Chapter 641 Step 1

"What can I do to become a Metamorphmagus?" inquired Hermione, intrigued by this spell.

"Metamorphmagi are truly rare, they are born, not made. Most wizards need to use a wand or potions to alter their appearance," stated Tonks. "But you can achieve it through diligent study."

While Hermione and Tonks continued their conversation, Evan and Lupin were also engaged in discussion.

"Evan, don't worry about Tonks. She is one of us. We have known each other for a long time. It has always been this way," Lupin said with a wry smile, gazing helplessly at Tonks, who had changed the color of her hair on the other side of the room. "Perhaps you don't know that her mother, Andromeda, is Sirius' cousin and was also estranged by the Black family."

"Sirius told me that Andromeda was his favorite cousin. By marrying a Muggle-born wizard, she was removed from the Black family tree," Evan commented. "I can trust Tonks... is there anything else? I must go back!"

He was ready to leave. He did not want to linger there, interfering with Lupin and Tonks being alone to explore their feelings. Besides, Sirius and Harry were still waiting for him and Hermione at the Shrieking Shack.

"It's not safe for you two to stay here too long, if anyone finds out, you'll be in trouble!" Lupin nodded, retrieved a cloth bag, and handed it to Evan. "These are the gifts you requested me to buy a while back. They are all crafted by the finest artisans. They are truly exquisite. I personally selected them, and the Selkies should be pleased."

"I hope so!" Evan took it and sighed.

Dealing with the Selkies was truly challenging. After several consecutive communications, he had worked tirelessly just to prevent the Selkies from turning and fleeing at the sight of him, nothing more. To deepen their feelings and trust, he still needed to continue giving them gifts.

Fortunately, during this period of contact, Evan discovered that aside from music, the Selkies enjoyed all sorts of human-made objects such as furniture, mirrors, various jewels, and so forth, which were highly sought after among the Hogwarts' Selkie clan.

For these items, they were willing to trade some herbs and magical materials that grew deep in the lake. Among them, Evan had selected all the precious and rare magical materials for potion-making and alchemy refinement.

The rest of the ordinary objects would be handed over to Fred and George, who were accustomed to creating prank items.

These materials provided by the Selkies far exceeded the original value of the goods exchanged with Evan, and the profit from the transaction was substantial. Even if there were no clues about the secret treasure key of Ravenclaw, he was willing to continue with the transactions.

More than ten minutes later, Evan and Hermione Apparated back to the Shrieking Shack.

Sirius announced that Evan could Apparate alone. He also gave him a copy of Common Errors in Apparition and How to Avoid Them. It was an examination textbook printed by the Ministry of Magic, summarizing various issues and solutions that could arise during Apparition.

Uncertain about how long it would take to communicate and exchange with the Selkies, Evan had decided to act after dinner.

He greeted Hermione and asked her to cover for him.

In the eyes of others, the two, like any other couple, headed to a secret spot in the castle for a post-dinner rendezvous. But in reality, Evan was going to dive alone into the lake outside. Despite Hermione's desire to accompany him, he dissuaded her!

It was not as tranquil under the lake. It was more convenient for him to move alone, and he did not need the distraction of protecting Hermione.

He and Hermione slipped out of the castle, blending in with the crowd after dinner, before the sky was completely dark.

Many Durmstrang students leaned against the side of the ship chatting, and there was laughter and chatter.

Through the towering shadows of the castle and the statues on the lawn, they made their way past Durmstrang's large ship, and Evan walked from the other end towards the lake.

The lake was bitterly cold, and his quickly numbing feet slid over the slime and smooth, slippery stones.

As the bitter wind blew, he shivered, drew his wand, and swiftly cast two spells upon himself.

There was a bubble around Evan's head. It was the Enchantment of the Bubble on the Head!

Under the effect of the warming spell, the lake was no longer cold and biting, just slightly cool. Given the temperature of the environment, it was still uncomfortable to soak in it.

That was one of the reasons Evan didn't let Hermione follow him. On the coldest night of January, it was not a pleasant experience to immerse himself in the dark and cold waters of the lake and encounter rather frightening Merpeople.

Given the choice, he would rather snuggle on the couch next to the warm and cozy fire in the Common Room and read peacefully.

Evan shook his head and finally glanced at Hermione standing on the shore, then turned and plunged into the water.

The silence pressed against his ears as he flew over a strange, dark, and misty landscape, avoiding the places where the giant squid often appeared and the large water plants where Grindylows could be lurking, heading towards the village of the Merpeople at the lake bottom.

The Merpeople colony was very lively that night. It seemed there was a ritual activity, and all the Merpeople emerged from the rugged stones.

As Evan approached, he saw more than two hundred Merpeople gathered all around the square in the center of the village.

They were barely dressed, all with long flowing mane, and their iron-gray skin was painted with strange dye patterns. Occasionally, their powerful silver tails splashed the water.

Her dark green hair was long and unkempt, adorned with shells, corals, and pearls. Thick stone ropes were draped around their necks. The same applied to their bodies, which were adorned with various ornaments.

They were conversing about something, intermittently spewing bubbles as if they were awaiting something.

Evan landed on the edge of the circular plaza, unpacked all the items Lupin had given him from his cloth bag, and placed them at the lake's bottom.

As he discreetly listened to the Merpeople's conversation, he pondered what they were up to.

Upon noticing Evan's presence, many Merpeople faces displayed a trace of joy. It wasn't long before some approached him for trade.

They picked their favorite items from Evan's offerings, then returned to their abodes to gather a plethora of materials for exchange.

The whole bartering process unfolded swiftly and more smoothly than expected.

The Merpeople did not haggle at all, and the materials they gave Evan held substantial value and quantity, far exceeding the actual worth of the goods he brought.