Now that the arrangements for the resurrection have been set, all that's left is to prepare and patiently await Pabi's revival.
Little Sirius and Lupin returned to the castle, continuing their teaching careers.
But not only does Little Sirius have to teach, he also has to take on other burdens, like learning things he once scorned.
"I'd rather handle sticky snails with Old Snot Spirit than learn this filthy stuff!" Little Sirius grumbled to Lupin.
"But if you intend to walk this path, these are things you must learn," Lupin sighed. "Think about it, how many people have placed their hopes on you? Do you want to let Harry down?"
Little Sirius took a deep breath.
Indeed, the eager expectations of his godson were his real driving force.
"Alright," he said, rubbing his head, "I'll keep on reading—"
These days, it was still far from the start of the school term; a few more days would have to pass before the official term began.
So after returning to the school, Harry didn't have classes and would wander around the castle or visit Mr. Leme's Alchemy Lab to see how things were progressing.
Finally, on the fourth day, Mr. Leme announced that the Magic Potion was complete.
Not many people should be present for the resurrection ceremony, so aside from one person contributing flesh and another donating blood, Mr. Leme allowed only Harry to observe.
Of course, there was also Lady Death, who seemed to have nothing else to do, intending to spectate Pabi's entire resurrection ceremony.
Mr. Leme set up a large cauldron in his Alchemy Room, filled with the Potion he had already finished brewing.
When they arrived at the Alchemy Room, Mr. Leme waved his Magic Wand, and soon, orange-red flames began to burn under the cauldron.
The liquid in the cauldron seemed to heat up quickly, not only boiling but also bursting with sparks, as if it had caught fire.
Steam grew thicker, shrouding Mr. Leme's figure, making him fade into a blur.
"Alright, Miss Swedding," Mr. Leme said, pointing his Magic Wand at the large cauldron, "you may enter—"
Pabi looked pitifully at Harry, then at Vivi.
"Go on," Harry told her. "Don't worry, you're a Ghost, this cauldron can't cook you..."
At Harry's words, Pabi spat at him.
She then reluctantly stepped into the cauldron, her translucent little head peeking out above the rim.
"All the way in," Mr. Leme commanded.
Pabi sighed and submerged her head into the Potion.
Mr. Leme raised his Magic Wand and chanted, "Bone of the father, unknowingly given, will allow your daughter to be reborn!"
A sudden noise came from the side, startling Mr. Leme as a box burst open with a bang.
A large bone club flew out, gently landing in the cauldron.
The diamond-like surface of the liquid shattered, hissing, sparking fiercely as it transformed into a murky yellow.
"It's your turn, Miss Malfoy," Mr. Leme continued.
Cassandra stepped forward, wielding a dagger. With an unchanging expression, she sliced a long strip of flesh from her arm.
Blood spurted out, but luckily, Vivi quickly healed Cassandra's arm with her Magic Wand as if the cut had never happened.
Harry's heart jumped; he admitted he felt quite distressed.
However, Cassandra remained silent, throwing the strip of flesh into the cauldron.
"Flesh of the servant, willingly given, will allow your master to be reborn!" Mr. Leme continued to chant.
Suddenly, the Potion turned a vibrant green with silvery streams flowing around it.
It was unmistakably pure Slytherin colors.
"Alright, it's your turn, Miss Grindelwald," Mr. Leme stated again.
Vivi stepped forward, receiving the dagger from Cassandra.
"No, you cannot volunteer yourself," Mr. Leme stopped Vivi, instructing Harry, "Control her with the Soul-snatching Curse—hurry!"
"Imperio (Soul Emergence)!"
Cassandra acted first, without hesitation, controlling Vivi as she wielded the dagger towards her wrist.
Blood gushed forth, flowing down the pale, jade-like wrist into the boiling cauldron.
The Potion in the cauldron crackled anew upon contact with Vivi's blood.
Soon, the Potion shifted from green with silver streaks to a violet color.
At the same time, Cassandra withdrew the Soul-snatching Curse.
Regaining her autonomy, Vivi healed the wound on her wrist with her Magic Wand.
"Does it seem like the ceremony is going smoothly?" she asked.
Mr. Leme didn't speak, but said to Vivi, "It should be—I'll head out for a moment, Harry, aren't you coming with me?"
"Huh?" Harry didn't quite catch the meaning.
He had no idea why Mr. Leme wanted him to leave.
Mr. Leme didn't press him further, trotting out by himself.
Ah, although I'm old, some things shouldn't be seen; they'll prick your eyes...
Outside, Little Sirius and Lupin waited like expectant parents, encircling Mr. Leme with questions: "How is it, Mr. Leme? How did it go?"
"Very well," Mr. Leme replied, akin to an obstetrician, stopping just short of saying 'Mother and child are safe.'
In the Alchemy Room, a white cloud began to rise from the giant cauldron.
The cauldron gradually emptied, eventually cooling down.
Soon after, the smoke dispersed.
Cassandra's eye twitched suddenly.
What has blinded my eyes?!
"Harry!" Vivi reacted swiftly, casting an Eye Curse at Harry without hesitation.
Harry: ?!?!
He held his eyes, uncertain of what to do next.
No, I haven't seen anything yet!
Of course, he realized at that point what sort of scene was unfolding within the white mist.
Perhaps it truly was something he shouldn't see, he mused.
Amidst the rustling noises, just as Harry was growing restless, Vivi finally lifted the Eye Curse.
What greeted his eyes was justice and fairness.
"Harry!"
Harry's final thought was that Quidditch matches strictly forbid carrying and crashing into others with the ball!
When he regained consciousness, Little Sirius and Lupin had already entered the Alchemy Room.
"It seems you truly have come back to life," Little Sirius's gaze rested on Pabi, like a scrutinizing mother-in-law assessing her son's spouse, "This indeed calls for celebration..."
"Alright, now that I'm restored—" The first thing Pabi thought of was Annie, "Can you use that gem to lift Annie's Curse?"
"Yes." Harry nodded, "I'll first ask Omnius where the Secret Chamber hiding Annie is..."
Just as Harry was about to dash off, Mr. Leme suddenly spoke.
"If the gem works, a healthy Annie will appear before you."
Harry thought for a moment and realized it was true.
He took out the gem from his wallet, turning to Lady Death and asked, "Lady, how should this gem be used?"
"Hold it and focus on fulfilling your heart's desire," Lady Death replied.
Harry nodded, taking a deep breath, thinking about healing Annie's Curse.
At that very moment, his fingers pressed against the gem.
Suddenly, the room was engulfed in darkness, even the Magic Lights were swallowed by it.
"What's happening?" Harry asked in astonishment.
"I don't know," Little Sirius sniffed.
Then a noise suddenly came from outside.
"Who is it?" Little Sirius asked vigilantly.
The sound seemed to come from more than one person, and definitely wasn't Dumbledore's.
He cautiously opened the door, only to hear a Spell.
"Stupefy!"
A clear female voice rang out, followed by a red Magic Spell.
Little Sirius quickly dodged back, evading the Spell.
At that moment, Vivi also lit her Magic Wand.
In the light, Little Sirius's Magic Wand fell to the ground with a clatter.
His voice trembled with a fragile mixture of restored faith and disbelief.
"Fork? Lily?"