"How many Animagi are there in the whole world?" Glanwhite said dismissively, "If I were to be constantly vigilant like you, I'd be dead tired."
"Anyway, be careful!"
Nile said, standing by the window and glancing around, not noticing anything unusual.
But when he turned around, he urged the two, "Pack your things, we're leaving."
"Ah, why?" Carrel protested, jumping to his feet, "I was ready to sleep! And it's so far from Hogwarts!"
"Not far at all—for a wizard like Dumbledore, this isn't far enough."
Nile spoke while pushing them to act quickly. Carrel reluctantly started to move.
They didn't check out at the front desk, just hurriedly left the inn.
Vid wanted to act several times but ultimately held back.
Judging by the current situation, they all seemed to be vampires who had mastered systematic magic.
Vid was unsure of their magic level, and even ambushing them would be too risky.
Although to some extent, vampires are considered a "minority ethnic group" with human rights, wizards haven't relaxed their vigilance against them.
From first to third year, Vid had three different Defense Against the Dark Arts professors, and each textbook included sections about vampires.
Werewolves only pose the greatest threat during a full moon transformation; otherwise, they are quite similar to ordinary people, and the better their morals, the worse off they are.
Vampires are different; they have strong endurance and recovery abilities, are very fast, strong, and can freely transform into bats. After transforming, they don't lose their sanity, equating to natural Animagi.
Those with magic ability, after being transformed into vampires, can still learn and use magic, though they cannot learn White Magic, but excel in Dark Magic and curses.
Vid hid in the shadows, watching the few people swiftly leave with travel bags. After hesitating a few seconds, he decided to shake things up.
He reverted to his original form, checked the time, and then turned the Time Turner back two turns.
The Time Turner's safe limit is five hours; it's not about turning five times at once but can only retrace a maximum of five hours in overlap during the same period.
Exceeding five hours, the Time Turner can still operate, but the user becomes very dangerous.
With Vid's two overlapping time retraces, he had technically reached the five-hour limit.
Time sped backward, and Vid was used to this feeling. When the surroundings stabilized, he saw the sky was still dim.
It was still nighttime, but compared to earlier silence, some house lights in the town were on, faintly revealing TV pictures inside, and a few late-returned cars on the roads.
Vid transformed into a Peregrine Falcon, flying directly towards Hogsmeade.
When he arrived, the chaos had already subsided. Dumbledore, dressed in pajamas, was telling Hagrid, "Take him to The Hog's Head Inn to wait for me—"
Suddenly, he saw a Peregrine Falcon descending from the sky, his voice paused. Then, seeing it hide, Dumbledore discreetly moved his gaze.
Hagrid thought he was done speaking and replied, "Alright."
He lifted the werewolf, pounding away down the road. Everyone witnessing this gaped in horror, hurriedly sticking to walls to give him the entire path.
Meanwhile, Vid, hiding among the leaves, had found his target. Using his keen sight, he finally detected an anomaly—
The woman just scared pale by the werewolf patted her skirt and stood up, hiding in the shadows, squinting at Dumbledore in the crowd.
At her feet lay a young man, evidently the earlier "lover."
Nile, looking unsettled, sat by the street, exchanging furtive glances with Krami as they emerged among other Three Broomsticks evacuees.
He hid a small, toy-like camera in his pocket while the adjacent Quill shop owner emerged, concernedly enquiring about the man's condition. Pretending to be scared, he conversed with them.
"It was terrifying; werewolves… I thought nothing like this would happen around Hogwarts…"
His sound floated faintly in the air.
Vid knew where they were heading next, watching them for a while, ensuring no one else was contacting them before finally venturing to The Hog's Head Inn to find Dumbledore.
The headmaster seemed to be expecting him. As Vid flew over, he saw Dumbledore standing by the window, the window open. They exchanged a look; Vid knew he was recognized.
Surprised yet unsurprised, Vid did not immediately approach the inn but investigated around.
Soon, Vid spotted a sparrow continuously staring outside The Hog's Head Inn, unmoving, with a faint reflection on its chest.
He noted the time; Carrel's group was actively relocating with the Flow Mirror, so he quietly returned to his form, gently waved his Magic Wand.
A dry yellow leaf unfolded before him, becoming a photograph; the image showed the filthy, worn wall of The Hog's Head Inn, but Dumbledore wasn't in it.
The picture gently floated across, perfectly covering the sparrow's Mother Mirror lens.
Then Vid transformed through the window into the guest room, reverting once more.
By this time, Madam Pomfrey and Professor Burbage had already left, Madam Pomfrey taking Hagrid with her, leaving only Dumbledore and the unconscious werewolf in the room.
Witnessing the Peregrine Falcon become human, Dumbledore's expression remained calm, but the werewolf on the bed groaned twice.
"Professor," Vid walked closer to inspect and asked, "How is Remus?"
"So far, he hasn't suffered fatal injury, and this transformation isn't permanent—it's considered good news," Dumbledore replied.
"When will he recover?" Vid inquired.
"I can't be certain, but Severus might give us an answer." Dumbledore said composedly.
"Professor Snape?"
Vid paused, recalling their animosities, first sympathizing with Remus, who was to be healed by his arch-enemy, then sympathizing with Professor Snape, compelled to save his nemesis.
Next, he heard the headmaster ask, "Vid, when did you receive the news?"
No need to hide this; Vid said, "I ran into Fred and George returning to school."
Dumbledore asked directly, "How many times did you turn?"
Vid hesitated briefly, then said, "Five times already."
Dumbledore sighed, as if saying—I knew it.
"Don't use the Time Turner again within twenty-four hours."
"Yes."
"Then, since you've turned five times, I presume you have gained much?"
"Certainly, Professor."