Audrey fled in defeat.
In her imagination, she would be like a Disney princess, sitting on the grass with magical creatures surrounding her, birds chirping, and squirrels squeaking.
However, the reality was that while the magical creatures did surround her, she really couldn't stand the Jobberknoll's screaming and the Niffler frisking her body.
Fortunately, she harvested a large number of special constitutions from the magical beasts.
Unicorn: Extremely strong magical power. Just think about it, her body itself was like a wand—how powerful was that! But the ability to identify virgins... well, that was quite subtle.
Acromantula: Please call me Audrey Gwen Astley. She tried swinging through the forest using spider silk. Hmm, this feel was awesome!
Also, if she really ran out of money, she could spit out some venom; that could serve as an emergency fund.
Niffler: Mom no longer has to worry about me not finding treasures.
Jobberknoll: Others sing for money; you sing for lives. Maybe not fatal, but it would drive people mad.
Bowtruckle: ...Nothing to say.
She had wanted to look for the Keepers' secret vaults from Hogwarts Legacy, but the Forbidden Forest was so large that she probably wouldn't find them in a short time.
Returning to the dormitory, Momo had already made her bed. Lifting the quilt, she saw a layer of glittering gold coins arranged neatly and thoughtfully, fixed to the sheets with magic so she wouldn't feel them while sleeping!
...Hmm, as expected of Momo, he really won her heart!
...
It turned out to be the weekend.
Isaline Windsor came to find Audrey early in the morning. Today they could go to Hogsmeade Village!
To be honest, Audrey didn't want to go. Wasn't it just shopping?
Wouldn't it be better to sleep with that time?
She was ready to stay in her dorm all day! Since Momo would bring meals over, she wouldn't even have to get out of bed!
However, Isaline's hospitality was hard to refuse. In the end, Audrey reluctantly got dressed and left the common room.
Before the ghosts could surround her, she Apparated away with a "crack".
The Grey Lady: "We need to go protest to Dumbledore. How can he grant Apparition privileges to a young wizard?"
The Bloody Baron: "You're right!"
The Grey Lady: "You shut up!"
...
As the only village in Britain inhabited solely by wizards and no Muggles, Hogsmeade remained very popular among wizards.
Audrey seriously suspected that Hogwarts students liked coming here to experience the forbidden thrill of "casting spells outside of school."
Passing through the tall, leaf-shaped stone archway, Audrey and Isaline entered the village hand in hand.
Today was the liveliest day in Hogsmeade; pairs of young wizards could be seen everywhere.
Audrey really couldn't work up any interest. The shops here were much the same as Diagon Alley. If she got bored of Diagon Alley, she could at least go to Knockturn Alley for some excitement, or go sleep in her family's vault at Gringotts.
But here... oh, it was lackluster!
"Audrey, let's go to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop!" Isaline blushed slightly. "I heard the black tea there is very good. I haven't tried it yet!"
Audrey blinked. 'Don't think I don't know the wizarding world! That tea shop is clearly a dating spot for couples!'
Audrey was just about to speak when a voice sounded from behind her: "Miss Audrey Astley, you have made me wait quite a while."
Cold and ruthless.
Audrey turned her head and saw a man wearing a mask over half his face.
Not having seen him for five years, this fellow had aged even more. The exposed half of his face was covered in wrinkles, and his cheeks, which originally had some flesh, now looked like skin and bones.
Bode Gray!
"Isaline, you go ahead first. I need to have a chat with this gentleman."
Audrey smiled and pushed Isaline away, then turned around and said calmly, "Sir, who are you? I don't believe we have ever met."
"Of course not, Miss," Bode said. The temperament cultivated from years of being a butler was truly undeniable. He bowed slightly, his etiquette so standard that one couldn't pick a single fault. "However, I have admired you for a long time, Miss, so I specially came to invite Miss Astley to be a guest at my home."
Audrey smiled. "I might have to disappoint you. I need to finish five years of curriculum within one year, so I have no free time at all. Don't look at me being in Hogsmeade right now; tonight I will have to pay the price by staying up late!"
Bode Gray chuckled softly. "Last time, my subordinates were incompetent and failed to take you away. But now that I have come personally to invite you, I hope Miss will show some respect."
Audrey's pupils constricted slightly.
Water Snake's Fang!
'Good guy, so the one using my name was you, Bode Gray!'
'It was just a guess before, but now it's confirmed!'
Drawing her wand, Audrey fired a Stunning Spell without hesitation.
Bode deflected the spell with his wand. Feeling the force of Audrey's attack, he nodded repeatedly. "As expected of a freshman who only enrolled at sixteen. No wonder those useless subordinates of mine couldn't handle you."
Bode countered with two bursts of magic.
"Protego!"
The memory of being beaten black and blue by him five years ago surged up. Burning with rage and possessed by the Unicorn constitution, Audrey began a frenzied offense.
"Reducto!"
"Expelliarmus!"
Bode deflected the first curse, his brow furrowing instantly. This girl's power was too strong! It was more than double what it had been just a moment ago!
When the second curse flew towards him, he was forced to defend seriously. "Protego!"
Audrey waved her wand: "Leviosa!"
This was a spell popular a century ago. It was of the same lineage as Wingardium Leviosa, but it could work on human bodies and was more potent.
However, because this spell easily caused injuries to the young wizards who were hit, it was gradually abandoned by the school.
At this moment, Audrey's use of it was completely outside Bode's expectations.
Even though he had the Shield Charm up, he was instantly thrown into mid-air.
Audrey knew he possessed flight magic, so she immediately slashed her wand downward.
"Descendo!"
Bode felt as if someone had yanked him hard, smashing him rapidly toward the ground.
This combo was Audrey's favorite when playing Hogwarts Legacy in her past life.
However, Bode merely tapped his wand lightly to negate the slamming force, his body hovering three feet above the ground.
"Truly remarkable talent," he said, narrowing his eyes. "But too wild. You need to be tamed!"
"Infinite Ice!"
Audrey had seen this spell before; it had nearly frozen her when she was in dragon form.
"Protego Diabolica!"
Helpless, Audrey used the Fire Shield. This might expose the relationship between Grindelwald and her, but it was better than being recognized as the dragon itself after transforming.
Bode Gray frowned. 'This girl is related to Grindelwald?' Thinking of the special connection between the sixteen-year-old freshman and Ancient Magic, Bode felt anxious inside:
'Grindelwald! Do you also have designs on Ancient Magic?'
The Infinite Ice and Protego Diabolica were in a stalemate for a moment.
But Audrey began to realize that her magical intensity and total magical reserves were inferior to Bode Gray's.
The cold air was constantly compressing the range of the blue flames, closing in on her!
She waved her wand violently, and the flagstone ground suddenly turned into stone spikes, stabbing toward Bode.
Bode hopped back slightly, tapped his wand, and restored the stone spikes.
But with just this one-second delay, Audrey had already turned and run. Before fleeing, she made the Protego Diabolica transform into a fire dragon and fly towards Hogwarts Castle.
Apparition?
She hadn't learned the wizard version of Apparition yet, and the House-elf version made too much noise; it would easily lead Bode to link Audrey and Hydrus together!
Besides, she wasn't just running away; she actually had a counterattack plan.
Target: Dogweed and Deathcap!
It was a shop that sold magical plants and seeds!
Don't assume Hufflepuff's plant magic is mediocre; that is bona fide Ancient Magic!
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]