HP North Star's Radiance

When she was still living in the Muggle world, she loved the term "free will." Faced with fate, our free will creates new possibilities, altering the outcome and fulfillment of prophecies.

Her choice not to eat and to stand up was a decision made by her free will. She could be interested in the mysterious but could not fully believe in them, treating them as interesting tools and rejecting the constraints of fate.

After Nina finished lunch, Praris placed her little cushion not too close to the fireplace so she could enjoy a warm nap.

After doing all that, she picked up her handbag and went out.

Yes, it's a handbag, a handbag that can hold a lot of items but doesn't feel heavy at all, Millison's Christmas gift.

On Christmas Day, snowflakes drifted in from the Astronomy Tower terrace, waking Praris, who was feeling a bit sleepy after a good meal.

About half an hour later, she heard familiar footsteps behind her.

"Prince".

Chapter 55 Emerging from the Water

"I never expected that when I was thinking about who to talk to about these things, the only person I could think of was you. Even though you're a Slytherin, even though we're not that close."

Granger's eyes were slightly red, and he looked sad.

Praris shook his head: "Granger, of course you can tell me, and I will keep our conversation to myself."

She said softly, "Miss, do you know what is the strongest yet most fragile, the softest yet sharpest thing in the world?"

“What?” Granger looked at her.

Praris said gently but firmly, "It's about feelings. When a person is willing to give their heart, feelings are tender and the most unbreakable. When a person decides to take them back, feelings are more fragile than a glass bottle and sharper than shards of glass."

"Fortunately, our acquaintance did not begin with any feelings. We built our relationship on each other's abilities. We exchange knowledge, and perhaps in the future we will exchange benefits, but we will not talk about feelings. As long as we still have our own intelligent minds, our relationship will be unbreakable."

The wind blowing in from the terrace made Granger shiver: "That sounds really cold."

Praris pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, handed it to her, and said with a gentle smile, "But at least it won't make you sad, right?"

Prarese stood there quietly until Granger composed herself before saying, "What's bothering you, Miss Granger?"

"A lot, about Harry, about Ron."

Praris nodded understandingly: "You can't share your feelings with them because they're the ones making you unhappy."

Granger said, “That’s not all. I certainly have other Gryffindor friends, but Parvati and Lavender just don’t understand some things. I mean, they’re nice, but it’s a bit complicated.”

“Tell me about it, girl. Did Crookshank really bite Spotty? You’d better hurry, before it kicks the bucket, and let me prepare some powerful animal healing potion,” Praris said with a smile.

Granger quickly shook his head: "No, but that's important too. I do think Scabbers is acting strangely. The owner of the Magical Animals shop said rats don't live more than three years. That rat was the one Ron inherited from Percy, and it definitely lived longer than three years."

Praris understood and began to analyze: "There are several possibilities. First, it's some kind of magical creature. There are indeed magical creatures that look like mice, like the Niffler, but the Niffler has a long snout. Oh, your expression has already told me the answer, it doesn't."

“As you said, I’ve considered that possibility. And it doesn’t have any magical powers,” Hermione continued.

Conversing with intelligent people is another matter entirely; they can easily follow the other person's train of thought without needing to explain much.

"Then, the second possibility is that it drank some kind of life-extending potion, which made it strong. It wouldn't be the liquid made from the Philosopher's Stone, because that can't last long and needs to be replenished frequently. It just strengthened its physique. Oh, it doesn't seem to be that either."

Granger nodded. "It looks very weak."

“That’s the last one, and it’s not a rat at all. Have you considered that, Animagus? I heard you didn’t attend much of that class because Professor McGonagall was trying to comfort Potter’s fragile heart, wounded by the prophecy,” Prarese said sarcastically.

Granger said, distressed, “Don’t say that, he’s been suffering. Tell me about Animagus! What are you thinking? How could someone pretend to be a rat for so many years? It’s unbelievable!”

Praris explained, “That’s an extremely advanced form of transfiguration, capable of turning a wizard into an animal. It seems you’ve remembered. But miss, can you think of any other possibility? If all other possibilities are confirmed to be impossible, then what remains is the only truth.”

Hermione fell silent; it seemed she still couldn't accept this possibility.

“It’s alright,” Praris said. “You can keep your suspicions in mind; that will make you the one who stays clear-headed among them and remind them in time. After all, even if we have this suspicion, we can’t restore him to his original form. The magic that forcibly restores him to his original form requires too much magical power. What about the other problem?”

“This is a secret between the two of us, isn’t it? Just like I kept the truth about that letter.” Hermione looked at her intently.

Praris looked her straight in the eye without hesitation and nodded: "Of course."

Hermione sighed, picked out the parts she could tell Praris about the rocket crossbow.

Hermione said, "I'm convinced I did the right thing, but Harry was furious. He lost the Nimbus 2000, and the Rocket Crossbow was a huge surprise for him."

Praris nodded. "You're very perceptive. Sirius is the only one with the financial means and the potential to do something like this. Perhaps he still feels guilty towards James Potter, and is trying to appease his conscience in this way."

She continued, "If you're right, then there's nothing to be sad about. Sometimes what's right isn't understood by most people. If we see a nine, most people only see a seven."

"Therefore, most of these people will question us. It's not their fault, nor is it our fault; it's just because there's a two-tiered gap between them and us. One day he will understand that the rocket crossbow is not more important than his life."

Hermione hesitated before asking, "Do you think Sirius really betrayed Harry's parents?"

Praris shook his head: "I have reservations, but Peter Pettigrew does only have one finger left. Unless Peter Pettigrew is still alive and betrayed Potter's parents, Sirius Black can only be the sole murderer."

“This is the first time I’ve heard this speculation,” Hermione said in surprise.

Prarese said, "The process of thinking about this possibility is complicated to explain, but once you think about it, it doesn't seem so strange."

The terrace was too cold, so Hermione stamped her feet.

She said, "You're a very special Slytherin, unlike any Slytherin I've ever met. They seem... arrogant and stupid, I'm sorry."

Upon hearing this, Praris laughed: "You're a very special Gryffindor, unlike any I've ever seen. They seem reckless, often acting without thinking, making one wonder if their brains are still 90% new."

Seeing Prareas's smile, Hermione smiled too.

Prareas was the only Slytherin student left for the New Year, and the school was deserted. Prareas picked up her research materials again and planted herself in the Potions classroom, hoping to grow something from them.

This was a good opportunity; no one was using the classroom, so she could sit in front of the crucible all day long without leaving.

The experiment progressed slowly. Going from zero to one was not difficult for Praris; she just had to do it. But going from ninety to one hundred was not easy at all.

Previously, she could try to distinguish the effects of the drug through simulation, and then Professor Snape would judge whether it was correct.

But now even the slightest difference is significant, and we can no longer use this crude and easily criticized testing method. So she made a bold move: she knocked on Professor Lu Ping's door.

When Lupin opened the door, he saw the Slytherin girl with black hair and black eyes, holding up a round-bottomed reagent bottle in her left hand: "Professor, would you do me a favor?"

Lu Ping, who wasn't teaching, wasn't usually too fussy, but seeing his disheveled appearance still made him feel embarrassed. He even thought it was a teacher knocking on the door!

But his embarrassment quickly faded, replaced by shock, utter shock.

He had so many questions to ask!

How could she know I was a werewolf—Snape didn't tell me!

She was actually researching wolfsbane potion—and Snape didn't tell me!

She's planning to use me as a test subject—Snape, do you know that?!

Prare met his gaze calmly: “Don’t worry, Professor Lupin, it’s safe. I’ve already shown the professor my previous version. I mean, Professor Snape. He thinks there’s not much of a problem.”

Lupin looked utterly helpless: "Alright, alright, Prince. I'm surprised you're a girl with an extraordinary talent for potions. But you certainly didn't tell him you planned to approach me, did you? Otherwise, he would definitely have stopped you."

“Oh, that’s true. But the full moon is still a long way off, don’t you think?” Praris said nonchalantly.

Lu Ping couldn't find a reason to persuade her to leave, so he could only let her come in first and look at the girl with a worried expression.

“Alright then, kid,” Lupin said, “it seems your potion-making skills have been recognized by your professor. I can cooperate with your experiments, but you have to tell me how you discovered I’m a werewolf.”

Praris blinked at him: "Hmm? That's simple. You're full of holes."

Lu Ping was stunned, the words echoing in his mind: "You are full of flaws."

About eighteen years ago, someone said the same thing to him: "Prefect, this is simple. You are full of flaws."

Lupin became a Gryffindor prefect in his fifth year. Just look at Percy's struggles with his brother and Harry to understand how difficult Lupin's situation was.

Dumbledore had high expectations for him, believing he could handle everything, but James and Sirius were not so easy to control.

At that time, he was in a terrible predicament, facing the unruly Gryffindor lions, his good brothers who insisted on spending the full moon night with him (he was really grateful), and Snape who kept pestering him.

But before Snape, another person discovered his identity—Sylvia Prince, a third-year Gryffindor student, an unassuming girl.

Sylvia is a clever witch, although Lupin doesn't know why she was previously unknown or why she wasn't interested in her identity until this year.

Fortunately, Sylvia was a Gryffindor, and she was very tolerant of biodiversity—that's her own words.

Sylvia chuckled and said, “Dear prefect, you’re a decent person compared to your savage brothers. Of course, I can keep this furry little secret. But you should know that taking leave on the days of the full moon is as conspicuous to some dark, fluttering moth as a light in the night.”

Prince, Prince...

But this was too strange for Lupin to understand. First, Prarese didn't look like Sylvia at all; she was much prettier than Sylvia was in her school days. The only explanation was that she resembled her father more. Second, Prarese's last name was Prince, and if Sylvia got married, according to British tradition, her daughter should take her father's name.

So Lupin cautiously asked, "Perhaps this is a presumptuous question, but it is necessary for me. May I ask who your parents are?"

Praris frowned and said, “Oh yes, you arrived late and didn’t know that, but that’s not your fault. In fact, I think the headmaster, Professor McGonagall, Ms. Sprout, and Professor Snape all know it. It’s not something that needs to be hidden anymore; I’m an orphan, and I don’t know who my parents are.”

“I’m so sorry!” Lupin felt guilty for his rashness. “I agree with your experiment, and I hope you can develop an inexpensive wolfsbane potion. That way, the poor werewolves can have an easier time.”

Lupin planned to write a letter later to Winnie Brown of Ravenclaw, a close friend of Sylvia Prince from their school days.

Professor Lupin's cooperation was a boon for Prarese, greatly accelerating her experimental progress. Prarese was confident she could produce a suitable wolfsbane agent before the start of the new school year.

No. 12 Black Rose Lane.

Winnie did receive Lupin's letter, but she thought Remus Lupin had lost his mind. Was it she, Winnie, or him, Lupin, who wrote the novel?

About two years ago, Dumbledore approached her, hoping she could help look after a Slytherin girl.

Winnie refused without hesitation. Aside from having absolutely no desire to raise children, in the past two or three decades, she had hardly known any Slytherins she could even remotely like. Lucius Malfoy, with his condescending attitude, slapped her, and her former boss Voldemort followed up with a barrage of eighteen slaps.

But Dumbledore was very sincere and told her about his conversation with the Slytherin girl in front of the Muggle Talia portrait.

Dumbledore said calmly, "Winnie, she stands at a turning point in her life, possessing extraordinary intelligence and exceptional talent, yet she lacks the guidance of parents. This will influence what kind of person she will become—one with a kind and compassionate heart, or—"

“You’re always right!” Winnie rolled around in the blanket, yelling impatiently. “Just leave the mess of taking care of the child to me, you sweet, clingy old man! What’s her name? Where am I supposed to find her?”

Chapter 56 Winnie's Memories

Dumbledore winked mysteriously. "Her name is Prasace Prince, a dark-haired, dark-eyed girl who is very intelligent. If you go to the Leaky Cauldron during the summer holidays, believe me, you'll find her in no time."

Dumbledore's description was vague, and Winnie almost suspected he was playing a trick on her and had no intention of letting her find the child. But miraculously, finding the child was just as easy as Dumbledore had described.

But Winnie didn't ask any further questions, not only because of her trust in Dumbledore, but also because she was already lost in memories of the past.

Her best friend during her school days was named Prince, but their friendship ended prematurely. Before graduation, the two parted ways due to differing aspirations.

They had a very ugly falling out. Hill thought Winnie was courting disaster and aiding and abetting evil, and they had a huge argument. Winnie, on the other hand, thought Hill didn't understand her ideals or her thirst for knowledge.

Winnie said to Hill, "Hill! Darling! I'm not going to kill or set fires! The teacher is a capable man; I'm just following in his footsteps to learn!"

Sylvia was furious: "Once you actually follow him, whether or not you commit murder and arson will not be up to you!"