Chapter 240: Dreams and Storms
The continuous rain fell from noon until evening.
It started as a light drizzle, then gradually intensified, pattering against the window sill like a musical performance.
There was limited moisture in the atmosphere, so after this rain, there likely wouldn't be another storm for over ten days.
After returning home, Lupin told Wade, "I hope you're not too disappointed, Wade."
"James and the others decided to learn Animagus in their second year, and they only succeeded in their fifth year. Most people are like that—it takes years, even over a decade of accumulation, to take that step."
"Compared to them, you're already very fast. Perhaps you just need to wait a few more weeks for the most opportune moment."
"By then, your preparation will surely be more complete than it is now."
Seeing the concern in Lupin's eyes, Wade smiled and said, "I understand. I was already prepared for a few failures... Besides, I haven't failed yet; I just need to keep waiting, right?"
Lupin smiled with relief. "Of course... Don't forget the Spell at sunset."
"I won't."
Wade read in his study for a while. Just as he realized he hadn't turned a page in a long time, his alarm clock suddenly blared.
He reached out to turn off the alarm, pointed the tip of his Wand at his heart, and quietly chanted, "Amado, Animo, Animado, Animagus."
*Thump!*
In his chest, a strong, powerful heartbeat responded to his Spell, as if a creature was eager to break free and emerge.
Wade turned his head and saw the long, thin streaks of water left on the glass by the rain. The later streaks chased the earlier ones, creating intersecting patterns that were instantly replaced by new ones.
He felt that he wasn't actually very disappointed, just as he had told Lupin—he had long been prepared to work hard for two or three years.
Failing the Mandrake step two or three times was few, and even six or seven times wasn't many... but he had succeeded almost on his first try.
Chanting the Spell was a continuous and lengthy process. If he accidentally fainted or overslept, he might have to start all over again.
But he strictly adhered to the schedule he had set for himself, never missing a single time.
However, the closer he got to success, the longer the wait felt. He knew the storm would eventually arrive, but every minute and second before it felt stretched out.
Wade simply poured himself a small glass of Butterbeer, alcoholic version, and drank it in one gulp.
Generally, such a low alcohol content would only intoxicate creatures like House-elves.
The bitterness of the beer and the aroma of cream intertwined in his throat, followed by a slight pungency and a more complex fragrance.
Wade seemed to understand why some people enjoyed drinking this golden-yellow beverage.
He just felt a bit lightheaded, as if everything around him had become lighter, and his mood had significantly brightened. Wade restrained his urge for "one more drink," lay down on his bed, and pulled the covers up to his chin.
Sleep, he told himself. I still need to wake up before sunrise tomorrow!
...
Wade didn't realize he was dreaming.
He was flying in the sky, ethereal white clouds gliding past him. Hogwarts Castle became very, very distant, but the moon and stars grew very, very close.
The enormous full moon was as bright as a lake, hanging overhead, radiating a pure light.
Countless stars accompanied him. Looking closer, they were spherical, pockmarked rocks, some even gleaming with a metallic luster.
Dream-Wade suddenly felt puzzled—weren't most stars supposed to be suns?
His mind immediately provided an answer: he was flying in the asteroid belt of the solar system.
A massive, dark-gray planet suddenly glided silently past Wade. It completely blocked the moon, almost obscuring his entire field of vision.
Such a colossal object naturally made him feel small and fearful. At the same time, the name of this planet immediately surfaced in his mind—
Ceres.
The largest asteroid in the solar system.
Wade instinctively tried to put distance between himself and it, but he suddenly realized that Ceres's gravity was pulling him in.
Leaving became so difficult. As he struggled to fly away, the surrounding meteoroids shot at him like bullets!
Wade hastily dodged, but was still hit by several fist-sized rocks. The whole world seemed to shake and sway!
He sharply opened his eyes. Lupin was gripping his shoulders, shaking him forcefully.
"Wade, wake up! The storm's here!"
Before he finished speaking, a flash of lightning illuminated the sky, and the dim room instantly became bright as day!
The light flashed and vanished. A few seconds later, a rumbling thunder rolled in from the distance.
Wade's drowsy mind immediately cleared. He jumped out of bed, grateful he had forgotten to change before sleeping. He quickly grabbed his jacket, threw it on, and followed Lupin downstairs.
With a *bang*, Wade's bedroom window burst open, and torrential rain immediately poured in, along with a dark, shadowy figure.
"Don't waste time!" Sirius shouted. "We don't know how long this storm will last, let's fly!"
His voice was a bit indistinct amidst the thunder, but they both saw the Flying Broomstick in his hand.
Wade grabbed one casually, hopped on, and flew straight out the window, landing on the ground a second later. When lightning flashed across the sky again, he ducked into the cellar and found the crystal vial he had hidden there earlier.
The transparent vial held a blood-red Potions, reflecting a vivid light. There was only enough for a single gulp.
"Excellent, everything's going well, let's go!"
Sirius shouted, "Wade, stick close to me!"
The three Flying Broomsticks shot out with a whoosh, like storm petrels braving the tempest.
Sirius led, Wade was in the middle, and Lupin followed closely behind. The three of them formed a line, cutting through the rain curtain. Once they entered the forest, they all instinctively slowed down.
By the light of the lightning, Sirius located the entrance he had left earlier. The three of them shot through like arrows, landing on the soaking wet grass.
Wade flipped off his broom, glanced at the other two, and without hesitation, pointed his Wand at his heart and recited the Spell again—
"Amado, Animo, Animado, Animagus."
Then, he pulled out the stopper and tilted his head back to drink the Potions.
Intense pain immediately swept through his entire body. His muscles felt like they were melting, every bone seemed to be breaking and reforming, and a dense, prickling pain emanated from his skin, as if thousands upon thousands of steel needles were about to pierce through his flesh.
His hands and feet began to twist and deform, his head rapidly shrunk, and his body underwent a strange transformation as well, as if merging with his clothes...
At the same time, the image of a certain creature appeared in his mind. Wade lunged forward without hesitation, allowing his magic to naturally respond to a certain call.
The black-haired youth seemed to melt away in an instant.
A raptor with a blue sheen flapped its wings and vanished from the spot instantly!
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