"Henry, we need to take these two items back first. Oh, and could we also borrow the Marauder's Map for a while, please?" Dumbledore asked as if seeking permission.
It was then that he noticed the rat.
The rat was missing a finger on its right paw.
"Headmaster, is that the legendary Philosopher's Stone that grants immortality?" Hoare feigned curiosity as he asked.
"Oh, yes. It's full of temptation. Immortality fascinates people and drives them mad," Dumbledore remarked with a sigh.
"Just—" Dumbledore held the Philosopher's Stone in his hand, examining it closely. It felt slightly odd, though it looked the same, something just didn't seem right.
Hoare scratched his head, pretending to know nothing.
The item was stolen by Scabbers, so if anyone had questions, they should ask it, not the innocent Hoare.
Dumbledore and Snape took Scabbers and the Philosopher's Stone away.
They noticed the injuries on Scabbers' legs, which were limp as if they had turned into putty.
Dumbledore furrowed his brow slightly but said nothing and asked no questions.
As for Sirius's situation, Dumbledore would certainly not allow one of his most prized former students to suffer unjustly.
Hoare was reassured.
He returned to his dormitory, where Helena had already returned, full and content.
She lazily coiled herself like a snake, lying on Hoare's pillow, with some small biscuits made by the house elf for her to gnaw on.
Hoare opened a drawer and took out a crystal bottle no larger than his palm, which looked far more valuable than those used for potions.
And indeed, it was more precious—an alchemical crystal bottle.
The contents seemed minimal, yet it was as deep as the ocean, impossible to fathom.
Inside the bottle was a small, white mass.
It resembled a thick white mist, occasionally flashing with golden light.
Hoare held the bottle up to his face and gently shook it, watching the mist swirl lazily inside.
He couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you, Salazar Slytherin."
---
Snape and Dumbledore went to deal with Scabbers.
Hoare got what he wanted, and now he was wide awake, his mind filled with potion formulas.
He glanced at the cloak on his bed, which he hadn't returned to Harry yet, and decided to put it on. Wrapping Helena around his arm, he left the common dormitory.
The only place where he could experiment freely at this time was the Room of Requirement.
Hoare had stored a large quantity of herbs there for his and the Weasley twins' daily experiments. If he needed rare materials, he previously had to apply to Headmaster Snape.
After learning the Disillusionment Charm, Hoare often ventured into the Forbidden Forest alone, gathering only from the outskirts, but it was more than sufficient.
The fertile land of the Forbidden Forest even made Hoare consider setting aside a plot for growing some food when he had more free time.
An instinct from his past life in China.
As for whether Hoare worried about Hagrid discovering his activities, he was not concerned at all.
Hagrid was more focused on magical creatures than herbs, so even though Hoare had nearly turned the forest's outskirts into his own herb garden, Hagrid hadn't noticed.
However, Headmaster Snape seemed to have noticed something. Though he didn't say it outright, he did remind Hoare not to overdo it and to allow plants the chance to grow.
Hoare set up his cauldron, following the steps one by one until the final step.
It was time to add the energy of the Philosopher's Stone.
Hoare carefully opened the crystal bottle, reciting an extraction spell, trying to draw only a trace of energy, which he then injected into the cauldron simmering over a low flame.
A quick look at " will leave you more fulfilled.
Hoare had previously researched information about the Philosopher's Stone.
It was an artificially created, magic-infused red stone. It could be used to brew the Elixir of Life, extending the drinker's lifespan, and could also turn any metal into pure gold.
Some sources suggested that the Elixir of Life actually transformed the dead parts of the body into new ones, extending the life cycle.
Squibs had magical genes but couldn't produce magic themselves.
What if the part of a Squib's body responsible for generating magic was reset?
This was why Hoare was so determined to experiment with the Philosopher's Stone.
After stirring clockwise three times, a faint pink smoke rose from the cauldron.
He removed the stirring rod, and the smoke dispersed, revealing a pale blue potion with a delicate fragrance.
There wasn't much potion, just enough to fill a crystal bottle the size of a fingernail.
Hoare estimated that if it met his expectations, this tiny bottle could save a Squib's life, ensuring the drinker fully regained their magic. Charging ten thousand Galleons for it would be justified.
Now, he just needed a test subject.
This matter needed to be entrusted to Professor Snape, as tracking the effects on a test subject required effort and wasn't simple.
And Hoare hated trouble.
---
Squibs.
A topic not easily discussed in the wizarding world.
Even wizarding families that accepted Muggles and Muggle-borns didn't readily accept Squibs.
For instance, the Weasley family never spoke of their Squib relative who worked as an accountant in the Muggle world.
From the moment they were confirmed as Squibs, they were no longer accepted by their families.
Some more responsible families chose to send them to live and study in the Muggle world, encouraging them to integrate into Muggle society.
This was far kinder than trying to find them a place in the wizarding world, where they were always treated as second-class citizens.
And from the moment they entered the Muggle world, they were managed by the Squib Support Association until they turned eighteen.
In essence, they were completely distanced and abandoned by their families.
The most painful part for Squibs was that they had no magic but could use magical items and see things invisible to Muggles.
Hoare wanted to save them because he had always been afraid.
Afraid of being abandoned by his family, afraid of leaving this fascinating wizarding world.
Even though his parents assured him he could return to the Weasleys at the Burrow once he came of age, Hoare knew deep down.
If he were just a Squib, forcing himself into a place where he didn't belong would make everyone miserable.
Hoare wrote on a piece of parchment, placed the potion on it, and left it on Headmaster Snape's desk.
Thanks to Headmaster Snape allowing him to experiment in the dungeons, he had the freedom to come and go.
After setting everything in place, Hoare turned to leave.
Suddenly, the fireplace in Headmaster Snape's office lit up, revealing a face that bore a striking resemblance to Draco's.
Hoare guessed this must be the father Draco often mentioned.
"Severus, I'm sorry to disturb you so late."
"I've heard rumors. Is he—has he returned?"
The voice was stern, yet if listened to closely, it carried a hint of tremor.
"I await your reply."
"And—something he left with me is missing, I wanted to inform you."