Deep within the Scandinavian Mountains, atop a sheer cliff, the evening wind howled endlessly. Moonlight pierced through thin layers of cloud, scattering silver across the vast forest below. In the distance, the roar of an unknown beast echoed through the wilderness, startling flocks of night birds into frantic flight.
Albert stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing out over the magnificent landscape, the grandeur of nature unfolding beneath his eyes.
Beside him bloomed a Moon Spirit Flower. Intricate silver runes surrounded it, and its thousand-layered petals shimmered beneath the moonlight, as if veiled in flowing silver mist. The flower swayed gently in the wind, radiating a faint but unsettling aura.
Albert slowly raised his hands. His eyes closed, and his lips began to move as he softly chanted a spell, activating the magical formation beneath the flower.
In an instant, the high-hanging moon seemed to change. No longer did it cast its light aimlessly upon the world—its glow focused solely on this single point. Vast quantities of moonlight converged like a swirling vortex, pouring relentlessly into the Moon Spirit Flower.
Luna, derived from Latin, corresponded to silver in mystical traditions and also carried the implication of madness. As a plant that absorbed moonlight itself, the Moon Spirit Flower was the core ingredient of the Moon Eclipse Potion.
At this moment, the veil covering Albert's face faded away, revealing once again his cat-headed appearance. He needed to accelerate the refinement of the Moon Eclipse Potion, using the madness inherent within it to assault his own spirit and forcibly break the Curse binding him.
The moonlit night remained eerily tranquil. Creatures from near and far were drawn by the concentration of moonlight, yet all halted at a distance, deterred by the terrifying aura radiating from Albert. None dared to approach.
Several hours passed.
Gradually, the moonlight dispersed, returning to the heavens. Albert opened his eyes and looked at the Moon Spirit Flower cluster before him. Only three flowers at the peak had fully bloomed.
He smiled.
Although many had been destroyed by those troublesome imps, three were enough to complete the potion.
Had it not been for today's unexpected incident, he would never have chosen to force all the flowers to ripen at once.
After carefully harvesting the three Moon Spirit Flowers, Albert returned to the Castle.
The basement of the Castle was an entirely different world from above. Numerous specialized rooms branched off in all directions—storage vaults, collection chambers, alchemy labs, potion rooms, libraries, and more—each meticulously designed for its purpose.
Upon entering the potion room, Albert's gaze fell upon the bubbling cauldron placed at the center of the stone table.
The potion within was a vivid crimson, thick and viscous. After adding the three Moon Spirit Flowers, Albert began to stir the mixture slowly.
Suddenly, a familiar face burst out from the flames beneath the cauldron.
Lucifer.
The Castle was riddled with flame conduits. The kitchen, potion room, alchemy chamber, and even the hot water for the bathing room were all powered by him.
"Increase the heat," Albert said indifferently.
Lucifer's flames flared brighter, but a trace of worry appeared on his face. "Albert, I still think you're being a little extreme."
He was, of course, referring to Albert's plan to use the madness within the Moon Eclipse Potion to shatter the Curse.
"Am I?" Albert replied calmly, a faint smile curving his lips. "I think it's a novel idea. And a worthwhile one."
The potion simmered for a long time. Eventually, Albert lifted the cauldron and set it aside to settle. He carefully removed the lighter liquid floating at the top.
What remained at the bottom was thick and glue-like—the true Moon Eclipse Potion he required.
With the potion in hand, Albert returned to the first floor. He settled into his red leather sofa, adjusted his posture, and faced the fireplace.
Without hesitation, he drank the potion in a single gulp.
The moment it entered his stomach, his spiritual energy surged violently. A full moon appeared within his mind, blazing with blinding light, before being swallowed by endless darkness.
A strange and silent moon eclipse manifested deep within his consciousness.
…
Standing in front of Number Four, Privet Drive, Harry Potter recalled everything that had happened that day. It felt as though he had lived through a grand adventure straight out of a heroic tale.
Even though he was about to face the Dursleys again, he felt he could endure their humiliation and cruelty with a smile.
Of course, that was only wishful thinking.
Harry patted his cheeks, forcing down his excitement, and let his expression return to its usual dull, withdrawn look.
He knew the rules well.
As long as the Dursleys saw him miserable, they were satisfied—strutting about like victorious knights, basking in their own arrogance. But if Harry ever showed happiness, they would only double their efforts to crush it.
The first rule of surviving the Dursleys: never smile in front of them.
He had learned that lesson through years of painful experience.
Creak—
The old wooden door let out a grating sound as Harry pushed it open. Warm yellow light spilled into the darkness of the street, creating a stark contrast. From the outside, the house looked cozy and welcoming.
But Harry knew better.
"I'm home," he said quietly.
Petunia appeared in the hallway, her face immediately twisting with disgust. "You wretched little brat. Get over here, now."
Her voice was sharp and venomous. For some reason, Harry suddenly thought of Albert. Compared to a real wizard like him, Petunia truly resembled the evil old witches of fairy tales.
"Tell me right now—was Dudley's face your doing?" Vernon demanded, rising from his seat and glaring at Harry.
Their shadows stretched across the floor, looming over his thin frame.
"It had nothing to do with me," Harry denied flatly, his face flushing red.
"And I heard you crushed the neighbor's precious plants too," Vernon continued, storming over and grabbing Harry by the collar.
"Oh heavens," Petunia wailed theatrically. "If not for their kindness, who knows how much debt you'd have dragged this family into!"
"I didn't do it," Harry insisted weakly.
Vernon's anger boiled over. He had heard everything the moment he returned home and had lost all appetite for dinner. He had been waiting for this.
"Do you have any gratitude at all?!" Vernon roared.
Before Harry could react, he was shoved into the cupboard beneath the stairs.
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
A moment later, the latch clicked open slightly, and Vernon's small eyes peered through the gap. "From today onward, you're confined. Every moment you're in this house."
Then he left, as though Harry were nothing more than a nuisance he no longer wished to acknowledge.
Harry brushed a spider off his pillow, wiped away some dust, and collapsed onto the narrow wooden bed.
His thoughts drifted back to Moonlight Fortress.
That strange, magical Castle lingered in his mind. Even spending his entire life working there would be better than living like this.
Gradually, he fell asleep without even removing his glasses.
He wasn't sure how long he had slept when loud banging jolted him awake.
"Get up! Hurry up!" Petunia screeched.
Harry opened the door groggily.
"Wash up quickly," she ordered.
It was barely dawn. Dudley's snores echoed through the house.
Then Harry realized—he wasn't going to be fed.
After confirming that the gentleman at Number Thirteen was wealthy and kind, the Dursleys had decided they no longer needed to bother.
Mr. Albert would take care of the boy's meals.
Harry was ushered out of the house like a stray dog.
The wind was cold, the ground damp from last night's rain. He stood hesitantly outside Number Thirteen.
Was Albert awake? Would he be disturbing him?
Would this make him seem shameless… like a beggar?
Before Harry could decide, the door creaked open.
Lucifer flickered in the fireplace.
"What are you squatting out there for?" he asked lazily. "Looking for gnomes?"
Harry stepped inside.
Then he saw the figure lying on the red sofa.
The clothes were Albert's.
The build was Albert's.
But why…
Why was it a cat?
Harry's first shock of the day occurred within five seconds of entering the house.
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