Chapter 135, 133. The Screaming Shack
. Lynn spread his wings and landed in a secluded alley in Hogsmeade, transforming back into human form.
He then used the Disguise Magus transformation technique to become a disheveled, stubble-covered middle-aged man.
Simultaneously, Lynn used the transformation technique to alter his school robes, shoes, and other noticeable accessories.
He transformed the robes into a large black robe, then pulled the hood over his head to conceal his face.
He discreetly entered the Pighead Tavern, attracting no attention.
In this tavern, everyone drank like this; those who dared to show their faces were considered outcasts.
Like the hunchbacked old man drinking alone in the corner.
After entering, Lynn found an empty table and sat down, then waved for a waiter.
"A buttered beer, and I need the cleanest glass."
"Ah, our glasses are all very clean,"
the waiter, who reeked of mutton, muttered.
A short while later, he brought over a buttered beer and placed it in front of Lynn.
The glass still looked quite dirty; Lynn disgustedly wiped the rim with his sleeve before taking a small sip.
He sat at the table, silently drinking, like an ordinary customer passing the time.
Time slowly passed, and the bar emptied out.
Of course, Lynn wasn't just drinking; he was also subtly observing the hunchbacked old man's surroundings out of the corner of his eye.
The old man sat in a corner seat, with a fat man and a witch sitting at the table in front of him. The two were chatting about some interesting anecdotes about the French magical world, and occasionally a few risqué jokes would be heard. They seemed to have a close relationship and were very likely a couple.
At the table to the old man's left sat a wizard dressed similarly to Lynn, clad in a black robe with his face hidden by a hood. A book lay open on the table; he appeared to be left-handed, turning the pages with his left hand while muttering to himself, as if studying some kind of spell.
Both tables seemed suspicious to Lynn.
Whether it was the chatting couple or the black-robed wizard engrossed in his book, they all unconsciously glanced at the hunchbacked old man every now and then.
It was a habit, like when a group of company employees dined together in his past life; everyone would subconsciously glance at the highest-ranking person while speaking.
They were observing the other person's expression to determine whether the current topic should continue.
Perhaps these three men's habits had other meanings, but one thing was certain: they were all connected to the hunchbacked old man, either accomplices or, like Lynn, had come to him with a purpose.
Lynn was more inclined to believe that these four were actually in cahoots.
He remembered Quirrell's conversation with the hunchbacked old man clearly last night.
When they confirmed the transaction was in three days, the old man specifically said before speaking, "I'll head over now."
But what actually happened?
He had already checked into the Hogsmeade pub the very day he contacted Quirrell.
Quirrell had chosen the location for the transaction, which clearly showed that the hunchbacked old man didn't trust Quirrell.
He had arrived at the Hogsmeade pub early, perhaps to familiarize himself with the environment beforehand, or perhaps to prepare for the transaction.
This shows that he is a very cautious person.
A cautious person would dare to show his face in the open when conducting such underground transactions, either because the appearance he is showing now is fake. There are many spells in the magical world that can transform a person into another person, besides the Disguise Magus, there is Polyjuice Potion, and even simply using Shapeshifting can do it.
Alternatively, he might have the means to be in the public eye, such as having a group of reliable companions.
Or perhaps he had both: he had used magic to alter his appearance while also having his companions hidden in the shadows to ensure the success of the transaction.
Lynn finished his second butter beer. Now, besides himself, only the hunchbacked old man and his three companions remained in the bar.
He hadn't made any rash moves or tried to approach the hunchbacked old man.
After paying for his drinks, Lynn left the Pighead Bar, found a secluded corner, transformed back into a crow, and flew to a tree next to the bar.
Having judged the hunchbacked old man to be a very cautious person, he dared not linger in the bar any longer; that would be too obvious.
Lynn guessed that the three wizards at the next table were his accomplices, and they would definitely find a safe place to meet.
The Pighead Bar was out of the question, as it was Quirrell's territory, and they would surely consider it unsafe. So they would find another place to meet.
And Lynn's prediction came true.
As evening approached, the two wizards who seemed to be a couple walked out of the bar together, arm in arm, as if they were going for a walk in the small town.
Lynn ignored them, still staring at the hunchbacked old man in the bar.
About twenty or thirty minutes later, the hunchbacked old man left the bar, leaving only the black-robed wizard inside.
Lynn stared at the hunchbacked old man with his scarlet eyes, then spread his wings and flew up, circling above him.
The hunchbacked old man wandered aimlessly through the streets of Hogsmeade. After leaving the Hog's Head, he first went into Dweys & Banshees, a magical equipment shop. He browsed for a short while, seemingly buying nothing, before leaving. He then went to Honeydukes Candy Shop and bought a bag of sweets.
Finally, he headed towards the outskirts of Hogsmeade,
in the direction of the Shrieking Shack.
By this time, Lynn dared not fly openly above him anymore; he hid among the rooftops of the town, trying his best to avoid being seen.
The Shrieking Shack was an abandoned hut that Dumbledore had specially converted to hide the secret of the werewolf student Rupin.
Apart from the secret passage beneath the Whomping Willow, the hut had no windows or doors, making it impossible to enter by normal means.
The old man reached a corner of the hut, where a hole had been dug out sometime during the night, and he climbed inside.
Lynn watched him go in and had no intention of following; not only would it be dangerous, but there was no need for him to.
The hut was entirely constructed of wood, with extremely poor soundproofing. Otherwise, Lupin's wolf howls wouldn't have echoed throughout Hogsmeade when he transformed here.
This was a place he, Cedric, and Ian frequented every month, and Lynn could generally guess which side they would choose.
He landed beside a wooden wall behind the Screaming Shack.
Without reverting to human form, the crow's hearing was much more acute, and Lynn could hear the conversation inside very clearly.
"No, nothing was found today."
"Does this mean that Abros's group doesn't care what we're doing?"
"Don't jump to conclusions."
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(End of Chapter)