Harry Potter: Transmigrated Detective Link

"This matter is over and is over, I accept your apology."

After a long silence, Link finally spoke with no expression, under the anxious gazes of Harry and Hermione.

To be honest, through the LV2 Legilimency spell, Link could feel that Harry truly wanted to apologize sincerely.

But even so, Link's so-called forgiveness was nothing more than perfunctory.

What Harry did this time really hurt Link's goodwill too deeply.

Link is not a child in kindergarten, how could a lightly uttered apology make him let go of the bitterness in his heart?

Moreover, there is no deep interest tying together Link and Harry.

Unless something unexpected happens, the relationship between Link and Harry was probably very hard to return to what it was before.

But Harry and Hermione seemed not to realize this yet.

Upon hearing Link's words, the two of them were excited, dancing and nearly jumping.

Meanwhile, Link finally noticed the circle of dense red scars on Harry's neck.

Recalling what Emily had mentioned before, Link frowned slightly and asked with feigned curiosity, "Harry, how did you get that injury?"

At these words, the smile on Harry's face stalled; he quickly covered his neck and said, "N-nothing serious, I was just in Potions class and was accidentally splashed by mandrake sap."

"Is that so?"

Clearly, Link did not believe him, and began looking inquisitively at Hermione and Ron.

Hermione, clearly unwilling to speak, kept her head down in silence.

Ron hesitated a long while, finally under Link's gaze he gritted his teeth and said, "Actually it was that Malfoy guy! He's getting more and more over-the-top! Always thinking up ways to make trouble for Harry."

"Earlier he used some scheme to provoke Harry into hitting him, and Harry ended up in detention! This time Harry's injury is because Malfoy and Snape were in cahoots, deliberately harming him! Link! You..."

"Enough, Ron, stop talking!"

Harry quickly interrupted Ron.

Ron clearly still wanted to continue, but Harry promptly covered his mouth.

Even so, Ron was still looking at Link with expectant eyes.

What that gaze conveyed was obvious, they hoped Link would step in to deal with it, or at least teach Malfoy a lesson.

Honestly, this was something Link could easily do with words, Draco feared him a great deal now.

But Link had absolutely no desire to do that.

He just nodded and said nothing further.

Because it was obvious that Draco now dared to act so arrogantly against Harry precisely because Emily had his back.

This was part of Emily's so-called revenge plan.

What Emily did was meant to get even for him, but if he intervened, wouldn't that undermine her good intentions?

And to be honest, Emily's method was very clever.

With this whole chain of events, even if Dumbledore got angry, he couldn't summon Emily to blame, because everything had been Malfoy's choice.

With Link's silence, the atmosphere became awkward.

Ron even learned from Harry to lower his head; he already understood what Link's answer would be.

At that moment Hermione, sensing the tension, quickly stepped forward to change the subject, "Let's not talk about that. Link, there's another matter I really hope you can help with."

"You go ahead and say it." Link said impassively.

"It's about Professor Lupin," Hermione glanced at Harry and Ron, then slowly said, "He's going to resign soon. Before he leaves, he wanted to see you one more time."

Link's brow lifted, "Is it because of werewolf matters?"

Hermione's expression turned sour as she nodded.

At once Link understood.

There were many clever people at Hogwarts. Although neither Link nor Hermione had revealed Lupin's identity as a werewolf, over time, and after Snape also hinted, it was only natural that someone would discover it.

Once Lupin's identity was exposed, he would absolutely not be able to continue teaching at Hogwarts.

Because no matter how Dumbledore explained, parents would not be okay with their children being around a werewolf.

It wasn't that parents were unreasonable, but risk aversion.

Lycanthropy is contagious.

In a sense, having Lupin teach at Hogwarts was fundamentally irresponsible for student safety.

But of course, Link had no right to say this himself.

After all, he himself was a walking time bomb.

As for what Hermione said, originally Link did not want to see Lupin.

After all, in the Sirius incident, Lupin did much worse than Harry and Hermione.

This left Link with no goodwill toward Lupin.

But given Lupin had helped him when he first traveled here, Link sighed and said, "Why doesn't he come to see me in person?"

"He can't get to you," Hermione said downcast.

"Parents send howling letters every day filling two big sacks. Professor Lupin has become a target of public scorn. He can't even get outside. Now, even his Defence Against the Dark Arts class is being covered by Professor Snape."

Link nodded, "When does he plan to leave?"

"The exact time isn't set yet, but it won't be long."

"Is that so? Then I'll go see him off too," Link nodded, "Consider it wrapping up unfinished business."

Harry and Hermione brightened upon hearing Link would see Lupin off.

But when they heard the second half of his sentence, their smiles froze.

Because Link clearly said he had no intention to forgive Lupin.

Ron hesitated to speak again.

But Link no longer had interest to chat more.

He looked at his pocket watch and said, "Let's say it's decided then. You all go rest well. Goodbye."

With that, Link turned and left, quickly disappearing into the dark.

Left behind were Harry, Hermione, and Ron in the corridor, looking at each other in silence.

———

In the following days, Link gradually adjusted his routine, attending classes and breaks normally again.

After all, he had fully absorbed the knowledge of Occlumency, and needed to slowly absorb the contents of the thick black notebook from Snape.

Moreover, final exams at Hogwarts weren't far away.

Link also needed to catch up on coursework.

Otherwise, if he ended up failing a few and returning, it would be too embarrassing.

And Professor Lupin finally, the day before exams, officially submitted his resignation to Dumbledore.

Then Lupin packed up his battered suitcase and prepared to leave Hogwarts.

Today, he wore a brand-new black trench coat, and even trimmed his hair and beard, looking vigorous, almost like a different person from when he first came.

Link kept his promise and, together with Emily, came to the castle entrance to send Lupin off.

Like Link, many came to see Lupin off.

Besides Harry and Hermione, quite a crowd had gathered around the castle hall, many looked reluctant to see Lupin go, and some younger students even lined up with flowers and gifts.

This kept Harry and Hermione busy organizing.

Meanwhile, lurking in the shadows to observe with cold interest were even more people.

A typical one was Snape.

He had arrived early in the hall; watching Lupin receive farewell gifts, Snape's smile almost reached his ears.

Link even noticed Snape had washed his hair today.

That proved how pleased he was at Lupin's departure.

Link understood.

After all, what situation is more satisfying than seeing a former enemy fall from the clouds into the muck?

Snape probably thought Lupin would then be forced to lead a dire life of subsistence, unstable and tragic.

But that wish would likely fail.

Lupin's situation was far better than Snape estimated.

He had served long as a professor at Hogwarts and saved a tidy sum, frugal enough that it could support him comfortably.

Moreover, Lupin had reunited with his good friend Sirius and helped secure a retrial for him.

Most importantly, his health had improved significantly under the care of Mrs. Pomfrey these months.

You could see it from his darkened hair and rosy face.

Worth mentioning, in a sense, part of that savings was thanks to Snape.

Since the Sirius incident, Lupin had taken many leaves due to the werewolf controversy.

Most of his Defence classes were covered by Snape.

This was a vicious cycle, because Snape, by teaching the class, continuously hinted Lupin was a werewolf, only increasing students' aversion.

However, Lupin had not been fired, but still drew salary while absent.

Meanwhile, Snape, who covered his classes, earned no substitute salary.

Basically, Snape slaved for several months on behalf of Lupin, while Lupin stayed in his office drawing pay.

Yes, in the end Snape did succeed in driving Lupin away.

But who truly gained from all this…? Link didn't know.

Perhaps… both sides benefited in some way?

Link took a deep breath, drew his attention from Snape, and turned to go find Lupin.

He had not forgotten, this visit to Lupin was to sever the karmic bond.

Seeing this, the smile on Snape's face immediately vanished.

But Link paid no heed, he crossed the crowd and stood before Lupin.

"Link, I am so glad you came to send me off," Lupin looked extremely happy to see Link. "I wanted to apologize to you, my earlier misjudgment caused…"

"No apologies needed. I didn't come just to hear that." Link interrupted expressionlessly.

"In central Greenland lives a fascinating beast expert. His family keeps a female werewolf servant who, from what I know, has never lost control and can even change at will."

"If you have time, go there and try your luck, perhaps it can help you resolve your transformation issue."

"Ah… this…" Lupin appeared stunned by Link. He stood speechless.

His expression was very complicated.

Because he sensed decisiveness in Link's words.

Perhaps next time they meet, they will be strangers?

Thinking so, Lupin stammered as if wanting to say more.

But Link wasted no hesitation, he turned and left.

He had told Lupin about Greenland, and that was as far as his goodwill extended.

No more involvement from him.

"You told that wolf pup what?" Snape's dark voice came from behind as soon as Link left the hall.

He turned, and saw Snape looking extremely ugly standing there.

Clearly, the petty Snape-fever struck again.

Emily, seeing this, panicked, afraid a conflict would erupt. She inserted herself between them.

But Link, with an unshaken expression, said calmly, "I told him to go to Greenland, there's a female werewolf there."

Link knew Snape, as an Occlumency master with solid Legilimency skills, would understand exactly.

So to make his words credible, he only slightly clipped the truth.

He even turned off Occlumency.

As Link predicted, Snape's eyes brightened, and his expression softened instantly.

He sneered, "You're not wrong, a trip to Greenland would do just Lupin good. Better if he meets that female wolf and sires a litter of pups!"

'That way next time you'd have excellent gossip ammunition against Lupin, right?' Link thought silently, though outwardly he smiled and echoed.

Snape, buoyed by Link's support, glowed with satisfaction.

He eyed the thick black notebook wedged under Link's arm, chuckling, "Last time we were up to Felix Felicis, weren't we?"

"Yes, you just finished teaching me Felix's theory, without practical operation yet," Link said.

"Today I happen to have time," Snape suppressed a smile, feigning coldness, "I've prepared all the materials, let's do it now."

With that, Snape turned toward the office.

Link hurried after him, grabbing Emily's arm on the way.

He wouldn't let Emily miss this free tutoring opportunity.

As for Emily, she was still dazed.

She had just witnessed Link pacify Snape with a few words.

She had trouble digesting it.

After all, she knew Snape's nasty personality deeply.

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