professor Bones developed new soul Healing magic, allowing them to gradually recover. Now they can recognize me and my grandmother. Although they can't use magic yet, they will be fully recovered in a few more years."
Harry and the other two remained silent for a long time, their expressions complicated.
It was the first time they truly understood how many experiments and risks this seemingly gentle Professor had undertaken alone.
At this moment, Lin An sat at the High Table, his thoughts drifting far away.
He recalled the research concerning the relationship between "Mind, Body, Memory, and soul."
It was that experiment that allowed him to witness countless souls ravaged by magic at St Mungo's Hospital—
Some lost consciousness, some lost memory, and others had fragmented souls.
He interned there for a whole year, and even visited Gilderoy Lockhart, who was proficient in related spells, learning the secrets of the Memory Charm from him.
Afterward, he perfected the soul Healing System and used his own methods to cure several patients.
To outsiders, it was merely charity;
To him, it was another experiment concerning the "fusion of soul and body."
Before breakfast was over, Lin An suddenly received a Magical Message—it was Snape.
"I forgot to remind you last night, that biological cloning company you have in the Muggle world has run into trouble."
Lin An put down his goblet: "I understand. I'll go this afternoon."
"Suit yourself." The voice faded.
He looked up at the morning mist outside the window.
The Hogwarts sunlight streamed through the high windows onto the long tables, reflecting a faint glow.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"It seems the 'Plan' should continue to move forward."
Chapter 21: Anomaly in the Cloning Experiment
After dawn, Lin An Alvin Bones organized the textbooks and experimental equipment for his Alchemyclass.
Having been immersed in research for most of the summer, he had fallen behind on course preparation. The textbook he had written only needed printing, so he first handed the sample to Vice PrincipalMcGonagall.
McGonagall handed him a list: "These are the students who have signed up for Alchemy."
Lin An took it and casually glanced over it, his expression shifting—the number of enrolled students far exceeded expectations.
Muggle-born students, in particular, accounted for almost half. It seemed yesterday's lecture on "magicand Technology" had indeed stirred something within them.
"It seems I'll need to print more textbooks, and the materials will have to be doubled."
He muttered to himself.
McGonagall glanced at him sideways: "Materials are provided by the school, so feel free to use them, but don't even think about wasting them."
Lin An nodded with a smile. She was always shrewd and kept an extremely tight control over the accounts.
If she were given full control, Hogwarts' finances would probably have been perfectly organized ages ago.
After leaving the office, Lin An walked slowly down the corridor, the long-missed campus atmosphere making him feel slightly dazed.
After several years, Hogwarts was unchanged—the stone walls were ancient, the candlelight was warm, and the air carried a faint scent of beeswax.
After a short walk, he turned toward the grounds and saw his long-missed friend, Rubeus Hagrid.
When they first met years ago, it was originally just for borrowing materials from the Forbidden Forest.
But Hagrid's honesty and kindness quickly made Lin An drop his guard. Their relationship rapidly grew close.
Lin An had once developed a unique spell for him—"Sound of Nature."
It allowed the caster to communicate directly with magical creatures without language barriers.
For Hagrid, who enjoyed taming beasts, it was more precious than a sack of Galleons.
Years passed, but their friendship remained unchanged.
The two chatted for most of the day until night fell. Lin An reunited with Snape, and they Apparated into the familiar shadows of the Forbidden Forest, vanishing without a trace... The two reappeared in a secret underground research institute.
This building was located in the Muggle world, disguised externally as an abandoned factory.
Inside, however, it was spotless, with walls embedded with magical circuitry, and rows of test chambers behind glass windows.
Scientists from all over the world were busy working. Some wore white coats, others wore magical robes, a mix of races and languages,
but everyone consciously stopped what they were doing and offered a slight salute when they saw Lin An appear.
This was the research team he had personally assembled.
The members were all top minds—biologists, genetic engineers, and magical scholars.
Initially, they were quite arrogant towards this young "investor," until they discovered his understanding of anatomy and molecular structure far surpassed the norm.
In Lin An's view, science and magic were fundamentally equal, just two different paths leading to the truth.
Sometimes science could lift the veil of magic, and sometimes magic could confirm the miracles of science.
The inspiration for many spells came precisely from those cold, hard formulas.
Snape followed him into the main control area.
In the three massive glass cultivation tanks in the center, three human bodies floated silently in green liquid.
Two of them were male and female, and their appearances were heart-stoppingly familiar—
They were Lin An's parents: Edgar Bones and Joanna Bones.
The third body was a replica of Lily Potter.
Lin An gazed at them, his expression as still as stone.
These three bodies were not corpses, but soul containers reconstructed from original genes and built through Alchemy.
The white-haired old scientist stepped forward and respectfully reported: "Mr. Bones, the test subjects still cannot survive for more than one year.
We currently hypothesize that the problem lies in the gene collapse phase."
"Gene collapse?" Lin An frowned.
"Yes. Every sample experiences a cellular self-destruction reaction within twelve months."
Lin An fell into contemplation, lightly tapping the glass with his fingertip.
The Lily clone in the liquid closed her eyes peacefully, her face calm, as if asleep.
"Have you found the reason?" Snape approached, his voice low.
"Not yet." The old scientist replied.
Lin An did not speak again.
His gaze shifted between the three bodies, his expression gradually becoming solemn.
These clones were not merely for resurrection.
What he truly sought was the possibility of soul reloading—
allowing the soul to detach from the physical body and re-inhabit a perfectly replicated form.
"If the genetic collapse is the result of matter rejecting the soul," Lin An murmured, "perhaps we should try a different approach."
Snape looked sideways: "What do you mean?"
"The physical body should perhaps not be based on bloodline, but centered on 'frequency.'
The soul exists as a wave, and the magical frequency of the clone differs too greatly from the original.
If we cannot tune the frequency—even a perfect replica is just an empty shell."
His gaze turned cold, and his voice dropped: "We must find a way to tune the frequency.
Whether through Alchemy, runes, or the Dark Arts."
The white-haired old man hesitated: "Sir, if the Ministry of Magic were to learn of experiments like this—"
"The Ministry of Magic?" Lin An sneered. "They don't even know the difference between a Potion and a gene."
The air suddenly turned cold.
His words silenced all the researchers.
Snape suddenly spoke: "One of these bodies... belongs to her, doesn't it?"
Lin An did not answer.
The two stared at each other in silence.
Silence held more power than any words.
The light flickered in the liquid, illuminating the profile of the cloned Lily—
That face was gentle and tranquil, yet devoid of any warmth of life.
"Do you really intend to resurrect her?" Snape asked in a low voice.
"It is restoration," Lin An gently corrected. "She is not the reborn Lily, but a container for a soul.
I merely want to verify the boundaries of the soul."
"What if you fail?"
"Then we continue."
His calm tone sounded firmer than any oath.
A faint dripping sound came from the air.
Heartbeats and mechanical sounds intertwined, like a cold symphony composed jointly by science and magic.
Chapter 22: soul and the Code of Life
Snape stared for a long time at the three floating clones.
Lin An Alvin Bones stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm. A faint scent of medicinal liquid permeated the air, and the light reflected off the transparent cultivation tanks, as if even time itself had dissolved.
"Why not resolve the genetic collapse yourself?" Snape asked.
Lin An turned his head, a slight smile appearing on his lips: "Of course I could, but the result would be more interesting if a Potion Master handled it."
Snape narrowed his eyes slightly: "Provocation won't work on me."
"Haha." Lin An's tone remained unchanged. "I just want to see if you can combine Potion with science. You excel at pharmaceuticals, but you've never tried using medicine to stabilize life structures."
"Are you saying, use Potion to repair the cloned genes?"
"To be precise, it's about harmonizing the magic frequency," Lin An replied softly.
After a few seconds of silence, Snape said coldly: "If you truly have a way, why go through this trouble?"
"This is cooperation, not a demand." Lin An reached out and pointed to the cultivation tank. "Can you see the problem with these bodies?"
Snape approached to observe, his fingertip lightly touching the medicinal liquid; a minuscule amount of energy entered his skin.
A few seconds later, he frowned: "Instability at the cellular level, broken gene chains. The root cause is the structure resisting soul resonance."
"Exactly." Lin An nodded. "If Potion can make the body 'accept' the soul, then we can create the perfect vessel."
Snape pondered for a moment, then suddenly showed a mocking smile: "You want me to feed herbs to Muggle prisoners to observe their internal reactions?"
Lin An said softly: "Since you understand, I won't say more."
"Madman." Snape snorted, but did not refuse again.
He turned and left, his robes sweeping through the air, his voice low: "Prepare the materials needed for the experiment. If we are truly going to research this, don't waste my time."
The sound of footsteps faded. Lin An looked at his retreating figure, the corner of his mouth slightly curved.
—This is the real Snape. Rational, skeptical, yet never stopping.
The research room fell silent again.
Lin An walked towards a clone, raised his wand, and chanted softly: "Resero Codexvita."
The air shimmered, and several silver lines of light intertwined into a runic matrix.
The magic around the clone suddenly flowed, as if life was awakening.
A few seconds later, a series of complex energy lines appeared before his eyes—that was the Code of Life.
He had been studying this spell for the past month.
It could directly read the "Life Code" of any living being, without the need for machines or Ocular magic.
He called it the Book of Life.
Lin An observed intently, his brow slightly furrowed.
"As expected... the life structure is extremely unstable, and the magic gene is completely blank."
That meant—these clones lacked a magic core.
Theoretically, they were Muggles.
What changes would occur after the soul returned?
Lin An pondered.
According to existing theories, a Wizard's magic power originates from their bloodline. The bloodline determines the flow and capacity of the magic.
However, the soul also possesses magic characteristics. If the soul can influence the physical body, then the "bloodline inheritance" of magic might just be superficial.
"What happens if a Wizard's soul possesses a Muggle's body?"
The question lingered in his heart.
He recalled the duel in the graveyard—when Lord Voldemort was reborn, Harry's parents' souls briefly appeared and were able to cast magic.
The soul clearly possesses the ability to cast spells.
So, can the soul "reboot" a body devoid of magic?
If so, this would mean—the essence of magic might come from the compatibility between the soul and matter.
"If the soul can rebuild magic, then death is no longer the end, but another form of transformation."
Lin An murmured softly, his gaze growing deeper.
The laboratory was silent. The whirring of machines and the dripping of water intertwined, like a cold-toned movement of music.
He lightly waved his wand, sealing the light formation.
"It's time to let Snape test his Potion."
He turned and left, his mind filled with thoughts.
If Potion can stabilize DNA, if the soul can reignite magic, then the boundary between death, rebirth, and eternity... might be completely shattered.
—That is the true path of magic.
Returning to Hogwarts, night covered the Castle.
Lin An didn't see Helena; she seemed to be avoiding him.
He sighed and took out the old book Neville had given him that morning. It was an ancient *Magical Flora Compendium*, its pages yellowed and its cover wrapped in black dragonhide.
The pages opened, filled with fine script, listing the names of long-extinct plants—
"Moonshadow Grass, Night Spirit Flower, Gray Silver Vine..."
Each plant was accompanied by notes on substitutes, regeneration theory, and "magic ecological harmonization."
Lin An's eyes lit up.
If the documentation was true, these herbs could combine with Alchemy to form carriers that stabilize magic.
Perhaps, this was the key to solving the clone collapse.
He closed the book, deep in thought.
"It seems the Longbottom family's collection is deeper than imagined."
"Perhaps... there are still secrets they haven't disclosed inside Gringotts."
His thoughts flowed, and he said no more.
Moonlight shone through the window onto the pages, reflecting a pale silver light.
He closed his eyes.
Tomorrow would be his first day as a true Professor.
Chapter 23: First Lesson in Alchemy
The next morning, Lin An straightened his teaching robes and arrived punctually for his first Alchemyclass. The schedule showed he would be instructing third-year students that morning, with another year group in the afternoon, and other classes for the week spread across different time slots.
When he pushed open the classroom door, he saw students seated neatly. To his slight surprise, all the students had arrived early, their curious eyes fixed on him.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, Professor," the students replied in unison, their voices filled with unconcealed excitement.
Lin An took out his wand and gave a gentle flick. The stack of heavy textbooks on the podium automatically flew up and landed precisely in front of each student. The gilded titles on the book covers were particularly striking:
"Introduction to Alchemy," Author: Lin An Alvin Bones.
After every student had received a textbook, Lin An began his opening remarks:
"The study of Alchemy is mainly divided into two directions: one is the study of the four elements and their composition, exploring the mystery of transforming base metals into gold, and seeking the panacea that can cure all diseases. The second is the study of the creation of magical items. This course will focus on the second direction, as only the most exceptional Alchemists can venture into the first, not to mention the vast resources required."
"Professor, can you really turn metal into gold? After all, you are an Alchemy master," a student who hadn't raised their hand suddenly asked.
Lin An looked at the questioner and found that they were two identical students.
"You must be the Weasley twins!"
"You've heard of us?" Fred and George asked in unison, a smug grin on their faces.
"Of course." Lin An's lips curved slightly. "Professor McGonagall specifically warned me to watch out for your little tricks. And I knew your brother Bill when I was at school; although I was two years ahead of him, we often communicated, and he mentioned your 'great achievements' at home."
"Fred, it seems our legendary deeds have spread far and wide," one twin said to the other, feigning exaggeration.
"Indeed, George, even the famous Lin An Bones has heard of them."
"But Professor, you haven't answered the question yet," a Ravenclaw student asked this time.
"I will answer that question, but from now on, anyone who wishes to ask a question or speak, please raise your hand first."
The classroom immediately fell silent, all students intently waiting. Lin An organized his thoughts and continued:
"Yes, I have indeed successfully transformed various metals into gold. Unfortunately, this transformation has never been permanent, lasting at most six months. To my knowledge, there is only one Alchemist in the world today who can achieve permanent material transformation."
"Mr. Davis, any questions?"
"Is that Alchemist Professor Dumbledore?" Roger Davis of Ravenclaw asked, raising his hand.
"No, not the Principal. If you are curious, you can search for the answer in the library. Now, let's return to the course content."
"To create any magical item, one must first understand the properties of different materials, their magical conductivity, and processing methods. However, this knowledge primarily relies on memory, and we will discuss specific processing techniques another day. Today, I will guide you in creating your first alchemical item."
Lin An waved his wand, and two items appeared before each student: a circular metal disc and a quill-shaped object.
"Please raise your hand if you know the Shield Charm."
Only three students in the class raised their hands: the Weasley twins and Cedric Diggory.
"I completely forgot, under Minister Fudge's administration, the quality of education at Hogwarts has indeed been unsatisfactory recently. Well then, you all know the Levitation Charm, don't you? If I remember correctly, it's the first spell you learned in your first year."
All the students nodded.
"Excellent. Now, please pick up your enchanted quills and write the incantation for the Levitation Charmon the circular metal disc—'Wingardium Leviosa.' Remember, while writing these words, continuously recall the feeling of casting this spell."
Having said that, Lin An personally demonstrated. He carved the words 'Wingardium Leviosa' onto the metal disc, and the disc immediately floated automatically.
The students instantly became excited and eagerly began to try. However, they soon discovered that it was much more difficult than they had imagined.
First, the enchanted quill did not always write as they wished; it required intense concentration to control properly. Second, if the magic supply was interrupted during writing, everything written previously would disappear. Not to mention having to contend with the metal disc's inherent resistance to magical infusion.
Lin An walked back and forth in the classroom, occasionally stopping to point out students' mistakes. Despite repeated failures, the students remained enthusiastic, and the classroom was filled with the joy of experimentation and discovery.
By the end of the lesson, many students had completed the engraving, causing their metal discs to successfully float off the ground. Of course, most of the discs only floated a few centimeters, with the best performing ones only a few inches off the ground.
Before class ended, Lin An did not assign traditional parchment homework. Instead, he had the students take their metal discs and enchanted quills to continue practicing. At the same time, he required everyone to self-study the Shield Charm, as it would be the practical content for the next lesson. Outside the classroom, the lingering glow of the sunset streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful hues on the shimmering magical metal discs.
Chapter 24: Future Planning
Night enveloped Hogwarts.
After evening classes, Lin An walked alone down the silent corridor. The oil lamps flickered, casting long shadows on the walls. His steps were unhurried, as if every stride was calculating the rhythm of time.
This night was for contemplation.
He walked towards the Restricted Section of the library—the heavy iron door silently opened at the touch of a magic mark. The air was thick with the scent of dust and ages, the aroma of stacked ancient parchment almost allowing one to hear the whispers of history.
This was not a simple reading.
One of the true reasons he returned to Hogwarts was for this place—the countless forbidden and sealed knowledge.
Walking between the towering bookshelves, Lin An's thoughts had already drifted far away.
He was planning for the future.
Reborn into this world, he possessed too many advantages he never had in his previous life—memories, knowledge, and insight into the timeline.
And these things, if used properly, would be enough to rewrite the world.
But he knew that the more powerful a force, the less it could be used casually.
The chains of fate were incredibly fragile. Rash interference would cause a ripple effect, potentially collapsing events that were destined to happen.
So he set rules for himself—
He could intervene, but not change the main axis.
He could correct, but not subvert.
He would walk in the seams of time, precisely excising the ailments that would hinder the future like a surgeon, yet preserving the bloodline of the story.
Thinking of this, his gaze fell upon a thick tome. Silver runes were carved on its cover—"Nicolas Flameland Alchemy Notes."
He reached out and gently stroked it, a rare reverence in his eyes.
Dumbledore and LeMay's research notes were one of the keys to his breakthrough in Alchemy back then.
—At that time, Dumbledore had already noticed his interest in Dark Arts and soul studies.
Knowing that dissuasion was futile, he chose to guide him—secretly handing him precious Alchemytexts.
Lin An was always grateful for that trust.
Without that batch of information, he could not have ascended to the status of an "Alchemy Master" in just a few years.
He opened the notes, his gaze falling on the familiar words. Dumbledore's image appeared in his mind—those compassionate yet sharp eyes.
"What a pity."
Lin An sighed softly.
"I respect you, but I cannot save you."
He had once considered intervening in Dumbledore's fate.
But he quickly gave up.
That death was the fulcrum of the timeline.
If forcibly changed, everything would spiral out of control.
In his view, Dumbledore had to die.
This was not hatred, but necessity.
If a great man lived forever, the world could not move forward.
And he—Lin An—would eventually become the one to steer the future.
He closed the pages, his expression calm.
"Sorry, Principal. You shouldn't continue to bear this decaying order."
He walked back into the depths of the Restricted Section. His steps were light, as if even the ground was listening.
—He thought of another matter.
Snape and the resurrection stone.
He had already instructed him not to touch that stone, and not to reveal its existence.
That stone was destined to fall into Harry's hands in the future—becoming a critical node in the entire timeline.
If Snape, swayed by emotion, took it early, everything would collapse.
He knew the risk, yet still chose to trust him.
"Snape has his own principles," he murmured. "He will understand the significance of this stone."
After a moment of silence, the corner of his mouth curved into a faint smile.
That smile carried rationality and ruthlessness.
Lin An was not Dumbledore.
He would not tolerate anyone who tried to shake his order.
In his previous life, he had experienced too much—pushed into the abyss by countless hands amidst power, fame, and lies.
Now, he was no longer the mortal who could only look up at the Wizarding world.
He was the creator, the observer, the master of the future.
Thinking of this, a phrase appeared in his mind—"gate of the world."
That was his ultimate goal of transcending dimensions.
He planned to combine magic and technology to open portals to other worlds—
The true "Gate of All Heavens."
But to achieve it, he needed more.
More resources, more magic samples, more "events."
Every major event that occurred during the seven years at Hogwarts was an opportunity.
The Philosopher's Stone, the Basilisk, the Goblet of Fire, the Horcruxes... these were not only plot points but also experimental materials.
Especially the fifth year—that would be the core phase of his plan.
He had a premonition that that year would determine the success or failure of the "gate of the world."
He must ensure everything proceeded according to the timeline.
Even if it meant maintaining it with lies and death, he would not hesitate.
The candlelight flickered between the bookshelves, illuminating his profound face.
Lin An closed the last book, his gaze distant.
"The chess game of fate is already set."
"I only need to make my move at the opportune moment."
He slowly rose and walked out of the Restricted Section along the bookshelves.
Moonlight spilled from the high window, casting his figure in a long shadow on the ground,
Like a shadow line piercing through the future, straight and severe.
Lin An walked into the deep darkness, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"The story of Hogwarts has just begun."
Chapter 25: The Halloween Troll
Time flowed, and autumn deepened. Hogwarts' spires were draped in golden fallen leaves, and the air was filled with faint scents of pumpkin and spices. Halloween was already upon them.
Lin An noticed early on that the Castle's timeline was still progressing along its original trajectory—
Harry joining the Quidditch team, Neville breaking his arm after falling during Flying Class, Malfoy's provocative night duel,
and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville encountering the Cerberus, "Fluffy," after accidentally entering the forbidden corridor.
Everything was just as he remembered.
But tonight was different.
He knew—tonight was the day the Troll broke in.
Initially, he didn't plan to interfere.
After all, that "bathroom incident" was a key moment that cemented the trio's friendship.
However, he eventually changed his mind.
Hermione Granger—intelligent, brave, and logically clear-headed.
In Lin An's plan, she would be an important member of the future "Elite Wizard Corps."
He needed to give her an impressive start... The Great Hall was brightly lit at night.
Pumpkin lanterns hung in mid-air, and the tables were laden with sweets and roasted meats. Laughter filled the air, the festive Halloween atmosphere almost masking the hidden danger.
Lin An sat at the teachers' table, his expression calm, the wine in his silver goblet shimmering golden.
Just then—his wrist moved slightly, and a folded piece of paper unfolded in his palm.
It was an improved "Marauder's Map."
Under his Alchemy modifications, it could clearly display the magic coordinates of all living beings throughout the entire Castle.
On the map, countless light points twinkled like stars.
One of these red dots—Hermione—was stopped in the Girls' Lavatory.
Another blurry dark dot was slowly moving from the direction of the Dungeon.
Lin An raised an eyebrow.
"Looks like the plot has begun."
He took a sip of wine and stood up.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
No one suspected anything. A Professor leaving their seat was quite normal.
He stepped into the dim corridor.
At the same time, the dark red light dot had entered the second floor... In the Girls' Bathroom, Hermionecovered her face with her hands, sobbing softly.
The white marble floor reflected her image—lonely, stubborn.
A dull thudding sound came from outside the door.
"Thump—thump—"
The heavy footsteps grew closer.
Hermione looked up, tears trembling in her eyes.
The next moment, the door was smashed open.
A three-meter-tall Mountain Troll squeezed in, its thick wooden club dragging with a grating sound.
A foul, bloody stench filled the entire bathroom.
Hermione recoiled in horror, her back pressed against the cold wall.
She pulled out her wand, but couldn't remember a single spell.
The Troll raised its club, muscles bulging.
The air seemed to tear.
Just at that instant—
An invisible light shield appeared before her, accompanied by the clear clang of metal striking.
The heavy club was repelled, smashing onto the floor.
"Professor!" Hermione gasped.
Lin An walked in from the doorway, his expression serene.
His robes billowed slightly in the breeze, and the shadow of the Troll was reflected in his eyes.
"It's not wise to wander off alone, Miss Granger."
His tone was calm, yet it made the young girl's heart tighten.
"I... I'm sorry, Professor." She lowered her head.
"It's alright, as long as you're safe."
Lin An looked up at the Troll before him.
The creature was pounding the shield with its clumsy fists, but only muffled thuds were heard.
"An interesting life form," he murmured.
"You mean? The Troll?" Hermione asked blankly.
"Yes. Most people only see their violence, but overlook their value."
Lin An pointed to the magic shield, which was rippling from the impacts.
"Look—its skin can resist spells and even reflect some magic. It's an ancient defensive structure, similar in principle to Ancient Magic."
"Ancient Magic?" Hermione was stunned.
"Are you referring to the kind Mrs. Lily Potter used to protect Harry?"
Lin An nodded, his tone low: "Yes. That was a sacrifice of love, and the power of pure will. But there's more than just that one type of Ancient Magic—
Some creatures are born with it, such as dragon scales, the thick hide of Trolls, and Phoenix tears."
He paused, his gaze thoughtful: "Imagine what would happen if we could use Alchemy to analyze this essence and transplant that resistance and power into humans?"
Hermione listened intently, her mind already beginning to deduce the logic.
"But didn't you say that Ancient Magic cannot be directly controlled by humans?"
"Indeed, it cannot be 'controlled,' but it can be 'analyzed,'" Lin An said softly.
"Science cannot create a soul, but it can analyze the structure of life. magic is the same.
We don't have to become gods; we just need to understand the language of the gods."
Hermione looked up, her eyes gradually brightening.
For the first time, she realized—magic could also be so rational, so full of logic and order.
Lin An smiled slightly.
"It seems you understand quite well, Miss Granger."
With that, he turned back to the Troll.
The club was raised again, but before it could fall, the air suddenly tightened.
Lin An lightly waved his wand, chanting softly.
The wooden club instantly transformed into silver chains, rapidly coiling around the Troll's limbs.
The creature roared and struggled, but the chains tightened even further.
"It ends here."
He flicked his fingertip, and his wand emitted a subtle vibration.
Soundless ripples spread, and the air trembled.
Hermione felt a momentary distortion in her ears, then the Troll's body stiffened, its eyes rolled back, and it crashed to the ground.
"That was—?"
"A variant of the Sonorous Charm," Lin An replied. "Originally used to amplify sound, I adjusted the frequency so it only resonates within the target's brain. It won't leak out, nor will it leave any traces."
Hermione stared blankly at the fallen Troll, deeply shaken.
"magic... can be used like that."
"The limits of magic are never about the length of a spell," Lin An said calmly. "But the depth of understanding."
He withdrew his wand and turned to look at the doorway.
Two figures rushed in—Harry and Ron.
"Hermione! Are you alright!" Harry rushed forward, his face full of anxiety.
"I'm fine... Professor saved me."
Lin An smiled, stepping back.
"It seems you have friends willing to risk themselves for you. That's something to cherish."
Harry nodded breathlessly, and Ron also offered repeated thanks.
A few minutes later, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, and other Professors arrived.
Seeing the Troll already on the ground, everyone was astonished.
Hermione stepped forward, taking responsibility: "I wandered in by myself; Professor just saved me."
Dumbledore looked at her, then at Lin An.
The latter merely smiled faintly, saying nothing.
"In that case, let's leave it at that." The Principal nodded meaningfully... The night deepened.
Students were sent back to their dormitories.
In the Great Hall, the lights flickered.
Lin An walked alone through the long corridor, his footsteps echoing on the stone slabs.
He murmured: "Hermione Granger—the first chess piece has been placed."
Outside the window, moonlight quietly spilled, reflected in his calm eyes,
Like a silent mirror, reflecting the ripples of the future.