Hogwarts Study Panel.

Chapter 601, Page 599: Forgiveness

When it arrived, the fog automatically parted to make way for it.

The off-white mist, like a thin veil, was gently lifted by pinching the edge with fingertips.

The grass stalks on the path bowed slightly, then bounced back up, as if something was stepping over them.

But if you look down, you can't find any footprints.

A shadow, thicker than the fog, was slowly moving along the path.

As the shadow silently leaped across the threshold, the wind chimes rang for the third time.

Lily lowered her head slightly, and the firelight from the furnace flickered in her eyes.

She pushed the window open a little wider, and damp mist immediately rushed in, carrying snowflakes and bringing a chill.

The shadow stopped at the doorway.

First, both eyes lit up.

It was emerald green, with a thin pupil standing upright in the center.

Then, its outline gradually emerged from the mist: pointed ears, a smooth back, and a tail swaying leisurely, its tip curled slightly like a question mark.

It's a black cat.

It was completely black, without a single stray hair, as if someone had cut out a corner of the ground at midnight and shaped it into a cat.

The mist clung to its fur, condensing into fine droplets, each droplet reflecting the warm light shining through the wooden house windows, as if it were draped with countless tiny lamps.

"Mr. Lucky Black Cat?"

Lily put down the teapot and said excitedly.

This is not a question.

She used a very flat tone, as if she were saying "The tea is ready" or "The stove is lit."

The black cat's tail swayed gently in response.

It had just been chased and beaten by the black mist at the border, and was now exhausted.

Following some inexplicable pull, it returned to the town and discovered the wooden house on the edge of the town.

Strangely enough, after returning to the town, the fog stopped chasing it.

With a thud, the pendulum clock in the distance struck.

The bells here always chime softly, as if lulling people to sleep.

"Good evening, Ms. Evans."

The black cat moved closer.

His head was drooping.

Lily was a little hesitant. Someone as lively as her should have picked up the black cat the moment she saw it.

Then scratch its chin, touch its ears, and stuff like that.

But when she thought of the legend of the black cat and the gods, she felt a little shy.

Her green eyes darted around, as if she had thought of something.

"Has someone already been here while you're here?"

The black cat remained silent; only its tail stopped wagging.

Who is it?

Lily's eyes sparkled.

Several unfamiliar yet familiar names flashed through my mind.

The black cat walked straight to the fire, circled around, and curled itself into a perfect, fluffy comma shape, its tail covering its nose.

The firelight from the stove fell on it, making it feel hot and warm.

Lily picked up her cup, took a sip of tea as if to calm her nerves, and kept her eyes on it.

Are you tired?

The black cat twitched one ear, but didn't open its eyes.

It wants to sleep.

As if by magic, Lily took a blanket from the corner of the wooden table, directed it to float down to the black cat's side, and then looked at this unusual deity.

Are they all so easygoing?

She thought to herself with a touch of elation.

"Is that Harry?"

She suddenly asked.

The black cat remained motionless, but its tail was still wagging.

"Oh, that's Headmaster Dumbledore. He must have something he wants to confirm with me."

Lily continued, staring at the still-wagging black cat's tail.

"Severus, could it be him?"

Lily was silent for a moment, then asked thoughtfully.

The black cat's tail stopped moving.

It pretended to be asleep, just like every cat would do.

They can take naps anywhere.

A moment later, it heard Lily chuckle softly.

It didn't need to look; its nose could smell the misty scent emanating from around Lily.

Salty, sweet, with a slightly astringent taste, like someone's tears stained with icing sugar.

"Is he alright?"

After a long pause, Lily asked.

The black cat froze, its tail motionless.

It sensed that the scent of the mist had changed; it was now a relaxing gardenia fragrance.

"I think that's enough."

She smiled brightly.

Many images seemed to appear before her eyes.

These images aren't too far in the past; they're so clear they seem like they happened just yesterday.

"I know who you are, a witch! Just like me."

"Being Muggle-born makes no difference."

"We should be friends, best friends."

Lily is that kind of person; she always remembers the best times.

The black cat smelled sadness, and its ears twitched. It slowly lowered its wagging tail back to cover its nose.

The wooden house was warm and cozy.

The crackling of the stove and the gentle simmering of the tea blended together, like two different instruments playing the same lullaby.

He regretted it.

The black cat's voice seemed to drift from afar.

"Oh, when?"

"After that night."

"He's not a bad person, he's just a little slow-witted."

"I know."

Lily moved the chair closer to the fire, and gently placed her bare feet on the floor next to the black cat.

She didn't touch it; she was afraid it would disappear like a frightened cat.

Some souls need to be kept at a distance, even if it's just the distance of a cat.

But the tip of the black cat's tail started moving on its own, lazily and casually brushing against her ankle.

It was very light, so light that it was as if someone in the mist, far away, called out "Lily," and then immediately regretted it, swallowing the name back into silence.

The fire in the stove went down, then went up again.

Time unfolds softly, like the soft fur on a black cat's belly, rising and falling with each breath.

everything is fine.

Everything is just right.

"Is my Harry alright?"

"Lily said gently."

The black cat's tail didn't wag, and Lily seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Its breathing became long and even; it seemed to have truly fallen asleep.

Lily quietly and gently walked to its tail.

Then he squatted down and watched the black cat's fur tremble slightly.

She remembered the black cat statue by the door, which looked nothing like it.

They thought that gods should be majestic and awe-inspiring, or at the very least, divine.