In fact, there was another important reason why Harry thought this way.
It was because Adrian had once told him that when he was at school, professors would occasionally design interesting challenges for students to overcome, and then reward them.
However, what Harry didn't realize was that professors wouldn't design a challenge involving something as dangerous as a three-headed dog.
Harry decided that once he had learned enough magic, he would try to go into that room on the fourth floor again.
As for the three-headed dog? Guru should be able to handle it.
Even if it couldn't, Guru could protect them from the three-headed dog's jaws, just like last time.
The day before Christmas was the day Adrian would leave for America.
At Afternoon.
To avoid the protective spells of Hogwarts affecting his Portkey, Adrian went outside the main gate. He carried only one standard-sized suitcase. Of course, this wasn't a real suitcase, but a portable portal disguised as a suitcase.
After preparing everything, Adrian reached into his pocket and grasped the silver teaspoon.
In an instant, Adrian felt as if he was being lifted by the back of his collar. When he came to his senses, he had arrived at another place. Indeed, the Portkey was simple, convenient, and could be used anytime, anywhere.
Adrian looked around and found himself standing in a wide corridor.
Since this wasn't his first visit, Adrian walked familiarly into a room nearby with a sign reading "Foreign Visitors Reception (New York)."
The furnishings inside were very simple—just a wooden desk, two chairs, and a fireplace in the corner.
"Good morning, sir," a middle-aged man behind the desk raised his head and said listlessly, "You're the first one today."
Adrian sat down in the chair in front of the desk and smiled, "You're on duty again this year, Mr. Brandt?"
The middle-aged man named Brandt found a form among the pile of documents on the desk, handed it to Adrian, and frowned, "I never understand why they always use coin flipping to decide the Christmas duty roster... Ah, Adrian Westeros, right? I still remember your name."
"Yes, sir."
Adrian took the form, which was used to register some of his information and his upcoming itinerary.
After filling out the form, Brandt glanced at it briefly and then said, "Same as usual, sir, I need to check your luggage."
Adrian obediently handed the briefcase to Brandt.
While carefully examining it, Brandt complained, "I don't know when it started, but people always like to cast Undetectable Extension Charms on their suitcases, giving us a lot more work—you wouldn't believe it, a few years ago we found a bunch of magical creatures in an old wizard's suitcase..."
"I wouldn't do that," Adrian gave him a reassuring smile.
Adrian indeed hadn't cast an Undetectable Extension Charm; he had simply made his briefcase into a portal.
After being disguised, it was no different from an ordinary briefcase, and magic specifically designed to detect Undetectable Extension Charms certainly wouldn't detect it.
After checking the luggage, Brandt nodded, "No problem, Mr. Westeros. Do you need to use the fireplace?"
"Of course."
"Alright," Brandt handed a small bag of Floo powder to Adrian and said casually, "Wizards from Britain always have a soft spot for fireplaces. Good luck, Mr. Westeros."
"Thank you for your help." Adrian took the Floo powder and stepped into the fireplace. "Tia Morrison General Hospital."
With a flash of green flames, Adrian's figure disappeared from the fireplace.
Tia Morrison General Hospital was a famous hospital in the American wizarding world, and Adrian's parents worked there.
Adrian stepped out of the fireplace, and a strong herbal smell hit him. The main hall of Tia Morrison General Hospital was still as quiet as ever, with very few people.
Although this hospital was very famous, because of its expensive fees, not many wizards would choose this hospital when they got sick, unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Adrian—"
A familiar voice came from beside Adrian.
His adoptive mother, Leah, was walking quickly from the side hall corridor of the hospital. She wore a deep green healer's robe, her brown-black was hair loosely tied at the back of her head, with a delighted smile on her face.
"Mom." Adrian gently hugged his mother.
Then, Adrian looked around and found no sign of his father. Logically, his father should have come with his mother to greet him.
Soon, Adrian's mother answered his question.
Leah sighed, gently arranging Adrian's slightly messy collar: "Your father suddenly received news yesterday that a very rare herb had been discovered in a nearby market. You know his personality—couldn't he just go another day? It's really frustrating..."
Adrian nodded; this was indeed very much like his father's style. However, everything he did was to cure his daughter's illness, which Adrian understood very well.
Then, Leah suddenly put on a stern face and began to scold Adrian: "And you—I've told you many times to send me a letter every few months, so what did you do? Nine months and three days! Not a single word..."
Just like before, Adrian immediately relaxed after hearing the familiar nagging. After listening to his mother's lecture for a long time, Adrian finally had a chance to ask.
"Where's Ariana? How is she doing?"
Yes, Ariana was the name of Adrian's sister. It was quite a coincidence.
The same name as Dumbledore's sister from the original story, Ariana Dumbledore.
It was because of this name that Adrian remembered she had received quite a bit of attention from Dumbledore when they were at Hogwarts.
Hearing Adrian's inquiry, Leah's expression immediately darkened, and she shook her head slightly: "Still the same, always in a coma."
Adrian nodded slowly; this was within his expectations.
"I'll go see her."
"It's room no. eighteen, the same one as before," Leah nodded, walking in front of Adrian.
They walked along a corridor paved with deep blue carpet. After passing several corners and two flights of stairs, they entered a room with a "No Entry" sign at the door.
Inside the room was only a bed, a wooden table, and a small Christmas tree beside the bed. The heavy curtains were drawn back a bit, allowing a bit of sunlight to fall on the bed.
Ariana lay quietly there, eyes closed, looking very peaceful. She had the same blue eyes and brown-black long hair as Adrian's mother.
All these years, Ariana had maintained this state. Even her facial features hadn't changed, still retaining the soft outlines of a young girl, as if time had frozen on her.
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