The village at night was actually quite quiet. Apart from the bar where there were still quite a few patrons, most other places were silent.
Falcon Vid stood on a branch, watching as the graceful Madam Rosmerta carried a beer glass, skillfully weaving between tables, exchanging lighthearted banter with the patrons now and then.
On the dark wooden tables and chairs were large mugs of golden amber beer. The bar's fire was blazing, with a Flow Mirror hanging on the wall, surrounded by brown vines and irises for decoration.
No one knew what program was playing in the Flow Mirror, but people in the bar occasionally burst into laughter, clinking glasses with fellow patrons amidst the intoxicating scent of alcohol, adding a lively warmth to the cold night.
Vid scanned the patrons in the bar, then looked around the nearby area. Everyone seemed so normal, as if no one harbored any special thoughts.
The surrounding trees cast shadows heavily along the street, swaying gracefully, and occasionally the sounds of birds could be heard.
A black bird was halted not far from Vid. Through the dense leaves, it occasionally spread its wings, causing the leaves to rustle loudly.
Vid frowned, tucked his wings, and moved two steps to the side to avoid insects falling on him.
Soon, Lupin and Hagrid got up to settle the bill. As Lupin pushed open the door to leave, Hagrid suddenly turned back—
Madam Rosmerta called him back, smilingly pointing to their original seats.
Hagrid had left his coat behind.
He chuckled heartily, turned to retrieve his coat. Lupin had already stepped out, taking a few steps to the side of the bar, frowning slightly, seemingly preoccupied.
Vid knew, according to the twins, the disturbance should happen during this time. He stood alertly, stretched his neck, and glanced around.
While he couldn't alter history that had already occurred, he at least wanted to know who was responsible for it.
No patrons took advantage of the moment to follow them out, and although the nearby shrubs were dark, there was no attacker lurking in ambush.
A clattering sound came from nearby.
A couple strolled over, cozying up closely. Judging by their direction, they had probably been at Madam Puddifoot's tea house for a date. At that moment, they seemed in no rush to return home to sleep, walking leisurely while laughing and flirting.
Vid gazed in that direction, his eyes swept over the woman's wine-red long hair, the man's cane in his hand, and the spots where they had their Magic Wands placed.
—Their attire seemed unremarkable, their physiques fit, and their intimate actions were very natural.
Hagrid had fetched his coat and began to walk outside… He paused for a moment to say something to Madam Rosmerta…
The Flow Mirror happened to be playing a suspenseful scene, and numerous patrons watched intently, forgetting even to drink their beer.
The couple seemed to notice Lupin as well. The man attempted to appear more serious, while the woman clung to his arm, drawing closer to whisper and laugh.
Suddenly, a roar of laughter erupted from the bar. Vid glanced over and suddenly felt an unusual shift in the air around him.
In the shape of a bird, he was particularly sensitive to airflow.
A shadow suddenly flew towards Lupin at incredible speed. Vid instinctively wanted to intercept it, but he forced himself to stop as he unfurled his wings.
Lupin had also been distracted by the noise from the bar, he only realized when the attacker merged with the darkness reached his front, but Lupin made an extremely foolish response—
He didn't even dodge, merely waved his hand as if swatting away a mundane mosquito.
The shadow seemed to foresee his actions, before Lupin's hand fully raised, it nimbly spun around, bypassing the feeble arm and swiftly flew away.
Lupin looked down in astonishment.
A syringe stuck in him, and within an instant, the liquid inside automatically injected into him in a manner as quick as a bullet.
Lupin grasped the syringe, intending to pull it out, but before he could exert any strength, he groaned in pain, falling directly to his knees.
"What's wrong with you?"
The couple approached curiously, the man asked something inadvertently, but upon noticing something, they quickly backed away.
As though someone pressed an acceleration button, Lupin's head elongated rapidly, his shoulders hunching up, gray and stiff hair sprung from his skin, his fingers curving into claws, a pair of ears swiftly elongated…
Within seconds, a Werewolf rose gradually from the ground, he hung his head panting, seemingly in great pain.
"Ahhhh—"
The woman in the couple let out a fearful scream.
The scream roused the Werewolf, he suddenly raised his head, howled loudly, and pounced without hesitation!
The man immediately pushed his female companion away, drew his wand and pointed it at Lupin, the clothes on the Werewolf suddenly twisted, entangling his furry limbs.
The Werewolf stumbled, the man seizing the opportunity grabbed his female companion and fled. And behind them, with a bang, Hagrid burst through the bar's door and rushed out.
"What happened—"
Before finishing his sentence, he saw a Werewolf on the street, naturally astonished, but quickly identified the Werewolf by its torn clothes.
The Werewolf roared, shredding the clothes on him, once more chasing after the couple who had already run a distance. Without time to think, Hagrid yelled and charged forward.
"Stop! You can't do this! What's wrong with you?"
At this point, Vid had already taken flight.
Looking down, he saw Hagrid grappling with Lupin, while bar patrons screamed as they fled through the back door, some mounting brooms and soaring through the windows.
The Werewolf was flung by Hagrid into the bar window, crashing through it, causing Rosmerta to scream out.
Meanwhile, the couple had already made it near Honeydukes, seemingly pulled in by the shop owner.
Vid withdrew his gaze.
Beneath him, about a hundred meters away, was the shadow that attacked Lupin.
The chaotic sounds from behind hadn't stopped the assailant to check its crime scene, merely slowed its flying pace.
At this point, Vid, under the scarce light, finally saw its form clearly.
—It was a pitch-black bat.
It flapped its featherless wings, flying silently yet agilely, swiftly navigating trees and bridges, continuing to fly even after reaching outside the village.
Vid's flight speed was inherently faster than a bat; now, high up, he was even more leisurely, his eyes fixed firmly on the mouse-like creature below.
Finally, the bat darted into a cave, not emerging again. As Vid descended, he heard someone speaking—
"It's done!"
Sounding like a youth, the voice was lively and excited.
Vid was slightly taken aback.
This voice… sounded familiar.
Vid recalled slightly, a name that had become somewhat unfamiliar emerged in his mind—
Carrel Johnson.
A kid who once annoyed him greatly, actually only a few months younger than Vid, had been missing for a long time now.