"This expedition shouldn't be too dangerous," Leonard said confidently. "I'm much stronger now than I was back then."
"Alright, if you're that confident, what can I say?" Midgard shrugged. "Let's go."
"Yeah." Leonard replied, just as a sharp clattering sound broke the silence.
A unicorn, glowing silver under the moonlight, galloped toward them.
Leonard blinked, puzzled by the coincidence, then noticed the unicorn's eyes fixed on him with a hungry gleam. He sighed in realization.
Of course—it wanted bread.
"A unicorn?" Midgard gasped, staring at the magnificent creature emerging from the Forbidden Forest. Bathed in moonlight, its beauty was dazzling, almost unreal.
Anyone would be mesmerized.
The unicorn then noticed the stranger nearby. It gave Midgard a brief glance, lost interest, and turned its gaze back to Leonard. Being with Leonard meant no danger, and the tall human woman didn't seem particularly remarkable anyway. Food was the real priority.
Watching it sniff around for something to eat, Leonard gave a helpless smile and nudged it gently.
"Sorry, I'm just passing through today. Didn't bring any food."
The unicorn snorted in disdain, but still brushed against him politely before turning away without hesitation.
So pragmatic—like someone who whispers sweet words, then leaves the moment they get what they want.
"Looks like life at Hogwarts suits you. Even unicorns are your friends," Midgard remarked, watching it disappear into the woods.
"It's fine. Mostly because I'm a good person. The unicorn recognized that," Leonard said with mock seriousness.
Midgard shot him a withering look.
"What's with that look? I really am a good person. Ask anyone at Hogwarts—who hasn't given me a thumbs-up when they hear my name?" Leonard protested.
"That just means you're good at pretending. Even your professors and classmates are fooled," Midgard retorted. "Enough talk. Let's move."
"Yeah, yeah. But for the record, that's defamation," Leonard muttered, casting a strong Disillusionment Charm over them both. Together, they headed toward Hogwarts.
...
They soon reached the castle's edge. Under the moonlight, its towering silhouette loomed dark and foreboding.
When Leonard noticed the footsteps behind him stop, he turned.
"Why'd you stop?"
"Nothing," Midgard said softly. "Just thinking… I've never set foot in Hogwarts before. Never thought my first time would be like this. It's Hogwarts, after all."
"Hogwarts isn't that special," Leonard replied casually. "You may not have studied here, but that werewolf who did still works for you, doesn't he?"
Midgard frowned. Something about that didn't sound right—but with both of them hidden by the charm, she couldn't see his face to tell if he was joking.
"I get the feeling that wasn't a compliment," she said flatly.
"Not important. Let's keep moving," Leonard urged.
They slipped into the castle, avoiding Filch on patrol, and made their way to the library.
The library at night was utterly still, as silent as a tomb. But neither of them feared the dark—or ghosts.
Leonard, familiar with the place, quietly opened the door to the Restricted Section. As they descended, they soon heard Peeves shouting.
Maybe it was boredom from the lack of students, but Peeves was in rare form—yelling, smashing whatever he could find.
Midgard froze when she saw the ghostly figure actually pick something up.
"What is that?" she asked.
"Who? Who's there?" Before Leonard could answer, Peeves heard her voice.
"Who is it? Come out! I see you!" Peeves floated closer, grinning, scanning the shadows.
Leonard watched his smug expression and drew his wand.
"Animus Stuporr!"
A flash of purple light shot from his wand and struck Peeves. The ghost, normally immune to magic, was hurled backward like he'd been hit by a speeding carriage, crashing through the wall and vanishing.
"That's Peeves, Hogwarts' poltergeist. He can handle objects," Leonard explained, lowering his wand.
"A poltergeist? But that spell you just used…" Midgard stared, wide-eyed.
"Learned it in the library," Leonard said, then briefly explained his research in the Restricted Section.
After over a month of study, he'd deciphered fragments of an ancient soul magic gesture. The incantation and movement weren't complete, but he'd managed to combine the fragment with a full spell, creating a unique form of soul-affecting magic.
The Stunning Spell plus the incomplete gesture produced the "Animus Stupor"—a spell that could not only knock back a spirit but also render it briefly unconscious.
It wasn't his first time using it. Several castle ghosts had been struck by the spell before, though they never remembered it afterward.
"You really are a genius," Midgard said quietly, still astonished.
She couldn't imagine reverse-engineering a spell from fragments alone.
With Peeves gone, they quickly reached the room marked with mysterious symbols.
Following the same procedure, Leonard activated them and pulled Midgard through.
The Portkey-like sensation faded, and their vision steadied once more.
Leonard and Midgard regained their bearings—standing now in a strange, dimly lit cave.
...
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