Harry Potter: The Golden Viper

0247 Origin

"Tom–" Hermione gasped as she saw the sleek black cat nestled in Professor Lupin's arms, which was staring at Harry with a piercing green gaze. She quickly lifted Crookshanks from the floor, where he had been sniffing around curiously, and brought him closer to her chest, happily saying, "Oh, so this is the friend you made outside, Crookshanks?"

Crookshanks didn't seem to mind that Hermione had left him outside the castle. He used his soft front paws to gently tug at her bushy hair and then rubbed his furry cheek against hers, purring loudly. His grumpy face, which usually looked like he was scowling, seemed to brighten up a bit, indicating that he was happy to see his owner on Christmas day.

Hermione was overjoyed by Crookshanks' affectionate gesture. She held him tightly, stroking his ginger fur, and ignoring Ron's annoyed muttering beside her. Ron had never liked Crookshanks, especially after he 'killed' his pet rat, Scabbers.

"I'm sure you've already guessed–" Professor Lupin said, interrupting Ron's complaints. He patted Tom's head regretfully, as if he was sorry for keeping him away from his owner. He said, "Professor Watson asked me to keep an eye on the surveillance in his office during Christmas, in case any young wizards who couldn't go home for the holidays needed help."

Harry hesitated, unsure if he should ask Professor Lupin about the broomstick.

"That sweater–" Professor Lupin noticed the emerald and gold pattern on Ron's arm, which contrasted sharply with his faded jeans and jumper. He said, "If you want to give it to Professor Watson, you can leave it here, and I can pass it on to him. Of course, you can also give it to him in person, but it might take a few days. I'm afraid he won't be back for at least a week."

"This was knitted by my mum, Professor Lupin," Ron said, feeling a bit embarrassed. He pulled the sleeve of his jumper over the sweater, trying to hide it. He said, "To thank Professor Watson for saving me and Ginny last year. So, I think it's best if I give it to him in person."

"Oh, of course, that would be very thoughtful of you," Professor Lupin said, smiling warmly. Then, he turned his gaze to Harry, who had been staring at Tom the whole time. He noticed that Harry looked a bit nervous, as if he wanted to ask something, but didn't know how. He said, "So, Harry, are you here to return Professor Watson's broomstick?"

"Yes, Professor–" Harry said, snapping out of his daze. He clumsily placed the Firebolt on the desk, almost knocking over a stack of papers. He said, "If it weren't for it, I wouldn't be able to participate in the team's training. And now, I have a new broomstick–"

He pointed at the shiny new broomstick that he had brought with him, which was leaning against the wall. It had a sleek handle, a smooth tail, and a golden plaque that read "Firebolt".

"Yes, I noticed," Professor Lupin said, glancing at the golden registration number on the broomstick handle. His tired eyes, which usually had a kind and gentle expression, became even more serious, and his tone was no longer as cheerful. He said, "It's a beautiful broomstick, Harry. Is it called the Firebolt? I heard it's quite expensive. Did you buy it as a Christmas gift for yourself?"

Harry shook his head, feeling a bit uneasy. He didn't like the way Professor Lupin was looking at him, as if he had done something wrong. He took some time to explain the situation, and how he had received the broomstick anonymously, with no note or card attached.

After listening to Harry's explanation, Lupin's expression relaxed a bit. He had thought that Harry had bought the ridiculously expensive broomstick out of vanity, or worse, out of recklessness. Although he had no right to dictate how Harry should handle his parent's inheritance, he would have been disappointed if Harry had emptied his own vault just to get the broomstick.

"Do you think it's from Bryan?" Lupin asked, after Harry had finished his story. He calmed down and stroked Tom in his arms, who was still watching Harry closely. He said thoughtfully, "Well, sorry, I can't answer that question because Professor Watson didn't mention it to me before. But based on what I know about him…"

He saw Hermione give Harry and Ron a teasing look, as if she knew something they didn't. The two young wizards glared back at her, feeling annoyed. After smiling inwardly, Lupin focused on the Firebolt and said, "Of course, I can't be completely sure that this broomstick wasn't a gift from Professor Watson. I'll ask him when he comes back. But, Harry, I don't recommend using it until we figure out its origin."

Harry immediately looked disappointed, which was understandable. He had unexpectedly received the best broomstick in the world, but he couldn't ride it and could only watch it. 

"If it really comes from a malicious wizard, Harry, Professor Watson has a way to deal with possible traps that might be on the broomstick, so don't worry about losing it." Professor Lupin said, seeing Harry's disappointment. He tried to reassure him again, hoping that he would listen to his advice. He said, "It's better to be safe than sorry, Harry. You don't want to risk your life for a broomstick, do you?"

Harry nodded reluctantly, knowing that Professor Lupin was right. 

But at that moment, Tom, who was in Lupin's arms, suddenly bit him lightly on the ear. Surprised, Lupin lowered his head and saw Tom's upturned eyes, which seemed to be saying something.

After a short chat with Professor Lupin, Harry and his friends decided to leave him alone. They could all sense the fatigue on his pale face, and they felt sorry for him.

Lupin carefully placed Tom on the desk, as he was too heavy for his weak arms. He thanked the three young wizards for their visit and wished them a merry Christmas. As he closed the door behind them, they were startled by the sight of another person waiting in the corridor.

It was Filch, the castle caretaker.

Filch had taken off his usual brown coat and was wearing a very old-fashioned, moldy-looking tailcoat, which was probably his best outfit for the Christmas lunch.

Filch, who usually looked menacing and stern, now looked timid and nervous. His face, which was full of double chins, was covered with sweat and anxiety. When he saw Lupin and the three of them coming out of the office, he also showed some surprise and fear.

"Are you here to see Professor Watson, Filch?" Lupin asked, as he walked out from behind Harry and spoke in a gentle tone.

"Oh, um, yes–" Filch stammered, bending his back and sneaking a glance over Lupin's shoulder, trying to peek into the office.

Seeing Filch, who usually bullied and punished the young wizards, now acting so meekly, Ron couldn't help but laugh out loud. But Hermione quickly gave him a hard poke in the ribs, making him wince.

"It seems Professor McGonagall didn't tell you, Filch," Lupin said, as he moved to the side so that Filch could see inside the room more clearly. "Professor Watson left the school last night and probably won't be back for over a week."

Upon hearing this, Filch didn't show any disappointment or regret. Instead, he immediately straightened up and let out a sigh of relief, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Oh, alright then, sorry for the disturbance," Filch said, as he wiped the sweat off his forehead with a dirty handkerchief and bowed slightly to Lupin before turning around and leaving. Lupin and Harry's group were puzzled, not understanding what Filch was up to.

However, before he could walk away, Filch suddenly stopped in his tracks. He hesitated for a few seconds, then turned back to Lupin and said, "There's something I want you to pass on to Director Watson, if you can–"

"Of course, no problem, Filch," Lupin said, smiling and nodding.

"Well, you see, Director Watson was looking for a piece of parchment he came to me about before," Filch explained, lowering his voice. "He said there was a blank piece of parchment that I confiscated from some students over a decade ago. He hopes I can find it. I've searched my entire office, living quarters, and storage room these past few days, but I couldn't find it anywhere."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were standing behind Lupin, exchanged a secret glance and immediately understood what Filch was talking about. Lupin, after hearing Filch's words, trembled slightly and squinted at him, asking in a soft, almost dreamy voice, "Bryan asked you for a piece of parchment confiscated from students over a decade ago, Is- that so?"

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