Chapter 339: Mr. Moony

Inside the cottage.

Lupin swiftly opened the door.

At the threshold, the blond young wizard held numerous gift boxes, while the black-haired young wizard directed them to float in midair.

“Good morning, Mr. Lupin.”

Wizard Sean scanned the interior; Lupin’s belongings were few, not enough to fill even one closet compartment.

So he directed some items inside—his and Jia Jia Siting’s gifts together filled it halfway.

“Welcome to your new home, Mr. Lupin.”

Jia Jia Siting was always enthusiastic; he placed a set of magical kitchenware on the stove—a spoon that stirred itself, a cauldron with perfect heat control—filling the empty hearth.

“Good morning, gentlemen.”

The sudden arrival of the two disrupted the cottage’s quiet.

Instantly, it became lively.

“But what are you doing here?”

As Lupin spoke, he opened a dusty jar.

“I’m afraid I only have tea bags…”

He put the tea into a kettle that had not yet been heated but was already steaming; Wizard Sean noticed his complexion had improved considerably.

“You didn’t know?”

Jia Jia Siting’s enthusiasm faltered; he carefully studied the gaunt man.

“A housewarming party, sir.”

“Ah.”

It sounded like a distant word; Lupin’s composed demeanor paused slightly, as if searching his memory for the meaning behind it.

After a few seconds of silence, he spoke slowly.

“Thank you, gentlemen.”

Perhaps he had wandered too long. Perhaps he had not spoken to anyone in ages.

Lupin said nothing more.

Silence only ended when the kettle began to boil.

“What does a party involve?”

Lupin said gently, handing Wizard Sean and Jia Jia Siting cups of tea—each with a chip in the rim.

“Nothing much, sir—a lavish dinner?

…You’re reading this book? The organization was so long ago, I’ve almost forgotten what’s inside,

Jia Jia Siting smiled, steering the conversation naturally toward the *Green Notes*.

The three sat before the roaring fire, slowly turning the exquisitely wrapped notes, occasionally discussing details of magical history, and jotting down notes about interesting biographies.

In this process, Lupin revealed vast knowledge; compared to him, Jia Jia Siting felt entirely like a student.

Even though he had revised and compiled the entire *Green Notes*.

Only Wizard Sean could keep pace with Lupin, occasionally offering perspectives of his own.

From the silent levitation charm the young wizard had cast upon entering, to his deep insights and broad knowledge of magical history—

He even knew that in 1792, a cockatrice rampaged through the Triwizard Tournament, injuring three headmasters, including the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Lupin was thoroughly surprised.

“Gentlemen, at your age, I certainly wasn’t nearly as accomplished…”

Lupin smiled; these were the kind of students any teacher would love.

Broadly curious, eager to learn, and most precious of all, still holding reverence and longing for knowledge.

It inevitably reminded him of his time at Hogwarts.

…After his years of hiding ended, Headmaster Dumbledore welcomed him into Hogwarts.

His three friends noticed his monthly disappearances. Even though he made up excuses—family illness, visits home, and so on—

He lived in fear they would leave if they discovered he was a werewolf. But after several sleepless nights, they devised a solution: not only did it make his transformations bearable, it became the best time of his life.

—They learned Animagus transformation.

The three of them had once been everything to him. Even with guilt toward Headmaster Dumbledore, he turned a blind eye to their mischief, only gently restraining them.

It proved that holding to principles for friends required more courage than holding to them against enemies.

But later, when Voldemort rose to power…

Everything collapsed. His three friends—two dead, one imprisoned.

Lupin thought of those nights—from Headmaster Dumbledore’s visit, to his friends who didn’t mind he was a werewolf.

He suddenly realized how similar this day was to those long ago.

“Mr. Lupin, you’re a werewolf, aren’t you?”

At that moment, Jia Jia Siting’s words shattered the cottage’s peace.

Facing this question again, Lupin—who should have long been accustomed and unshaken—was momentarily stunned.

“Yes, Mr. Jia Jia Siting. You are one of the cleverest young wizards I’ve ever met.”

Lupin closed his eyes.

He didn’t know when he had been exposed. Or rather, his identity in Hogsmeade was likely to be discovered—he had sought work here several times, and the locals had long suspected him;

But he also knew encountering a young wizard who accepted werewolves was exceedingly rare.

Wizard Sean’s head emerged from behind the book introducing Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; he watched Jia Jia Siting pull a vial from his Undetectable Extension Bag.

He now understood why the boy had been rushing nonstop through Diagon Alley.

It was Wolfsbane Potion.

A special potion requiring consumption one week before the full moon, allowing a werewolf to retain consciousness during transformation.

But due to its extremely complex preparation and the need for a potioneer’s expert skill, its price was terrifying.

Many who knew of it were unable to afford it.

Without Wolfsbane Potion, they were discovered and struggled to find work; without work, they couldn’t buy the potion… nearly a vicious cycle.

Since meeting Professor Lupin, Wizard Sean had been studying how to brew this potion.

But its difficulty was too high; even with Wizard Sean’s potion talent, mastering it would be a long journey.

“Welcome to Green Book Cottage. Happy housewarming, Mr. Lupin.”

Jia Jia Siting pushed the vial forward.

“Of course, deducted from your salary.”

Lupin froze.

Hogsmeade was always snowing. The daylight faded, snowflakes tapping against the large window of Green Book Cottage; through the glass, lights glowed in the distance.

And among those lights, naturally, was Green Book Cottage.

“Goodbye.”

Wizard Sean stepped out first.

“How did you get to Hogsmeade? Perhaps I know a shortcut.”

Lupin stood in the snow, speaking gently to them.

Wizard Sean understood he was worried for their safety.

“No need, sir. We know many ways.”

Wizard Sean’s words carried little weight with Lupin; he thought for a moment, then pulled out the Marauder’s Map from his bag.

The moment the map appeared, it seized Lupin’s attention.

He watched Wizard Sean draw his wand and tap the parchment lightly, saying:

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

Instantly, fine ink lines spread like spiderwebs from where the wand touched, connecting, crisscrossing, expanding to every corner of the parchment;

Then, at the top, green cursive letters appeared:

【Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs】

【For the assistance of magical pranksters】

【Presented with pride】

【The Marauder’s Map】