#221 - Someone is following
Upon hearing Bung Bung's reminder, Moon didn't hesitate and immediately drew his wand.
Even though he knew that underage students were not allowed to use magic after leaving school, Moon naturally wouldn't rigidly adhere to the rules if a dangerous situation were to occur.
Seeing Moon cautiously approach the bridge opening with his wand in hand, Bung Bung immediately went to the other side of the bridge opening.
After the last battle against Montoya, the cooperation between Bung Bung and Moon had become very skilled.
The two looked at the openings outside each other's bodies, and only nodded after finding no traces before walking out.
"Ji?" (Where is everyone?)
Bung Bung was very confident in its hearing; it had definitely heard someone's footsteps just now.
"There was someone indeed."
After Moon crawled out of the opening and found no one, he began to investigate the surroundings.
Then he found three footprints at the corner of the bridge pier.
The place where the bridge opening was located was very concealed, and no one had come for a long time, resulting in a thick layer of dust, so the footprints were very obvious.
However, the third footprint only stepped halfway before disappearing directly.
"Could it be a wizard?"
Moon crouched down next to the footprints and began to observe them carefully.
The footprints were left by an adult, and their identity must also be a wizard.
Because Muggles could not possibly appear and disappear in such a short period of time.
Only the magic mastered by wizards could accomplish this.
"Why did the other party leave in such a hurry?"
From the direction of the third footprint, it could be seen that the wizard who suddenly appeared on the bridge pier wanted to approach the bridge opening.
But after only taking half a step, they used magic similar to [Apparition] to leave.
While Moon was still thinking, Bung Bung suddenly changed direction and climbed onto the nearby railing pillar.
"Ji!" (It's here!)
Bung Bung waved its little paws while jumping.
Moon was also attracted by its excited expression.
Before he could ask who it was, Moon saw a red light appear in the distance on the Regent River.
At the same time, a clear cry entered his ears.
"Jiji ~" (Fawkes ~, I'm here ~)
Bung Bung had only shouted two sentences when the firelight in the distance swept across the river and quickly landed on the bridge pier.
After spotting Moon's figure, Fawkes casually threw out the letter in its claws and then began to whisper to Bung Bung.
As for Ai Zhi, this little snowy owl had been completely stunned when it saw the phoenix appear, its eyes filled with admiration and infatuation.
"Did Dumbledore send you?"
Moon took the envelope and asked as he opened it.
Fawkes didn't make any sound, looked at Moon, nodded, and then turned around to continue chatting with Bung Bung.
Although he had long known that Bung Bung's social skills were very strong, Moon still felt a little awkward seeing it being so intimate with the phoenix.
【Sniff and Phoenix, isn't the species difference a bit too big?】
Seeing the two animals chatting very enthusiastically, Moon didn't plan to interrupt them and focused on reading the letter in his hand.
The envelope contained a card and a letter, and the letter only had a few short sentences.
I cannot leave the school during the holidays.
But there is a very important banquet invitation, and I hope you can go and take a look.
Perhaps you can find what you want.
Your friend: Albus Dumbledore.
"Banquet? Can a student like me attend a banquet that can invite Dumbledore?"
Moon said, closing the letter and taking out the gold-plated invitation.
Respectable Professor Dumbledore:
The Ministry of Magic cordially invites you to attend a celebration of extraordinary significance.
Severus Snape has successfully improved a new Wolfsbane Potion.
Its advent has greatly enhanced our ability to face the werewolf challenge.
To this end, the Ministry of Magic has decided to award him the Order of Merlin, Third Class.
The celebration will be held solemnly at the Ministry of Magic Main Hall at 8:00 PM on December 30, 1991.
We sincerely hope that you can take the time to attend and witness this glorious moment together.
Looking forward to your presence!
Minister of Magic: Cornelius Fudge "So it's Professor Snape's new potion, didn't he just improve it a little? How can he get the Order of Merlin, Third Class?"
Moon was very clear about Snape's newly refined potion; he had even provided two of the ingredients.
But he never thought that a potion could bring Snape such great honor.
"Since it's Professor Snape's celebration banquet, then it shouldn't be a problem for me to go, at least I should express my congratulations to him."
Moon thought, refolding the envelope and putting it back in his jacket pocket.
"Please tell Headmaster Dumbledore that I will attend the banquet on time, and I am also very grateful for your arrival."
Fawkes only nodded slightly when it heard Moon's words, it had come out this time to bring Moon's message back.
However, when it heard the words thanking it later, Fawkes tilted its head and looked over curiously.
Moon didn't plan to explain; he had already guessed that the adult wizard who had suddenly appeared just now might have left because he had noticed Fawkes's arrival.
But he didn't need to have the phoenix bring this message back to Hogwarts, because Dumbledore had already said that he couldn't leave the school during the holidays.
After receiving Moon's message, Fawkes reluctantly parted with Bung Bung.
Watching the phoenix disappear into the distant sky again, Moon picked up Bung Bung and put it on his shoulder.
"Let's go, we need to find a place to stay early, otherwise it will get dark soon."
Picking up all the things again, Moon took Muggle transportation to the Leaky Cauldron.
Because of the holidays, the bar was already bustling with people coming and going.
When Moon, a little wizard, appeared with two pets, this strange combination attracted the attention of many wizards.
But facing this scene, Moon had already gained experience; he pretended to be nonchalant and walked through the crowd to the bar.
"Hello, boss, I want to book a room."
"No problem, there are plenty of rooms, a single room is 5 Galleons a night, a double room is 9 Galleons, which one do you want?"
The bar owner, Tom, was currently facing away from Moon, preparing his newly developed whiskey for a guest.
After controlling the glass to fly accurately onto the guest's table, he lowered his head to look at Moon.
"Oh, I remember you, the little wizard who came to buy textbooks the day before school started, are you staying? Kid."
"That's right, boss, a single room is fine."
Moon said, taking out his purse and starting to count the Galleons one by one.
"Don't worry, kid, Hogwarts teachers and students can enjoy a 20% discount during the holidays, and we also have price reduction activities for Christmas. Also, let me ask, are you staying for a long time?"
"Yes, maybe two weeks."
"Okay, so calculated, I can give you a 30% discount, is that okay?"
"Thank you, I have no problem."
As agreed, Moon paid 10 days' room money first, a total of thirty-five Galleons.
It wasn't because Moon didn't want to pay all at once, but because he had no money on him.
As for the remaining room money, he could only wait until tomorrow to sell a batch of potion ingredients at the apothecary to make up for it.
Boss Tom was very easy to talk to. After Moon paid, he immediately carried the suitcase and led him up to the 2nd floor.
"There is a free meal provided here every noon and evening; you can come downstairs to eat on time."
"Also, the bar may be a bit noisy; I hope you don't mind, and try not to go out at night."
Tom introduced as he led Moon to a room at the very end of the second floor.
"This is still considered quiet; you can put your luggage under the bed. If you need anything, you can pull the bell over there.
?"
"Okay."
After Moon agreed, Tom removed a key from the iron ring and handed it to him.
"Just give the key to me when you check out."
When Tom left, Moon had time to carefully observe the room.
A huge wooden bed was placed by the window, and the items on the bed were a bit old, but they were washed very cleanly.
The light in the room was not very bright either, and through the window, you could see the scene in the backyard of the bar.
Moon was quite satisfied with this place.
While Bung Bung and Ai Ai were inspecting their new territory, he opened the suitcase and looked at the Christmas gifts the professors had given him.
