Chapter 224: Dementor Origin
Chapter 224: Dementor Origin
Dumbledore thought for a moment and said, "This involves a terrifying Dark Wizard from the 15th century, Aextis. He was one of the earliest known residents of Azkaban, which was then just an unknown island in the North Sea, sealed off by Concealment Charms."
"Although history is rife with Dark Wizards labeled as 'evil,' Aextis's malevolence was ingrained in his very bones. He had no mercy for any living being, and it was he who created the Dementor species through cruel methods."
Felix was surprised. "Dementors were created by a wizard? Like the Hinkypunk?" He had no idea this was a secret of the wizarding world.
"The Hinkypunk is an accidental creation, but the Dementor is not", Dumbledore shook his head. "When Aextis died and the Concealment Charms failed, people discovered his deeds. By then, the Dementors had already become an independent species. At first, there were only a dozen of them, but they can reproduce and split like fungi, and conventional spells are nearly ineffective against them."
Felix asked, puzzled, "If that's the case, their numbers should have already become uncontrollable. But in reality, they are few in number and used by the Ministry of Magic?"
Dumbledore explained, "The Ministry of Magic has more of a partnership with the Dementors. These creatures seem to have a magical collective consciousness, and their population remains within a certain range. However, if their numbers drop below a certain threshold, they will split on their own. Perhaps this is a form of reproduction?"
Felix began to understand how Dementors existed. He couldn't help but ask, "Besides the Patronus Charm, are there any other spells that are effective? I mean, spells that can completely kill a Dementor?"
"Very difficult, Felix, very difficult", Dumbledore said.
Felix wanted to press further, but Dumbledore clearly didn't want to discuss it more. Their conversation soon came to an end.
...
In the morning, the young wizards woke up, unaware of what had transpired just a few hours earlier.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor long table, eating breakfast. Every so often, an owl would fly in, and Hermione looked at the Great Hall entrance with anticipation.
"Are you waiting for a letter?" Ron asked.
"Oh, I sent an owl to Flourish and Blotts to buy a book", Hermione said absentmindedly. "It doesn't look like it will arrive today."
Ron noticed Harry seemed a bit down and suggested, "After your training this weekend, we can visit Hagrid. To be honest, the three-headed dog is quite cute now that it's smaller. I finally agree with Hagrid's taste..."
Harry perked up. "It might be a bit late. Wood usually trains until dark."
Ron shrugged. "Let's hope Hagrid doesn't kick us out again." At the beginning of the school year, they had visited Hagrid at night, worried he might be fired. Hagrid had personally escorted them back to the castle and warned them to only visit him during the day.
Hermione was about to comment when Professor Mcgonagall suddenly entered the Great Hall. She called out, "Potter, come here!"
Harry put down his fork and knife, bewildered. Had he done something wrong? Ron and Hermione exchanged glances and followed him.
"Weasley and Granger... you might as well stay", Professor Mcgonagall didn't dismiss the uninvited pair. She looked at Harry seriously. "Where is your Scrying Mirror? The one for Black!"
Harry carefully pulled out the miniature Scrying Mirror from his pocket. It lay quietly in his hand, and Professor Mcgonagall visibly relaxed.
"Professor, what's going on?" Hermione asked softly.
"I shouldn't keep this from you any longer, Potter", Professor Mcgonagall said. "I know you might be shocked, but I have to tell you, Black—"
"I know everything", Harry said angrily. "I know he's after me, that's why he escaped from Azkaban! I also know he was close friends with my father, even his best man. He, he was—"
Harry couldn't continue. The word "godfather" made him feel insulted, as if his deceased parents were being dishonored along with him.
Professor Mcgonagall seemed utterly shocked, staring at him with wide eyes. "I see, well, I thought—"
"You should understand, then, why I insisted you carry the Scrying Mirror with you at all times. It can protect you", she said, pursing her lips. "This morning, before dawn, the castle's Scrying Mirror sounded the alarm."
Harry stammered, "Is it the Scrying Mirror in my hand? But it's been in my pocket the whole time and hasn't shown any signs of anything unusual."
Ron's face also showed a lingering sense of fear. He clutched his pocket tightly and whispered, "Stay still, Scabbers!"
Professor Mcgonagall clenched and unclenched her fists, seemingly hesitant to reveal the information. Previously, to keep it secret, only Felix, Dumbledore, and she knew that the Scrying Mirror was not just one but three. Now, however, it was no longer a secret.
Hermione, standing nearby, chimed in, "Professor Mcgonagall, I saw from Professor Hep that there are three identical Scrying Mirrors, with the other two placed elsewhere. I guess one is at the castle gates..."
Professor Mcgonagall sighed, "Very well, Granger, as you say... one is at the front gate, and one is at the back gate."
Harry wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed. "So, he was loitering around the castle gates?"
"Most likely", Professor Mcgonagall replied. "The professors were all roused early and conducted a thorough search of the castle, but found nothing. The portraits inside the castle also didn't spot any strangers, which suggests—"
"He knew he had been exposed and fled early", Harry said.
"Exactly, Potter", Professor Mcgonagall confirmed. "Since you understand, I trust you are prepared. Some activities are not suitable—"
"Hogsmeade—" Harry blurted out, his heart leaping to his throat.
Hogsmeade was a village entirely inhabited by wizards. Third-year and older young wizards, with parental or guardian permission, could visit the village on specific days during the school year.
He and Ron had discussed this just last night. Harry had told Ron that he hadn't gotten Uncle Vernon's signature, and Ron had suggested he try Professor Mcgonagall.
Now it seemed that plan was about to fall through.
Professor Mcgonagall glanced at him, her expression stern. "You certainly won't be going to Hogsmeade. I'm talking about Quidditch. To be honest, allowing you to train is far too dangerous, even with other players around. One person alone can't handle Black."
"Professor Mcgonagall", Harry couldn't help but shout, "What does this have to do with my training?"
"Of course it does. Black is likely hiding in Hogsmeade or deep in the Forbidden Forest", Professor Mcgonagall delivered the news like a bolt of lightning. "The Quidditch pitch is too far from the castle. If anything happens, we won't be able to reach you in time."
"But, but..." Harry stammered. He had already started training this year, three times a week. Wood, ambitious as ever, had told him they aimed to win the Quidditch Cup again, as a graduation gift for him.
The other players, buoyed by last year's victory, were also full of confidence.
But now, before the first match had even begun, the trophy seemed to be slipping away.
Harry suddenly had an idea and said urgently, "Professor Mcgonagall, what if a professor oversees us, like Madam Hooch..."
Professor Mcgonagall remained silent, her lips pressed together.
"Please..." Harry pleaded.
"Very well", Professor Mcgonagall relented, "I will ask Madam Hooch to supervise your training, and you must return to the castle before dark. I will also come by when I have the time."
She hurried off, as the morning's events had left her with much to handle.
(End of Chapter)
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