The rain gradually faded.
Whether they had flown beyond the storm clouds or simply left the worst of the weather behind, Vincent couldn’t tell.
All he knew was that the cold raindrops had finally stopped striking his face.
At some point during the flight, Hagrid looked back.
“You must be hungry.”
“Have some birthday cake, if you don’t mind.”
Vincent glanced at the cake.
He definitely minded.
The poor thing had been flattened, soaked in seawater, and reduced to little more than a sticky lump.
Still…
Seeing both Harry and Hagrid eating it without complaint, he couldn’t resist taking a cautious bite.
Just as he expected…
It tasted overwhelmingly salty, with a faint bitter aftertaste.
He silently decided not to have another.
The flying motorcycle gradually descended.
Below them lay the dim lights of a quiet village.
Beyond it, silhouetted against the night sky, stood a vast castle.
The motorcycle landed outside a weathered stone pub.
An old wooden sign creaked from rusted iron brackets.
It depicted the severed head of a boar, blood dripping through the white cloth wrapped around it.
The Hog’s Head Inn.
The front door opened.
An elderly wizard stepped outside.
He was tall and thin, with long gray hair and a beard so thick it nearly concealed his entire face.
“Try making a little less noise.”
His tone was dry.
“Unless your plan is to announce your arrival to the whole village.”
“If I could shrink another seven feet, I’d gladly do it, Aberforth.”
Hagrid grumbled as he climbed off the motorcycle.
The name confirmed Vincent’s suspicions.
This was Hogsmeade…
The village beside Hogwarts.
And the old wizard before them was Aberforth Dumbledore, younger brother of Albus Dumbledore.
If that was true…
Then the dark silhouette overlooking the village could only be Hogwarts Castle.
Vincent looked toward the towering spires in the distance.
Even in darkness…
The castle was unmistakable.
Aberforth casually tapped the motorcycle with his wand.
The enormous vehicle shrank until it became a tiny ornament hanging beneath the inn’s sign.
Without another word, he led them upstairs.
The second-floor sitting room was simple and worn.
A single portrait hung prominently on the wall.
It depicted a young blonde girl.
That must be Ariana Dumbledore…
Vincent remembered the stories.
Years later…
Her enchanted portrait would guard the secret passage connecting the Hog’s Head to Hogwarts, playing a vital role during the Battle of Hogwarts.
He found himself comparing Ariana’s youthful features with Aberforth’s weathered face, wondering what Albus Dumbledore must have looked like at their age.
Aberforth lightly tapped the portrait’s frame.
Ariana smiled.
Then quietly turned and walked away into the painted landscape.
The canvas rippled like water.
Hagrid reached forward.
His enormous hand disappeared into the portrait as though passing through a doorway.
The secret passage.
“You two wait here.”
“I’ve got to speak with Professor Dumbledore.”
Turning toward Aberforth, Hagrid added,
“Vincent’s hurt.”
“Bring him some Essence of Murtlap.”
Then he disappeared into the portrait.
The painting became still once again.
Vincent and Harry sat quietly on a pair of wooden stools.
Aberforth didn’t seem interested in conversation.
Without saying another word, he returned downstairs.
A few minutes later…
A battered copper mug floated up the staircase by magic.
It settled gently onto the table before Vincent.
Inside was a yellowish liquid.
A strong smell resembling fish and medicinal herbs rose from it.
Still in his Animagus form, Vincent climbed onto the table.
Drinking from a mug proved far more difficult than expected.
A least weasel simply wasn’t designed for cups.
His tiny tongue struggled to lap up the liquid.
More than once, his entire snout disappeared beneath the surface.
Someone really ought to invent bowls for Animagi…
He carefully swallowed another mouthful.
Almost immediately…
Warmth spread throughout his body.
The cuts covering his fur began itching as they closed.
Bruises faded.
His breathing became easier.
Deep inside his chest, bones shifted with a series of soft cracks before settling back into place.
Within moments…
The pain was gone.
Every scrape.
Every bruise.
Even the injuries hidden beneath the surface.
Vincent stared into the mug.
Essence of Murtlap…
Amazing.
Compared to ordinary Muggle medicine…
Its effects were almost miraculous.
He had spent most of his attention studying spells.
Perhaps…
Herbology and Potions deserved far more respect than he had given them.
He slowly finished every last drop.
Curled comfortably on the tabletop, Vincent waited.
Harry spent the first few minutes exploring the room with curious eyes.
Eventually…
His attention shifted to Vincent instead.
“What is the wizarding world really like?”
“Where should I even start learning?”
“What was your home like?”
Vincent smiled faintly.
“I’m still learning myself.”
“I grew up in an orphanage.”
“I didn’t even know magic existed until I received my Hogwarts letter a few months ago.”
That much…
Was entirely true.
There were countless parts of the magical world he had never experienced himself.
Harry’s admiration only deepened.
“Then you’re even more amazing!”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be as good as you.”
“But…”
He smiled shyly.
“I’ll do my best to follow your example.”
“I was nervous about Hogwarts before.”
“Now…”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
The two boys chatted for quite some time.
Eventually…
Harry glanced toward the portrait.
“When is Hagrid coming back?”
Vincent wondered the same thing.
He looked at the old clock hanging on the wall.
Nearly two hours had passed.
Did something happen?
Just as the thought crossed his mind…
A faint rustling sound came from the corner of the room.
A small brown mouse cautiously emerged from a hole in the wall.
Clutched between its teeth was a tightly rolled piece of parchment.
The mouse intended to climb onto the table.
Then it saw Vincent.
The instincts of prey overwhelmed it.
The little creature froze.
It squeaked pitifully before curling into a trembling ball in the corner.
Vincent hopped down.
He gently removed the parchment from the mouse’s mouth.
The terrified messenger immediately fled back into its hole.
Returning to the table…
Vincent carefully unrolled the note.
The handwriting was unmistakably Hagrid’s.
Large.
Untidy.
And full of spelling mistakes.
The Aurors have arrived.
Lucky I sorted out the memory business before they did.
Don’t come over yet.
Something isn’t right.
Professor Dumbledore thinks someone inside the Auror Office can’t be trusted.
Things need investigating.
They’re investigating us, and we’re investigating them.
Vincent, you aren’t part of my altered memories.
Professor Dumbledore described Quirrell’s capture as an accident caused by an unstable possession, so the Ministry won’t trouble you.
You can go home for now.
Professor Dumbledore will find you later.
Harry, stay here a little longer.
Get a room at the Hog’s Head.
Put it on Professor Dumbledore’s account.
Once everything settles down, we’ll head to Diagon Alley to buy your school things.
—Rubeus Hagrid