Hogwarts: Harry Potter's Return from the Witcher World

Harry left the dormitory after duplicating the Forbidden Forest map for Fred and George.

With the Marauder's Map in hand, he hesitated briefly before making a decision. He approached Ron.

"I think I've found Scabbers," Harry said.

Ron froze, his quill slipping and dragging a crooked line across his parchment.

"Want to come check it out with me?" Harry invited.

Ron stared blankly at his ruined essay, his face devoid of emotion. After a pause, he raised his wand, muttered a spell to clean the parchment, and shook his head.

"No, I think I'll sit this one out," he replied flatly.

"I still need to rewrite my essay. Once that's done, I'll make sure George and Fred pay for this."

He wasn't sure how to face Scabbers.

The pet that had shared his meals and his secrets for two years, the pet he'd treated with so much affection, was actually a man in his thirties.

At first, the news had hurt him.

Now, all that remained was disgust.

He had slept beside an unwashed man disguised as a rat for two years—a man who hadn't bathed in thirteen years, except for the occasional dust bath.

The thought made Ron's stomach churn.

"Alright, I'll go alone then," Harry said, standing up.

Hermione caught his hand. "You're going alone? What if—well, I mean, just in case—"

"Of course not," Harry interrupted, shaking his head. "Professor Lupin has been searching for him too, hasn't he?"

"But Professor Lupin..." Hermione frowned, recalling Harry's warnings about Lupin's potential danger.

"He's safe for now," Harry reassured her. "It's not his time yet."

Hermione let go of his hand. "Alright, but come back soon."

"If it's past midnight—"

Harry smiled, cutting her off. "If I haven't sent my Patronus by midnight, go straight to Professor McGonagall."

Hermione nodded.

Harry waved her goodbye and left the common room.

Once outside, Harry pulled out the Marauder's Map, tapped it with his wand, and murmured, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The map reappeared, showing the detailed layout of Hogwarts.

Professor Lupin was in his office, along with Snape.

Harry waited until Snape left before heading to Lupin's office and knocking on the door.

"Harry? Is that you?" Lupin's voice was surprised.

"Not happy to see me?" Harry quipped.

Lupin opened the door, shaking his head as he ushered Harry inside. "No, just surprised. It's quite late."

"Have you found Peter?" Harry asked directly.

Lupin sighed and shook his head. "Not yet. The house-elves have searched every corner of Hogwarts, but there's still no sign..."

He trailed off, shaking his head again. "If only we still had that map."

"The Marauder's Map?" Harry asked casually.

Lupin jumped slightly, startled. "How do you know about that?"

Harry pulled the map from his robes and placed it on the table. "I just got my hands on it recently. I spotted Peter's name on it."

"Since you mentioned it, I guessed it must be something you and my dad created."

Lupin nodded slowly. "James designed it for our nighttime escapades. We almost broke into the headmaster's office because of it."

He drew his wand and tapped the map.

With a tone full of nostalgia, he recited, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The map revealed itself again, and Lupin's eyes scanned it until they landed on Peter's name.

"Eighth-floor passageway," he muttered. "He's hiding there."

Harry let out a mocking laugh. "Yeah, I was shocked when I saw it."

Lupin glanced at him, puzzled.

"What's so surprising about that?"

"It's shocking he's still in the castle. I thought he would've escaped by now," Harry replied.

Lupin shook his head. "Harry, Hogwarts is the safest place in the world."

Harry raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, his gaze fixed on Lupin.

Lupin faltered.

He remembered Harry's past two years at Hogwarts—especially last year's Chamber of Secrets incident.

He lowered his head slightly, but his tone was still defensive. "Even if you don't believe me, for most people, Hogwarts truly is the safest place in the world."

"Sure," Harry replied, his tone indifferent. "That's exactly what Peter must've believed too. That's why he's still here."

Lupin opened his mouth to argue but sighed instead. This year's Dementors surrounding the castle didn't help his case.

Why was it that the only unsafe years at Hogwarts coincided with Harry's time here?

Maybe it wasn't Hogwarts.

Maybe it was... Harry?

Lupin shot him a suspicious look.

"Don't give me that look," Harry said, waving a hand dismissively. "I've been perfectly well-behaved. Trouble always finds me, not the other way around."

Lupin flinched.

How did Harry know what he was thinking?

"Your expression is too easy to read," Harry remarked, shaking his head. "Not much practice interacting with people?"

Lupin hesitated, then muttered, "You sound just like Snape."

Harry tilted his head. "I'm nothing like him."

"Hmm?" Lupin raised an eyebrow.

"I'm better-looking, sunnier, and have a nicer voice," Harry replied matter-of-factly.

"You're a poisonous flower that tricks people with your looks, while Snape's a pile of toxic dung," Lupin deadpanned.

Harry flicked his wand, sending the map flying into Lupin's face with a loud smack.

Lupin pulled it off, sighing. "Alright, alright. I'll go after Peter. You should head back—"

"I'm coming with you," Harry interrupted firmly.

Lupin immediately refused. "If it really is Peter, it'll be dangerous—"

"More dangerous than Voldemort?" Harry cut in lightly.

Lupin shivered involuntarily, falling silent as he thought.

"If he's the traitor, he's the reason my parents died," Harry continued.

"And if he's innocent, then he's like you—another victim."

"Either way, I have to see him for myself."

After a long pause, Lupin reluctantly nodded. "Fine, but stay safe."

They headed to the eighth floor and stopped in front of a large landscape painting.

Lupin tapped it with his wand and murmured, "Starry Night."

The painting shimmered, revealing a hidden path of red bricks winding into the woods depicted in the painting.

Lupin stepped through first, wand in hand, about to cast Lumos.

"Don't," Harry said, stopping him.

Lupin froze. "Harry?"

"Light will alert Peter," Harry explained softly, pulling a vial of potion from his pocket. "Drink this—Serpent's Eye Elixir."

Lupin sniffed the potion, confirming it was safe before downing it in one gulp. "You've been preparing this for a while, haven't you? I remember this takes a full day to brew."

Harry shrugged. "It's useful. Why wouldn't I have it on hand?"

Lupin blinked. Since when was this a common potion?

They crept forward in silence. Harry, relying on his heightened senses as a Witcher, glanced at the map periodically, tracking the shrinking distance between him and Peter Pettigrew.

The glowing names grew closer.

Harry's eyes took on a faint, fiery glint.

When they were nearly upon him, Harry tapped Lupin's shoulder.

Lupin nodded, signaling his readiness.

Harry adjusted his sunglasses.

"Peter, you're—"

"Lumos Maxima!"

A blinding white light erupted from Harry's wand, flooding the passageway and disorienting everyone except Harry, who stood unaffected behind his tinted lenses.

"Harry!" Lupin shouted, his voice filled with shock. "What are you doing?"

In the distance, a rat's angry squeaks echoed, its tone almost like a string of curses.

"Aren't we attacking together?" Harry asked innocently. "Professor, what are you doing? He's about to get away!"

While Lupin scrambled to recover, Harry flicked his wand. His robes transformed into a rope that shot out, binding the stunned, disoriented rat tightly.

"Put out the light!" Lupin barked.

Harry extinguished the spell with a casual Nox.

Lupin rubbed his eyes, muttering darkly as his vision returned.

"Just a regular Lumos this time," Harry offered cheerfully, casting a soft glow.

Lupin flinched, ducking reflexively.

"It's fine—normal light," Harry reassured him, stifling a laugh.

Lupin glared at him. "Harry, you can't use Lumos like that!"

Harry shrugged, unapologetic. "That's what the sunglasses were for."

"I didn't have any!" Lupin snapped.

"Figured you'd understand the plan," Harry said, feigning innocence.

Lupin sighed. "It's my fault. We should've coordinated beforehand."

He turned to the bound rat.

Peter Pettigrew froze at the sound of his name.

"Long time no see, Scabbers," Harry said coldly, staring into the rat's beady black eyes.

"Or should I say..."

"Peter Pettigrew, my father's most beloved friend."

The rat's squeaks grew frantic, its movements erratic.

Under Harry's robes, the amulet on his chest vibrated faintly. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

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Powerstones?

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