Hogwarts' John Wick

Dumbledore hadn't left the Headmaster's office. He stared at the silver instrument, a complex expression in his eyes.

"If that child wasn't lying, then you should know what it means."

The most unpopular Headmaster in Hogwarts history, Phineas Nigellus Black, spoke up.

Dumbledore came back to his senses. "You mean the third dream?"

Harry had three dreams in total.

The first was nothing more than a young boy's restless stirrings. The second was about the attack on Arthur Weasley. And the third—was the strangest of all.

Harry had felt as if he were forcibly pulled over, as though two dreams were fighting over him.

"You know the identity of the one with the silver mask," Phineas said, a bit proudly. "He truly is someone to be proud of. His appearance means he's connected to that person."

"I think I know," Dumbledore's half-moon glasses glinted, "but that only pleases me more."

"He's still doing things without straying from the right path," Dumbledore said. "He's gained something—just like in second year."

That destroyed diary from second year still lay in a drawer—destroyed by John and Harry themselves.

Dumbledore felt that it was time to have a talk with John.

Not from Johnny Silverhand—but from John Wick.

...

John returned to Hogwarts.

He saw his room piled high with gifts.

It was a scene he had grown used to by now. He began rummaging through them.

Eh..?

Fleur had sent a bottle of women's perfume, leaving John thoroughly confused.

He set the perfume aside and unwrapped a broomstick maintenance kit from Malfoy.

Cedric apparently still thought John really liked little handbags—he sent him a new one. And even included a women's version.

Astoria had sent something too—a photo of her crying while traveling in Finland.

From the looks of it, Mr. Greengrass didn't seem too thrilled either. Only Mrs. Greengrass appeared genuinely happy.

They seemed to have gone on this trip rather hastily... I wonder why..?

Daphne sent a pen, seemingly handmade.

Its design looked somewhat similar to the one John had made before.

One by one, John unwrapped the presents and frowned.

Hmm?

"Uncle and the others didn't send anything?"

This year, his uncle hadn't sent any gifts. It seemed he was waiting for John's response.

"To confront my own bloodline, huh."

John mulled over it for a moment before Malfoy knocked on the door and called him out.

Malfoy didn't have anything urgent—just some updates regarding the plans they were scheming.

Goyle and Crabbe hadn't gone home either.

They'd been assigned a mission, and naturally, wouldn't dare return until it was complete.

Pansy had left in a big hurry, as if she were afraid someone was chasing her.

Not even her little boyfriend staying at the castle for Christmas could persuade her to stay.

...

The school was especially quiet this year—probably because the entire Weasley clan had left.

John emerged from the Black Lake. Cold wind whipped through his wet hair, forming a layer of frost.

After evaporating the water, John had yet another failed attempt at communicating with the giant squid.

He vaguely suspected that the squid might actually be the spirit of the Black Lake.

After leaving the lake, John headed toward the Forbidden Forest.

Hagrid wasn't even spending Christmas in his hut this year, which made John suspicious.

"Hagrid keeps running into the Forbidden Forest," John muttered with a frown.

Hagrid had always gone into the forest before, but never this frequently.

Now, it was practically every day.

John had promised Hagrid he wouldn't pry, so he could only suppress his curiosity.

After feeding the cute Zouwu, he got ready to head to Hogsmeade.

For some reason, Daphne had a sudden whim and invited him to the tea shop in Hogsmeade.

When he arrived at the castle gates, he saw Daphne standing there gracefully.

Daphne smiled as John walked beside her.

Upon reaching Hogsmeade, John ran into Cedric.

He was with Cho Chang; the two were arm-in-arm, looking very sweet together.

John turned his head and saw Daphne looking at his hand, as if she were hesitating about something.

"John, Merry Christmas!"

Neville waved cheerfully, his parents standing beside him.

He ran over and said, "My mum and dad wanted to visit Hogsmeade again, so we're spending Christmas here this year."

As he spoke, Neville leaned in and whispered, "Harry dreamed that Ron's dad was attacked."

"Harry said…" Neville hesitated, "that he was the one who attacked Ron's dad."

"I see," John nodded. It seemed the Horcrux was affecting him.

As Voldemort's seventh Horcrux, Harry was undoubtedly the most unique one of all.

He wasn't under Voldemort's control, but was still subtly influenced by him.

After chatting with John for a while, Neville left with his parents.

John, accompanied by an expectant Daphne, headed to the tea shop.

Even during Christmas, the place was still popular among young couples.

Before they even stepped inside, John spotted Cedric and Cho Chang.

Daphne gathered her courage and tried to take John's hand.

Just then, John frowned.

"Daphne, I'm afraid I can't walk with you anymore."

He stopped in his tracks, staring at the black owl slowly descending from the sky.

Daphne's joyful heart gradually sank as she watched John take the letter from the owl's beak.

She forced a smile despite her disappointment and said, "It's fine, I just wanted to come take a look."

John nodded and took a few steps before turning back.

"This is for you. Merry Christmas."

He pulled a gift from his pouch and placed it in Daphne's hands.

The disappointment on Daphne's face was instantly replaced with joy as she watched John leave.

She held the gift with a look of bliss on her face.

She didn't even notice Cho Chang and Cedric behind her, both wearing the unmistakable expressions of gossip-loving onlookers.

...

There was a reason John had hurried off.

The Death Eaters were on the move.

It had been a long time since the Death Eaters' last attack on the American branch, and this time, the activity was in Knockturn Alley.

The security team had spotted Death Eaters; they had photos of them all.

Maybe they'd been locked up for too long—some of them didn't even seem to recognize how much the world had changed.

One Death Eater even thought this was the same Knockturn Alley from the old days.

John Apparated to the office, where Tommy was already waiting. He respectfully reported, "Death Eater activity detected. It seems they've found the Gardener."

"If Voldemort finds out his dear follower isn't actually dead," John curled his lips into a mocking smile, "then it looks like he's coming to rescue someone."

"What's the Gardener's reaction?" John asked.

Tommy thought for a moment and replied, "Nothing particularly unusual."

John had planted a mental seed in Barty Jr. before. Since Voldemort hadn't come looking for him for a long time, the seed had been steadily growing.

Even now, upon seeing Death Eaters, there was no strong reaction from him.

"The Death Eaters won't act out in the open. We can give them a chance," John said.

He knew full well that Death Eaters were like rats in the gutter now—they couldn't stand the light of day. Let alone taking Barty Jr. away in broad daylight.

The only option was a covert extraction.

And this was something John had been waiting for.

The only thing he needed to worry about now was whether Voldemort would show up in person.

Barty Jr. was simply too important.

Not just as a powerful fighter.

Even more important was his father—Barty Crouch Sr.

Barty Crouch Sr., as the current Minister of Magic, wielded immense power.

And that power was still growing. Taking away his son, Barty Jr., could be used to threaten Barty Sr.

"Heh~ Issue a bounty—double the price this time."

John directly doubled the bounty on the Death Eaters and summoned the Star disciples.

As long as Voldemort showed up, he would be met with a counterstrike from this force.

And if he didn't dare show up, then that seed would fully sprout.

John narrowed his eyes. "Let me see just how far Voldemort is willing to go."

He started to consider whether to inform the Order of the Phoenix.

The idea lasted barely three seconds before he dismissed it.

Now wasn't the time. There wouldn't be many Death Eaters sent to Knockturn Alley.

If the Order of the Phoenix clashed with the Death Eaters now, it might force Voldemort to relocate and hide elsewhere.

The ongoing tension between Johnny Silverhand and Dumbledore was the very reason Voldemort still had room to move.

"I'm heading to the Garden. Want to come along?" John glanced at Tommy.

Tommy checked the time, his expression calm as he replied, "Um.. Can I say no?"

He had an appointment with Oz, and it was almost time.

He really hated the Death Eaters—of all times, they had to show up now.

________

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