Chapter 33: The Secret in the Attic

In truth, Dumbledore’s relationship with his brother wasn’t as bad as he had described. At the very least, Aberforth did not refuse to let the homeless Leavitt and Tom stay. From Leavitt’s perspective, Aberforth was simply sharp-tongued but soft-hearted toward his brother. Though he never spared his brother with his words, he still wholeheartedly carried out the tasks his brother entrusted him with.

In the end, Leavitt and Tom remained. Aberforth arranged a room for them on the second floor. Since Aberforth took Leavitt in, Toby was very grateful to him. As a result, he volunteered to help Aberforth manage the bar. In Toby’s eyes, as long as he worked hard, the temporary host he depended on could live a little better. Aberforth did not object; having an extra house-elf to help would make things easier for him. Consequently, his attitude toward Leavitt and the others softened somewhat.

“Except for the attic, where you’re not allowed to go, you’re free to explore anywhere else. If you want something to drink, you can help yourself in the cellar. By the way, Hogsmeade Village has many other shops. If you want to buy something, you can go out and browse,” Aberforth said as he turned and led Toby away from the room.

After Aberforth left, Leavitt lay down on his bed. He hadn’t rested much since last night and was feeling quite tired. On the other side, Tom sat on another bed, pulling out a spellbook and concentrating intently. For him, only relentless study could make him stronger and allow him to escape from Leavitt’s twisted grasp.

“Tom, what do you think is up in the attic? Why doesn’t Mr. Aberforth want us to go up there?”

“This is his home. Everyone has their privacy. What’s so strange about that?”

“Alright… sigh, it’s so boring. Tom, why don’t we go out for a walk?”

“No! You go if you want.”

Tom immediately refused. He had been interrupted by Death Eater attacks while studying magic last night, and now he had to catch up on lost progress.

Leavitt pulled the covers over himself. “Even studying needs balance… at the very least, you need to rest well, or your efforts will be wasted. You should take a nap.”

“I don’t care if it’s wasted effort. Progress is what matters. If you want to sleep, do it yourself and don’t bother me,” Tom said coldly.

What if I’m tired? I’m willing!

After a while, Leavitt sat up.

“I’m sleeping, and you’re studying… Tom, how can you do something so divisive? You’re making me feel guilty!”

“None of your business. I can’t sleep. So what if I study? Also, your snoring is keeping me awake!”

Leavitt squinted. “You say you can’t sleep? That won’t do…”

“What… what are you going to do?” Tom felt uneasy and looked at Leavitt warily.

“Nothing much, I just want to help you. Insomnia isn’t good... pass out!”

“Leavitt! You’re such a dog…”

Tom didn’t finish his insult before falling into a deep, peaceful sleep.

“Ahem, no need to thank me, Tom.”

Leavitt clapped his hands, and the blanket on Tom’s bed automatically covered him as well. Sharing a room with Tom, if Tom didn’t fall asleep, how could Leavitt rest?

After checking Tom’s sleep quality, Leavitt lay down again and pulled the covers over himself. This night had exhausted him. Unlike Tom, who could rest as long as he fought Death Eaters, Leavitt had barely rested since last night, so he was quite worn out. He slowly closed his eyes and, drowsy, was about to fall asleep.

Suddenly, a dull sound came from upstairs.

“Thunk!”

Leavitt ignored it and kept his eyes closed.

Just as he was about to drift off again,

“Thunk!”

The dull sound came again.

After many repetitions, Leavitt could no longer fall asleep. Although the sound wasn’t loud, strangely, each time it woke him from sleep.

He stared at the ceiling in confusion. This time, he didn’t sleep but waited quietly for the next sound.

Not long after, about a minute later, the sound came again.

It sounded like a wooden stick tapping on a thick carpet.

“Thunk!”

Leavitt sat up. He finally caught a hint.

The sound contained a faint magical energy.

Moreover, this magic seemed to have the ability to stir the magic within other wizards’ bodies, which was why the sound kept waking him.

He had seen many magical tools imbued with magic in Diagon Alley.

But a sound carrying magic? Apart from wizards chanting spells, he had never heard of any other.

If sounds could carry magic, then anything making this tapping noise could cast spells?

That was an intriguing idea. If he could figure out the principle, maybe he could create a device that automatically cast magic without wizards needing to chant!

At that moment, the sound came again.

This time, Leavitt heard it more clearly and keenly sensed the magic in it was much stronger than before.

He looked at the ceiling again. Upstairs... wasn’t that the attic Aberforth forbade them to enter?

What was up there?

Leavitt’s curiosity was piqued.

By rights, since Aberforth said not to go to the attic, they shouldn’t go or even inquire about it.

But this sound was so strange it could awaken wizards from their sleep.

Tom hadn’t woken because he was under a stupor curse... if he were sleeping normally, he would have been awakened by this sound too.

So... Leavitt decided to ask Aberforth directly.

He was troubled by the sound, so it was reasonable to inquire about it.

What if Aberforth was willing to tell him?

Even if not, it was better than sneaking up there to pry into others’ secrets.

Leavitt listened for a while longer as the magic in the sound grew stronger, then got up, put on his coat, and opened the door.

The Hog’s Head Inn was similar to the Three Broomsticks, also having rooms for guests.

Only it was smaller, with three floors, fewer rooms concentrated on the second floor.

Leavitt and Tom occupied one; the others were empty today.

Stepping out of his room, Leavitt saw a somewhat narrow corridor.

One side was a wall; the other side had doors to guest rooms.

At both ends of the corridor were staircases going down and up to the attic.

Leavitt closed his door, glanced at the stairs going up, then was about to turn toward the stairs leading down.

At that moment, he suddenly felt a chilling aura from behind.

Could it be a ghost? Leavitt wondered as he turned his head again.

“Whoa…”

Seeing clearly what was opposite him, Leavitt’s eyes widened.

Near the stairs leading up, black, eerie mist was flowing down like water...

And the mist was gradually gathering, slowly filling the enclosed corridor!