Chapter 247: Yodel

The seven Patronuses sent to Yodel for “advanced training” did not include Allen’s original jellyfish Patronus, because Harry and Professor Lupin already knew his Patronus was a jellyfish.

After finishing this, Allen began researching how to make his Patronus control shape-shifters; though its intelligence was still weak, it was better than nothing.

He always felt it would be easier for a Patronus to control a blade leopard than to control a car.

He quickly summoned a blade leopard and told his jellyfish Patronus to control it.

The jellyfish Patronus floated aimlessly in the air, seemingly unable to comprehend the word “control.”

This left Allen utterly frustrated—his jellyfish Patronus’s intelligence was still far too low.

He decided the blade leopard would have to take the initiative—he guided the blade leopard closer to the jellyfish, attempting to merge with it, but soon realized it was futile.

The jellyfish Patronus and the blade leopard passed through each other, neither able to make contact.

“I think you should consult an expert on this,” a shadow suddenly appeared beside Allen—it was Yodel, who had rarely left his journal.

“Why are you out? Don’t you have better things to do than cultivate those Patronuses’ intelligence?” Allen asked, puzzled.

“I’m not like humans, limited to single-core thinking—I can think and accomplish multiple tasks at once,” Yodel said, raising an eyebrow.

“I just can’t stand watching someone act like an idiot,” Yodel suddenly snapped.

“You—” Allen was momentarily flustered, but quickly recovered, “How am I acting like an idiot?”

“How could such low-level intelligence possibly understand such an abstract concept?” Yodel sneered.

“Then what should you do instead?” Allen realized Yodel must have a solution.

“Why should I tell you?” Yodel regarded Allen with a sly smile.

“Then what’s your price?” Allen sighed, hoping Yodel’s demand wouldn’t be unreasonable.

Yodel studied Allen’s expression and said, “Simple—you promised to design a custom shape-shifter for me. Now you’ll accelerate the progress.”

“As payment for cultivating so many high-intelligence Patronuses for me,” Yodel added.

“Isn’t the blade leopard good enough? Don’t you often use it to relax?” Allen muttered.

“What’s so great about the blade leopard? Haven’t you tested organs from all those strange magical creatures lately? Which one isn’t better than the blade leopard?” Yodel retorted sharply.

Allen was left speechless, but the task wasn’t difficult—he replied, “Those experiments aren’t finished yet. Once they’re mature, I’ll design one for you.”

Yodel accepted Allen’s half-hearted promise—it was enough for him, and he knew when to be reasonable.

A strand of silver-white memory separated from Yodel’s body and drifted toward the jellyfish Patronus, which swiftly swallowed it whole.

“What kind of memory is that?” Allen asked, puzzled.

“When it comes to controlling living beings, I’m an expert,” Yodel emphasized. “This is my memory of how I controlled other people and creatures. I sense your Patronus shares similarities with me—so this memory will help it.”

The jellyfish Patronus, having absorbed the memory, suddenly lunged at the dazed blade leopard. Before Allen could react, it lost its jellyfish form and merged seamlessly with the blade leopard.

The blade leopard began performing bizarre movements—it tried twisting its paws 180 degrees, scratched frantically at the ground, sniffed the air repeatedly, and licked its mouth incessantly, as if adapting to new sensory organs.

Allen held his breath, afraid to disturb them—he knew the jellyfish Patronus was adjusting to this unfamiliar body.

He could see the blade leopard’s gaze growing more alert, though still somewhat vacant.

But compared to its earlier lifeless state, it now radiated far more vitality—Allen felt it had come alive.

After some time adapting, the jellyfish Patronus grew accustomed to the body. Though it still stumbled frequently while walking, it began curiously exploring the underground space.

It eagerly scratched at the scattered stones on the ground with its sharp claws, fascinated by everything around it.

“Looks like you succeeded again,” Yodel murmured. “Sometimes I truly envy your boundless creativity.”

Allen turned to say something to Yodel, when a loud crash echoed from the tunnel.

He turned to see the blade leopard—it had clawed at a loose stone, triggering a chain reaction. Another small collapse occurred, burying the blade leopard under a pile of rubble.

Allen and Yodel exchanged silent glances.

But in Allen’s perception, the connection between the blade leopard and the Patronus had severed—he realized that a Patronus possessing a shape-shifter could still suffer physical damage.

Yet Allen had an idea—he quickly re-summoned the jellyfish Patronus using its “ID.” The Patronus floated listlessly in midair, still dazed from its ordeal.

Allen now saw the advantage of using Patronuses to control shape-shifters: even if severely damaged, a Patronus only dispersed—it didn’t truly die. Its memories and intelligence remained intact, meaning all cultivation efforts weren’t wasted. Even if the possessed shape-shifter died, the Patronus could be summoned again and reused.

This was excellent news.

It was now April; the weather had warmed, and the surroundings of Hogwarts had become lively again. Allen’s research continued steadily. The Ministry had captured many large black dogs—but none were Sirius Black. The Ministry’s dog-hunting campaign drew heavy criticism from newspapers, with the public mocking the Ministry’s incompetence. Minister Fudge felt humiliated and began doubting the rumor that Black was an Animagus, suspecting Dumbledore had deliberately set him up. He quickly canceled the operation and removed many posters about the black dog.

The Ministry, having failed for so long to capture Sirius Black, grew ever more incompetent in the public eye. The Dementors’ presence at Hogwarts angered many parents. Minister Fudge desperately needed a favorable news story to change the wizards’ perception of him...

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