HP: The Moon Over the Magic Academy

Chapter 37 Signature

"Borrowing this book requires the dean's signature." The librarian's thin fingers tapped the serpentine emblem on the cover, "Or..."

Mrs. Pines noticed the book in Landric's hand at some point.

"But madam, this book is not in the restricted section," Landric said obediently, looking at Mrs. Pines.

"Oh, of course, I know. It's not in the restricted section, but you need to sign it, as a first-year student."

The edges of the parchment made a faint crackling sound under Landric's fingertips.

He looked down at Mrs. Pince's hand, where her knuckles were prominent, and suddenly noticed a bronze ring on her ring finger—the ring face was engraved with the head of a Ravenclaw eagle, and the edges were worn so worn that they almost blended into her skin.

"Yes, madam." The boy's eyelashes cast a small shadow beneath his eyes, but his fingertips secretly pinched the bottom right corner of the book. "But could you please keep it for me for now? I'll go to the cellar right now..."

Mrs. Pince suddenly leaned closer, her rotten scent brushing against his nose: "I smell dark magic on you," Mrs. Pince said, her cloudy eyes fixed on Landric.

Landric felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

"However, Slytherins... that's always been the case. There shouldn't be a single Slytherin who hasn't used a few minor dark spells."

Mrs. Pines took the book, leaving Landric standing there with a look of annoyance in his eyes.

Hogwarts, wow, what a place where hidden talents abound.

Suddenly, the dull thud of an owl hitting the glass came from outside the window. Landric took the opportunity to let his quill fall off the table, and as he bent down to pick it up, he quickly flicked the snake-shaped safety pin from his cuff into the gap of the bookshelf.

As he straightened up, Mrs. Pince was poking a snow owl with her wand at it as it tried to squeeze into the window frame.

"Excuse me, Madam, I'll be leaving now." The young man tucked the quill pen behind his ear, and as he turned, the gust of air from his black robe lifted the book's cover page.

On the yellowed page, a runic symbol drawn with mead began to melt the moment it came into contact with the air.

Mrs. Pince suddenly coughed violently, her withered fingers pressing tightly against the ring that had suddenly become hot. When she looked up again, she only saw a glimpse of a silver-green robe behind the swaying oak door.

Landric strode across the moving staircase, his left hand gripping his wand in the pocket of his robe.

The tracking charm he had tucked into the "Illustrated Guide to Magic Runes" ten minutes ago was burning hot in his palm. He could feel Mrs. Pince carrying the book toward the deepest part of the restricted section... the faculty reading room?

"I see." He chuckled softly, standing in the shadow of the dripping beast statue. A forbidden book can't be entirely called a forbidden book.

Landric was about to stuff the tracking charm into the drizzle's mouth when he was suddenly covered in a ball of white fur. He staggered back two steps, the tip of his wand nearly piercing his eye.

It's that snowy owl that crashed into the glass!

If I kill it, will anyone find out?

Landric raised his wand.

"Hedwig?" Hurried footsteps echoed from the corner of the corridor. "Sorry, classmate! It might have eaten the wrong owl food today… Landric?"

Landric: Annoying.

The savior, sporting a messy, disheveled hairstyle, appeared from the stairwell.

Landric pulled two feathers from his collar without expression, only to find the other person's green eyes staring intently at him.

Why can't they be as obedient as Draco, easily appeased?

"Yes, it's me," Landric replied politely to Harry.

"Oh, you...are you alright...no, I mean, are you feeling unwell?"

Landric frowned: ? Are you being polite?

Perhaps the confusion on his face was too obvious, "That's right, you didn't come to class, not the whole day."

"I know, I don't want to go."

Harry: Wow, so capricious?

"Then...can I be any other student?"

"If you could get your dean's signature."

Landric didn't want to say more, and after answering Harry Potter's question, he turned and left.

Harry immediately reached out to grab Landric, but stopped just as his fingertips touched Landric.

He had no reason to stop him; they had only met a few times.

If only I had spoken up for Malfoy on the train, I wouldn't have angered Landric at that time.

etc!!?

How could I have such a thought? Ron is my friend!

No, no, you're so dense. Don't let beauty cloud your judgment. You can love, but don't love too much, okay?

Brain: You're being long-winded. Don't confuse the two kings.

However… a barely perceptible glint flashed in her eyes, and after a moment, she muttered to herself, “Hedwig’s ability to find people is quite impressive.”

……

Familiar footsteps suddenly came from the door.

Snape quickly stuffed the slug into the bucket, then turned and cast a "Clean As New" spell on his hand.

Landric pushed open the door at that moment, his expression turning bewildered: "Professor, Mrs. Pince says you must..."

Snape: "Must what?"

"I'd like to look for some books in the library, but Mrs. Pince says some books require your signature."

Snape rubbed his forehead slightly. This child was reading a book that was not appropriate for his age, and the book might even be quite dangerous.

Landric's voice carried a barely perceptible hint of grievance, which immediately blew Snape's mind away.

This book is dangerous, dangerous, dangerous... but my son is such a good boy.

"If you agree, bring the book to me and I'll sign it for you."

Ultimately, Snape couldn't resist his own child's demands and gave in.

Landric was very satisfied with Snape's reply. All his helplessness and grievances vanished, his eyes brightened, and a faint joy appeared between his brows.

Who was that pitiful, wronged-looking little guy just now? What? I don't know him!

Landric nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, as if everything was under his control.

He didn't necessarily have to read that book; after all, it was just something to satisfy his curiosity.

But the spacetime magic he really wants to study still hasn't made any progress.

Landric could roughly remember the contents of a book after reading it once. He had already finished reading the book, so it didn't really matter whether he had it or not.

But people are inherently flawed; the more unattainable something is, the more they desire it.

So he went to Snape. He didn't have much hope that Snape would agree to his request, but it turned out to be true. It seems that he has already gained some status in Snape's heart.

Landric, having achieved his goal, said goodbye to Snape, "Professor, I have nothing else to do, so I'll be leaving now?"

Snape nodded slightly in agreement.

The moment Landric turned around, his face suddenly turned pale. He staggered and grabbed the handrail, his face frighteningly white in the moonlight: "Dizzy...maybe I didn't drink any energy drinks this morning..."

Oh no! I haven't been drinking any potions to nourish my body while hiding it from Draco, and now that I'm in front of Snape, I probably won't be able to escape.

As he let himself lean forward and fell into the wormwood-scented embrace, he heard a sigh of helplessness, yet also a hint of sorrow, come from Snape's chest.

------

A loud crash, like something heavy falling, suddenly echoed from deep within the restricted section. Mrs. Pince's scream pierced the night: "Who let the Niffler in?!"