When the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the platform, rain was falling outside. Dense raindrops drummed against the windows, blending with the gloomy sky to create a uniquely soporific atmosphere.
Unfortunately, those who had been forbidden from using magic all summer were never going to fall asleep at a time like this. The better-behaved ones enthusiastically waved their wands about; those in slightly worse shape were hunched over the tables, scribbling furiously, usually with a fully completed piece of homework sitting beside them as "reference"… This was especially common among students newly promoted to fifth year, who were about to face their O.W.L.s.
Because of the special nature of fifth year, they had already been buried under an enormous amount of holiday homework during the summer after fourth year. And because last year's unending attacks had severely dragged down the teaching schedule, even more of their break had been sacrificed. Add to that the presence of chaos incarnate like the Weasley twins in fifth year, and it was easy to imagine the unprecedented pressure they would be facing this year…
None of that, however, affected students from other years—Avada and Baron included—who continued to enjoy themselves.
"Last term I borrowed a slice of basilisk brain tissue from Professor Sprout and studied it for a few days. I have to say, that thing really does deserve its reputation for supporting such a powerful Petrification Curse. If I had to compare it to something, it's a bit like…"
Inside the compartment, the topic between Avada and Baron had already drifted from basilisk breeding grounds to the professors' various research results on the basilisk from last term.
As heroes of the final battle—and top students to boot—they had naturally been authorized to obtain some basilisk materials for independent study or to assist professors with research projects. Back then, Baron had chosen to work as Snape's assistant, while Avada had borrowed materials for independent research and, by accident, unlocked a major surprise—one that would later become a prerequisite for his plans to explore the magical world.
"…I think you may have missed something. Last term I helped Professor Snape analyze some of the basilisk's pituitary secretions… uh, you can't really call it hormones anymore, but anyway, we discovered a new property…"
"Huh? Really? Then why hasn't Professor Snape published a paper?"
"He suspects those secretions have that property because there's an entirely new structure hidden inside them. He plans to try isolating it first. Besides, all the basilisk brain materials are in Hogwarts' hands—no risk of someone else publishing first."
"Incredible. Sounds like he'll be busy with that all summer."
"Definitely. And not just him. I heard Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Sprout all have batches of results they haven't published yet either. They're planning to dig deeper before releasing anything."
"I almost feel like thanking Voldemort. The basilisk brought us so many new things. No wonder Mr. Shafiq wants to breed basilisks on a large scale…"
"Huh? Baron? And Ken?"
The compartment door was pulled open again without warning. This time it was Harry and Hermione poking their heads in. Hermione was holding a basket, stuffed to the brim with a ginger-yellow, oversized cat. "Long time no see."
"Yo, long time no see—Ron didn't come with you?"
"I'm here."
Only then did a long-suffering face appear from the other side of the door, topped with familiar red hair. "I have to keep my distance from Hermione now. Her cat keeps trying to get at Scabbers…"
His words immediately drew a rebuttal from Hermione. "That's nonsense—Crookshanks is perfectly well-behaved!"
"Crookshanks? Your new pet?"
Avada and Baron both glanced at the cat curled into a ball in the basket, then simultaneously showed expressions that hovered on the edge of speechlessness. Why was it that cats—creatures that were practically incapable of being ugly—could end up looking this rough?
Even though the cat had its eyes half-closed and was purring contentedly, it still couldn't hide its gloomy expression, as if trapped in a nightmare. Its face looked as though it had slammed into a wall—flat and squashed, giving it a ferociously ugly appearance…
"Uh, right,"
Probably realizing that staring at someone's pet like that was impolite, Baron awkwardly took the initiative to change the subject. "The train's already moving—why are you still looking for a compartment? Did you board at the last minute?"
"Oh, yeah. We were a bit late—got held up on the way…"
Harry scratched his head, clearly puzzled. "Mr. Weasley—uh, Ron's dad—kept pulling me aside to say strange things. Stuff like not asking about Sirius Black, and not trying to catch him or anything… I never figured out what he was trying to say in the end. What could I possibly have to do with some escaped criminal I've never even met?"
"..."
Avada's lips moved, but in the end he said nothing.
Hinting at the truth now would only introduce unnecessary variables—and it wouldn't stay hidden for long anyway. According to Avada's plan, it wouldn't take long after the school year started before he could make a move on Peter Pettigrew.
"Well then, you'll probably have to look for a compartment farther back. You really did come too late, and this one can't fit five people plus two pets that absolutely can't be near each other…"
"You're right. Then we'll get going—see you at school."
"Yeah, see you at school."
After Harry and the others left the compartment and casually closed the door behind them, Avada turned to Baron. "By the way, Harry just mentioned Sirius Black. He should be a member of the Black family, one of the pure-blood families, right? Have you heard of him?"
"My dad mentioned him to me."
Baron nodded. "According to him, Sirius Black's story spread widely among pure-blood circles back then. My dad was a few years ahead of Black at Hogwarts, so he heard some things…"
"You probably know this—the Black family is one of the oldest and most entrenched pure-blood families, with marriage ties to many others. Every single member of the family was sorted into Slytherin, they were staunch believers in blood purity, and during the height of the Death Eaters' rampage they were strong supporters of Voldemort—until Sirius Black appeared."
"My dad said that from the moment he enrolled, he was at odds with his family. He hated blood purity ideology and Voldemort. During Sorting, he was even placed into Gryffindor—people in Slytherin were stunned. Later, he completely fell out with his family and went to live with a friend. I heard he was even disowned by the Blacks…"
Baron's expression turned puzzled as well. "So when it came out that he was actually Voldemort's loyal Death Eater, my dad was shocked. Thinking about it, it really does sound absurd—since when did Gryffindors become Death Eaters?"
"…Do many people know all this?"
After thinking for a moment, Avada asked.
"Quite a few, I think. At least everyone who went to school with him back then knows. But facts are facts—thirteen people on that entire street really were blown to death. And even if he didn't act like a Death Eater during school, a fair amount of time passed between his graduation and his arrest. No one knows what he went through during that period. There are plenty of things in this world that can completely change a person."
"…I see."
Avada nodded, his expression unchanged as he smoothly steered the conversation back to basilisks with Baron.
(End of Chapter)