Chapter 80: Preparing For Release
The kerosene lamp wick swayed slightly, long eyelashes and the light reflecting together into bright eyes. The little witch stayed silent, staring straight at the professor in front of her, his wand pressed against her forehead.
“No need to worry.” The professor spoke slowly, his voice gentle and soft, “This isn’t Legilimency, it won’t pry into your privacy, just borrowing the memories of your investigation into the Philosopher’s Stone and passing through the previous challenges, calmly recall the scenes from that time…”
Learning the news of Nicolas Flamel from Hagrid;
Setting fire to the professor’s robes during the Quidditch match;
Searching through materials and discussing the investigation with little friends;
The introduction about Dumbledore on the candy card;
Jumping through the trapdoor and passing the challenges set by the professors…
“…”
Silver radiance flickered in Hermione’s eyes, then she felt a wave of magic power seeping into her temple along the wand tip, soft and warm, feeling like a unicorn, with a faint pulling force from the wand tip, as if something soft was being tugged out.
It was a strand of silvery hazy light mist, with an unclear outline.
Drawn by the wand into a glass bottle like a test tube, sealed with a rubber stopper, the silver mist floated lightly inside the bottle, vaguely showing some blurry figures.
Hermione watched his movements and blinked: “Is that it?”
“Done.”
“But I can still recall those memories.”
“Borrowing memories isn’t Obliviate, think of it as copying a film, the master tape still remains in your brain. If you hadn’t learned to extract memories yourselves yet, there’d be no need for my help.”
“I see…”
Melvin pocketed the glass bottle containing the memory.
The other two students and Hagrid were all immersed in their own memories, their expressions somewhat dazed.
Not just the little witch, copies were made of the others’ memories too: Harry’s mainly first-person view of Quidditch, nearly being assassinated, discovering the Mirror of Erised while sneaking through the castle at night, observing Quirinus Quirrell several times in class; Ron’s mainly unwrapping Chocolate Frogs; Hagrid’s being attacked and deceived in the Hog’s Head Inn.
They’d need editing back home.
The room was somewhat quiet, and in the silence, the fire dragon whelp’s eyes cracked open a slit. Norbert had woken up at some point, and the first thing it saw was Melvin.
“Ha!”
The young dragon opened its mouth and sprayed a burst of flame straight at his face, but before it reached, the dragon flame dissipated into thin air.
Melvin tapped its head with his wand, and the not-fully-awake little fire dragon closed its eyes again, lying back down groggily.
The sudden mishap woke up the others nearby.
Ron was a bit stunned. Norbert used to just bite when mischievous—he’d been bitten before, the teeth poisonous but not fatal, his right hand swollen for days so he didn’t have to do homework. Now it sprayed fire at the drop of a hat; he couldn’t imagine the consequences if he took a hit.
The others witnessed the danger of fire dragons again, hearts pounding in fear.
“Professor, do you have any way to make Norbert less dangerous?”
Hermione asked nervously, her voice crisp: “I read in a book about the Undetectable Extension Charm, which can expand a separate space for Norbert, so it doesn’t matter if it sprays fire inside. Many wizards in the past used the Undetectable Extension Charm to keep animals, and Newt Scamander caused two disturbances in New York.”
“So Newt Scamander is banned from entering multiple wizarding governments around the world and was wanted by the American Ministry of Magic for a few weeks.” Melvin’s expression was serious, “Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest’s climate aren’t suitable for raising fire dragons, the Undetectable Extension Charm won’t work either, and non-official organizations and individuals aren’t allowed to keep fire dragons. As a law-abiding good wizard, I won’t help Hagrid continue breaking the law.”
“Then what should we do?”
“Send Norbert away.”
Hagrid choked up twice, on the verge of tears: “Poor little guy…”
Melvin looked at Hagrid, who was taller than him even sitting down, his expression somewhat helpless: “Send away, not release into the wilderness.”
“Where to?” Hagrid perked up.
“Carpathian Mountains.” Melvin paused, then explained in detail, “That’s the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary we often mention. The climate there suits fire dragon growth and breeding, with professional keeper wizards caring for them, and other Norwegian Ridgebacks to teach it hunting and flying.”
“Romania? Charlie’s there!” Ron’s eyes widened, somewhat unable to accept it—after all that, it came down to this.
But no one paid him any mind. Hermione frowned: “Even if Romania can take Norbert, but Norbert isn’t registered with the Ministry of Magic, so smuggling a fire dragon is illegal, right?”
Hagrid nodded. On magical creatures, he knew he was breaking the law.
No registration meant no legitimate channels: couldn’t use the Floo Network regulated by the Department of Magical Transportation domestically, nor official Portkeys abroad. This international, even intercontinental transport couldn’t rely on wizards Apparating segment by segment.
“A tavern owner friend of mine can help, he has his own private Portkey channels, via Hogsmeade transiting through Birmingham, two Apparitions to Romania.”
Melvin gestured the direction simply, explaining smuggling essentials like giving a lesson, detailed and specific: “If you’re not comfortable with Portkeys, you can take a grocer’s transport route, from Hogsmeade to London, then ferry across the English Channel, through France, Belgium…
“Nice underground port has a black market transit station, Brasov region has a private magic trade market, avoiding Ministries of Magic across Europe the whole way, absolutely won’t trace back to you.”
Hagrid silently noted down the market locations.
Hermione was very surprised: “Smuggling?! A dragon sanctuary has smuggling?”
“Romanian trade lines go worldwide, some legit business, some smuggling. Every year massive fire dragon-related materials flow out: accumulated dragon dung needs clearing, dragon blood from males fighting pollutes soil, shed dragon scales, dragon teeth… As long as no harm to the fire dragons, Ministries of Magic tacitly approve such trade, since reserves need revenue too.”
The three students were dumbfounded, unable to believe it.
“If you’re still not at ease, contact that Charlie Weasley. Easter Holiday is coming right up, have his classmates or colleagues help transport.”
“No need, we’ll use the Portkey.” Hermione finally made the decisive call, very much like Professor McGonagall.
“…”
Hagrid had no objections, like an obedient student corrected after scolding.
Night deepened gradually. They left the wooden house and headed back, walking the path in the middle of the grounds, seeing the castle’s lit candlelight in the distance, still some time before lights out.
“We could wait until Easter Holiday actually, Norbert won’t be exposed short-term, and it can spend more time with Hagrid.” Melvin said with a soft laugh.
“…”
The little witch looked up and glared at him, not indulging the professor’s mischief.
Entering the foyer, the three little ones immediately said goodbye to the professor and huddled together discussing tonight’s matters.
“After all that fuss, the solution lands on Charlie. If only we’d thought of it sooner.” Ron muttered, “And we end up signing an agreement with the professor, extracting memories to help him make that movie.”
“…”
Harry and Hermione narrowed their eyes at him, thinking this guy wasn’t too bright.
“What’s with those looks, staring at me for?”
“Ron, think about the Quidditch thing! Even without Norbert, if the professor just asked normally, we’d agree.” Harry paused, “At least Hermione and I would.”
Hermione nodded in agreement.
“Then why make it a condition in negotiations?”
“Of course to teach Hagrid a lesson.” Harry was exasperated, unable to fathom how this guy thought so quickly at chess but turned dumb for exams and serious matters.
Ron had a realization, then lowered his voice: “Speaking of that, Professor Levent said Hagrid was expelled during school. Harry, do you know the details?”
“No idea.” Harry shook his head.
Hermione showed a thoughtful look: “Find a chance to get Hagrid drunk, then ask…”
Harry and Ron fell silent involuntarily, exchanging a glance with complex expressions.
…
Melvin bid them good night and soon returned to his office.
Tonight’s new material needed processing. The script had been revised and perfected earlier, his own memory material mostly done; now splice and edit the protagonists’ memories. Considering no subtitle habit here, the film was just about polished to this point.
Melvin had worked with stage before, done plenty of similar things, so editing now was practiced and quick.
Only the soundtrack was a bit inconvenient. Melvin picked some simple symphonies, all by musicians dead over 50 years, ensuring no copyright issues.
As for versions from memories, all heard from theater concerts and vinyl records—still potential infringement?
Muggle record companies couldn’t sue him anyway.
Considering this his debut film, he still wrote to Wright for an introduction, seeking singer Cetina’s help.
Owl post was a bit slow but precise, making up for it. Wizarding life was unhurried; letters got immediate attention.
So by dusk the next day, Melvin received Wright’s reply, a short and special letter.
「Looking forward to seeing your work soon, fellow traveler in the wizarding arts, Cetina sends regards.」
Recent rainy weather, air humid, ink not fully dry, faintly scented with lavender, handwriting not neat, actually very scribbled, somewhat dashing.
Melvin read it a few times, then opened the accompanying package.
Inside were several glass bottles, silver mist still inside, memories from the singer witch.
Oddly, before taking the school post he’d brought a portable record player, but hadn’t expected school business to be so busy, never thought to play some music; the vinyl records gathered dust in the suitcase. First time hearing music at Hogwarts turned out to be Cetina via projection mirror.
Wand tip lifted the silver mist into the projection mirror, silver light flickered.
“Hoo… woo…”
The banshee’s wail, pitch-shifted to somewhat hoarse, oddly like an aged amplified loudspeaker.
“You say you love me, say we’ll never part…”
Still that song 《You Stole My Cauldron, But You Can’t Have My Love》.
New album recorded with new equipment, many melodies varied: simple tempo shifts for different styles, light piano underscoring calm, dense drums building tension, violins weaving lingering melodies.
Adaptations by the singer for soundtrack, suiting different plot segments.
Honestly, Cetina’s songs seemed outdated and folksy compared to Muggle music in many ways, but Melvin was glad he’d written that letter, glad for this reply.
“Wand pointed at my heart, you say you love me to death, but your spells always fizzle…”
…
The Three Broomsticks, third-floor compartment.
Melvin stood by the window admiring the street view outside, behind him the burly half-giant Hagrid sat on an extra-large wooden chair, nervously rubbing his hands.
Footsteps upstairs approached gradually, someone pushed open the door.
“Professor, all prepared.”
“When does it depart?”
“One hour from now, arrives in ten minutes.”
“Are the receivers on that end arranged?”
“Don’t worry, two backups. If that Charlie Weasley slips, our contact can take it.”
“Can projection mirrors sell over there?”
“Someone contacted me via Budapest black magic trade fair, but unwilling to sign a contract.”
“Budapest?”
“Cabal remnants’ turf there.”
“…”
Hagrid scratched his head; he knew that retired Auror too, used to team with Mad-Eye, went berserk fighting Death Eaters, ended up disabled and retired.
Seemed named Old Will.
Never thought a retired Auror had smuggling channels.
Watching Melvin and Old Will huddle, murmuring esoteric topics, faintly catching words like movie ticket pricing, distribution cuts, screening sessions…
Individually words he’d learned, together incomprehensible.
Hagrid stroked the suitcase before him, eyes blank, mind blank, slowly lost in thought.
Inside, plenty of rats for it, several barrels of chicken blood brandy—should last the trip. Norbert’s favorite toy rag doll was in too, so it shouldn’t feel lonely.
In the Forbidden Forest Hut, Norbert couldn’t grow properly. In Romania, Charlie would care for it, with fire dragon kin teaching it fire dragon techniques, like little wizards at school; little fire dragons should be in the reserve.
Hoped it would have a happy childhood there, grow up healthy and joyful.
Before Hagrid finished his inner prayer and blessing, Old Will gripped the suitcase handle, his rough strong arm yanked, and the fire dragon whelp suitcase fell into his hand, then he limped out of the room without looking back.
Hagrid’s nose stung, thinking from now on worlds apart, unsure if they’d meet again, tears flowed uncontrollably.
“Woo…”
“Hiss…”
Melvin had a bit of a headache; a several-decades-old half-giant bawling before him was quite an eyesore. “You’re Hogwarts’ gamekeeper, Dumbledore’s faction—crying like a little girl, what’s that about?”
“I don’t want to…” Hagrid sobbed twice, “But I can’t help it!”
“Stop crying, take you to Romania over summer vacation to see it.”
“Really!?”
