This was a horrific creation that could only crawl out of humanity's most twisted nightmares.
A pure white spine formed the main body, with countless skulls clustered like grotesque flowers at the top. Each one stared out with hollow, dark eye sockets that seemed to follow you wherever you moved.
On both sides of the spine, bone segments jutted outward like twisted branches, as if reserving space for some unspeakable addition.
Just looking at the thing made Lupin's skin crawl. That eerie sense of false sanctity only deepened its blasphemous nature. As if its very existence was mocking everything natural about life and death!
"It's not finished yet," Ethan said proudly, like an artist showing off his masterpiece. "This is just the rough prototype."
Lupin stared in horror. "What kind of terrifying creature are you planning to unleash? Haven't we got enough horrors already?!"
He felt that allowing Ethan to study at Hogwarts proved Headmaster Dumbledore was way too tolerant. Enriching Hogwarts' species diversity, my arse!
"Are you alright, Professor Lupin?" Ethan waved at him with genuine concern. "Why do you look like you've seen a monster?"
Guess what? Lupin thought grimly.
He steadied himself, forcibly tearing his gaze away from that blasphemous thing. Only then did he remember what he'd actually wanted to ask.
"Ethan, how... how did you do it before? Converting me from werewolf state back to human form?"
"Oh, it's the Aard Sign." Ethan casually raised his hand, drawing an inverted triangle rune in the air.
Bang! The explosive impact sent Lupin tumbling backward into the coffin!
"You're really something else," Lupin muttered, but he could clearly feel the faintly restless wolf nature within him being suppressed again.
Though it didn't last long, it was still wonderful. For the first time in who knows how many years, a tiny light flickered in those usually dim, weary eyes.
Could werewolf rage actually be controllable?
Seeing Professor Lupin's amazed expression, Ethan smiled. "This is just an ancient runic variant that can slightly suppress wolf nature."
"What could truly be called 'impressive' would be completely curing lycanthropy." His voice dropped to almost a whisper. "Forever becoming a normal person."
This statement hit Lupin like a sledgehammer, making his head buzz!
Become a normal person? This was a luxury Lupin had never dared dream of in his entire lifetime!
"Impossible!" he blurted. "Countless wizards have researched this! Once you're bitten by a werewolf, it's irreversible...!"
"There's absolutely no possibility of a cure."
Hearing this, Ethan sighed heavily. He placed his hand on Professor Lupin's shoulder with obvious disappointment.
"With such limited imagination, how can you teach Defence Against the Dark Arts? How can you give students truly unforgettable lessons?!"
Just teaching normally and earnestly would be fine, Lupin thought.
But Ethan's words seemed to carry some kind of magical power, making Lupin listen despite himself.
On this night where clouds blocked the moonlight, Ethan's smile took on an almost demonic quality. Beautiful, powerful, eternal.
"Modern magic might be incapable... but what about ancient magic?" His tone was as casual as discussing the weather. "You've never actually tried it, have you?"
This child must be completely mad.
Lupin chuckled weakly, his heart slowly settling back down. Right, how could I possibly think a student about to enter third year could solve curses that countless researchers couldn't?
Really grasping at straws here.
"Ancient magic has been lost, Ethan," he said patiently. "Nothing was passed down to our time."
"Unless you could actually travel through time, no one can learn ancient magic anymore."
As his words faded, Lupin noticed Ethan's lips curve into that mysterious smile again. Like some higher-dimensional being looking down lovingly at a small creature crawling on the ground.
"Before teaching your students," Ethan said softly, "you must understand your students."
He looked down at the stunned Professor Lupin, speaking each word clearly: "What you need to know about me... is that I'm very honest and never lie."
"And..." Ethan spread his arms wide like a descending deity, declaring with absolute confidence: "There's nothing I can't accomplish."
"I am a miracle!"
Everything I promise will be realised. Because I'm a 'Genius'.
Lupin stared at Ethan in stunned silence. Though it seemed completely unreasonable, though it should just be youthful boasting, he found himself believing every word.
Hope's lamplight rekindled in his weary eyes.
If Ethan could truly cure lycanthropy completely, not just himself but the entire wizarding world would be thrown into chaos! Countless factions would be reshuffled overnight.
Half a month later, Ethan's "Sacred Bone Creation" was finally complete. Transformed into a card, it joined his growing collection, awaiting the perfect moment for its spectacular debut.
"I wonder how lucky those who witness its beautiful form will be," Ethan mused.
Yes, very 'lucky', Lupin thought grimly. Being able to witness the world's hidden nightmarish side. Afterward, their inspiration would probably skyrocket.
He sincerely hoped there would never be an opportunity for that thing to appear.
Looking at the silver key glinting in Ethan's hand, Lupin hesitated. "This is what you said could take us to the past?"
How's Ethan like some treasure chest, casually producing miraculous items?
The more he observed, the rounder Ethan seemed... somehow. Round head, round hands. Maybe the stress is getting to me.
"Oh, I can't wait to greet ancient people!" Luna's eyes sparkled with pure anticipation. She was also eager to experience ancient magic. That moonlight-like magical power made her feel a deep resonance.
"One try will tell us everything." Ethan nodded, looking at his assembled teammates.
"Werewolf" Lupin, "Loony" Luna, and himself—bright and righteous as the rising sun!
Perfect configuration! Surely we can bring ancient people a little modern shock!
"Are you ready, everyone?" Ethan asked cheerfully.
Luna and Professor Lupin nodded.
"Excellent..." Ethan grinned wider. "Terror Squad, depart!"
"What squad?!" Lupin started to protest, but before he could investigate further, blinding white light erupted from the silver key.
It swallowed them instantly.
Passing through those bubble-like eyeballs, Ethan closed his eyes against the overwhelming brightness. When he reopened them, they were no longer in Luna's cosy bedroom but standing in a forest clearing.
Blackened craters dotted the ground everywhere. Fallen trees lay scattered about like giant matchsticks. On the churned earth lay both humans and goblins, unmoving.
Looks like there was a recent battle here.
"Merlin's beard, we actually travelled to another place... this is incredible!" Professor Lupin's shocked exclamation came from beside him.
Luna had already put on those distinctive blue-tinted glasses, tying her hair to one shoulder and beginning an enthusiastic exploration of their surroundings.
Ethan unfolded the treasure map left by the Black family, trying to compare their current location with the markings.
As the three busied themselves—Lupin being shocked, Luna exploring, and Ethan navigating—a cold, commanding shout rang from behind them:
"You three, halt!"
Another goblin? A female goblin? No, goblin voices shouldn't sound so clear and pleasant.
Ethan turned to face a striking black-haired woman in fitted combat clothing. She appeared to be in her twenties, with dignified, sharp features and the bearing of someone used to command.
She pointed her wand straight at them with unwavering determination.
"I'm the leader of Hogwarts forces, Eve Black," she announced. "Who are you? I've never seen any of you around here before!"
Black?
Ethan's eyebrows rose with interest as he caught the woman's surname. Could this person be related to the mysterious 'Black' who left behind ancient magic information?
This was getting more interesting by the minute.