Audrey quietly watched the void at the entrance.
A moment later, a head emerged from the air—Kamo Tsuruko's head.
As she moved, her body gradually materialized.
Audrey could see clearly that Tsuruko was holding an Invisibility Cloak in her hand.
It was an Invisibility Cloak woven from the fur of a Demiguise.
Audrey's expression was cold as she spoke, "So, you've turned Mr. Tocci into a cloak?"
Tsuruko shook her head vigorously. "Senior, you've misunderstood! Our family specifically breeds Demiguises. Mr. Tocci is my partner; how could I ever hurt him?"
"Then is it also a misunderstanding that you stayed up in the middle of the night to tail me here?"
Tsuruko clasped her hands over her chest, her gaze incredibly sincere. "Senior, so many things happened in the castle today. I saw you fly away from the school, and because I was worried about you, I followed!"
"Worried about me?"
Audrey tilted her head. "If I encounter something even I can't handle, what help could you possibly provide?"
Tsuruko shook her head again. "Senior, don't let my appearance fool you; I am quite strong!"
Tsuruko scattered a handful of paper charms. The talismans glowed in the air, transforming into various Eastern magical entities.
There were winged birdmen, a white-haired man with a head reaching toward the sky, a wheel with a human face, and common beasts like lions, tigers, and eagles.
"These are the Shikigami of your Onmyoji family?"
Tsuruko nodded frankly. "Yes! With these Shikigami, I'm certain I can assist you, Senior!"
"Fine. I appreciate the concern, but as you can see, the situation here is resolved. We should head back."
Tsuruko's eyes widened. "This is clearly a ruin. You don't intend to explore it, Senior?"
Audrey scratched her head. "Actually, I want to go back and sleep."
'Even if I were to explore the ruins, I wouldn't do it in front of Kamo Tsuruko.'
Audrey always felt that Kamo Tsuruko's approach had an ulterior motive. A character like her hadn't existed in the original universe.
Had she crossed the ocean to Britain because of Audrey's own presence?
Tsuruko laughed. "That makes sense. Senior is a big star; you can't afford to miss your beauty sleep!"
"Yes, exactly. Beauty sleep."
Audrey nodded.
"Well then, I'll be going first. The Forbidden Forest isn't safe, so be careful."
[CRACK!]
Audrey vanished from the hall.
Kamo Tsuruko's smile faded.
She stood silently for a moment.
Then, within the hall, she began to pace step by step, measuring and exploring every inch of the ground.
However, as time passed, she found nothing at all.
Tsuruko stamped her foot in frustration and complained, "Mendokusai, why must she be so guarded!"
[It's such a pain, can't you be a little less guarded!]
...
...
A few hours earlier.
Sirius had his arm around Harry's shoulder as they left the Headmaster's office.
Both of them had smiles on their faces.
"Harry, I have to go now. Would you be interested in staying at my place for a few days during the summer break?"
"Of course! I'll be there!"
After a reluctant farewell to Sirius, Harry practically floated back to the common room.
"Harry!" Ron immediately rushed to meet him.
"How did it go? What happened?"
Harry's face was slightly flushed with excitement.
"Sirius is my godfather! He snuck into our dormitory before to protect me!"
"To protect you? Were you in danger in the dorm?"
"That's because of Peter Pettigrew..."
Harry suddenly stopped mid-sentence. He felt that telling Ron that his pet rat, Scabbers, was actually Peter Pettigrew might be inhumane—
Everyone knew Ron had slept with Scabbers in his arms for years...
"What's wrong with Peter Pettigrew?"
Ron stared with innocent eyes, asking curiously.
Harry laughed. "Nothing, nothing..."
Ron felt it was a bit strange, but he didn't press further. He pivoted to the question he cared about most.
"Harry, don't you think it's weird? Sirius seemed to know Audrey and even called her 'Hydra'?"
"It's Hydrus," Harry corrected. "I also think it's strange that Sirius called Audrey 'Hydrus,' but I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before."
"I have an impression of it too," said a weak Hermione as she lay on the sofa. "In fact, I've heard it more than once."
Thanks to Audrey, the school had a plentiful supply of Mandrakes. Therefore, there was more than enough Resuscitation Potion, allowing Hermione's petrification to be cured on the spot.
"Hermione, think carefully. Where did you hear it?"
Hermione gave Ron a glare. "When you need something, it's 'Hermione, Hermione' so sweetly, but when you don't, you call me an 'annoying girl.'"
Hermione rolled over, turning her back to Ron. "I'm still feeling unwell. Think for yourselves!"
Ron made a face at Hermione's back and then turned to Harry.
"Harry, you try to remember too?"
Harry sighed, trying his best to recall as he muttered under his breath,
"Hydrus, Hydrus, Hydrus..."
Percy, who was writing an essay nearby, clearly couldn't stand their chatter. He frowned and shouted toward them, "Could you all be a bit quieter!"
He glanced at them and said, "If you're talking about Hydrus Lestrange, her wanted poster was posted in the Leaky Cauldron years ago!"
"Right! The wanted poster!"
Harry slapped his hands together. "I've seen that wanted poster! It was definitely Hydrus Lestrange!"
—The cute lion-roar hairstyle was quite memorable.
Ron was dumbstruck. "You're not saying Audrey is that wanted criminal, are you? That's terrifying!! No!!"
Hermione sat up indignantly. "Audrey is not a criminal!!"
Ron nodded repeatedly. "Right, right, it must just be a coincidence. I heard there are plenty of people named Ron among Muggles!"
Hermione sighed. "No, that's not what I meant. I think Audrey IS that Hydrus."
Ron and Harry both froze there, looking completely lost.
Hermione frowned and picked up a book from the table, hitting both men on the head—one for each.
"What are you two imagining? This is what happens when you don't read the newspaper!"
Hermione explained, "The wanted poster for Hydrus Lestrange was cancelled last semester. The Ministry of Magic personally stepped in to certify that she was framed. It was her family's vassal family, the Gray family, who rebelled and framed her for the crimes!"
Hermione sighed. "If Audrey is Hydrus, the timing matches up perfectly. I first saw Audrey about six years ago, which coincides exactly with when Hydrus was first wanted."
"She was originally a noble young lady, yet she had to hide for so many years, even relying on her own efforts to become a global superstar..."
As Hermione spoke, her eyes grew brighter. "As expected of my idol!"
Ron said cautiously, "But she's a Lestrange. That's a Death Eater family!"
Harry shook his head. "Ron, do you think Audrey looks like someone who discriminates against Muggles?"
"That's true!"
Ron became happy again.
"Her brother is a Muggle! They have such a good relationship!"
"That's great, she's not a Death Eater!!" [PLEASE COMMENT]
"Of course she isn't!" Hermione smiled. "You can tell just by listening to her songs; she's a wonderful, wonderful person!"
Harry nodded in agreement repeatedly.
"Exactly. 'Sweeter Than Fiction' is my favorite song. It really inspired me!"
Ron:
"Same here!"
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]