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"Peter Pettigrew is at Hogwarts," Li Feng said brightly, like he was reciting the weather.
Lupin's denial was instant. "Impossible. If that were true, Dumbledore would know."
Sirius's eyes narrowed, fury dripping off every word. "That's the best lie you've got? Do you think Azkaban rattled my brain so badly I'd swallow anything?"
Li Feng exhaled through his nose. "Did you forget? He's an Animagus. A rat. You really think Dumbledore notices every rodent scurrying through that castle?"
"Animagus," Lupin corrected absently. He was thinking now. "Peter knows the secret passages. Even if Dumbledore sensed him, catching a single rat in a fortress that size would be nearly impossible."
Sirius still wasn't budging. "So what? It's still nothing but smoke. Unless you drag him out by the scruff of his neck, the deal's off."
Li Feng scratched his head. "Fine. He's Ron Weasley's pet rat. Missing a toe. Twelve years eating scraps in that family's house. Honestly, that's some Gryffindor grit. I couldn't last twelve days living like that."
The words landed like a curse. Sirius and Lupin froze, then spoke in unison. "Harry's at Hogwarts."
Panic flared in Sirius's eyes. "We go now. You guard Harry, I'll kill Peter."
Lupin caught his arm, steady but firm. "Wait. Austin—did you see Peter harming Harry? The boy with the scar?"
Li Feng shook his head. "The kid's safe. But if you kill Peter on sight, how do you clear your name? Better to drag him into the open, alive, and watch the Ministry choke on their own mistakes."
Lupin nodded. "And if you're cleared, Sirius… you can walk into a shop, buy a wand again. Protect yourself like a wizard should."
That made Li Feng blink. "Hold on. You can't just… buy one?"
Lupin gave him a puzzled look, then realized. "Only with clean records. The Ministry tracks every sale. Sirius couldn't."
Understanding dawned. So wands were like guns in the Muggle world—legal, but chained in red tape. And deadlier than any firearm. Which meant Li Feng had a problem. He wasn't a criminal, but he didn't exist on paper at all.
He turned to Sirius. "Didn't you brag about forging documents? Get me some too."
Sirius's grin was sharp as broken glass. "And what's in it for me?"
Li Feng almost laughed. That's my line. Instead, he looked to Lupin. "I'll trade you a ritual to suppress the wolf. In return—I want papers, car parts, and a little pocket money."
Lupin tugged his sleeve, dry humor edging his tone. "Do I look like I can bankroll you?"
Sirius looked like Christmas had come early. "Deal. Your papers will be ready tomorrow." His gaze slid to Li Feng's grimoire.
Li Feng opened it, tapping the runes. "There are several ways to cage the wolf-curse. Take your pick. They'll keep you human under the moon. Weak, but human."
Lupin murmured thanks, copying quickly. "I'll finish the inscriptions after Pettigrew is dealt with."
Sirius nodded. "The papers come tomorrow. Car parts later—after I see your spells work. As for Galleons… the vault's open. Help yourself."
The moment they left, the room fell silent except for Kreacher's faint breathing. Li Feng moved to the window, then snapped open a new portal.
He wasn't about to waste the opportunity. Sirius had said take what you want. So if the vault ran dry, that was on him.
Kreacher followed, ears twitching. "Master—why return to the family vault?"
"From now on, call me 'Boss.' Safer in public," Li Feng said. He pointed at the mountain of gold. "Move it. Every coin. Into my room."
The elf hesitated, then bowed. "Yes, Boss."
While Kreacher hefted gold through the portal, Li Feng wandered into the next chamber. His eyes widened at the sight of endless bookshelves. "Do these carry protections?"
"Some," Kreacher grunted, staggering under a pile of coins. "That one—Adventures in Illusion—locks readers inside their own dreams until their bodies fail. And that's only one example."
Li Feng swallowed hard. "Yeah, not flipping those pages raw. Copy and translate them. Safely."
Kreacher's ears twitched. "Possible, but slow without a Translation Quill. With one, I could render wizard texts into your tongue."
Li Feng smirked at the thought of shelves turning into weapons-grade knowledge in his own language. "Start small. A few books first. Before Sirius comes sniffing back."
"Yes, Boss," Kreacher muttered, already slipping into his bitter tone. "Damn Boss. Stole the family's gold, now their books too…"
Li Feng scratched his temple, ignoring him. One day, he'd fix that mouth. For now, priorities.
"So, tell me, Kreacher," he asked casually. "How do I really grow stronger?"
The elf straightened, voice cold but obedient. "Potions. Rare, but they'll expand your reserves. Or… train on the Hogwarts grounds. They're steeped in power. But the castle's defenses are far beyond the likes of you."
Li Feng frowned. "Potions I understand. But what makes Hogwarts so special?"
Reality stung worse than fiction. Every time Li Feng thought he understood this world through film memories, reality corrected him with a slap.
Hogwarts was the perfect example. On-screen, it looked like any school. In truth, it was a reservoir of power—one of the strongest magical convergences in Britain. The Forbidden Forest, thick with beasts and herbs, was just the outer layer. The castle itself sat atop a thousand-year array built by the Founders, funneling and refining raw magic until even eleven-year-olds could wield it.
No wonder Voldemort had clawed for the Defense post. The "curse" wasn't just spite—it was his way of keeping control of the school's fountainhead, even in absence.
Li Feng rubbed his jaw. So much for staying on the sidelines. If I want to grow stronger, Hogwarts is unavoidable. Basilisk, hurry up and die already.
Kreacher's voice cut in, crisp. "Boss. Sirius has returned."
Li Feng snapped the book shut and waved the shelves away. "Then we're gone. We'll come back for the rest."
Morning came with the smell of cream bread and warm milk. Kreacher hovered nearby, clutching a tray. "Boss, I baked these. If they displease you, I'll find something else."
Li Feng tore into the loaf, soft and fragrant. Better than rations and biscuits. Maybe keeping him around isn't so bad.
After washing up, he eyed the mountain of gold. "Before we go, get me a trunk with expansion charms. Pay from here."
By the time his milk was gone, Kreacher was back with a man-sized trunk and a neat envelope.
"This is from Sirius."
Inside: paperwork. A Ministry slip identifying "Austin" as a traveling wizard whose belongings had been stolen. Real or forged, it didn't matter. It would buy him a wand.
Li Feng strapped it away, then opened the trunk. The coffin-like lid revealed space vast enough for a court. He whistled. "Perfect. Load it."
Kreacher bowed and started hauling gold.
The Leaky Cauldron's alley bricks shifted aside under Kreacher's knock, revealing the arch into Diagon Alley.
"Know a tailor? Full kit. Even underclothes. Enchantments included," Li Feng asked.
"Madam Malkin's," Kreacher said promptly. "She can handle it. Enchantments will take time."
Inside, Li Feng skimmed racks of robes. "Four full sets—spring, summer, autumn, winter. Socks, underwear. Cleaning charms. Appearance adjustment."
Madam Malkin blinked at the request for enchanted undergarments but quoted three days. He paid extra for speed.
"Now the wand," Li Feng said, tapping Kreacher's shoulder.
Ollivander's smelled of dust and age, boxes stacked to the rafters, air humming with quiet power. The silver-haired wandmaker emerged from the back, pale eyes unsettling and sharp.
"Welcome to Ollivander's," he said, voice smooth as polished wood. "If you seek a wand, your documents, please."
Li Feng handed the slip with a smile. "Luggage stolen. This is all I've got. I'll need a wand—and the kit to maintain it."
Ollivander's fingers lingered on the paper before sliding it back. His gaze sharpened. "You must understand, young man. The wand chooses the wizard."
He tilted his head, studying Li Feng. "Which hand do you favor?"
Li Feng flexed his right. "This one. And don't forget care oils and polish."
"A wizard who respects his tools," Ollivander murmured approvingly. With a flick of his wrist, a measuring tape sprang to life, circling Li Feng's arm span, wrist, shoulders.
"Good," Ollivander whispered, eyes gleaming. "Another wand prepares to find its master."
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