Chapter 111

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Gathering all my will into a fist, I got up from the floor, still feeling weak, but it is not surprising. I got out of the Chamber of Secrets under a complex of concealing charms and then made my way to the House's common room and then to my room. There were no guys in the room. Well, I don't really care where they are. I need to sleep, so I'll change right now, lie down, and think a little.

Wait, I just blinked, and it's already morning?! And the guys are already sleeping in the room? The day yesterday exhausted me thoroughly, it turns out. I got up, touched myself, listened - nothing critical. I sat back on the bed - I didn't have time to think yesterday.

First, despite the unenviable situation of being bitten by a werewolf, I should continue my morning training. There were two reasons for that. I'd never broken my schedule before, except for oversleeping once. It would be stupid if it were not for the witnesses of daily jogging and other gymnastics - disruption of the training schedule can raise questions. The second reason is that all of this is not a reason to give up on my workouts. The hour I'd saved up was hardly a big deal, and I was not going to neglect myself like Lupin.

Nodding to myself, I got up, changed into my gym clothes, and went for a run. Already on the main tower's stairs, I met Professor Snape, whose mood did not even dispose to a greeting nod. Well, okay. The rest of the morning schedule passed without any excesses, and I did not notice any radical changes in myself, except for the scars - I felt them.

I tidied up and, with undisguised sadness, looked at one of the sets of winter clothes, which had to be stowed in the bottom of my bag, threw it on my shoulder, and went to breakfast in the Great Hall.

The teachers were almost fully present - Lupin seems to be running around the woods somewhere, having lost his mind, but he'll be back tomorrow.

During the winter holidays, the Great Hall had only a teacher's table and one common table for those who stayed. It seems that I am generally the only one of the students who decided to attend breakfast.

"Good morning," I nodded to the professors as I took a seat at the table and received a symmetrical response. Breakfast immediately appeared in front of me, and I didn't wait long to start eating.

"It seems," Dumbledore spoke up. "You, Mr. Knight - the only student who decided to join us for breakfast?"

"Seems to be," I shrugged, chewing on my bacon. "At least Ron and Harry are still asleep."

"Eh, youth," the headmaster smiled. "In that case, I'll tell you the good news."

I wasn't the only one who stopped eating in anticipation - the professors also turned to the headmaster.

"According to verified information, Sirius Black will not be returning to Hogwarts, which means the Dementors will be gone soon. I have an appointment with the Minister just after breakfast where we will discuss the matter."

"Well, thank Merlin," Flitwick clapped his hands. "This will need to be celebrated with mead ..."

"Filius!" hissed McGonagall, hiding a smile. "Not in front of the children."

"Oh, come on, Minerva," the little professor grinned. "I don't think Mr. Knight has no idea about the different drinks."

"Who knows, Professor," I shrugged with a smile. "Who knows? But either way, the news is really good. But what's the reason, Headmaster? Did they catch him?"

"No, no, he's still out there. But like I said, according to verified information, he won't be trying to infiltrate Hogwarts again. He's probably come to his senses and gone to recover from Azkaban."

"So, in time, the threat will become even greater?"

Dumbledore nodded with feigned seriousness.

"He has reached his goal and will not return."

"Hmm... But everyone said his goal was Potter's death. He was more than alive this morning and demonstrated it very vividly by competing with Weasley in snoring volume," and it's true, I'm just used to it.

"Fortunately, Sirius Black's purpose was different, and as it turns out, he didn't carry any danger."

"Okay. Anyway, the Dementors' imminent departure is wonderful news."

After breakfast, I went straight to the library, as did Madame Pince. On the way, I decided to ask a few questions.

"Madam Pince, can you tell me if the library has any literature on werewolves? Detailed research."

"Lycanthropy... very rare material."

"How so?"

"There has been practically no research. In the last century, Marlowe Forfang studied werewolf habits, and this is the only work describing werewolf life in both phases. As for body changes, the nature of the curse, etc., the data is sparse and scattered - no one really cared about it, and werewolves themselves were almost never in contact. It might be worth a look in the Forbidden Section, in the books about blood and maleficence, but I'm afraid that might be a waste of time."

"Thank you."

Upon reaching the library, I headed straight to the Forbidden Section. I don't have the knowledge I need in my head, which means I should go through the section where Hermione worked... Exactly! Why didn't I think of that in the first place?

I turned around and left the library, and went to the owlery. There, scribbled on a torn sheet of paper a letter to the girl. I congratulated her and her parents on Christmas and asked: "Doesn't she know any books on maleficence or blood or magic medicine or anything else related to that." Seeing the first owl that came across, lured her and gave the letter.

"Take it to Hermione Granger, please."

The owl hooted and flew away. The answer can be expected only tomorrow morning, at breakfast in the Great Hall, or I can come to the owlery in the evening, and if the owl returns, it will give the letter. Now I can go to the library.