At that moment, the Gryffindor students erupted into thunderous cheers, their applause surging like a tidal wave into the sky, celebrating Lin Mei's victory. Smiling, Lin Mei held the golden Snitch high, letting it gleam in the sunlight. This was his moment of glory—his pride.
This match was not just a test of speed and skill; it was a testament to courage and determination. Lin Mei's performance sent a clear message: no matter the obstacles or challenges, as long as we have dreams in our hearts and the will to persist, nothing is impossible.
"Thank you all for watching today's Quidditch match. I am your commentator, and I can assure you—this game will forever be etched in our memories. It will become legend, inspiring us to push forward and surpass our limits!"
Amidst the deafening cheers, Lin Mei found himself unusually exhilarated. He clenched the golden Snitch in his right hand, raising it in triumph, silently vowing to continue his journey to greatness.
Ten days later, after the Quidditch match, Lin Mei took the first-year exams and emerged as the top student in his grade. Around the same time, Harry Potter regained consciousness.
Following the graduation banquet, Lin Mei made his way to Diagon Alley, preparing to stock up on supplies he needed.
"Lin! Just throw me a few gold coins, will you? You know I spent all the gems you gave me last time."
As Lin Mei walked through Diagon Alley, he suddenly realized that his finances were in dire straits—all his money had been funneled into alchemy.
"Impossible. No money!" he declared, turning stingy in an instant.
Alchemy was an expensive pursuit, practically a bottomless pit for gold. Even someone like Lin Mei, known for his generosity, was beginning to feel the strain. Lin, who usually had access to his vault, was even more distressed. If it weren't for how much Lin Mei meant to her, she might have refused to lend him any more money.
Lin Mei let out a bitter chuckle. He was well aware of how outrageous his recent expenditures had been. If only he had magic stones—those legendary stones that could transmute ordinary rocks into gold.
As he pondered ways to replenish his funds, he suddenly felt an ominous presence. Several ragged, unkempt wizards lurking in the shadows had their eyes locked onto him.
"Lin, do you sense that?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.
Even though the individuals cloaking themselves in malice tried to remain hidden, Lin Mei's sharp instincts pinpointed them with ease.
"There are about eleven of them. They just emerged from the side alley."
Just then, the owner of Flourish and Blotts frantically waved at Lin Mei, his anxious expression pleading for him to leave at once.
Lin Mei, unfazed, strolled casually toward the bookstore. His confidence and skill left no room for hesitation.
The shopkeeper grew even more flustered. But as he noticed the wary glares from certain figures in the crowd, he quickly quieted down, pretending not to have seen anything.
"Long time no see, madam!" Lin Mei greeted warmly, stepping into the bookstore.
The owner, who had always recommended practical books to him, was someone he was quite familiar with.
"Mr. Lin Mei, you shouldn't be in Diagon Alley right now! Don't you know that ever since you were seen with those gems last time, you've been marked by some very dangerous wizards?" she whispered urgently.
Lin Mei's eyes gleamed with interest rather than fear. He had been wondering how to make some quick money, and now, trouble had come knocking at his door.
"If everyone knows about these criminals, why doesn't the Auror Office deal with them?" he asked curiously.
The shopkeeper sighed and lowered her voice. "The Aurors do what they can, but their numbers are limited. Those wretches in the alley are slippery, always finding loopholes in the law. Worse, some influential wizarding families have ties to the dark forces, making the situation even more complicated."
She looked at him with concern. "Mr. Lin Mei, you must be careful. Those people have no regard for rules. They will stop at nothing to get what they want."
Lin Mei's lips curled into a sly smile, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Thank you for the warning. But as it happens, I have some unfinished business of my own. Their appearance might just be the opportunity I need."
When the shopkeeper heard this, his eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected Lin Mei to remain so composed in the face of danger. He opened his mouth to protest, but before he could say a word, Lin Mei had already turned and strode toward the lurking figures watching him from the shadows.
"Lin, are you ready? Looks like we're about to play a little cat-and-mouse game," Lin Mei mused silently. His steps were light, almost carefree, as if the impending confrontation didn't concern him in the slightest.
The ragged wizards exchanged glances, momentarily taken aback by his bold approach. But their hesitation quickly faded, and they moved to encircle him. The leader curled his lips into a sneer. "Boy, I hear you've got quite the stash of valuables on you. Be smart—hand them over. Otherwise, don't blame us for being rough."
Lin Mei stopped, scanning his surroundings before flashing a smile. "Oh? Rough, you say? I'd love to see how you plan to manage that."
Before the words had fully left his lips, Lin Mei vanished in a blur, weaving through the group like a shadow. In a heartbeat, he darted into a narrow, dimly lit alley.
"Boss! That fool actually ran into Knockturn Alley on his own!"
"Hah! Seems he's got a death wish. Walking right into our turf? Big mistake." The leader smirked before motioning for his men to follow. Without hesitation, they charged after him into the darkness.
Lin Mei moved swiftly through the alley, his breath steady, his mind clear. He wasn't fleeing—far from it. This was an opportunity. A perfect chance to test his strength and perhaps extract some useful information from these thugs.
"Lin, keep an eye on their movements. Make sure we don't lose them," he thought, focusing inwardly. With that, he picked up speed, racing deeper into the winding alleys.
Knockturn Alley was as sinister as ever—lined with shadowy shops and unsettling creatures lurking in the corners. But Lin Mei paid them no mind. Nimbly sidestepping obstacles, he searched for the ideal location to turn the tables on his pursuers.
Finally, he halted in front of an abandoned warehouse, its walls draped in cobwebs, dust thick in the air. Turning on his heel, he faced the approaching wizards, a playful smirk dancing across his lips.
"Took you long enough," he taunted. "I was starting to think you got lost."
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