Witcher at Hogwarts

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Sirius hurriedly caught the nail and, after a series of adjustments, finally fixed the velvet curtain in front of the portrait. The old woman behind the picture fell silent at last.

"That's my mother," Sirius said breathlessly.

"Uh, all right," Ethan replied, spreading his hands. He chose not to comment on the matter.

"Tomorrow, I'm taking this portrait down!"

Sirius declared, planting his hands on his hips.

"I'm the only one left in the Black family. I own this house, and I can do whatever I want!"

"The young master is so reckless! He has no conscience!" Kreacher's voice exploded from behind them, breaking the silence.

"He wanted to defile the portrait of the mistress as soon as he returned! Kreacher will never allow it!"

Visibly shaking with anger, Sirius looked like he wanted to kick Kreacher. Ultimately, he restrained himself, leaving the portrait with a huff.

"What exactly are we looking for?" Sirius snapped.

"If we find it, we're leaving immediately. I don't want to stay here for another second!"

"Don't worry, I'm looking," Ethan said calmly.

Soon, Ethan carefully searched the Black family's house. As he did, he noticed the hallway walls were adorned with rows of wrinkled house-elf heads, each sporting a large nose.

"It's a strange house-elf custom," Sirius explained to Ethan. 

"They ask their masters to cut off their heads before they die and hang them as decorations. They see it as an honor."

Ethan frowned at the thought. It was clear that the ancient wizards had done much to brainwash the house elves into accepting such practices.

The two continued, and suddenly, a cabinet next to the room began to tremble violently as if something were struggling inside.

Ethan and Sirius exchanged a glance.

"I'll open the door. Get your wand ready," Sirius whispered.

"When I open it, be prepared to attack whatever comes out."

Ethan nodded, raising his wand. A red light flickered from its tip, ready for action.

When Sirius finally opened the cabinet door with his left hand, Ethan's eyes widened in shock.

A girl with white hair and green eyes, carrying a long sword with a red scabbard, emerged from the cabinet.

It was Ciri.

What was particularly alarming was that Ciri had a thick rope tied around her neck, which was tightening, threatening to hang her. The rope was pressing her slender neck.

"Why did you abandon us, Ethan?" Ciri's voice was cold and filled with resentment.

"Ethan, you killed us all!" Ciri continued, tears suddenly streaming down her face.

Blood-red tears ran down Ciri's smooth cheeks, dripping from her chin. Ethan's eyes widened in shock; he had not expected to see Ciri in such a distressing state.

"Sorry, Ciri, I'm sorry," Ethan muttered.

Ethan stepped forward, intending to hug Ciri and unfasten the noose around her neck.

Sirius observed the scene with growing confusion, unable to comprehend what was happening. When Ciri first appeared from the closet, Sirius had been ready to attack, but he quickly realized that this girl knew Ethan. This revelation left him scratching his head, puzzled by why someone Ethan knew would emerge from his closet.

"Why did you abandon us, Ethan?" Ciri repeated.

"Ethan, this is not right," Sirius said, stepping closer. He noticed that Ethan's state seemed increasingly troubled.

As Sirius approached, Ciri's face began to change. A pair of round, black-rimmed glasses—Harry's—suddenly appeared in Ciri's green eyes. This unexpected transformation deepened Sirius's confusion.

But soon, his mind started to piece things together.

"It's a Boggart!" Sirius exclaimed.

He pushed Ethan aside and stepped before the Boggart, recognizing that Ethan's state was becoming increasingly troubling.

"Riddikulus!" Sirius shouted, pointing his wand at the Boggart.

With a crackling sound, Ciri's disturbing image shifted into a pink pig adorned with a big bow and ribbon.

As the Boggart transformed, Ethan shook himself awake from the nightmarish illusion.

"Is that a Boggart?" Ethan asked hesitantly.

"Yes!"

Sirius confirmed. He swiftly kicked the Boggart, sending it tumbling back into the cabinet. Then, with a quick wave of his wand, he wrapped the cabinet handles securely with two ropes.

"Oh my God!" Ethan rubbed his temples, finally accepting the shock of the Boggart's transformation.

"Let's go," Ethan said slowly.

"Okay," Sirius replied, wisely choosing not to mention the recent events.

The two moved to another room with a distinct atmosphere. It contained a large, somewhat worn tapestry with several holes chewed by pests. Despite its age and damage, the tapestry's former splendor was still evident, with gold threads shimmering in the light.

The tapestry depicted a grand family tree, its branches lush and extensive, with the heads of various Black family members embroidered on it. The family tree stretches back to ancient times.

The inscription "Noble, Most Ancient House of Black, Forever Pure" was in bold letters at the top of the tapestry.

"This is the entire Black family tree," Sirius murmured as he traced the tapestry.

"But why isn't your name on it?" Ethan asked.

"Here," Sirius said, pointing to a small black hole in the tapestry.

"My mother was heartbroken when I ran away at sixteen," Sirius muttered.

"She destroyed my place on the tapestry."

An inexplicable light flickered in his eyes as though he was lost in memories of those past days.