There are ill-intentioned people within the Auror Office…
Vincent couldn’t stop thinking about Hagrid’s note.
He recalled the events of the original story.
After Voldemort’s return, Rufus Scrimgeour, then Head of the Auror Office, eventually succeeded Cornelius Fudge as Minister for Magic.
Scrimgeour had his flaws, but he was ultimately a courageous man.
Years later, he would endure torture and death rather than betray Harry Potter.
If someone like Scrimgeour led the Auror Office…
Then the traitors Dumbledore feared couldn’t be everyone.
Still…
When Voldemort eventually seized control of the Ministry, numerous Ministry employees—including some Aurors—joined or cooperated with the Death Eaters.
It wasn’t impossible that a few sympathizers already existed.
Either way…
I need to stay cautious.
The books never identified every future traitor.
Aberforth escorted Vincent to the Hog’s Head fireplace.
With a handful of Floo Powder…
He returned Vincent to Shropshire.
Floo travel wasn’t pleasant.
But compared to the violent dizziness of his first Animagus transformation…
It was almost comfortable.
An owl was already waiting.
It carried him over the sleeping countryside before gently setting him down on the roof of the orphanage.
The eastern horizon had begun to brighten.
The first rays of sunrise painted the sky gold.
Vincent let out a long sigh.
What an incredibly long day…
He slept for nearly three days.
When he finally recovered from both the physical injuries and mental exhaustion of his battle with Quirrell…
The first week of August had already passed.
Dumbledore had promised to visit once everything was settled.
Vincent waited.
Every morning…
He looked through the orphanage windows.
Every evening…
He checked the courtyard one last time before bed.
No elderly wizard with a silver beard ever appeared.
Quirrell is gone.
Pettigrew is still hiding as Scabbers.
Voldemort has fled back to Albania.
There should still be plenty of time.
If I can tell Dumbledore where the Horcruxes are…
Perhaps Voldemort can be destroyed years ahead of schedule.
The second week of August arrived.
Still nothing.
Eventually Vincent sighed.
Forget it.
Nobody ever knows what Dumbledore is doing.
Not even Harry.
Since waiting accomplished nothing…
He returned to studying magic.
The newly unlocked Mastery talent had saved his life.
Its value couldn’t be overstated.
A single talent had completely changed the outcome of the battle.
The next requirement appeared before him.
[Additional Talent Requirement:]
Master one specialized Charm, one Defence spell, and one Transfiguration spell.
Charm: (1/1)
Defence: (0/1)
Transfiguration: (1/1)
Vincent studied the panel thoughtfully.
“The specialized Charm is Whirlwind Assault, evolved from Ventus.”
“The specialized Transfiguration spell is Fur Camouflage, evolved from Colovaria.”
“Both proved incredibly useful.”
“Now I only need a specialized Defence spell.”
Unfortunately…
That was the hardest category to practice.
It wasn’t because he lacked talent.
Nor because his injuries hadn’t healed.
Defence Against the Dark Arts was simply different.
Most defensive magic only revealed its true effectiveness in an actual duel.
Blocking.
Countering.
Disarming.
Interrupting.
Those interactions couldn’t be reproduced alone.
Even when practicing with Neville…
Defence spells had always progressed the slowest.
Neville couldn’t cast most of the textbook spells successfully yet.
Even when he could…
His casting speed was far slower than Vincent’s.
Vincent could defeat him almost instantly, even while deliberately holding back.
Another owl arrived from Neville.
The letter mentioned that Auror patrols had become noticeably more frequent throughout the wizarding world.
One of Neville’s distant relatives apparently complained about them almost every day.
Clearly…
Quirrell’s death remained confidential.
The Ministry hadn’t revealed the truth.
Vincent sighed.
Without a proper sparring partner…
How am I supposed to practice Defence Against the Dark Arts?
Especially…
The Disarming Charm.
It was the spell he most wanted to master.
Within a hundred kilometers…
He doubted there was another wand besides his own.
He eventually settled for practicing easier magic.
One spell in particular…
The Slug-Vomiting Charm.
Unfortunately…
No matter how many times he cast it…
The system showed no progress whatsoever.
Out of curiosity, he cast Reducio instead.
Immediately…
A familiar notification appeared.
[Completion Progress: (22/100)]
Twenty-two.
Exactly the number of times he had cast it before.
Vincent quickly understood.
Defence spells probably require real combat or meaningful interaction.
Simply casting them into empty space doesn’t count.
He closed The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection after reading it several more times.
If he couldn’t improve now…
He would simply memorize everything before arriving at Hogwarts.
Then…
He shifted his attention back to Transfiguration.
Time passed quietly.
Vincent eventually mastered Reducio.
[Reducio → Badge Charm]
[While in Animagus form, you can shrink any non-magical object to the size of a badge and attach it securely to your fur. The object returns to normal size when released.]
He immediately tested it.
Every table and chair from the orphanage dining hall vanished into tiny ornaments attached to his fur.
Before dawn…
They were all returned exactly where they belonged.
Next came the Softening Charm.
[Softening Charm → Cotton Defense]
[While in Animagus form, you may enchant your fur for five seconds. Any non-magical object striking you becomes as soft as cotton upon contact.]
Vincent couldn’t resist experimenting.
During the afternoon…
He deliberately appeared before several of the orphanage’s most mischievous children in his least weasel form.
Predictably…
They chased him.
Then threw pebbles.
Every stone flattened into something as soft as cotton the instant it touched him.
Not a single impact hurt.
The children stood frozen in disbelief.
Vincent escaped before anyone could investigate further.
Before Dumbledore ever visited the orphanage…
September arrived.
“So much for I’ll come and find you.”
Vincent smiled helplessly.
“I suppose I’ll have to find him instead.”
Dragging his suitcase behind him…
He stood among the bustling crowds of King’s Cross Station.
Dumbledore had warned Hagrid not to contact him unnecessarily while the Ministry’s investigation continued.
Vincent hadn’t dared send letters.
Now…
He could finally ask in person.
Surely Professor Dumbledore can’t avoid me once I’m at Hogwarts.
Voldemort had retreated to Albania.
For the moment…
Britain’s magical world should remain relatively peaceful.
“Take care of yourself, dear.”
Ms.
Kenna’s voice came from behind him.
She had driven him to King’s Cross herself.
“I will.”
“Thank you.”
Vincent smiled.
Ms.
Kenna returned the smile.
It surprised him.
She was usually a strict woman.
He had rarely seen such warmth on her face.
“When I was younger…”
“I dreamed of becoming a witch.”
She laughed softly.
“That dream never came true.”
“But I also dreamed of one day sending my own child to a magical school.”
“I thought I’d never have that chance.”
She looked directly at him.
“Take care of yourself.”
“Eat properly.”
“The wizarding world can be dangerous.”
“Don’t come home covered in injuries.”
Vincent’s expression softened.
He bowed deeply.
“Thank you…”
“Ms. Kenna.”
“No matter where life takes me…”
“I’ll never forget that you raised me.”
“The orphanage will always be my home.”
He waved until her car disappeared into the traffic.
Only then did he turn toward the station.
Between Platforms Nine and Ten…
Crowds bustled in every direction.
Out of the corner of his eye…
He caught flashes of brilliant robes.
When he looked directly…
The robes were gone.
Only ordinary Muggles remained.
Vincent smiled.
The magical world…
Was just beyond that barrier.
Taking a deep breath…
He gripped the handle of his suitcase.
Then sprinted straight toward the brick pillar separating Platforms Nine and Ten.