[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hogwarts-john-wick":3,"chapter-hogwarts-john-wick-hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-284":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Hogwarts’ John Wick",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1646068,2109,"284: Mundungus’s Payment and Pansy","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-284",284,"\u003Cp>Flourish and Blotts sent the required school textbooks to John's home via owl post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as you were willing to pay several times the normal delivery fee, Flourish and Blotts were more than happy to oblige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basil had been quite busy lately—it had to deliver letters for John all over the place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The work of maintaining connections was still ongoing, and among the many letters, one in particular caught John's interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was from Horace Slughorn, former Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts, Potions Professor, and Potions Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had gotten to know each other through Democles—more accurately, they were pen pals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the former Slytherin Head of House, Slughorn was quite intrigued by this Slytherin student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They occasionally exchanged letters, and in John's opinion, Slughorn was someone rather like himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were Slytherins, and both were in the business of collecting connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference was, John used his network to pull off major operations, while Slughorn simply enjoyed the vanity and prestige those connections brought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Slughorn gained through his network gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John had been in contact with him for about two years. Aside from the occasional discussion about potion-making, he would sometimes send small gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things like mead and candied pineapple, for example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slughorn had also been quite helpful—he had once given John advice on soul-related potions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, John didn't take that earlier piece of advice—he had found something better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Slughorn had reached out because he'd heard from Democles about the thesis on the Blood Curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"John, you truly surprise me. A child your age, able to co-author a paper with a Potions Master like Democles Belby—he was one of the most gifted students I've ever taught. When it comes to the Blood Potion thesis, I can tell your contribution was substantial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You never cease to amaze me with your talent. It's such a pity I've already retired—if I had the chance to teach a student like you, it would've been the pride of my career.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slughorn marveled at John's brilliance, while also regretting that he was no longer a professor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a professor with a collector's instinct, Slughorn had always loved students with exceptional talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a keen eye—almost every student he took an interest in went on to achieve remarkable success in their fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there were also students he remembered with sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, Lily Evans—Slughorn had liked her very much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was murdered by another one of his students, a memory he wished he could erase for the rest of his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That student had brought him more than just grief. For the rest of his days, Slughorn felt he had helped create a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving the letter, John took out a quill, dipped it in ink, and began writing a reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had some questions for Slughorn—ones that touched on rather obscure and forbidden matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basil was munching on a small fish snack when John took it away and replaced it with a letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know where to take it.\" Patting Basil on the head, John opened the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basil gave two disgruntled squawks, clearly unhappy about not finishing his treat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John glanced at the fish snack that had been gobbled up by Tom in the meantime and said with a straight face, \"I'll give you a fresh one when you get back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basil flew off, and Riddle flew in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He brought a letter from Tommy, along with a box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir, Mundungus stole some things from who-knows-where and hopes to use them to pay off his debt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John opened the box. Inside were some finely crafted silverware pieces, and several magical items with enchantments on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them, a purple nightrobe, flew out the moment John opened it and tried to strangle him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John's wardrobe burst open, and a wizard robe with a silver mask flew out, grappled the purple nightrobe, and threw it to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where did he even get this stuff?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John reached out and picked up a music box. The melody it emitted made his head feel foggy and dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He casually shut it off, his expression thoughtful. He had seen this kind of item before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I almost forgot, Mundungus used to be a thief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The purple nightrobe had already been subdued by John's wizard robe, twisted into a wrung-up shape and tossed aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These things were from the old Black residence—seems even a family thief is hard to guard against.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John twisted the music box slightly, and the sound it produced made Tom drowsy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chuckled lightly. \"Well, I suppose it's not a bad method.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wrote a letter to Tommy, telling him that the items Mundungus had stolen could offset some of the debt—but onlysome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given Mundungus's personality, once he found out he could pay off debt this way, he would only double down on the behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John hadn't said it outright—so even if Dumbledore used Legilimency, he wouldn't be able to trace John's whereabouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a crucial point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha~ Look at the people you pick, Dumbledore. You reallyaregetting old and senile.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting a family thief become a member of the Order of the Phoenix—was Dumbledore just too confident?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Tom. Ah, to be a young dog—out like a light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John placed the music box beside Tom. Since she liked it, might as well let it be a toy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for that nightrobe, John snapped his fingers. The crumpled-up garment flew into his hand. He clapped his hands together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A magic circle appeared on the robe. With a casual gesture, he pointed—and the robe floated up to hang out on the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John had no habit of wearing other people's clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August 31st.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day left until the school year began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John left home early and went to the Silverhand Johnny Specialty Shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, aside from Tommy, everything here had been taken over by Kim Ladislay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Secret Garden, John saw Kim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had left Ilvermorny, and his golden hair had grown longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John stood off to the side. A canvas was spread across the easel, and Kim held a paintbrush, gesturing with it in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a painting of a sunflower field—already a nearly perfect piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped his brush and stared blankly at a patch of empty space, his thoughts drifting far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, he put down the brush and gently ran his fingers over the painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The still-wet paint was smudged into a complete mess under his touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't paint it,\" Kim said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John replied calmly, \"Don't force yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just...\" Kim gave a bitter laugh and ran a paint-smeared hand through his hair in frustration, smearing a mess of colors into his golden hair. \"I just wanted to see them one more time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone wants to see them again.\" John walked over and gently patted Kim on the shoulder. \"Kim, paint one for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kim, his hair disheveled, silently took down the canvas and replaced it with a new one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John stood there and, almost instinctively, glanced to his left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped theTales of Beedle the Barda little tighter and murmured, \"Yeah... who doesn't want to see them again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>September 1st.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hogwarts school year began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving Knockturn Alley, John made a trip to Gringotts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the Lestrange identity, he entered the vault once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the cart brought him out, the goblin pulling it had a smile on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Lestrange vault was full again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To goblins, it seemed that anything stored in Gringotts was as good as theirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John didn't care. He Apparated to King's Cross Station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking through the station, just before he entered Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, he saw a long, bustling line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Harry and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ensure Harry's safety, the scale of their escort could probably put even the Minister for Magic to shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John only glanced once before heading toward the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing through the station wall, John entered Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"John.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pansy wasn't with Malfoy, and the annoyance was written all over her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crabbe and Goyle looked evasive, frequently rubbing their left arms with their right hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John walked over and glanced at the two big guys. \"Where's Draco?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pansy said irritably, \"Off bragging about being a prefect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh~ That's in character for him,\" John shrugged, then glanced again at the two large boys who were doing their best to shrink into the background. \"Goyle, Crabbe—come with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving no room for argument, John gave a direct order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pansy looked gleeful at their misfortune as they all boarded the train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John walked in front, exuding an aura of \"stay away\" that was hard to ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slytherin students greeted him respectfully as they passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students from the other three houses looked awkward, avoiding direct eye contact with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached an empty compartment, John stepped in first and sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crabbe and Goyle turned to leave, only to be shoved inside by Pansy from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John snapped his fingers, and the compartment door slammed shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Read 12 Chaps ahead:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patreon: Dragonel\u003C\u002Fp>",1518,"2026-06-06T11:45:53.361Z",1,"novelbin.me","a0df43027781800c9adfdb0426f7eebd1236676f5c907dd9b039212a73f1302e","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-285","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-283",577,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhogwarts-john-wick-cover.jpg"]