Chapter 163: Black Cat

Far away, Dumbledore never stopped smiling, not even after biting into a Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Bean with a snow flavor.

Seeing the two who handled things so differently, he seemed to already picture the boy’s stunned expression upon receiving the letter.

Nothing could be more interesting to him.

His curious gaze passed through the distant house, crossed the vast distance, and finally settled on Hogwarts Castle.

At this moment, Xiang Xiang Xien was leaning against the firelight, reading alchemical texts.

Senior Bruce wouldn’t recover anytime soon—he was wrapped up like a rice dumpling from head to toe. Yet even so, he still managed to argue with Senior Leon, thanks to Senior Pistor’s translation.

The scene probably went like this:

Leon: “I’ve never seen such a fool.”

Bruce: “Mmm.”

Pistor: “He says you’ve seen it now.”

Leon: “...”

Fortunately, Senior Leon spotted Xiang Xiang Xien and immediately agreed to his request.

This relieved Xiang Xiang Xien, who returned to the Hope Cottage.

Of course, his greatest concern still lay with Senior Bruce.

Fortunately, Senior Bruce would be discharged in three days—undoubtedly, Madam Pomfrey was incredibly efficient in this regard.

Xiang Xiang Xien guessed it was because the school infirmary lacked enough beds, and young wizards were mostly mischievous.

So Madam Pomfrey often simply kicked them out as soon as their injuries seemed mostly healed.

In the Hope Cottage.

The second animal biscuit was quickly decided upon: yes, it was Mrs. Norris Biscuits.

Hogwarts housed many creatures, but the most numerous were in the Forbidden Forest—yet Xiang Xiang Xien had no intention of going there, because the Dark Lord occasionally spawned inside.

Bad luck could easily land you a Crucio even in “safe” Hogwarts.

So excluding the Forbidden Forest, Xiang Xiang Xien’s options were few.

The animals within Hogwarts Castle were mostly students’ pets or staff assistants.

Among toads, rats, and spiders, cats stood out as especially approachable.

Thus, Xiang Xiang Xien decided that after finishing his reading and preparing materials, magical script, and other necessities, he would spend more time feeding Mrs. Norris. Surely, the lady would tolerate his observation—for the sake of dried fish?

Soon, Xiang Xiang Xien returned to the cottage from the infirmary, where everyone gathered around him, hesitant and worried.

“Is he alright?”

Hermione asked.

“Mm.”

Xiang Xiang Xien nodded, then added,

“He can be discharged in three days.”

“Merlin—such severe injuries, and only three days?”

Ron asked in surprise; they had just seen how badly injured Senior Bruce was during their last visit to the infirmary.

“St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries has many skilled healers...”

Neville, who had been mostly silent, spoke up.

He trembled slightly, but his eyes brimmed with confidence in those healers.

“Alright.”

Ron nodded.

But as everyone began to disperse, Xiang Xiang Xien and Jia Jia Siting’s gazes simultaneously landed on Neville.

And so the Hope Cottage fell quiet once more, slow and still.

Time hardened like amber, freezing gentle yet resolute moments in place.

After organizing the index of the first book, an owl appeared at the window, dusted with snow, flapping its wings to enter—but the window always barred it.

Mr. Owl, on the portrait, shook with rage; with a flap of his wings, the open window slid from the left wall to the right.

“Fine! Fine! They’ve come right to my face!”

He shouted loudly.

As the silver-haired owl slammed into the window, Xiang Xiang Xien swiftly stepped out of the cottage.

Mr. Owl continued yelling behind him; Xiang Xiang Xien guessed he’d be trapped at the door again next time.

The silver-haired owl finally landed on Xiang Xiang Xien’s shoulder; flame flickered from his wand, and the falling snow slowly melted on the owl’s wings.

This owl was Xiang Xiang Xien’s first Christmas gift, sent by Ms. Roland Taylor.

Soon, Xiang Xiang Xien waved his wand again, turning a book into a small soft cushion placed on his shoulder; the silver owl curled into it, nuzzling his cheek.

Watching it gradually calm from trembling to peace, Xiang Xiang Xien took the letter:

[Dear Mr. Green:

I believe I’ve agreed to help Longbottom...]

Seeing these words, Xiang Xiang Xien nodded slightly.

Five days remained until Christmas.

Along with Christmas came a snowstorm of homework.

Everyone grew busy; even Ron and Harry, after finding an accurate and simple method, burst into intense enthusiasm.

Though they could never understand why Jia Jia Siting had so much free time after finishing homework—or why Xiang Xiang Xien had leisure to feed cats.

Mrs. Norris, who usually chased them all over the place, was now impossibly well-behaved beside Xiang Xiang Xien’s hand.

[You practiced making Mrs. Norris Biscuits to apprentice standards. Skill +1.]

Under Xiang Xiang Xien’s careful observation, he quickly made Mrs. Norris Biscuits—another category added to the Animal Biscuit series.

Jia Jia Siting and Hermione had long been waiting for this biscuit.

Yet strangely, they didn’t seem eager to try it themselves.

“Try it, Xiang Xiang Xien?”

Jia Jia Siting said excitedly; Hermione put down her book and watched him expectantly.

At this moment, Harry and Ron had gone to the library.

Wearing baking gloves, Xiang Xiang Xien offered the biscuit—but both shook their heads.

And stared fixedly at him.

“Oh—Xiang Xiang Xien, can’t you be the test subject every time?”

Jia Jia Siting laughed.

Hmm... it was understandable; they couldn’t see the system prompts and didn’t know if it was safe.

So Xiang Xiang Xien bit into the biscuit—and immediately, a change occurred.

It was a black cat.

Small, entirely ink-black, like a walking patch of night. Soon, it leapt lightly onto the windowsill, tilting its head to gaze at the remaining crumbs, its emerald eyes shimmering with lively light.

“Jia Jia Siting, I recall... wizards lose consciousness after Transfiguration, right?”

Hermione didn’t blink.

“Oh—of course.”

Jia Jia Siting and Hermione had just stepped closer.

The black cat purred, leapt into the air—and transformed into a young wizard.

Xiang Xiang Xien hadn’t yet recovered from his shock—he still had his own consciousness!

But he was interrupted by the two rushing forward.

“Ahem...”

Hermione turned away, her cheeks flushed.

“Oh! Xiang Xiang Xien, excellent! Want another?”

Xiang Xiang Xien ignored Jia Jia Siting’s words; he left a few biscuits behind and stepped outside.

The sensation was utterly strange—the world of a cat differed vastly from that of a wizard.

But what Xiang Xiang Xien most wanted to verify was: why did he retain consciousness?

And could he still perform magic?