Chapter 379: Affinity
Chapter 379: Affinity
Sherlock stared at the small boat floating eerily on the lake, lost in thought.
"He used some magic on this boat, so only one of us can board it."
As Sherlock spoke, Dumbledore had already approached the boat. He gently touched the edge, examining it as if he were a carpenter studying the materials used.
"Yes, he did use magic on this boat, but at that time, his magic power wasn't as strong, or perhaps he subconsciously overlooked something."
Dumbledore raised his wand.
"The magic on this boat restricts adult wizards. Riddle didn't consider young wizards under sixteen or other non-human magical creatures. He believed no one like that would find this place, so there's a loophole we can exploit."
As he spoke, he waved his wand.
With just a simple flick and a shake, Dumbledore's body underwent a remarkable transformation.
His entire form rapidly shrank, and his black robe transformed into pitch-black feathers. Within two seconds, he had turned into a crow.
The crow Dumbledore gracefully flapped his wings and landed on Sherlock's shoulder. He opened his sharp beak and directed Sherlock with his still elderly voice.
"Alright, we can board now, Sherlock. Remember, don't touch the lake water while on the boat."
Sherlock, who had seen such extraordinary transformations before, didn't show much surprise.
Sherlock stepped into the ghostly boat. As he boarded, it began to move on its own, gliding toward the center of the lake.
"I can understand transforming into a small animal like a bird, but why a crow, Professor?" Sherlock asked.
Dumbledore, perched on his shoulder, brought up another topic.
"Do you know why Fawkes follows me?"
"Because you helped it?"
"Perhaps, but the main reason is my family. Each member is naturally attuned to phoenixes. That's why Fawkes, a creature that generally doesn't like wizards, chose to follow me. You, Sherlock, also have a similar affinity."
Sherlock couldn't help but touch his forehead.
"You mean a crow?"
"Exactly. This affinity can be seen from your Patronus Charm or Animagus form. You are naturally favored by the crow species. My transformation and presence on you will make the boat's magic more likely to be confused."
Sherlock muttered under his breath.
"Being favored by crows, I wonder if that's a good thing or a bad thing."
At that moment, Dumbledore didn't continue the conversation but instead focused on the lake bottom around the boat. Pale figures flickered in the depths, following them.
"They are following us from beneath the boat."
Sherlock, of course, had already noticed the Inferi trailing below them.
"But they don't seem to have any intention to attack."
"Perhaps they haven't detected that we aren't Voldemort, or they might be following other instructions."
Just then, the boat seemed to hit something solid and abruptly stopped moving.
Sherlock stood up and saw a rocky island in the middle of the lake.
The island was about the size of Dumbledore's office, with a surface so smooth that it was clearly not formed naturally.
After stepping onto the island, Dumbledore transformed back into his human form. He and Sherlock stood side by side, looking at a stone platform in the center of the island, where something resembling a Pensieve was placed.
They approached the platform and saw the contents of the stone basin.
It was a basin full of emerald-green liquid, emitting a faint, eerie glow.
Sherlock frowned as he looked at the liquid.
He wasn't worried about not being able to identify the liquid; rather, he was concerned that the Crescent Mark on his left arm had not reacted at all, even though they were here.
This obvious discrepancy made Sherlock feel a growing sense of unease.
"Are you sure this is where Voldemort hid a Horcrux, Professor? Is it possible that something else important to him is hidden here instead?"
Dumbledore didn't share Sherlock's sense of crisis. He shook his head and said,
"What could Voldemort deem important enough to hide so meticulously? Given his pride, I can't think of anything else that would require such effort other than a Horcrux."
"But something still doesn't feel right", Sherlock didn't hide his concerns and spoke frankly, "You know that the magic my mother left me can detect the presence of a Horcrux. But here, that magic hasn't given me any feedback, Professor. This is very strange!"
Dumbledore didn't dismiss Sherlock's words. Looking at the emerald-green liquid in the stone basin, he also frowned slightly.
"Perhaps some magic is blocking your perception? Like this liquid, for example."
He extended his wand and tapped the stone basin, then tried to reach into the liquid but was stopped by an invisible barrier.
"This liquid cannot be penetrated by hand, cannot be separated, scooped out, or drained, nor can it be made to disappear with a vanishing spell, transformed by magic, or altered in any way."
"It might also be blocking the perception left by your mother's magic."
But Sherlock still felt something was off.
The magic Selena left him was rooted in the soul, and the detection of a Horcrux was naturally on a soul level.
No matter how strange the liquid in the basin was, it was still a physical substance. How could a physical substance affect soul-level perception?
However, neither Dumbledore nor Sherlock was willing to leave without accomplishing their goal.
Looking at the liquid in the basin, Dumbledore clearly had a plan.
"This must be the last obstacle he designed. Since no other methods work, his intention should be clear."
He waved his wand, and a goblet suddenly appeared in his other hand.
Sherlock didn't need to guess to know what Dumbledore was about to do.
"Wait, Professor—"
But before Sherlock could finish, Dumbledore interrupted him.
"There's no need to argue with me over this, Sherlock. I am much older and wiser than you, and my value is much less."
(End of Chapter)
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