Lupin paused for a moment before asking, "When did that happen?"
"July 19," Claire replied confidently, clearly having a vivid memory of the date.
Lupin remembered that they were in Diagon Alley that day, and they even met Will.
It was the day the Flow Mirror went on sale, and Diagon Alley was packed with buyers from all over.
Recalling Will's enthusiastic smile at the time, a vague melancholy filled Lupin's heart.
He asked hoarsely, "Then, Claire... how many days' scent can you smell at most? Do you think the scent on that person has been there for how long?"
Claire thought for a moment and said, "If it's over a week, the scent becomes faint and hard to distinguish... as for that person, the contact with the Snake Shedding shouldn't be more than three days."
"...Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm quite sure."
This means that between July 16 and July 19, someone who was still at Hogwarts was the one who gave Will the task.
They might not have caused Will's disappearance, but they certainly know something.
And during this time, it's a holiday, with no students at the school, and even professors staying on campus are few. Typically, except for Dumbledore, Filch, and Hagrid, everyone else would go home and enjoy their vacation leisurely.
However, some professors find staying at school more convenient for life and magic research than going home; or maybe because they have no family, they consider the school their home.
Dumbledore doesn't prohibit professors from staying at school during holidays.
Lupin pondered for a moment, then looked up to see Claire watching him nervously. He said warmly:
"I'll help you inquire... Maybe Will just had something come up and couldn't return on time."
Claire hesitated and nodded: "Hopefully... that's the case..."
The two exchanged contact information using their Friendship Books, and Claire, who had found a job organizing a warehouse, had to hurry back to work, so she bid farewell briefly.
Lupin watched as the blonde girl, holding her skirt, dashed away. Her dry hair gleamed golden and fuzzy in the sunlight.
The washed-out skirt had several patches sewn on it, and some passersby instinctively frowned and covered their mouths as she passed, as if she exuded an unbearable smell.
Lupin stayed silent for a moment, then turned back to find Sirius and the others.
At a small table outside Fosco Ice Cream Shop, one adult and two kids ordered nut ice cream, leisurely enjoying it under the parasol.
Harry was animatedly talking about something, with Sirius wearing a faint smile, as if to say "Good boy, you've got it." Vid had already noticed Lupin, waved his hand, and greeted him.
Lupin's face broke into a smile, and he instinctively quickened his pace towards them.
...
In the following time, Vid found his days surprisingly calm.
Harry was enamored with his new Firebolt, and to let him enjoy the joy of flying freely, Lupin moved him back to Hogsmeade.
Vid felt that Lupin seemed a bit more preoccupied lately, but since he didn't bring it up, no one pressed him.
Meanwhile, Sirius had found some clues about Lockhart and hurried off on the trail of Peter.
After handing the bearded Donovan to Dumbledore, Vid hadn't planned on seeing the man again.
He initially thought Dumbledore would investigate thoroughly and hand him over to the Ministry of Magic for imprisonment, but a few days later, he heard something unexpected from Dumbledore.
"He's already gone, and if you run into him on the road in the future, remember to pretend you don't know him."
Vid exclaimed in surprise, "Professor, are you saying..."
Dumbledore nodded slightly, sighed, and said, "He's about to do something courageous, to walk a lonely and brave path... It's undeniable that hatred holds a terrifying drive—enough to make someone risk their life..."
Vid speculated he was surely thinking of Snape at this moment.
On the shaded path, large maple trees on both sides cast dappled shadows, with bright spots breaking through unevenly.
This was a small road near the Riddle Family residence, and at the moment, only the two of them were there.
Vid fell silent for a while, then asked, "Will the Ministry of Magic be involved in this matter?"
"Oh, Fudge already knows. But he and Scrimgeour both hope this matter won't go public..."
Dumbledore patiently explained, "Of course, I can understand their thoughts—since the three who escaped have yet to be caught, and if news of this gets out, the image of the British Ministry of Magic will surely plummet. Especially since Fudge is busy with a major event recently, he will do his utmost to uphold the Ministry of Magic's shining image."
Vid glanced up.
He suspected Dumbledore of subtly mocking the Minister of Magic, but had no proof.
Dumbledore remained composed, his thoughts unreadable to others.
"What about the investigation..." Vid inquired.
"The Aurors promised an investigation, but... since there were no casualties, this matter won't be a high priority."
Dumbledore looked at Vid, who had unconsciously furrowed his brows, smiled, and said, "Don't worry about your family being endangered because of this... Ever since noticing some eyeing underage wizards, we've taken necessary actions—"
Vid looked up at the headmaster, silently inquiring.
"You've never introduced your parents to outsiders, Vid, which makes protecting you much easier for us."
Dumbledore explained, "No one—regardless of who they are—can obtain student family records from Hogwarts."
"And if they used Muggle means to investigate, they'd find the Grey Family had moved long ago—"
"—moved to a place called Spider's Tail Alley in Cokeworth Town."
"—Spider's Tail Alley?" Vid murmured.
This peculiar name immediately made him aware of something.
Dumbledore continued, "Yes—Severus's home is there. And our guests would quickly discover how many surprises a wizard skilled in Magic Potion could prepare for uninvited guests."
After a while, Vid finally asked, "…Would this put Professor Snape in danger?"
"I suppose Severus's method of entertaining might risk breaking the law—if someone did break in—but no need to worry, a homeowner is entitled to self-defense against intruders."
Seeing the smile on Dumbledore's face, Vid couldn't help but wonder, "Professor... aren't you curious to ask me something?"
After communicating with the bearded man, knowing he controlled the Acromantula, you still didn't question, criticize, or even test me?
Vid felt somewhat unreal, as if he was someone who had never heard the second boot drop.