[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hogwarts-john-wick":3,"chapter-hogwarts-john-wick-hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-415":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},1646199,2109,"Chapter 415 415: 415: Bloodstains and Secrets","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-415",415,"\u003Cp>Dumbledore raised his wand, casting light across a narrow hallway where a door stood open on the left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry followed closely behind him into the living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place was a wreck—an old grandfather clock lay shattered, its face cracked, the pendulum thrown clear across the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piano had been overturned, its black-and-white keys scattered everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broken fragments of a chandelier glittered faintly among the debris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cushions had been torn apart, feathers spilling from ripped seams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore lifted his wand higher, illuminating the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark red streaks of something thick and sticky were splattered across it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry drew in a sharp breath at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore looked around slowly. \"Not a pleasant scene, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice grew heavy. \"Something terrible happened here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stepped carefully toward the center of the room, examining the shattered remains underfoot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grim unease hung over both of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only small mercy was that there were no bodies anywhere in sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There was a fight here… and then they either dragged someone away or he managed to escape. Right, Professor?\" Harry tried to sound hopeful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with that much blood splattered across the room, it was hard to think of any hopeful explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the ceiling, a thick drop of dark red blood fell and landed on Harry's forehead. Dumbledore seemed to notice something—he touched the spot with his fingers, then brought them to his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression shifted as realization dawned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The initial look of shock and concern faded from his face, replaced by calm understanding. \"I don't believe that's the case,\" Dumbledore said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he subtly tightened his grip on his old wand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry frowned. \"You mean… he's—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still here,\" Dumbledore said, nodding. \"Yes, that's right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Harry could react, Dumbledore's wand shot forward, stabbing into the bulging cushion of an armchair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Harry's astonishment, the chair let out a yelp. \"Ow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with amusement as he greeted politely, \"Good evening, Horace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, the armchair transformed into a bald, round old man who got to his feet, rubbing his belly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There was no need to jab so hard,\" the man complained, glaring at Dumbledore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was wearing a richly patterned robe that matched the upholstery of the armchair perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-puffed-up armchair deflated quickly, shrinking back into the shape of the short, stout old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now how did you figure that out?\" the man grumbled, clearly puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My dear Horace,\" Dumbledore replied with mild amusement, \"if you had truly met a grim fate, we wouldn't be seeing dragon's blood splattered all over the walls.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, yes, yes—I should've thought of that,\" Slughorn said gloomily. \"And who was it, again, that discovered the twelve uses of dragon's blood—oh…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice trailed off mid-sentence as his eyes fell on Harry standing behind Dumbledore. His expression shifted instantly—like a pirate who had just unearthed a chest of treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore took in the reaction but pretended not to notice, speaking casually. \"Allow me to introduce my old colleague, Horace Slughorn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Horace, I imagine you already know who this is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harry Potter,\" Slughorn breathed, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry felt awkward under the intense stare, unsure what to do with himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don't mind,\" Dumbledore said politely, \"shall I help you tidy up a bit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slughorn blinked, snapping out of his daze. \"Please do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry watched as Dumbledore waved his wand. One by one, the furniture pieces leapt back into place, and decorations reassembled themselves midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damaged books mended and returned neatly to their shelves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oil lamps floated back to their stands and flickered to life once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Dumbledore's spell, everything was restored so perfectly that no trace of the earlier chaos remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the bloodstains on the walls vanished, scrubbed away by invisible hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry heard a faint creaking sound and looked down—his foot was resting on a fallen crystal pendant from the chandelier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly stepped back, and the pendant floated up, reattaching itself to the chandelier as if it had never been broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dragon's blood has become rather scarce on the market lately,\" Dumbledore said lightly, waving his wand to right an overturned bottle. \"Where did you manage to get some?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, that was my last bottle,\" Slughorn replied, his eyes still half-fixed on Harry. \"Its price has skyrocketed. Wild dragons have been disappearing lately—there've even been several escape incidents reported in Romania.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's made dragon's blood far more valuable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, Harry recalled reading something similar in the papers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron's second brother, Charlie, had mentioned that dragons in Romania had been breaking free of their reserves—something completely out of character for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlie Weasley had guessed it might be mating season, but that explanation never sat quite right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore noticed that Slughorn was still staring at Harry and suddenly asked, \"Are you hiding from someone, Horace?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, come now, Albus—do you really need me to say it out loud?\" Slughorn replied, looking embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who else could he be hiding from, after all, if not his old friend Dumbledore—the man who had taken his place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore, as if ignoring the awkwardness, said kindly, \"At the very least, we can share a drink—for old times' sake?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suggestion made Slughorn hesitate for a moment, but he eventually nodded. \"All right, one drink.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry didn't quite understand what they were talking about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though full of questions, he followed Dumbledore's lead and sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about his seat made him feel like he'd been deliberately placed in the most noticeable spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, when Slughorn turned back with a bottle and two glasses, the first thing he saw was Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly averted his eyes and stiffly handed a glass to Dumbledore before lowering himself into the freshly restored armchair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How have you been, Horace? Keeping well, I hope?\" Dumbledore asked pleasantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"More or less,\" Slughorn replied with some reluctance. \"This past year's been nerve-wracking, though things have settled down a bit lately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slughorn wasn't a particularly brave man, though his influence in the wizarding world was considerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he'd heard that Death Eaters had reappeared, his nerves had nearly shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with everything that had happened at Hogwarts—Dumbledore resigning from his post—it had only made things worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, good news had come from the Ministry afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Death Eaters had been wiped out in one sweep, which was what finally convinced Slughorn to accept the position of Headmaster at Hogwarts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I swear I never intended to take your place, Albus,\" Slughorn said earnestly. \"You know I'm not that sort.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I'm well aware,\" Dumbledore replied calmly. \"But I'm glad it was you who succeeded me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly?\" Slughorn looked doubtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course,\" Dumbledore said with a genial smile. \"You know me, Horace. Perhaps there's something else troubling you now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you mean the matter of the Defense Against the Dark Arts post—then yes, I admit it,\" Slughorn sighed. \"No one seems willing to take that position.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Death Eaters may be captured, but their master is still at large.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The uncertainty in Slughorn's tone made Harry take an instant dislike to the man's lack of backbone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, I almost forgot,\" Dumbledore said as if just remembering, \"Harry has quite the talent for Defense Against the Dark Arts. You must have heard about his results.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry, suddenly mentioned by name, froze in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore gave him a playful wink, then stood and asked Slughorn, \"Might I use your bathroom?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, of course—down the hall, second door on the left,\" Slughorn replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Dumbledore left, Harry noticed him wink once more—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—but \"cross-channel communication\" was never Harry's strong suit, and he had no idea what the old man was trying to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry was left alone with Slughorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere grew heavy and awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look very much like your father,\" Slughorn said, studying him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same old line—Harry had heard it from nearly every adult he'd ever met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Except for the eyes. Your eyes…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, Harry cut in, \"Are like my mother's. Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lily—dear, clever Lily,\" Slughorn said softly, gazing into Harry's eyes. \"She was an extraordinarily gifted witch, especially considering she came from a Muggle family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a good friend who's Muggle-born too. She's one of the best in our year,\" Harry replied, a touch defensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no, no—please don't think I'm prejudiced,\" Slughorn said quickly. \"Your mother was one of my favorite students. I always told her she should have been in my House.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the memory, Slughorn chuckled rather than taking offense. \"She never failed to give me a sharp retort for that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which House were you in?\" Harry asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was Head of Slytherin back then,\" Slughorn replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mention of that House made Harry's expression stiffen slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, come now,\" Slughorn said, clearly reading his thoughts. \"Don't hold that against me. I suppose you're like her—a Gryffindor, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore a self-satisfied smile and pointed at the many gleaming frames on the cabinet, each holding a moving figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look—your mother's right there, the one in front.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry leaned closer, with Slughorn standing beside him. He saw a photo of his mother standing next to a younger Slughorn, surrounded by a group of students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puffing up like a curator showing off a collection, Slughorn said, \"You should recognize Barnabas Cuffe, editor of the Daily Prophet. I often have owls carry him my thoughts on current affairs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But in recent years he's been outdone by another editor. Honestly, I never imagined Rita would end up in the editor's chair—back at school she was forever spreading gossip,\" Slughorn went on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry listened as his gaze drifted from his mother's photo. There was Gwenog Jones, captain of the Holyhead Harpies. The proprietor of Honeydukes. And Sirius's younger brother, Regulus Black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slughorn added with a sigh that he'd taught every member of the Black family—except Sirius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the photo cabinet sat a basket specially for letters. Curious, Harry asked, \"What's that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Words still flowing about his former students, Slughorn answered without thinking, \"That's where I keep John Wick's letters. He often sends the trickiest questions—ones I have to really ponder before replying. A brilliantly clever young man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was the same at school,\" Harry said, his feelings a complicated mix. \"Always top of the class—no one ever managed to surpass him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Slughorn suddenly seemed to realize something. \"Good heavens, I'd forgotten—you were in the same year as him!\" he exclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had never personally taught John Wick, even their exchanged letters were a source of pride for Slughorn—so much so that he'd placed them in his cabinet of honors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry forced a faint smile, his gaze fixed on the handful of letters resting there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered what kind of topics John and Slughorn had discussed—topics so complex that even someone Dumbledore called a very clever man needed a long time to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>o(*￣▽￣*)ブSupport and Read 12 Chapters ahead: Patreon\u002FDragonel\u003C\u002Fp>",1819,"2026-06-06T11:45:53.362Z",1,"novelbin.me","a5825f4ab46247f6996c711c72b725a88efdae5d540fca4964171f44636d00d0","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-416","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-414",577,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhogwarts-john-wick-cover.jpg"]