Later that night, Soren met Chiara in the corridor.
She stood still, hands clasped tightly.
"I don't know if I want to do this," she said softly. "But I think I have to."
She looked up at him. "It's something I've never told anyone before. Something that could get me into a lot of trouble."
She swallowed. "Do you promise to keep my secret, no matter how bad it might be?"
Soren didn't hesitate. "I promise."
Chiara hearing it, smiled faintly. "I'm a werewolf."
Soren was silent for a moment. Then he nodded. "Okay."
She looked at him in surprise. "You're not afraid?"
"No," Soren replied. "I trust you."
Chiara's shoulders relaxed, as if a weight had lifted.
"But then… Why did Greyback attack you?" Soren asked. "If you're a werewolf too?"
"Because he wants me to join his pack," Chiara said. "And I refused."
Soren smiled, genuinely this time, and hugged her. "I'm glad you did."
She hugged him back, relieved.
Then she pulled away, worried about returning to her face. "I've run out of Wolfsbane Potion. And… I don't know how to brew it."
Soren thought for half a second. "I know someone who does."
---
They found Penny in the common room, surrounded by books and notes.
Penny looked up as they approached. "What's wrong?"
Soren didn't dance around it. "Chiara needs Wolfsbane Potion. Can you brew it?"
Penny's eyes widened, but only briefly. "Yes," she said firmly. "I can."
She gathered ingredients, checked measurements twice, and worked late into the night.
When she finally handed Chiara the finished Wolfsbane Potion, Chiara's hands trembled as she accepted it.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Penny smiled tiredly. "Anytime."
Chiara took a quiet breath, then turned to Penny. "There's something else you should know," she said softly.
Penny frowned slightly. "What is it?"
"I'm a werewolf."
For a moment, Penny just stared at her.
Then she blinked. "You're… a werewolf?"
Chiara nodded, bracing herself.
Penny's shock faded into something calmer, thoughtful. "Okay," she said finally. "That explains a lot."
Chiara looked up in surprise. "You're not afraid?"
Penny shook her head. "No. You're still you. And if you ever need help, with potions, research, anything, I'll help."
Chiara smiled, genuinely relieved.
Not long after, Cassie and Jacqueline joined them. Soren told them everything, and together they agreed on one thing, Fenrir Greyback had to be stopped.
---
Later that day, Soren received a message from Cecil Lee, asking him to meet in the courtyard.
When Soren arrived, Cecil looked… tired.
"Did your investigation uncover when Fenrir Greyback and his followers will attack again?" Soren asked.
Cecil let out a humorless laugh. "No. My investigation has been absolutely useless."
Soren frowned.
"But," Cecil continued, "the good news is that whenever those murderous werewolves attack, you'll be prepared."
He straightened slightly.
"I'm going to teach you a spell I learned from the most courageous and gifted wizard of our time."
Soren raised an eyebrow. "Professor Dumbledore?"
Cecil shook his head proudly. "Gilderoy Lockhart."
Soren stared at him. "Gilderoy Lockhart is more gifted than Dumbledore?"
"Of course he is!" Cecil said confidently. "Just ask him."
Soren decided not to pursue that topic.
"What's the spell?" he asked instead.
"The Homorphus Charm," Cecil replied. "The only spell known to wizardkind capable of curing werewolves."
Soren's eyes widened. "It can cure werewolves? Then why not use it instead of capturing them?"
Cecil sighed. "Well… not all of us are as gifted as Gilderoy Lockhart."
"He claims he casts it perfectly every time," Cecil went on. "But when I use it, it only temporarily returns a werewolf to human form."
He looked directly at Soren. "Still, it's invaluable. It can stop a werewolf in its tracks."
Soren nodded slowly, already understanding. This spell might stop Greyback.
Soren started doubting Gilderoy Lockhart. But for now, it was important to stop the Fenrir Greyback.
So he started learning the Homorphus Charm, and after nearly 3 hours of practice, he was successfully able to learn it.
He even demonstrates it.
Soon they found that Fenrir and his followers were ready to attack.
Soren quickly with Cecil goes to the training ground to stop him. Since he has no time to call his friends.
"We ain't the only ones who came in the full moon," Fenrir said looking at Soren and his group and Cecil.
"Stay back. Mr. Whitlock." Cecil said, while coming in front.
"For Hogwarts! For the ministry of magic! For the Werewolf Capture Unit! For Gilderoy Lockhart!" Saying that, Cecil takes out his wand and attacks Fenrir Greyback followers, who were transformed into Werewolf.
But then nothing happened.
"Uh oh?"
"What was that supposed to be?" Fenrir asked him.
"The Homorphus Charm," Cecil said.
"Get a bite of this idiot. If he squirms too much, kill him," Fenrir said to his Werewolves.
The two werewolves immediately moved, circling Cecil, their growls low and threatening.
One of them lunged.
"Soren, stay back!" Cecil shouted, fear breaking through his voice.
But Soren didn't retreat. He stepped forward instead.
"No," Soren said firmly. "You stay back."
Fenrir's eyes narrowed with interest. "Oh? The little wizard thinks he can do better?"
He tilted his head toward the sky, where the moon was nearly full.
"What say we let the fool moon come all the way out…" Fenrir said darkly.
A moment later, his body twisted violently.
Bones cracked. Fur burst through his skin.
Fenrir Greyback transformed, throwing his head back and howling as a massive werewolf stood where the man had been.
Before anyone could react.
A white-furred werewolf leapt from the shadows and slammed into Fenrir.
They crashed to the ground in a blur of claws and teeth.
"Chiara…" Soren whispered.
Fenrir roared and, with brutal strength, punched the white werewolf aside, sending her skidding across the ground.
The battle exploded into chaos.
Fenrir charged Soren.
Soren raised his wand, heart pounding.
"Flipendo!"
The spell struck Fenrir, staggering him, but not stopping him.
Fenrir swiped, forcing Soren to roll aside just in time.
"You're brave," Fenrir snarled, "but bravery won't save you!"
Soren stood his ground.
"HOMORPHUS!"
The spell hit Fenrir directly. The werewolf howled in pain as the magic forced its way through him. Fur receded. His massive form collapsed inward.
Fenrir slammed to the ground, became human again, gasping and stunned.
Soren didn't stop.
"HOMORPHUS!"
It struck the first werewolf squarely.
The creature froze mid-snarl.
Its body twisted unnaturally. Fur retreated. Claws shortened. The beast collapsed onto the ground as a human wizard, unconscious but breathing.
The second werewolf barely had time to react.
"HOMORPHUS!"
Again.
The spell landed cleanly.
The second creature reverted just as quickly, falling beside the first.
Before Fenrir could recover.
"Incarcerous!"
Ropes shot from Soren's wand, binding Fenrir tightly to the ground.
He turned quickly and cast again, binding the other two as well.
Cecil collapsed to one knee, clutching his injured side.
Soren rushed to him. "Are you okay?"
"I will be," Cecil said through clenched teeth. "But we need to capture the white werewolf too."
He began to raise his wand. Soren stepped in front of him.
"No," Soren said firmly. "She's not your enemy."
Cecil hesitated.
At that moment. Fenrir laughed.
"Clever boy," he said, tearing free from the ropes with sheer strength. "You've got spirit."
Before anyone could stop him, Fenrir vanished into the darkness alone.
The remaining two werewolves stayed bound.
Cecil stared after Fenrir, furious, but then nodded slowly.
"Fine," he said. "We'll take what we can."
Soren helped Chiara to her feet and took her straight to Dumbledore.
Cecil escorted the two captured werewolves away.
---
The next day, Hogwarts celebrated Halloween.
The castle was alive with music, laughter, and floating decorations.
At the feast, Dumbledore rose.
"I wish to commend a student," he said warmly, eyes settling on Soren. "For bravery, quick thinking, and disrupting a very dangerous plan."
The hall erupted in applause.
Chiara, now fully recovered, approached Soren afterward.
"Thank you for helping me again against Greyback," Soren said.
Chiara smiled softly. "This time, I should be the one thanking you."
Cecil approached, holding a parchment.
"I was wrong," he said quietly. "Not all werewolves are bad."
He handed Soren the parchment.
"A certificate," Cecil said. "For defeating Fenrir Greyback and protecting Hogwarts."
Soren accepted it calmly.
---
Later that night, Soren received a quiet message asking him to meet Professor Dumbledore in the Courtyard.
He went alone.
"Why did you call me Professor Dumbledore?" Soren asked as he approached.
Dumbledore did not answer immediately. He looked up at the sky instead.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he said softly.
"The quiet night. The crisp air. It has a way of putting our troubles into perspective."
He smiled faintly.
"I often come here when I must make an important decision."
Soren hesitated, then spoke. "Sir… you called me because of my visions?"
"Yes," Dumbledore said, finally turning toward him. "I've heard you've been seeing things. Tell me about them."
Soren nodded. "I saw living armor. Hidden passages. And cursed ice."
He clenched his fist slightly. "When I heard about the ice, I knew it was connected to my sister. I couldn't ignore it."
Dumbledore listened carefully.
"Interesting," he said at last. "I have a feeling these things will become clearer to you in the coming years at Hogwarts."
Then his expression softened.
"For all that you have done, your bravery, your compassion, and your resourcefulness, I award two hundred points to Slytherin."
Soren's eyes widened.
"Thank you, Professor," he said, genuinely happy.
But then his expression grew serious again.
"Sir… can we talk more about the cursed ice? My sister? And the Cursed Vaults?"
Dumbledore met his gaze, calm and thoughtful.
"We can," he said. "And we will. But not now."
"That path is one for next year."
He placed a gentle hand on Soren's shoulder.
"Enjoy your summer holidays, Soren."
With that, Dumbledore turned and walked away, leaving Soren alone beneath the night sky.
–-
The Great Hall was alive with noise and color.
Floating candles glowed warmly above long house tables packed with students. Plates were full, goblets clinked, and excited whispers filled the air. Professors sat at the High Table, watching with quiet smiles, or, in Snape's case, a carefully neutral expression.
At last, Dumbledore rose from his seat.
The hall slowly fell silent.
"Another year at Hogwarts has come to an end," Dumbledore said, his voice calm and warm.
"I hope you all have learned much this year, because I certainly feel that I have learned from you."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the students.
"There is a feast to enjoy," Dumbledore continued, "and, of course, a House Cup to award."
Anticipation tightened the air.
"In fourth place," he said, glancing down,
"Hufflepuff, with 621 points."
Polite applause followed.
"In third place—Ravenclaw, with 626 points."
Cheers rose from the blue-and-bronze table.
"In second place—Gryffindor, with 638 points."
The Gryffindor table erupted, clapping and whooping proudly.
Dumbledore paused. The hall went completely silent.
"And in first place," he said, eyes twinkling,
"with 728 points…"
He lifted his hands.
"Slytherin!"
For a heartbeat, the Slytherin table froze.
Then it exploded.
Green banners unfurled from the ceiling. The hall shimmered as emerald and silver replaced every other color. Slytherins jumped to their feet, cheering, laughing, hugging one another.
Jacqueline turned to Soren, eyes shining.
"We did it, Sharky," she said, grinning. "We won the House Cup."
Soren let out a slow breath, a small smile forming.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "We did."
Across the hall, Merula glared at him, her expression sharp and bitter, but Soren didn't look back.
At the High Table, Dumbledore raised his voice once more.
"Congratulations, Slytherin, this year's winners of the House Cup!"
The applause thundered.
"And now," Dumbledore said cheerfully, "please enjoy your feast… and enjoy your summer holidays!"
Music swelled. Plates refilled themselves, desserts appeared in endless supply, and laughter returned to the hall.
---
Penny leaned back in her seat, smiling. "I still can't believe everything that happened this year."
Cassie nodded. "Cursed ice. Werewolves. Dragon. Fenrir Greyback." She shook her head. "That's a lot for a first year."
Jacqueline looked at Soren. "And you were in the middle of all of it."
Soren shrugged lightly. "I couldn't just stand by."
Penny studied him for a moment. "You know next year won't be any quieter."
"I know," Soren replied. "That's why we'll be ready."
Cassie smirked. "And we'll stick together. Just like this year."
They clinked their goblets together in agreement.
After the feast ended, students began drifting away, some toward dormitories, others already talking excitedly about the Hogwarts Express and summer plans.
Near the entrance of the Great Hall, the four of them paused.
Penny adjusted her bag. "I'm going to spend the summer reading everything I can find about Cursed Vaults."
Cassie grinned. "I'll be training. If next year's anything like this one, I'm not falling behind."
Jacqueline hesitated, then smiled softly at Soren. "Promise you won't disappear over the summer."
Soren met her gaze. "I won't. And when we come back…" He paused. "We finish what we started."
Jacqueline nodded.
One by one, they said their goodbyes.
Penny headed toward her own path. Cassie turned toward her own path. Jacqueline lingered a moment longer, then gave Soren a small wave before leaving.
Soren stood alone for a moment, the Great Hall quiet now, banners slowly settling.
He looked up at the ceiling, stars drifting lazily overhead.
The first year is over.
But somewhere, beyond Hogwarts, beyond the summer ahead, his sister was still waiting.
And Soren Whitlock would not stop until he found her.