[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hogwarts-john-wick":3,"chapter-hogwarts-john-wick-hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-464":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},1646148,2109,"Chapter 464 464: 464: The Price of the Deal","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-464",464,"\u003Cp>To make it easier for Hogwarts students to return to school, the Ministry of Magic had specially opened a one-time Floo Network connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Weasley had been poisoned and needed to remain in the hospital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today's farewell felt especially quiet and subdued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirius had gone to the school ahead of time, Lupin had left as well, and only Mr. Weasley and Bill were there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take care of yourselves, Harry—and you too, Ron.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bill, ever the big brother, patted both of them on the shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Weasley was clearly sorrowful, yet he still forced himself to appear cheerful in front of the children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ginny, I'm sorry…\" Harry wanted to apologize to her—not just about the broomstick, but also about his own failure to live up to the role of the Chosen One.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mum will be fine,\" Ginny said. She was strong, firmly believing that her mother would pull through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Harry had already done more than enough. If he hadn't controlled the broomstick to cut through the wild grass, they probably wouldn't have escaped at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping into the emerald-green flames, Harry called out, \"Hogwarts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casting one last glance at the now much emptier house, he was swallowed by the fire and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good evening, Potter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall set down her quill and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She watched Harry climb out of the fireplace, scattering a fair amount of ash across the carpet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall wasn't angry. Instead, she looked at him with a seriousness softened by kind concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good evening, Professor,\" Harry said, straightening his glasses, which had been magically repaired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smoothed down his hair as Ron and Ginny arrived shortly after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Ginny's beautiful red hair now cut short, a trace of sympathy showed in Professor McGonagall's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good evening, Weasleys.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good evening, Professor,\" the siblings replied in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three of them left Professor McGonagall's office together and headed toward the Gryffindor Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of what had happened to the Weasley family, the Weasley siblings drew extra attention the moment they returned to school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before night had fully fallen, Dean, having read the newspaper, ran over to ask Ginny, \"Are you alright, Ginny?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm fine,\" Ginny said. Her short haircut drew plenty of attention as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn't even reached the common room when many people gathered around to ask about the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It left Ron feeling irritable. His mother was still lying in a hospital ward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the joy of Christmas had been replaced by sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Worthless,\" Ron said as he stepped up to the Fat Lady and gave the password.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fat Lady gave him a sidelong look and said, \"That's not correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron protested loudly, \"What do you mean it's not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The password has been changed. Please don't shout,\" the Fat Lady said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harry! Ron! Ginny!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione ran toward them, pushing through the crowd, and wrapped Harry in a tight hug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a mix of relief and sadness in her voice, she said, \"Thank goodness—you're all alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron gestured from the side to indicate that he was the one who'd actually been injured, and Ginny was pulled into a full embrace as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was wearing a cloak, with a hat and gloves on. Her cheeks were flushed red, whether from running or from the cold wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I got back two hours ago. I'm sorry, Harry—I only just found out what happened,\" Hermione said guiltily. \"I didn't even write to you right away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She'd been abroad and had never imagined that her friends were going through something so life-threatening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading the three of them to the archway, she gave the new password. \"Temperance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fat Lady let out a belch and weakly revealed the passage behind her. Over Christmas, she'd drunk up five hundred years' worth of aged wine from the other portraits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once inside the common room, even more people came over to ask questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made Ron feel miserable, though beyond curiosity, those students were genuinely concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sending their classmates away, the four of them sat down on the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione handed Harry a rolled piece of parchment. It was a note Dumbledore had left for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the Christmas holiday, Dumbledore had stayed in that not-so-large office the entire time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They talked about various things from Christmas, then the conversation naturally shifted to the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three of them had always talked about everything, and this time was no different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry absentmindedly touched the outline of the golden locket beneath his sweater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron said, \"We almost died there. If we hadn't run into Luna…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Luna's Crumple-Horned Snorkack?\" Hermione said in surprise. \"I didn't know that little thing could carry people away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's already a big one. It's like a small dog,\" Ron said, rubbing the half of his backside that had finally stopped swelling. \"And it really likes poking people in the butt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even just hearing it described made Hermione cover her mouth and gasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They'd been incredibly lucky—whether it was Harry and Sirius going to the Burrow for the holidays on a whim, the fireworks being spotted by Luna, or that dog charging out of the sea of flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even one variable had gone wrong, they wouldn't be sitting here together now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry of Magic had come to the Weasley family five or six times, tirelessly questioning them about the attacker, confirming the culprit's identity and motive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, the new term began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new notice had been posted on the common room notice board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students who were already seventeen, or who would turn seventeen by August thirty-first, could sign up for Apparition lessons taught by instructors sent by the Ministry of Magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The course would run for twelve weeks. Participants were required to sign their names beneath the notice and pay a tuition fee of twelve Galleons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry and the others signed up as well, lining up to add their names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That evening, ten minutes before eight, Harry straightened his clothes and knocked on the gatekeeper's door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Dumbledore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Harry, he didn't look the least bit surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come in, Harry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped aside slightly, inviting Harry inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry walked in, and Dumbledore asked kindly, \"You should have found that item under the cabinet, correct?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Professor.\" At that, Harry moved to take the item from around his neck, but Dumbledore stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep it on, Harry. We need to go somewhere else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry froze. Somewhere else?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he saw Dumbledore open the door again and politely walk next door, raising his hand to knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiar wooden door bore an eye-shaped symbol that glanced at the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Constellation Society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stars glittered overhead, clouds shifting and changing shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Harry's first time stepping inside—and Dumbledore's as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beautiful as the scene was, both of their gazes were drawn, almost unconsciously, to the person beside the round table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John lifted his eyes and casually swept a glance at Harry standing beside Dumbledore. One brow rose slightly. \"You didn't tell me Harry would be coming too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore smiled kindly, his tone relaxed. \"Harry is the one who discovered that item. Strictly speaking, he's its rightful owner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John let out a soft scoff and glanced at Harry, who was still standing there. \"Tea? Pumpkin juice?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think the one from last time was quite good,\" Dumbledore answered for Harry, blinking. \"Simple is best, isn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greedy,\" John remarked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small golden figure struggled to open the wine cabinet, grunting as it hauled out a bottle of golden, glowing liquor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Harry's first time seeing such a drink. After he sat down, he watched as several golden figures worked together to pass the bottle to John.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a snap of John's fingers, an exquisite, expensive-looking goblet appeared in front of Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John uncorked the bottle. The wine was clearly poured in midair, yet it strangely appeared directly inside the goblet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" Dumbledore said calmly, lifting his glass and taking a sip before remarking, \"It really is excellent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's get to business.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John shot a glance at the deliberately evasive Dumbledore, propping his chin up with one hand as he spoke lazily and without much interest. \"You want to make a deal with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then the price… what is it, Dumbledore?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene felt oddly discordant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man well over a hundred years old, and a student still attending school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it was the student who clearly held the upper hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore smiled and changed the subject. \"I believe you could open a bottle for the buyer. It would show your respect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John frowned slightly, raising an eyebrow. \"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no respect in his tone, but Dumbledore wasn't angered by it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still looking no different from the kindly old grandfather everyone saw outside, Dumbledore smiled gently. \"Harry is the one who will be doing business with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry was stunned. Since when had he ever said he was here to make a deal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry looked up at Dumbledore and saw, behind the half-moon spectacles, a gaze filled with trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\" John said with a hint of amusement. \"Very well, then. Let Harry negotiate with me—but you'll have to put the stake on the table first. Whether it's a deal or a gamble, we need to see if the stake is even qualified to sit at the table.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Dumbledore signaled for Harry to show the item.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry pulled the golden locket from beneath his clothes. The serpent-shaped marking upon it left no doubt as to the object's identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still underestimated fate,\" John said with a sigh. \"You found this thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mundungus tried to steal it,\" Harry shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mundungus…\" John murmured, the words carrying an unclear meaning, before saying, \"Let's begin the trade.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John straightened from his previously languid posture. In an instant, an oppressive, aggressive presence bore down on Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a meaningful tone, he said, \"Name your terms. Money? Fame? Status? Artifacts? Potions? Or perhaps… a chance to experience rejuvenation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That last line was directed at Dumbledore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The foundations of the Second King allowed him to casually offer terms that ordinary people could never obtain in a lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he looked at Harry, John unleashed the domineering aura of someone who stood at the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing those words come from a student his own age, Harry couldn't even find a way to argue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he knew, very clearly, that John wasn't exaggerating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the locket in his hand was like a wish-granting device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The immense pressure bore down on him, making his breathing turn rapid. Dumbledore spoke softly, \"Harry, just follow your heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore's voice seemed to carry a kind of magic, and Harry's breathing gradually steadied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought of Mrs. Weasley lying in her hospital bed, beyond even the healers' ability to save.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>o(*￣▽￣*)ブSupport and Read 12 Chapters ahead: Patreon\u002FDragonel\u003C\u002Fp>",1813,"2026-06-06T11:45:53.362Z",1,"novelbin.me","9aa77b7ea000f3e5426da1ad997e60aee2670b48a989c6924fcb452adf4193d2","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-465","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-463",577,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhogwarts-john-wick-cover.jpg"]