Chapter 306: Aftermath and the Locket
Chapter 306: Aftermath and the Locket
Fudge's face was red with embarrassment.
His expression was quite remarkable, a mix of elation and sudden, crushing disappointment. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he stammered, "T-truly, it was spectacular."
Felix said sincerely, "Since the matter is resolved, the Ministry of Magic's Auror team stationed at Hogwarts—"
"Ah, yes, of course they will be withdrawn. The Ministry of Magic is severely understaffed right now..." Fudge immediately agreed, "You know, with the two major events we are handling."
Felix was satisfied and put away his magic, hiding the Dementors he had intercepted from under the Ministry of Magic's Aurors in the ring's hidden compartment. He had used the ring last year to store Blackroot Grass, one of the rewards from his and Belby's adventure in the Forbidden Forest.
As for the number of Dementors, it wasn't many, only a dozen or so. After all, even a performance required some effort.
Felix and Fudge chatted for a bit. Fudge, with a mix of flattery and a hint of appeasement, offered to send Felix the best tickets to the Quidditch World Cup this summer. Although Felix didn't really need them, he smiled and accepted.
"This was indeed a mistake in our work, no, a mistake by certain individuals", Fudge said, glancing at the unconscious Umbridge with disgust, "We will minimize the damage. Please rest assured..."
As he spoke, Umbridge's body began to tremble.
She was pretending to be unconscious, Felix thought. It seemed he had left a significant psychological shadow on this high-ranking Ministry official, who would rather lie on the ground than face him. Or perhaps, she simply didn't want to face the harsh reality...
Fudge hurriedly left with his subordinates, still needing to clean up the mess. The overly confident Fudge had even arranged for journalists to be present. According to his plan, the front-page photo was to be of him escorting Sirius Black out of Hogwarts, declaring with authority that evil would find no place to survive. However, the plan went awry, and the situation spiraled out of control, heading in a completely unpredictable direction.
Umbridge was carried away on a conjured stretcher, floating beside Peter Pettigrew's body. She was utterly despondent, and it was likely she would be sidelined for a long time, unsure when she would regain Fudge's trust.
As they reached the main gate of Hogwarts, Fudge signaled one of his subordinates to go out first. The unfortunate Auror, expressionless, stepped out of the school gates and was immediately blinded by a barrage of flashbulbs. He quickly shielded his face with one hand while waving the other, "Stop! Stop!"
A few minutes later, Fudge cautiously exposed half his face, confirming that all the journalists had been driven away before quickly leading his team away.
In stark contrast to the Ministry of Magic's hasty departure, Hogwarts was a scene of jubilation. Students cheered and raised their wands, shooting streams of sparkling light in various colors—red, green, yellow, blue—creating a spectacular display that resembled a grand fireworks show.
Hermione quietly appeared, giving Felix a thumbs-up and joining in the students' revelry, pretending she had been there all along.
At that moment, a few people from the bridge also approached. Harry was supporting Sirius, while Lupin dragged Severus along behind.
"Harry! Your Patronus was amazing!"
Quidditch team captain Oliver Wood grabbed Harry and, before he could react, lifted him onto the shoulders of the crowd. They cheered and tossed Harry into the air. "We won!" "We won!" The crowd's excitement grew louder with each wave. When Harry reached the highest point, he turned his head and saw Sirius smiling at him. Harry felt a surge of joy in his chest and drew his wand, summoning a silver Stag Patronus that leaped and danced in the air.
A few bold students tried to pull Felix into the celebration, and if he hadn't stopped them, they would have thrown Professor Hup into the air too. However, when Professor Hup gave them a calm stare, the students sheepishly backed off and turned their attention back to Harry.
Later, Dumbledore returned to the Headmaster's Office. He patiently listened to the entire story and smiled, "It seems I missed quite a show." He looked at Sirius and said cheerfully, "Tomorrow, I will visit the Ministry of Magic and discuss your pardon with Fudge."
Professor Mcgonagall said, "The Ministry of Magic will have to concede. Too many people heard Peter Pettigrew's last words."
Dumbledore nodded slightly, "I agree with you, Minerva, but I also know how easily Fudge can be swayed." He paused, moving on from the topic, "Did Peter Pettigrew really mention Voldemort's return? It seems he did quite a bit during his disappearance."
Felix reminded him, "He also found a helper for Voldemort, and we have no idea who this person is."
Dumbledore said gently, "You are right. Voldemort has been barely surviving in the Albanian Forest... but if my predictions are correct, it won't be long before he emerges from the shadows."
"Albanian Forest?"
"According to my sources, he is hiding deep in the forest, possessing various creatures", Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "Perhaps Peter Pettigrew received some help from his little friends."
Felix understood what the Headmaster meant—rats. Peter Pettigrew could communicate with rats.
"But—Albus", Professor Mcgonagall exclaimed, "if he has been there all along, why haven't we—"
"Because we can't do anything about him. He is less substantial than a ghost, like a shadowy wisp. Believe me, Minerva, that must be a painful existence", Dumbledore said.
After leaving the Headmaster's office, Sirius sought out Felix. His expression was quite complex: "I know you are well-versed in old objects..."
"What do you mean?" Felix asked, teasing him. "Are you thinking of selling some Black family heirlooms?"
Sirius smirked. "I'll give you anything you fancy. Don't change the subject. Kreacher told me something about Voldemort and my... brother."
"Your brother?"
"Regulus Arcturus Black. He was different from me. In any case, he stole something from Voldemort and paid the ultimate price. I believe it must be very important to Voldemort."
Felix's expression grew serious. "What is it?"
"A golden locket, dirty and worn, with a Slytherin snake on it. If not for Kreacher's confession, I wouldn't have paid it any mind. There are too many similar trinkets in the house..." Sirius described it in detail.
He continued, "But after studying it for a while, I realized it was extraordinary. Kreacher couldn't destroy it, and neither could I. Even with the most powerful spells, I could only make a small cut, which quickly healed on its own."
Felix stopped in his tracks. Indestructible, self-repairing—these were all characteristics of a Horcrux!
The book "Revealing Advanced Dark Magic" he had seen at the Black Family Manor provided a very detailed description of how Horcruxes are made and their properties—besides being nearly indestructible and resistant to most spells, they also possess a strong ability to repair themselves magically. Without the right method, even shredding or pulverizing a Horcrux would be futile.
The known methods to destroy a Horcrux include the Fiendfyre Curse or a massive influx of magic, but those are means only available to wizards of the Four Founders' level.
"We need to go now!" Felix said decisively.
They turned a corner and saw Harry, who was looking down, lost in thought.
"Harry!" Sirius called out. "Why are you here alone? Aren't you celebrating with your friends?"
Harry stammered, "Not really. I visited Ron, and he's fine, except the Scabbers thing is a bit unsettling... When I came back, I heard you were in the Headmaster's office, so I came to check on you. How are your injuries?"
"Nothing serious. Look, just some minor cuts", Sirius exaggerated, kicking his leg.
Harry smiled, and he said hopefully, "Do you have time now? Are you staying at Hogwarts tonight? I can let you have my bed."
Sirius hesitated, and Felix, understanding, said, "Harry can come with us. We'll bring him back before curfew."
Harry looked at them, puzzled. Leaving the school so late? Where were they going?
When he saw the fire in the professor's office fireplace, he realized, "Floo Powder? I've seen it at Ron's house and used it before..."
He recalled his less-than-pleasant experiences with Floo Powder, the dizziness and disorientation, but he had to admit it was more comfortable than Apparition.
"Don't worry, Harry", Sirius said. "Take a deep breath and remember, 12 Grimmauld Place."
Harry grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and threw it into the fireplace. The flames shot up, turning green. He held his breath and said, "12 Grimmauld Place." His figure vanished.
In the office, Sirius remained still.
"Do you have something to tell me?" Felix asked.
"I actually need your help", Sirius took a deep breath, clenching his fists. "I want to bring Regulus back."
"Regulus? You mentioned earlier..." Felix realized, "He didn't just steal the locket from Voldemort, but from a hidden location?"
Sirius nodded. "I went there, but I couldn't even get through the door."
(End of Chapter)
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