Chapter 122: Crookshanks and Dementors

After strolling around together for a while, Alaric parted ways with Penelope. 

She had plans with her friends to visit another old bookstore to purchase notes on past N.E.W.T. exam materials.

Alaric, on the other hand, made his way alone to a magical creature shop called the "Magical Menagerie."

He was there to buy a type of cat food that Himari liked the most — although she enjoyed eating the same food as Alaric, it was healthier for her, as she had not yet fully transformed, to eat cat food.

Inside the shop, Alaric unexpectedly ran into Hermione, who was buying an owl. Her recent vacation experience in France had clearly left her with dark circles under her eyes.

Upon seeing Alaric unexpectedly, Hermione appeared pleasantly surprised, greeting him with joy.

"I heard you received a new Order of Merlin, is that right?" she curiously asked as she selected her owl.

"Yes," Alaric nodded casually, "it's just a medal."

"Just a medal?" Hermione seemed somewhat displeased with his attitude. 

"That's the highest honor the Ministry of Magic bestows upon those who contribute significantly to the wizarding world. If I had such a medal, I'd definitely hang it on my fireplace."

"Oh, really? I think with your abilities, you'll surely earn one in the future," Alaric remarked casually. 

"But the issue isn't there. In fact, most of the people at the Ministry of Magic are a bunch of fools. 

I've heard that some of them don't even know how to cast a Shield Charm. 

What's the significance of medals awarded by such a group of people? 

Did you know that Sirius Black's grandfather also had a first-class medal? Do you know how he got it?"

"Sirius Black? Isn't he the escaped murderer from Azkaban? 

His grandfather managed to get a first-class medal, indicating he must have made significant contributions to the wizarding world, right?" Hermione asked uncertainly.

"In fact, he did make significant contributions to the Ministry," Alaric said sarcastically. 

"He donated a large sum of Galleons to the Ministry of Magic, so he got the medal. Even Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, received a first-class medal. 

But everyone knows he's cowardly and incompetent; he became Minister of Magic purely because of his good relationship with Dumbledore."

The facts revealed by Alaric greatly disheartened Hermione. She had always hoped to work at the Ministry of Magic after graduation.

So, in the subsequent conversation, she remained silent about the medals and shifted the topic to Animagi.

"The Daily Prophet says you're the first Animagus in the history of magic, which is a great breakthrough in Transfiguration history," Hermione looked at him with admiration. 

"Can you teach me Animagus? I think my Transfiguration skills are sufficient to learn it."

"Of course, but I suggest you not do it for the time being," Alaric advised earnestly.

"Because right now, I'm researching how to stabilize the transformation into a dragon's Animagus. Once I succeed, you can transform into a dragon."

While speaking, Alaric spent several dozen Galleons to buy a large bag of cat food with added fire crab meat.

He opened it on the spot and fed some to Himari, who ate gracefully, displaying a happy expression.

Suddenly, a large ginger-colored creature leaped from the topmost cage and landed at Alaric's feet. 

It seemed eager to taste the food but, upon seeing Himari, retreated fearfully behind Hermione.

There was a strange large cat, with thick and fluffy ginger fur, but its legs seemed a bit crooked. Its face looked grumpy and rough, appearing oddly flattened, as if it had once rammed into a wall.

"Don't, Crookshanks, don't!" the witch exclaimed, trying to get the cat back in place, but Crookshanks was circling Hermione's ankles.

"Such a cute little creature, isn't it?" Hermione crouched down, picking up Crookshanks, running her fingers through its thick, soft fur and gently patting its peculiar flattened face.

"They say it's part Kneazle, but Crookshanks' appearance is a bit odd, so nobody wants to buy him. 

He's been in the pet shop for quite a while," the witch enthusiastically explained, hoping Hermione would take Crookshanks home.

"I'll take him," Hermione said decisively, "How much is he?"

"He's twenty Galleons," the witch said cheerfully.

Hermione emptied her bead purse, spilling all the coins out, but upon counting, she realized she had less than ten Galleons.

"Let me handle it, consider it my gift to you." Alaric grabbed a handful of Galleons, placing them on the counter.

"Include it with my cat food, no need for change."

With that, he turned and left with Himari.

"Wait, I don't want your..." Hermione shouted after Alaric's retreating figure, but he was already far away.

"Such a stubborn fellow," Hermione stomped her foot in frustration, then hugged Crookshanks, muttering to herself.

"I said I didn't want him, yet he insists on taking charge. Annoying, isn't it, Crookshanks?"

"Meow."

---

The last few days of summer vacation passed quickly. Alaric once again didn't board the train but instead set off from Hogsmeade, walking directly to Hogwarts.

Arriving at the gates of Hogwarts, Alaric was met by a pair of magnificent wrought-iron gates flanked by numerous stone pillars, each topped with a winged boar.

However, on either side of the gates, he saw two creatures draped in cloaks, standing nearly two to three meters tall, guarding them. 

Their faces were completely hidden beneath hoods, and no feet were visible beneath the cloaks as they seemed to float in the air.

They were Dementors, dark creatures believed to be the foulest beings in existence. 

Dementors fed on people's happiness, causing those near them to feel despair and hopelessness. 

They could also suck out a person's soul, leaving them in a state of living death, nothing but an empty shell.

These Dementors were stationed as guards for Azkaban, but due to Sirius Black's escape, they had been sent by the Ministry of Magic to guard Hogwarts.

Because the Ministry feared that Sirius might come to Hogwarts in search of his godson, Harry Potter.

However, as they approached Alaric, the two Dementors actually came closer as if to inspect him. Suddenly, one of them lifted its hood, taking a gentle breath.

Alaric felt a chill run down his spine, his breath seemed to freeze in his chest, the chill penetrating his skin, reaching into his chest. 

His ears began to buzz, and countless painful memories flooded his mind. 

He remembered his past, remembered the endless, aimless drift through the Time Tunnel, the countless near-death experiences that haunted him...

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