Chapter 34: The Communication Wristbands and Lupin
Crafting the communication wristbands truly took Lyra a great deal of effort. The process of engraving the 'Connect' and 'Transmit' formations was inherently time-consuming and laborious.
These two formations were far more complex than any others Lyra had encountered. Even with her preliminary practice, she still had to start over many times during the engraving.
Thankfully, she still had plenty of Acromantula blood left, so she could simply start over after any mistakes.
The result, however, was that it took far more time than she had anticipated. It was nearly dusk by the time Lyra finally completed the 'Connect' formation on the first wristband.
"S... Sorry," she said to Luna, embarrassed. "I... I wasted... so much of... your time."
"It's fine. And it wasn't a waste of time," Luna's voice sounded like a light, airy song. "I found it fascinating."
"When you're concentrating so hard, all the Nargles fly away."
"Is... that so..." Lyra still had no idea what Nargles were.
"Oh, Lyra, where did you learn these new Ancient Runes? I remember you said Formation Masters only knew about ten of them."
Meeting Luna's curious gaze, Lyra pressed her lips together and carefully picked up the item on the table.
Riddle's diary.
"Because of this," Lyra said quietly. "I... just found it... in my... book."
"That's a diary, isn't it?" Luna recognized it at a glance, but her expression was one of surprise.
"You should probably throw that away," she said suddenly.
"Huh?" Lyra stared at Luna in surprise, instinctively clutching the diary. "Wh... Why?"
"It has so many Ancient Runes... and... formations..." Lyra's voice trailed off. "I... I wanted to... study it..."
"I feel like it will attract Nargles," Luna said, reaching out to touch the pendant hanging on Lyra's neck. "You have to keep the necklace I gave you on..."
"O... Okay." Lyra's cheeks flushed, startled by Luna's sudden, close gesture. She had been thinking of telling Luna about the memory inside the diary, but she shelved the thought.
Besides, Lyra had a feeling that if she did tell her, Luna would be even more insistent that she throw the diary away.
But Mr. Riddle is clearly a genius at Magic Formations...
Knock.
Suddenly, there was a light knock on the wooden door, making Lyra jolt.
"Miss Hamilton, Miss Lovegood, I thought you might like something to eat."
It was Mr. Lupin!
Lyra let out a soft sigh of relief. She had instinctively thought it was Dumbledore again.
"Thank... thank you... Mr. Lupin."
Lyra quickly thanked the middle-aged man as he walked in holding a plate.
"It's nothing." Lupin shrugged gently. His exhaustion seemed to have eased; he looked far less worn out than he had when he first returned.
"How is your formation crafting coming along?" Lupin asked casually, sitting down. "How many days will this one take?"
"Probably... cough cough cough..." Lyra, about to answer, choked on the food in her mouth. Luna, at her side, reached out and lightly patted her back.
The result was that it only made her cough harder.
"Take your time," Lupin chuckled. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Probably... probably... four or five days..." Lyra let out a long breath, and said after a moment, "And that's... if I don't make any mistakes."
"I see." Lupin seemed to count something on his fingers, then nodded thoughtfully.
"Mr. Lupin, are you going out with someone?" Luna suddenly asked.
"No." Lupin paused. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I see you're always counting the days," Luna tilted her head. "Only people who are about to go out do that."
Lupin gave a slightly awkward smile. He shook his head and said, "Just... some other business."
Miss Lovegood, don't ask such private questions! Lyra thought frantically. If it has to do with Dumbledore, he'll use a Memory Charm!
Lyra was also curious about what he was counting, but the moment she thought it might be Dumbledore-related, she lost all interest.
It felt like bad luck just to think about.
"I see..." Luna didn't seem to intend to press. After getting her answer, she nodded and hopped off her chair. "It seems to be very late. Daddy made pudding tonight. I have to go."
Just like that, Luna waved goodbye and left. She had always been that sort of peculiar girl.
"Ah... goodbye." Lupin nodded awkwardly. Lyra hadn't even had time to say goodbye.
Watching Luna leave, Lyra started to wonder if she'd done something to make her angry... If anything, it was Mr. Lupin... but prying into someone's privacy isn't a good thing.
"Oh, right, Miss Hamilton." Lupin, as if remembering something, coughed and asked, "About your classes... how are your preparations going?"
School would be starting in less than a month. Looking at the shy girl who still didn't dare lift her head, Lupin felt this wasn't a good sign.
"Ah... the classes..." Lyra clutched her wand, silent for a long time, not knowing how to answer.
Should she tell Mr. Lupin that she'd just been in denial, not daring to even think about it?
"If Miss Hamilton really doesn't want to... I'll go tell Headmaster Dumbledore." Lupin sighed, looking at the troubled Lyra. "The Headmaster should understand..."
"No, no, no... don't!" Lyra quickly shook her head. "I can do it... I can do it... I can do it!"
Why did she have to say it three times... Lupin couldn't help but be amused by her 'do-or-die' expression.
It was just a matter of teaching at Hogwarts, but she was acting like she was being sent to Azkaban.
Lyra, who could guess Lupin's thoughts, really wanted to say that it was like going to Azkaban!
Even worse. After all, Dumbledore wasn't in Azkaban.
"Well, if you insist." Lupin said, slowly standing up. "It's best to be prepared."
"For example..." Lupin thought for a moment. "...wear a mask?"
"Wear a mask?" Lyra froze.
"Sorry, is that rude to say?" Lupin, realizing how that sounded, quickly explained. "I mean... if you're afraid of making eye contact with people, you could wear a mask, like you did when you were working with the Ministry."
"Ah... no, no." Lyra waved her hands. "I also think... Mr. Lupin's suggestion is very good..."
Wearing a mask did seem like a good idea... It could also prevent Miss Lovegood from recognizing her.
Of course, Lyra felt Miss Lovegood would definitely recognize her... she's a very perceptive person.
If only Dumbledore had invited her to be a caretaker or a cleaner instead of a professor. Lyra preferred that kind of work to interacting with people.
Hagrid is the caretaker, right?
Lyra suddenly mused. After all, if any of the little wizards misbehaved, they wouldn't need to follow Durmstrang's practice of sending them to the detention room. They could just be eaten.
Their parents might come looking for trouble... but Hagrid probably isn't afraid... He feels like he could crush ten of her with one hand.
And Lyra was, strictly speaking, also an adult.
Watching Lyra sink into thought again, Lupin took a deep breath and nodded. His mind flashed back to a few days ago.
"Remus... how is Miss Hamilton doing?"
Looking at the old man, Lupin nodded respectfully. "Miss Hamilton's research is going very well."
"She seems to be about to complete a new Magic Formation item."
"Ah... she was one of the best in our time as well," Dumbledore nodded lightly. "And in other aspects?"
"Other aspects?" Lupin paused.
"Mm." Dumbledore thought for a few seconds. "For example... is there anything strange about her?"
Strange?
If Lupin were to be honest, there was almost nothing not strange about Miss Hamilton... her appearance, her personality...
But Dumbledore probably wasn't asking about that. He was probably asking if she was suspicious.
Lupin shook his head. "No."
"She seems no different from an eighteen-year-old girl. Maybe... even younger?" Lupin chose his words carefully. "Sixteen?"
Dumbledore chuckled at Lupin's answer. He shook his head and picked up a Fizzing Whizbee. "Miss Hamilton seems fragile, but she is surprisingly strong."
"The opposite of a Fizzing Whizbee... which looks like it should be hard, but is actually rather sticky."
"I haven't had a Fizzing Whizbee in a long time," Lupin said, pressing his lips together. He didn't quite understand Dumbledore's meaning.
"Ah, yes, Remus." Dumbledore paused. "Would you like one?"
"No, thank you, Headmaster."
Seeing Lupin refuse, Dumbledore didn't press, but changed the subject. "I hear you and Miss Hamilton have become friends, correct?"
"Yes." Lupin hesitated, then nodded.
"That's good." Dumbledore nodded gently. "You both carry the same burden. Becoming friends is a good thing for you both."
His wise eyes twinkled, and then he said no more.
Watching Dumbledore focus on enjoying the candy, Lupin gave a bitter smile.
Friends?
If Miss Hamilton knew his secret... could any of this still exist?
Holding this thought, Lupin looked at Miss Hamilton, who was lost in her own world, and gently shook his head.
He didn't have the courage to find out the answer.