"Harry Potter and the Shadows of Merlin"

Snape's strategy was proving to be quite effective.

In the following Potions class, he deliberately targeted Harry while praising Dana, which led Harry to avoid seeking Dana out in the Great Hall anymore. Eleven-year-old boys were, after all, rather easy to manipulate.

However, today was an exception.

Harry found Dana excitedly and rushed over.

"Dana, do you know? Flying Class starts on Thursday!"

Dana hadn't spoken to Harry in days, so he was a little surprised to see him approach so cheerfully.

"Really? How do you know?"

"It was posted in the common room," Harry replied, his face glowing with excitement and joy. "Did you ever play with a flying broomstick when you were little?"

Dana shook his head. "No, I didn't. I lost my father when I was young, and it wasn't easy for my mother to raise me alone. We couldn't afford even a toy broomstick, let alone a real one."

Harry's smile faltered, his expression softening with sympathy.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know... I just thought something so fun should be shared with a good friend."

It turned out that Harry had noticed Dana often sitting alone, while he himself was always surrounded by friends. Compared to that, Dana seemed truly lonely.

Even though Dana had earned over thirty points for Gryffindor in just two weeks, he still hadn't gained the friendship of the other Gryffindor students.

But Harry, at heart, was a kind child. He couldn't stand seeing someone suffer in silence.

"No, you don't have to apologize, Harry. I'm not sad," Dana replied gently, then pointed to Ron, who was waving at them from a distance. "Quick, Ron is calling you."

Harry hesitated, unsure what to say next.

"But Dana, you…"

"Go ahead," Dana interrupted, smiling faintly. "Ron is a very good friend. Don't let him down."

With that, Dana turned and walked toward the library.

He hoped Harry would keep his distance so he could focus on his plans for revenge without distractions. Still, to be honest, Dana was also very much looking forward to Flying Class. In his previous life, he had often fantasized about soaring across the Quidditch field.

Yes, he could now transform into an animal and fly that way, but that wasn't the same. It was like the difference between running and riding a motorcycle—they were completely different sensations.

With this new anticipation, time seemed to drag even slower.

Finally, Thursday arrived. Dana, like all the other young wizards, was filled with excitement.

He had been starting to worry there might be something wrong with him—he had been feeling increasingly indifferent lately, his emotions locked away, like when he was in Azkaban.

But the arrival of Flying Class reminded him of something important: he did have emotions. He was still alive.

In the Great Hall at breakfast, the air buzzed with chatter from the first-years, all discussing Flying Class, of course. Most of what they were saying was ridiculous—like Draco Malfoy claiming he'd once nearly crashed into a Muggle airplane while flying.

Dana noticed that Hermione was the only one who didn't look excited. She actually looked more anxious. She was tirelessly trying to teach the other first-years the contents of Quidditch Through the Ages, hoping her knowledge would help her prepare.

Her efforts were not well received. The other students were clearly annoyed—except for Neville, who was just as nervous as she was. He clung to Hermione's explanations in hopes they might help him stay aloft later.

Their little study session was interrupted by the arrival of the owls—and Neville received a package containing his Remembrall.

Dana didn't pay attention to that. He adjusted his mindset and grabbed his books for the morning Charms class.

Flying Class wasn't until the afternoon. For now, they still had regular lessons—Charms was one of the most beloved subjects among first-years, but today, no one was in the mood to learn any new spells.

Finally, it was 3:30 in the afternoon.

Dana trailed behind the others, heading down the stone steps from the castle toward the open lawn.

About twenty broomsticks were neatly laid out on the grass. Just seeing them made Dana's heart pound with excitement.

But then, something unexpected happened—his chest suddenly felt warm.

It wasn't some fever from his excitement—if that were the case, Dana would probably have already fainted.

No, it was the two-way mirror heating up.

The mirror that Mr. Borgin had given him a month ago.

Damn it. Right now, of all times?

Dana had no choice but to find Harry.

"Harry, I'm not feeling well. I need to go to the hospital wing. If the professor asks later, please explain for me."

Before Harry could respond, Dana had already darted back into the castle.

He quickly found a secluded corner, transformed into his adult disguise—Dak Dantes—and opened the two-way mirror.

On the other side appeared Mr. Borgin, seated inside his familiar dark shop.

"Thank Merlin, Mr. Dantes. You've finally answered."

"What is it, Mr. Borgin?" Dana replied with a clear trace of annoyance in his voice. His long-awaited Flying Class had just been ruined. If this information wasn't worthwhile, Dana wouldn't rule out making a scene at Borgin and Burkes over the Christmas holidays.

"Oh... Did I disturb you, sir?"

Borgin, always quick to read a person's mood, clearly realized Dana wasn't pleased. As a shrewd merchant, reading people was a basic survival skill.

"I only contacted you because I have the information you asked for. I didn't pay attention to the time—people usually have important things to do at this hour. I promise I'll be more considerate next time."

Dana's expression eased slightly.

"Alright, what have you found?"

"We've located Huo Jin Riches."

Dana's eyes lit up.

Huo Jin Riches—the Ministry of Magic official who once handled Dana's mother's application to redeem him from Azkaban.

"Where is he?"

"He's currently living in London's Chinatown, near the Royal Chinese Restaurant. The address is Baker Street, number 26 and a half."

That address... it had a distinctly magical ring to it.

Dana nodded as Borgin continued.

"It took considerable effort—countless informants, a lot of coin. So, Mr. Dantes, when can I expect the rest of the payment? The discounted price is 1,500 Galleons. Your advance of 1,000 only covers part of the cost."

Dana answered without hesitation.

"I can't visit you right now. But I'll come a few days after Christmas. In the meantime, please continue investigating the information I requested."

"Of course, sir. I look forward to your visit. Wishing you all the best."

The mirror went dark.

Dana sighed and reverted to his original appearance.

Mr. Borgin's efficiency was impressive—he had found Huo Jin Riches far faster than expected. Now, all Dana had to do was question him. Once he did, he'd finally learn the identity of the high-ranking Ministry official who had been bribed by Ollivander Avery.

And if Huo Jin Riches refused to talk?

Well, Dana was a graduate of Azkaban. He had plenty of ways to make someone open their mouth.

Right now, however, Dana's heart burned with frustration—he really wanted to get back to Flying Class.

But he had just told Harry he was going to the hospital wing. He couldn't return so soon without raising suspicion.

So, all he could do was crouch in a quiet corner and wait, counting every passing minute with growing agony.

Each second crawled by.

Eventually, Dana saw Professor McGonagall rushing out of the castle and heading toward the Flying Class lawn. She then took Harry Potter away from the field.

So it's already happened—the part where Malfoy throws Neville's Remembrall and Harry catches it mid-air.

Then why hadn't Dana seen Madam Hooch escorting Neville to the hospital wing?

He must have missed it while talking to Borgin.

Wait—

The hospital wing!

He had said he was going there!

But he never actually went!

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