Chapter 21: The Dark Lord's Relic is at Hogwarts!
Chapter 21: The Dark Lord's Relic is at Hogwarts!
Library.
Felix was engrossed in his books, oblivious to the world outside.
Yesterday's Open Class seemed to have had no effect on him, despite the fact that he was the direct cause of the commotion.
With his left hand flipping pages and his right hand gripping his wand, he traced Runic Scripts in the air, which appeared and then vanished. Madam Pince, the librarian, watched him intently, having observed Felix for over half an hour.
Madam Pince was a thin, elderly woman who looked somewhat malnourished. However, she was perfectly suited for her role as the Library's custodian, as she loved books with a passion and had a keen sense of smell, allowing her to quickly identify and punish students who violated the rules.
If a student dared to wave their wand around in the Library, she would immediately expel them. However, Felix was a professor, which gave her pause.
Fortunately, Felix soon left with two books, relieving her of her dilemma.
Back in his office, Felix retrieved a piece of chestnut wood from his suitcase. Magic flowed through his engraving tool, etching Ancient Runes onto the surface of the chestnut wood.
Chestnut wood was a wand-making material, but it was neutral and inexpensive, making it ideal for Felix to practice his Ancient Runes.
The magic-infused engraving tool left Runic Script symbols on the chestnut wood, each one glowing with a fiery red light before fading into a black mark.
Felix's speed in carving Runic Scripts was impressive, causing the chestnut wood to flicker continuously. His tool danced as if he were not just engraving symbols, but crafting an immortal masterpiece.
After a few minutes, Felix filled the surface of the chestnut wood. He then waved his wand over it, and a thin layer of wood peeled off and floated to the other side of the table.
Felix picked up his engraving tool again and continued his work.
By the time the chestnut wood had shortened by three inches, he stopped and stretched.
On one corner of the table, a stack of thirty thin wood slices, each resembling a page, was covered in black Ancient Runes.
Felix calculated a number in his mind and nodded in satisfaction. "272 Runic Scripts—this is the power I currently command."
He stood up and gazed out the window, feeling content. Returning to Hogwarts had been the right decision.
This is the life I want!
"Whoosh!"
An owl flew in through the window and dropped a letter on the table.
Felix opened the envelope and read the letter, his brow furrowing.
It was a letter from an old acquaintance.
Although Felix had only graduated three years ago and had truly traveled for just one year, that year had been filled with rich experiences, broadening his horizons and expanding his network. He could name the nearest magical black market in any corner of the world, even with his eyes closed.
The letter was from a friend he had met at one of these black markets.
Felix pulled out a parchment and quickly wrote a message, inviting the friend to meet at the Boar's Head Inn in Hogsmeade on Saturday.
Even after the owl had flown away, he was still pondering the friend's intentions.
He recalled their first meeting.
The man called himself Cline, always wearing his hood and keeping his face shrouded in mystery, making it impossible to discern his true identity.
Cline operated on the principle of fair trade, dealing in rare magical manuscripts, potent potions, and magical creatures.
Felix had conducted seven transactions with him, and both had been scrupulously honest.
So, he was also very curious about why Cline had sought him out. Of course, he was even more curious about what new goods this friend had recently acquired.
Saturday morning at ten o'clock.
Felix arrived at the Boar's Head Pub. It was still early, and there was only one customer.
Felix walked up to the customer's table, saw the familiar misty face covering, and smiled as he sat down. As he took his seat, the two figures became faintly visible, and their voices were completely isolated from the outside world.
"Cline."
"Felix." This was a gender-neutral voice, impossible to distinguish whether it belonged to a man or a woman, or even to guess the age.
The magical world was not short of such mysterious figures, each with their own reasons. Some might be dark Wizards, or they might have committed some crime and were evading their enemies, or perhaps it was just a perverse hobby.
"What do you want with me?"
"To gather information."
"About what?"
"The Dark Lord's heirloom."
Felix fell silent for a few seconds, his mind racing.
"Alright, but you have to tell me your source first."
Cline tapped his fingers on the table edge, seemingly weighing his options, but he quickly said one word, "Wagadu."
"You approached those Mad Seers?" Felix was somewhat surprised. Wagadu was a magical school in Africa, where Wizards only started using wands in the 20th century, which made their development path different from that of other countries.
For example, they still practiced a branch of divination magic, known as Seers, though outsiders called them Mad Seers.
This was because the divination magic they used was actually a form of dark magic, and each prophecy required a price—such as a limb from your body.
Most crucially, the prophecies weren't always accurate...
When Cline mentioned Wagadu, the only thing Felix could think of was this, as Africa and Britain had no connection, and there was no interaction between them.
"Go on." Felix said, his interest piqued. Given Cline's character, he wouldn't have consulted a charlatan Seer. For a skilled Seer to make a prophecy, the price he paid must have been significant.
"The prophecy states that the Dark Lord's heirloom will remain at Hogwarts for a year."
Felix felt a chill, "What specifically is the heirloom?"
"Unclear, but it's known to be very evil."
Felix was speechless. If you're not clear, what's the point of all this effort!
And evil, do you think you're an Auror?
Seemingly sensing Felix's skepticism, Cline added, "I requested the prophecy of the secret to transcending death."
Almost instantly, Felix intensified his Occlumency, feigning surprise, "Say that again?"
"Transcending death."
"But the Dark Lord is already dead."
"The prophecy is what it is."
"You can check it yourself."
"Hogwarts has Dumbledore."
"Are you afraid of him?"
Cline chuckled twice. Although Felix couldn't see through the mist on his face, he knew the other person's expression wasn't good.
Felix pretended to be "pondering" for a long time before speaking, "Thank you for the information, but I can't guarantee that I will obtain the heirloom. I can only promise that I won't betray you and go alone to uncover the Dark Lord's secrets."
Cline thought for a moment and said, "Agreed."
The two extended their hands, touching index fingers, and a golden pattern bloomed.
This was a temporary magical contract, lasting one year. If breached, there would be no specific punishment for Felix, but Cline would always know his location!
If you're not afraid of a mysterious Wizard's retribution, you can easily break the contract.
(End of Chapter)
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