章 25: Old Luke Said.....
John continued his story, his voice heavy with years of pain.
"After escaping that camp, I managed to find work in a tavern. I threw myself into the job, worked tirelessly, and saved every Galleon to afford the Wolfsbane Potion," John said, his eyes clouded with distant memories. "But being a werewolf is a burden you can't hide forever. When the full moon came, I'd take leave, hide in the woods, and wait for the transformation to end. Over time, people grew suspicious. When they found out, fear spread, and the tavern emptied. The manager, though reluctant, gave me some money and told me to leave quietly at night. He didn't want trouble."
John's face darkened as he continued. "This became my life—moving from place to place. No matter how hard I worked, once they discovered I was a werewolf, I was shunned. Desperate and alone, I eventually made my way back to Old Luke's potion shop."
A soft smile tugged at the corners of John's mouth as he remembered his old mentor. "When I entered the shop, there he was, sitting in his usual chair behind the counter. His hair was whiter, and his face looked more tired than I remembered. I didn't want to wake him, so I waited. When he finally stirred, his reaction surprised me. He jumped up and scolded me fiercely, demanding to know where I'd been. He said he'd searched the forest many times and feared the worst. I hesitated but eventually told him the truth—that I'd been attacked, turned into a werewolf."
John paused, his voice trembling with emotion. "I thought he'd drive me away like everyone else. But instead, Old Luke stood there for a long time, his eyes filling with tears. Then, without warning, he hugged me tightly and kept saying it was his fault, that he should've never let me go into the forest alone. He treated me no differently, not even after learning the truth."
John's smile turned bittersweet. "I stayed at the shop, helping him with the potions. Old Luke even began buying Wolfsbane Potion in bulk. To outsiders, he pretended to sell it for profit, but in truth, it was all for me. He wanted to protect me and my secret. Whenever the full moon approached, he'd lock me in a small house outside the city and stand watch nearby, waiting for the transformation to pass."
John's voice faltered, but he pressed on. "I thought life could stay that way, but eventually, people in the town discovered what I was. They demanded Old Luke send me away. Instead, he went to the Ministry of Magic, registered me as a werewolf, and vouched for me personally. He gave them his word that I would never harm anyone."
Tears welled up in John's eyes. "But it wasn't enough. The townspeople avoided the shop. They spread rumors and refused to do business with Old Luke. Despite everything, he never wavered. He stood by me, even when it cost him his livelihood. I couldn't let him suffer anymore. One night, I packed a few bottles of Wolfsbane Potion and slipped away while he was asleep."
John's voice grew quieter. "Since then, I've been wandering. Whenever someone finds out what I am, I move on. In Athens, I met a group that promised me work. I was desperate, out of Wolfsbane, and couldn't resist. But I didn't know they were planning to steal the Kamer beast. If I'd known, I swear I wouldn't have gone along with it."
He looked up, his gaze filled with resolve. "Old Luke always told me, 'Being a werewolf doesn't make you a monster. It's what's inside that counts.' I've held onto those words. I don't want to be a monster. I want to live like a normal person and honor Old Luke's faith in me."
John sat quietly after finishing his story, waiting for Newt's decision.
Newt stepped aside with David and Queenie to discuss. "What do you think?" he asked softly.
"It's all true," Queenie said with a sad smile, her voice trembling. She had peered into John's memories and seen the raw truth.
David nodded. "I believe him too."
Tina joined them, her expression firm but kind. "Should we let him stay? He could help us."
Newt hesitated before nodding. "Let's give him a chance. He can stay here as my assistant, but we'll take precautions to ensure everyone's safety. He deserves that much."
Tina delivered the news to John, who stared at her in disbelief. Tears filled his eyes as he repeatedly bowed his head in gratitude. Though bound by his past, he now had a sliver of hope for the future.
Newt immediately set about creating a secure area in the forest where John could safely transform during full moons. He also placed an order for a steady supply of Wolfsbane Potion. Until then, John would remain in the enchanted case, both for his safety and everyone else's.
Over the following days, John began assisting Newt. Though hesitant at first, he gradually found comfort in their trust. For the first time in years, John felt something he thought he'd lost forever—hope.
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