"What is... this?"
Hagrid squinted, trying hard to see clearly the delicate little object that seemed too small for him.
Dumbledore cautiously didn't touch it directly. Instead, he extended his fingers above the metallic syringe, slowly lifting them, and the syringe was gradually pulled out.
The silvery-gray metal was extremely sharp, gleaming with a cold light.
"This looks like something from the Muggle world?"
Hagrid poked it with his fingernail, saying in confusion.
"Recently, some healers at St Mungo's have also begun to introduce Muggle medical instruments."
Dumbledore squinted slightly, scrutinizing it for a while before saying, "However... Muggles do seem more accustomed to using these things."
Dumbledore waved his magic wand, and a silver Phoenix emerged from the tip of his wand, flashing and vanishing.
Before long, Charity Burbage and Madam Pomfrey hurriedly arrived, only wearing thick cloaks over their nightgowns. Madam Pomfrey's hair was disheveled.
They entered The Hog's Head Inn, where the werewolf was placed in an upstairs guest room. The dim oil lamp only illuminated a small area, and the room's sanitation was terrible, with everything appearing greasy.
Hagrid stood by the bed, covering his wound. Meanwhile, Dumbledore stood by the window, gazing outside, seemingly looking at something unknown.
"Dumbledore, Hagrid, we—"
Professor Burbage's greeting was interrupted as Hagrid turned around, noticing the furry figure behind him.
The werewolf had regained consciousness, snarling and growling, but was tightly bound by several chains.
"Ah—"
The Muggle Studies professor let out a sharp scream, nearly turning to flee.
"Calm down, Charity."
Dumbledore supported Professor Burbage, saying, "He has no ability to harm now. I called you here to see this object—Poppy, please help attend to Hagrid's wound first."
"Alright."
Madam Pomfrey said calmly.
The Guardian God Phoenix had already informed her of the necessities to bring, and Madam Pomfrey was well-prepared.
She placed the medical box she carried, which seemed to be just the size of two bricks, onto the ground. The box "clicked" and unfolded, transforming into a five-tier tall and two-meter wide rack in a blink.
Hagrid's wounds were still bleeding. He took off his coat, revealing the horrific wounds beneath, prompting another soft gasp from Professor Burbage nearby.
She cast a fearful glance at the werewolf on the bed, her heart pounding, but fortunately, the bearded headmaster beside her gave Professor Burbage a great sense of security.
She took several deep breaths, focusing on the slender syringe in her hand.
Meanwhile, Madam Pomfrey was mixing silver powder and Dittany in the right proportion, applying it evenly to Hagrid's wound, asking solemnly, "Did he bite you?"
"No, I was careful about that."
Hagrid shook his head, worriedly asking, "Will I become a werewolf?"
Madam Pomfrey glanced at him, "Generally speaking, no."
"Generally?" Hagrid's voice rose in panic.
"The necessary condition to become a werewolf is to get bitten by a werewolf in its transformed state during a full moon. The true transmission of lycanthropy occurs through the blood and saliva of a transformed werewolf."
Madam Pomfrey explained objectively.
"That's a relief." Hagrid sighed with relief, "Tonight isn't a full moon, and I wasn't bitten either."
Madam Pomfrey's tightly furrowed brows did not relax.
"That's where the problem lies—Hagrid."
"There were no instances of werewolves transforming outside of a full moon before. Until we know the cause of this werewolf's transformation, I cannot be certain whether its claws carry the lycanthropy virus."
"Additionally, should your wound come into contact with his blood or saliva, there's still a possibility of infection—being bitten is the most direct transmission, but not the only one, do you understand?"
Hagrid's face grew paler and increasingly worried with Madam Pomfrey's words.
The big man looked pitiably at Madam Pomfrey, as if he might burst into tears any second.
But after remaining silent for a while, he said, "Madam, could you also check on him? I hit him several times, and his bones might be broken in here and there."
Knowing the werewolf was Lupin, Hagrid held back during the fight, allowing him to escape several times. But in moments of crisis, he knew he had struck hard enough a few times, even hearing the sound of bones breaking clearly.
Hagrid sat on the ground, sighing in concern both for his potential transformation into a werewolf and for having injured Lupin severely.
Madam Pomfrey glanced at him with warmth, then proceeded to treat the werewolf on the bed.
"Awoo—"
The werewolf howled with bared teeth.
Madam Pomfrey took out a bottle of Magic Potion, pouring it into the werewolf's long mouth, and in less than a second, the werewolf was asleep again.
Wearing a white robe, the school healer waved her magic wand, casting one after another of glowing green lights onto the werewolf's body, examining his injuries.
On the other side of the room, Professor Burbage used magic to enlarge the syringe for observation before finally saying, "This is indeed a Muggle item, and it has nothing to do with the medical equipment introduced by St Mungo's."
"—Nothing to do?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes."
Professor Burbage said with slight tension, "This syringe is too thick, usually used for large animals. The ones at St Mungo's are very thin, and as it is, most people still wouldn't want it injected into them..."
"Moreover, look at the needle tip; it has three small holes. I have never seen such a design before, it's very intricate in craftsmanship yet seems unnecessary..."
"If necessary, what do you think these small holes could be for?" Dumbledore asked.
"Uh..." Professor Burbage was stunned, pondering before saying, "To inject liquid faster? I suppose that might be it."
Dumbledore nodded slightly, not saying anything further. He used his magic wand to draw a circle, collecting bits of material mixed with blood from inside and outside the syringe, condensing it into a small drop.
The red droplet looked like blood. Professor Burbage watched as Dumbledore put it into a Crystal Bottle, unable to help but shiver.
Somehow, the tiny liquid seemed imbued with an especially sinister feeling.
"Thank you for your help, Charity." Dumbledore said.
"I didn't really do much..." Professor Burbage said embarrassedly, "I am happy to assist you."
Dumbledore smiled, saying, "Thank you for coming over in the middle of the night, Fox will take you back."
A flash of red fire appeared, and the Phoenix was already in the dim room.
Professor Burbage glanced at the Phoenix enviously but hastily waved it off, saying, "No... No need, it's a short distance, I can walk back."
"Tonight is not safe, let Fox take you," Dumbledore insisted.
His firm attitude made Professor Burbage feel something ominous. She swallowed nervously, saying, "...Alright."