Chapter 298: Werewolf Fenrir

Soon John had pretty much walked around the shop.

There were indeed quite a few interesting items, and he bought a few trinkets intending to take them back to school for his brothers.

On the other side, Hermione seemed to have bought something; she paid at the counter with an uneasy expression.

She probably liked something fun but felt it was childish and was embarrassed to let anyone know.

Cute, huh.

At that moment, John suddenly noticed two familiar faces walking down Diagon Alley outside the shop window, followed by three people cloaked in dark capes.

One of them was Draco Malfoy, and beside him was his mother Narcissa Malfoy, whom John had seen in photographs.

But compared with the elegant, composed aristocratic aura in the photos, she now looked utterly gaunt.

John squinted, turned to look at Hermione, who was chatting with Ginny, and seeing she hadn't noticed, he stepped toward the door.

Hagrid was stationed at the door; because his massive build couldn't fit inside, he was idly drifting in thought at the entrance.

John raised his hand and patted Hagrid's broad shoulder.

"Uncle Hagrid, I'll be gone for a bit; if they finish shopping later, you don't need to wait for me, just go back."

The sudden pat snapped Hagrid back to attention, and he subconsciously agreed to John's words.

"Oh, okay... hey, where are you going... who?"

But just as Hagrid recovered, he tried to stop John to ask what he was up to.

In the blink of an eye, John vanished.

John had already cast the Illusion Body Spell, trailing far behind Draco and the others.

Draco wasn't important.

What mattered were the few men in black beside him.

They were very likely the Death Eaters.

Their covert appearance surely meant they were up to something secret.

The reason they didn't inform Sirius was to avoid alerting too many people and to prevent missing the timing while they discussed their plan.

Anyway, as long as it's not Voldemort, a few Death Eaters are just a waste of effort.

Their group turned into a dim alley.

It was the road leading to Knockturn Alley.

John kept a distance behind them as they entered Knockturn Alley.

Soon, he saw their party walk into the Bo Jin Bo Ke shop.

Through the window, he could just make out the owner stepping out, bowing respectfully to the three men in black.

The three men also removed their hoods, revealing faces John had seen on wanted posters.

Sure enough, they were the Death Eaters.

Unfortunately, Beila was not among them.

One of the Death Eaters he recognized was named Fenrir Grebork.

He remembered him because that fellow, like Professor Lupin, was a Werewolf.

Soon, John saw the Bo Jin Bo Ke owner lead them to a display case covered with dark red velvet.

When the red cloth was lifted, inside stood a black cabinet over two meters tall.

Draco and the owner stood before the cabinet, saying something John couldn't hear.

The other three Death Eaters stood a little farther away, watching the surroundings warily.

Tsk.

Boring.

Can't hear what they're saying.

Might as well go in and take them all in one sweep.

If there's any issue, just pry open their minds and check.

Thinking that.

John immediately dispelled the Illusion Body Spell, pushed open Bo Jin Bo Ke's door, and swaggered inside.

The moment the door opened, the three Death Eaters simultaneously turned, eyeing the newcomer warily.

"Yo, boss, why so lively today?"

John, feeling overly familiar, grinned at the Bo Jin Bo Ke owner.

Last time, he had sold a batch of Magic Potions from Professor Snape to this owner at a low price, and only later did he learn from Snape that he had been badly ripped off.

"Um... Me... Mr. Merick..."

The Bo Jin Bo Ke owner was so startled by John's entrance that his soul seemed about to jump out.

"Haven't you seen those three murderers who don't blink an eye right beside you?"

All three Death Eaters stared intently at John; except for Fenrir, the other two couldn't help but step back.

Because they knew John all too well.

Last time they had just been beaten up by John at the Ministry of Magic...

Meanwhile, Draco and Narcissa looked at John with surprise and caution.

"Boss, the old regular is here, aren't you going to treat him?"

John said with a smiling tone to the owner.

He paid no heed to those three Death Eaters at all.

"Ah... this..."

The Bo Jin Bo Ke owner broke out in cold sweat on his forehead, glanced at the Death Eaters, then at John, and was at a loss.

Meilik? Why are you showing up here?

Draco then spoke, frowning as he looked at John, and said coldly.

You said that...

The boss is open for business; how can I not come in?

"Right, boss?" John sneered mockingly, then didn't forget to tease the trembling boss.

Draco, however, said disgustedly.

I've bought out this place—get out!

Hearing that, John also stopped bothering to put on a pleasant face, and said coldly.

Ha, who do you think you are?

Quietly keep your mouth shut and stay to the side; after I deal with them, I'll deal with you.

Upon hearing that, Draco instantly felt humiliated, wishing he could tear John in half right then.

But reason told him he couldn't beat John...

Seeing this, the boss feared a fight was about to break out and hurriedly pleaded.

... Um, gentlemen, if you have any grudges... why not take it outside?

If these ancestors start fighting in the shop, his precious antiques will surely suffer.

But no one paid him any attention.

At this moment, Fenrir stepped forward.

John Merick...

The Dark Lord once gave us an order: upon seeing you, kill on sight...

I didn't expect you to come knocking on your own...

Fenrir bared his mouth in a savage grin, revealing jagged yellow teeth, and didn't even regard John, this greenhorn, in the slightest.

His face began to sprout some grayish-white wolf fur.

This is the ability that comes with deep lycanthropy—voluntarily entering a half-wolf state.

Speed, strength, reaction, and magic resistance will all be greatly increased.

Oh? Is that so?

Has your Dark Lord ever told you how hard it is to kill me?

John leisurely spun his wand on his fingertip, likewise curling his lips in a cold smirk.

The two locked eyes, and the air suddenly froze.

Hagrid, where's John?

At the Weasley Magic Trick Shop nearby, Hermione and the others finally came out after browsing around.

But Hermione just couldn't find John no matter what.

She then went outside and asked Hagrid.

Hagrid scratched his messy beard, saying uncertainly.

I don't know either—he just came out and said he had something to attend to.

You guys head back first after you're done; no need to wait for him.

Hearing Hagrid's words, Harry and the others exchanged glances.

How did John just suddenly disappear out of the blue?

Sirius, however, wasn't in a rush; ever since the Ministry of Magic incident last time, he's had full confidence in John's abilities.

All right, since John said he had something to do, let's head back first.

Although Hermione was a bit worried, she didn't know where John had gone, so she could only follow Hagrid toward the Leaky Cauldron.

But just then.

Boom!!

A violent explosion shot up from the nearby Knockturn Alley.

Immediately after, a figure came flying back and crashed not far in front of them.

Sirius and Hagrid instantly went on alert.

They stepped in front of the children.

But before the smoke and dust ahead could clear...

... from the direction of the blast...

John's silhouette slowly walked toward them against the wind.