Three Weeks Later…
DADA Professor Office...
The soft clinking of teacups and the rustle of parchment filled Leo's office as he sat behind his desk, lost in the quiet rhythm of grading scrolls.
The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the stone walls, illuminating the scattered books, magical artefacts, and enchanted quills that floated lazily nearby.
Just as he reached for another scroll, there was a gentle knock on the door.
Knock~
"____"
"Enter,"
Leo said without looking up.
Creak~
The door creaked open, and Putinia, a bright-eyed first-year from House Dragon, stepped into the room with her usual calm composure.
Leo looked up, his expression softening slightly.
"Putinia. I assume you're here with questions about today's lecture?"
To be fair, he wouldn't have been surprised.
She had already become somewhat of a prodigy in both Herbology and Transfiguration,
And Leo had made a mental note more than once to keep an eye on her progress.
But the young girl shook her head with a small smile.
"Actually, Professor… I came to give you something."
She stepped forward and carefully set a small, wrapped box on his desk.
Leo raised an eyebrow.
"A gift?"
Petunia nodded.
"It's from father and mother. They sent it to you… through me."
Leo blinked, sitting up straighter.
"____"
"The Evans family? As in—"
Putinia quickly added,
"Yes. They said they didn't know how to send it to you... could they send it the same way they sent things to me, so they asked me to deliver it personally."
"I think they didn't know they could sent the same way using owl to you."
Leo chuckled faintly.
Chuckle~
"That… sounds like them."
He leaned forward, fingers brushing over the smooth wrapping.
He glanced up at her, crimson eyes calm but curious.
"Did they say what it was?"
Putinia shook her head.
"Only that it's something you might like."
Leo gave her a brief, genuine nod.
Nod~
"Thank you, Putinia. You've done well."
She beamed under the praise, and with a polite bow of her head, turned to leave.
Once the door clicked shut behind her, Leo turned his attention fully to the package.
'The Evans family, huh?'
He hadn't expected a gesture from them.
With careful fingers, he began to unwrap the gift—
wondering what kind of sentiment was hidden inside.
Leo carefully unwrapped the package that Putinia had handed over.
Inside lay a brand new 1969 Rolex watch, its pristine leather strap still stiff from the box, the crystal dial gleaming under the candlelight of his office.
"A fine timepiece…"
Leo murmured, clearly impressed.
With a thought, he activated his system.
[ ITEM: ROLEX WATCH(1969 EDITION) HAS BEEN ADDED TO INVENTORY. ]
A familiar chime rang in his mind.
Then, without warning, the familiar cool chime of the system interface rang in his mind.
A familiar chime rang in his mind.
[ DING... ]
[ Task 002 → Rats in disguise
Description:
Harold Mitchum and his pure-blood allies are secretly impersonating death eaters to cause chaos. Their next target is the Magi-Mundial Concord, a global summit between the magical ministers of all wizarding nations and the representatives of muggle countries.
The purpose of this meeting is to address the deadly plague spreading through the muggle world. Muggle scientists are struggling to develop an antidote. They are turning to the wizarding world for help. If Mitchum's plan succeeds, it could break the fragile trust between muggles and magic.
Objective:
Infiltrate the Concord. Expose and stop the disruptors. Protect the summit and ensure magical assistance is offered.
Reward: Charisma +1, Voice of reason (enhances persuasiveness in political or diplomatic scenarios), Electro template progress: +15% ]
Leo's red eyes narrowed.
"So that's what they're after now... global chaos masked as revolution."
Later that night, Leo sat at his desk in the Dragon dormitory quarters, quill in hand, parchment rolled out before him.
Bella rested nearby, curled up and silent, the flicker of candlelight casting soft shadows across the room.
He dipped the quill in ink and began writing.
Letter Content...
Minister Jenkins,
I have reason to believe that Harold Mitchum and his pure-blood associates plan to strike during the Magi-Mundial Concord.
I would like to accompany you to the summit—not as a representative of Hogwarts, but as someone who has no interest in watching idiots going around causing trouble.
I will see to it that the meeting is not disrupted. You have my word.
—Leo Morningstar
Letter Content Ends...
Rolling the letter neatly,
Leo stood, tying it with a crimson ribbon before making his way through the castle's winding corridors toward the Owlery.
The night air was crisp,
and the stars blinked above as if they were watching him.
Reaching the Owlery, the hoots of dozens of owls greeted him.
"____"
He scanned the rafters, then grinned.
Grin~
"Ah, there you are."
A particularly chunky, sleepy-looking barn owl blinked at him with one eye, unimpressed.
Leo raised the scroll.
"Don't give me that look. It's just one important letter that could save the entire wizarding world. No pressure."
The owl just stared.
"____"
Leo smirked.
Smirk~
"Fine. I'll owe you a rat. A fat one."
The owl finally fluttered down, landing on his arm with a resigned sigh that somehow sounded offended.
He tied the letter carefully to the owl's leg.
"Deliver this to Minister Jenkins. Straight to her mansion. No detours, no snacks, and for Merlin's sake—don't poop on the envelope this time."
Hoot~
The owl gave a lazy hoot and took off, flapping heavily into the sky.
Leo watched it disappear into the distance, hands resting on the railing.
Leo returned to his quarters in the Dragon dormitory, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
The room was dim, quiet, and—
most noticeably—
empty.
Bella, it seemed, had already retired to her own room for the night.
He let out a breath, loosened his collar, and was just about to collapse into bed when—
Clink...
A soft grinding noise echoed from above.
His eyes flicked up to the ceiling—
where a decorative dragon statue, once lifeless and inert, now stirred.
Its stone wings shifted with a faint rumble, and glowing blue eyes locked onto him.
Leo tensed slightly but raised an eyebrow.
"...Right. That's not ominous at all."
The dragon descended smoothly from the ceiling, its movement surprisingly fluid for something made of marble.
Then, it spoke in a low, gravelly tone.
"Professor McGonagall is waiting for you at the entrance of the dormitory. She wishes to speak with you."
The glow in its eyes dimmed as it slowly returned to its original perch, becoming still once more.
Leo blinked, then rubbed the back of his neck.
"____"
"Huh."
A smirk slowly tugged at the corner of his lips.
Smirk~
"She wants to talk? Alone?"
His mind instantly darted to that night—
when he had, in a semi-conscious, potion-dazed state, reached out and pulled her into his bed with an accidental but gentle hug he thinks.
Madam Pomfrey's medicine had made him delirious, and Minerva had been kind enough to check on him...
And then avoided him like the plague ever since.
She barely spoke to him unless someone else was around.
It had been weeks.
And now, suddenly, she wanted a one-on-one conversation at night?
Leo's crimson eyes glinted with amusement.
"She's finally going to confess, isn't she?"
Chuckle~
He chuckled under his breath, grabbed his coat with a casual flick, and made his way toward the exit.
His boots echoed softly through the hall as he hummed a slow, romantic melody under his breath.
"♪ You say you love me, but you're shy to show... ♫"
he sang quietly, the corners of his mouth twitching with mischief.
Reaching the entrance to the dormitory, he leaned slightly against the wall and composed himself, just in case.
After all... what if it was something serious?
But deep down, he couldn't help but grin at the thought:
'Maybe tonight would be interesting after all.'
As Leo stepped into the corridor outside the Dragon dormitory,
He spotted Minerva standing with her hands behind her back, the torchlight casting long shadows along the stone walls.
She turned toward him as he approached, her expression unreadable.
"You're right on time,"
she said crisply, though a faint warmth slipped through her tone.
"Follow me."
Leo tilted his head slightly, a mischievous smile forming.
"Now that's something I've always wanted to hear from you, Minerva."
She gave him a sideways glance, but didn't comment—
just turned and began walking.
Leo followed behind her, his mind still tangled in hopeful scenarios.
Maybe she was breaking her silence because she couldn't resist anymore.
Maybe this was about that moment they shared during his recovery.
Maybe—
They turned a corner and entered the hospital wing.
All of Leo's hopeful daydreams shattered like glass.
Laid out on one of the beds was Professor Kettleburn—
his shirt is stained with blood, his right-hand palm is completely missing, and a deep scar runs diagonally across his chest and face.
One of his eyes was gone, a bandage already covering the hollow spot.
Young Madam Pomfrey, knelt beside the bed, her wand's tip glowing softly as she worked to keep him stable.
She scolded him ferrily between healing spells.
"Honestly, Silvanus, you're lucky to be alive. If you hadn't Appeared back when you did—"
Leo stood frozen, his smile replaced with a sharp, disappointed frown.
Minerva turned to glance at him.
She didn't need to use Legilimency to read his thoughts—
his crushed expression said it all.
He muttered under his breath, barely audible,
"Damn it… and I thought this was gonna be that kind of night."
Still pouting slightly, Leo made his way to Kettleburn's bedside, glancing over the crazy man's condition.
"Silvanus,"
Leo said, his voice steadier than his thoughts.
"What the hell happened to you?"
Kettleburn cracked open his remaining eye and chuckled, though it immediately turned into a wince of pain.
Chuckle~
Hearing Leo's question, Professor Kettleburn groaned softly from his hospital bed.
Madam Pomfrey applied a gentle, glowing salve to the deep scar traversing his chest and the hollow where his eye had once been.
"It was… a Lethifold,"
Kettleburn murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Leo's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his features.
Minerva, standing nearby, drew in a sharp breath.
"A Lethifold? In the Forbidden Forest?"
Leo questioned, his tone laced with disbelief.
"They're not supposed to be anywhere near Britain,"
Minerva added, her brow furrowed in concern.
Kettleburn offered a weak, rueful smile.
"And yet, this one was. I ventured into the forest, near the Veil Glade, following reports of creatures disappearing without a trace. Even the centaurs were wary of that area."
He paused, wincing as Pomfrey adjusted his bandages.
"The atmosphere was… unnatural. An eerie silence, an oppressive darkness. I sensed something was amiss and cast Lumos to illuminate my path. That's when it struck."
Leo leaned in slightly, listening intently.
"It was like a shadow come to life,"
Kettleburn continued.
"Before I could react, it enveloped me, suffocating, cold… draining. I struggled, but it was relentless."
He swallowed hard, the memory causing a visible shudder.
"In a desperate move, I recalled my training and summoned the happiest memory I could muster. I cast Expecto Patronum,"
He said, a faint smile touching his lips.
"A silver hare burst forth, its light driving the Lethifold away, saving my life."
Minerva's expression softened.
"That was brave, Silvanus."
Kettleburn nodded weakly.
Nod~
"Perhaps, but not before it took my palm and eye as souvenirs."
Leo looked confused.
"A Lethifold in the forbidden forest is very dangerous."
Madam Pomfrey interjected, her tone firm.
"He's fortunate to be alive. If Hagrid hadn't found him when he did…"
Leo nodded slowly.
Lethifold (Living Shroud) is a Dark Creature classified as XXXXX creature. (known wizard killer, impossible to train or domesticate)
It resembles a black, cloak-like shadow, smooth and flowing as it glides silently along the ground.
At rest, it looks like nothing more than a piece of tattered black cloth, making it easy to overlook—
until it's too late.
They attack at night, often slipping into homes through cracks or open windows.
They suffocate their victims in their sleep by enveloping them and then digest the body, leaving no trace.
Their movement is utterly silent, and they can slither across floors, walls, and ceilings unnoticed.
Encounters with Lethifolds are almost always fatal, especially because they leave behind no evidence—
no noise, no body, no blood—
just disappearance.
The only known effective defense against a Lethifold is the Patronus Charm (Expecto Patronum).
A powerful Patronus emits light and positive energy, which drives the Lethifold away.
The big problem is not every one can master Patronus Charm.
"To understand how dangerous Lethifold is: The most famous Lethifold encounter was survived by Flavius Belby in 1782 while visiting Papua New Guinea."
"He wrote the first and most comprehensive account of the creature after using a Patronus to repel it."
"Belby's story is featured in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander."
Looking at Leo who seems to be ready to venture into the forbidden forest Minerva started explaining.
"____"
Hearing her explanation Leo was silent.
"Just think how helpless the people were before Belby found a way to repel it."
With a heavy sigh Minerva spoke with grim expression.
Minerva's heels echoed softly against the stone floor as she paced near the hospital wing's large window, worry etched across her face.
The night beyond the castle walls was eerily quiet, the Forbidden Forest cloaked in shadows.
Leo stood beside Kettleburn's bed, his arms crossed as he watched the injured professor rest.
The thick white bandages wrapped around Kettleburn's arm and scarred face were grim reminders of the creature's ferocity.
Minerva stopped pacing.
"With Albus away handling diplomatic matters… and Filius in Hogsmeade investigating the recent spell fluxes—"
"—and Slughorn sipping elderflower wine with the Potioneers' Guild,"
Leo added dryly.
Minerva didn't smile.
"Our Herbology professor is a brilliant herbologist, but she's not a duelist and very old to participate. Kettleburn was our creature expert, and now he's barely alive."
She turned to face Leo, arms folded.
"That leaves us."
Leo let out a slow breath.
"Two professors to deal with a Lethifold? That thing slipped past Kettleburn's defences like a shadow in the wind. And even he said he barely had time to cast Expecto Patronum before it was on him."
Minerva's eyes narrowed.
"If that creature decides to wander out of the forest… imagine it slipping into the Hufflepuff dorms. Or the infirmary. A single child—"
Leo held up a hand.
"I get it."
He looked toward the window, the forest's dark outline just visible beyond the castle grounds.
"We can't let it stay out there."
"We'll have to act. Tonight."
She met his gaze, the unspoken fear and resolve clear in her eyes.
Leo gave a small smirk, despite the tension.
"Not quite the moonlit stroll I imagined when your statue summoned me."
Minerva sighed but didn't deny it, her tone softening just slightly.
Sigh~
"Leo… if something happens—"
"Minerva,"
he interrupted gently,
"I've fought worse than living cloaks. Let's just make sure no one else ends up like him."
She gave a tight nod.
Nod~
"Meet me at the edge of the forest in ten minutes."
He grinned.
Grin~
"Of course."
As she turned to leave, Leo lingered a moment longer near Kettleburn's bedside, whispering under his breath,
"Hang in there, old man. We'll finish what you started."
Then, with a flick of his crimson cloak, he followed Minerva out into the night.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N): I hope you guys enjoying the story.
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review and power stone!!! It will Motivate Me.