Chapter 503: Fitch's Tragedy

Chapter 503: Fitch's Tragedy
Xie Lin took Zhang Qiu's hand and walked out of the auditorium with her, heading towards the Owl Shed.

There are two roads from the castle to the Owl Shed. The road on the right is closer and is the road most often used by young wizards. However, Sherin knew that according to the original plot, Peeves would be lying in ambush there today, ready to hit people with the bust of Paracel.

The road on the left is farther away, and although there is no risk of being attacked by Peeves, there is a chance that you will meet Harry there.

"Let's go this way!" Xie Ling pointed casually to the path on the right.

Zhang Qiu looked at Xie Lin strangely, but did not refute. Although she enjoyed the time alone with Xie Lin, she also wanted to send the gift as soon as possible to ensure that her mother could receive it within today. Going to the right was closer and faster, and obviously more suitable.

The passage was dark and quiet, with sparse magical candles burning on the walls, casting flickering shadows. However, Sherin, who had activated the Asterix, already knew that Peeves was lurking on the beam above, holding a bust of Paracel in his arms, ready to smash down at any time.

However, the moment Peeves saw Sherin, the mischievous smile on his face froze instantly, replaced by a flattering look.

"Wow! Master Xie Ling!" Peeves immediately somersaulted in mid-air, hugged the bust tightly in his arms, and floated in front of Xie Ling with a big smile on his face. "What a coincidence, what a coincidence! Peeves just happened to pass by here. He didn't do anything and definitely didn't intend to smash anything!"

Xie Ling narrowed his eyes slightly and his gaze fell on the statue in its arms.

"Give it to me." His voice was flat, as if he was giving an order that could not be disobeyed.

Peeves was stunned for a moment, subconsciously hugged the statue tightly, and then immediately put on a smile: "Hey, Master Xie Ling wants this? Of course, of course! What do you want to do with it?"

"This thing is useful to me." Xie Ling said casually, reaching out to take the bust of Paraser and looking at it casually.

Seeing Xie Ling's calm expression, Peeves could not help but feel frightened. He did not want to experience the miserable situation he had been in last time, so he quickly asked in a flattering manner, "Well, can Peeves do anything for you?"

The corners of Sherin's mouth rose slightly, and he whispered, "Go tell Filch, or just spread the news in the school, and say that it was you who smashed the bust of Paracel."

Peeves' eyes widened and he blinked them rapidly.

"Huh?" It was a little confused, but soon came to its senses and grinned, "Hahaha! This is easy, Peeves is best at creating chaos! Besides, Peeves was planning to smash it!"

Xie Ling nodded slightly, then ignored Peeves, put the statue into his pocket space and continued walking forward.

Zhang Qiu had been watching this scene quietly. It was not until Peeves floated away happily that she could not help but laugh and said, "Your relationship with Peeves is really special."

"We are just using each other." Xie Ling said nonchalantly, his tone was so calm as if everything that happened just now was unimportant.

Most readers probably already know why Schelling wanted to get the bust of Paraser, which was naturally to open Paraser's secret room.

He actually knew where the bust of Paracel was, but he didn't dare touch it. After all, it was an asset of Hogwarts, and it would be inappropriate for Sherin to take it away privately. If others knew about it, it would probably cause a series of troublesome consequences.

If Peeves were to take the blame now, everyone would just think that the bust of Paraser was smashed, and no one would know that it actually fell into Sherin's hands.

["Bust of Paraser" obtained! ]

After arriving at the Owl House, Zhang Qiu took out the beautifully wrapped gift, and Xie Lin whistled. A gray shadow swiftly passed over the high beam, and a majestic gray eagle owl spread its wings and flew down, landing steadily on Xie Lin's shoulder. Its sharp golden eyes scanned the surroundings, revealing pride and majesty.

"This is Yurisi," Xie Lin stroked the eagle owl's feathers and said to Zhang Qiu, "Its speed is the fastest of all owls. Your gift will definitely be delivered on time."

Zhang Qiu showed a surprised expression and gently reached out to touch Yulisi. The eagle owl hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly accepted her move, narrowing its eyes slightly, as if enjoying it. Zhang Qiu smiled and said, "It's really majestic, Xie Lin, you must be very good to it."

Xie Lin shrugged, tied the package to Yulisi's claws, and whispered: "Send it to Zhang Qiu's mother, and be sure to be on time." The eagle owl let out a low cry, and the next second it flapped its wings and flew high, instantly disappearing into the distant sky.

Zhang Qiu watched Yulisi's figure going away, and looked at Xie Lin with gratitude, with some warmth in her eyes: "Xie Lin, thank you." She tiptoed gently, kissed him on the cheek, and then smiled mischievously, "This is your reward."

Then she turned briskly and left, leaving Sherin standing at the door of the Owl Shed, gently stroking the place where he had just been kissed, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

……

Fast forward to half an hour later.

The sun was high in the sky now, and the glassless windows blinded Harry as he entered the shed. Silvery shafts of sunlight crisscrossed the circular room, and hundreds of owls sat on their perches, looking a little restless in the morning light, some of them having obviously just returned from hunting.

After Harry handed the letter to Hedwig, he left the Owl Shed, but before he had gone far, he met the panting caretaker Filch.

Filch's hollow, veined cheeks were purple, his chin was quivering, and his thinning grey hair was a mess. He had obviously run all the way here. Mrs Norris trotted after him, staring at the owls overhead and meowing hungrily.

"Aha!" Filch said, dragging his feet and taking a step closer to Harry, his saggy cheeks trembling with anger, "I got information that you plan to order a large number of dung bombs!"

Harry crossed his arms and glared at the administrator. "Who told you I ordered dung bombs?"

"I have my intelligence source." Filch gritted his teeth proudly and said, "Now hand over what you want to send."

"Can't you see I just left the Owlery and the letter was already posted," said Harry unhappily.

Filch crossed his arms, his cloudy eyes sparkling with excitement, like a mouse that had caught its prey and refused to let go. He took a step forward and said with his usual bad attitude, "Sent it? I don't think so, Potter."

He narrowed his eyes, and the wrinkles on his face piled up because of pride. "You'd better tell me the truth. Is there something shameful hidden in that letter? Smuggled contraband? Planning a prank? Or your pathetic little secrets?"

"I told you, it's just a normal letter." Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes and tried to get around him, but Filch stood in front of him like a stubborn rock.

"Do you think you can fool me?" Filch said gruffly. "I've seen a lot of little brats like you! You little wizards, you all love to do bad things! Professor McGonagall will realize one day that she shouldn't let you do whatever you want!"

Mrs. Norris jumped from Filch's legs onto the windowsill in the corridor, her eyes flashing with cunning, and she purred, as if ready to pounce and bite at any time. An inexplicable irritation suddenly surged into his heart, like a ball of anger that had nowhere to vent rolling in his chest. Harry's fingers trembled slightly, and his breathing became rapid. He tried hard to suppress the impatience, but he felt that Filch's nagging was even more irritating. Every word was like a hammer hitting his head, which was annoying.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, but at this moment, a faint voice suddenly sounded in his mind - low and bewitching, like a cold snake sliding across his heart, bringing an ominous shudder.

"He's just a pathetic Squib, Harry... How dare a worthless person without any magic boss him around so arrogantly?"

"Why should you be patient? You are a wizard, and he is just a servant who can only use a broom and mop."

Harry's fingers curled slightly under his robe sleeves, and his wand was clenched tightly in his palm.

Filch was still babbling on and on, and Mrs. Norris was hunched over the windowsill, and Harry's patience was almost worn out.

"Teach them a lesson."

A certain impulse surged in his heart, and his lips opened and closed almost uncontrollably, muttering a spell in a low voice -

"There are many obstacles!"

An invisible magical power suddenly burst out, and Filch's chattering stopped abruptly. He seemed to be pushed hard by some invisible force. He staggered backwards and hit the wall heavily. His mouth opened wide, but no sound came out.

At the same time, Mrs. Norris screamed and fell from the windowsill to the ground. Her limbs were stiff, and she made rapid "chuckles" from her mouth. Her pupils constricted, and it was obvious that her movements were affected by the spell.

Filch's eyes widened in horror, his lips trembling, as if he was asking Harry what he had done, but he was no longer able to speak.

Harry blinked, his head still humming and his heart still beating alarmingly fast.

He looked at Filch's horrified face, and suddenly an unprecedented pleasure surged in his heart. His anger was no longer just pure anger, but mixed with a kind of... cruel pleasure. He slowly raised his wand and pointed it at Mrs. Norris who was lying on the ground.

"Wingardim Leviosa!"

Mrs. Norris suddenly flew up from the ground, struggling helplessly with her limbs, and making a sharp "cluck" sound from her mouth. Filch's face turned pale instantly, and he shook his head desperately, his lips moving, as if begging Harry to let his cat go, but he still couldn't make a sound.

Harry's mouth curled up into an icy arc, and his heartbeat was almost bursting through his chest. He waved his wand casually, and Mrs. Norris hit the ceiling hard, and then fell heavily to the floor with a dull sound. Her tail twitched wildly, and her claws scratched the air weakly.

"Again?" Harry whispered to himself, with a strange light in his eyes.

He waved his wand again, and Mrs. Norris was thrown into the air, spinning and hanging upside down on the beam, like a mouse being toyed with by a hunter. She let out a hoarse whine in her throat and struggled in pain, while Filch's bloodshot eyes almost burst. He fell to his knees and desperately begged Harry to stop in a silent way, tears already falling from his wrinkled face.

But the malice in Harry's heart seemed to be completely ignited by this scene. He suddenly swung his wand hard, and Mrs. Norris was thrown against the wall like a ball, and fell heavily to the ground again. Her body twitched a few times, and finally she stopped moving.

Dead silence.

Harry froze, the pleasure dissipated as quickly as the tide, replaced by a sickening chill. His wand nearly slipped from his hand, the scar on his forehead throbbed with pain, and his mind was buzzing.

"No... No... What am I doing?"

His gaze slowly fell on Filch - that wrinkled face was now bloodless, his wide-open eyes were filled with incredible despair, and his body collapsed to the ground like a withered man, trembling all over.

No traces can be left.

Harry raised his wand sharply, his chest heaving, his fingers trembling slightly with fear and guilt.

"Everything is forgotten!"

A dark magical power poured out, and Filch's eyes instantly became blurred, with a look of fear frozen on his face. The next second, he shook his head violently and looked around in confusion.

The bodies of Harry and Mrs. Norris were nowhere to be found.

At this time, Sherin released his invisibility spell and appeared. He looked in the direction where Harry disappeared and fell into deep thought -

He left the Owl Shed earlier than Harry, so he hid here very early and witnessed the whole thing.

Something was wrong with Harry's reaction. Very wrong.

Harry in the original work may have many shortcomings, but he is ultimately a kind and upright character, worthy of being the protagonist in the original work.

What's going on now?

It would have been fine if Harry accidentally killed a cat in a fit of rage, but he even used the Oblivion Charm to try to cover up the truth. Is this really the Harry Potter he knew?

Shalling sighed. In any case, Harry's Oblivion Charm level was really poor. It seemed that he had used too much force and might turn Filch into the second Bertha Jorkins.

He glanced at Filch's face and felt a little bit of pity. Although this old guy had no self-awareness and behaved in an annoying way, he was not a bad person. Besides, he had now lost his only family forever. It would be too cruel to turn him into a confused and mentally impaired old man.

He gently waved his wand, causing Filch to fall into a deep sleep in an instant. This way, when he woke up, he would not remember anything about today, and would think that Mrs. Norris had died in the Slytherin Chamber of Secrets incident three years ago. This way, he would not be too sad.

As for restoring his sanity, not to mention that Sherring didn't have the ability to do so - even if he could do it, he would not be willing to interfere in the feud between Harry and Filch.

After doing all this, he used the secret anti-tracking technique to eliminate all traces of his existence and left here calmly.