Chapter 600: Assistance (Happy New Year to Everyone!)
Chapter 600: Assistance (Happy New Year to Everyone!)
Clang.
Harry fell onto the cold stone floor, his scar burning fiercely, and the remnants of the battle between himself and Headmaster Dumbledore still lingering in his mind.
No, that wasn't him—it was Voldemort!
After adjusting his crooked glasses, he noticed the single desk he had knocked over, the exam paper pressed under his thigh, and the students around him looking bewildered and frightened. Professor Toffey pushed through the crowd, his eyes filled with concern, and a more complex emotion Harry couldn't quite place.
"Potter, are you alright?"
"I—yes—I'm fine", Harry panted, avoiding the wrinkled face and the concerned looks from Hermione, Ron, and Neville, who were trying to push through the crowd. He lowered his head, the red light in his eyes slowly fading.
"It might have been a nightmare. The students are under a lot of pressure these days", Professor Hup's voice came from the crowd.
"Yes, I had a nightmare", Harry said, relieved to have an excuse.
"But you said—"
Professor Toffey glared at Harry, then glanced at the students pressing closer and decided not to press further. "Alright, Potter. Can you continue the exam? Have you finished your paper?"
"I have", Harry lied.
He still had a few questions unanswered and hadn't reviewed his paper, but he didn't think he could focus in his current state. Professor Hup's words in class—"Never go into battle unprepared; many outcomes are decided before they even happen"—rang true in this moment.
Harry realized the consequences: he would fail his History of Magic exam.
"Then I'll take you to the Hospital Wing", Professor Toffey said.
"No, I don't need to. I can—um—go outside for some air."
Harry mumbled, hurriedly handing over his exam paper. "Sorry, I need to go." He clutched his forehead and rushed out, ignoring Hermione's call behind him. "Harry!" Hermione shouted, but he didn't respond, walking briskly until he was out of the exam room, then he had a moment to think.
He wanted to re-enter that state and see the battle between Headmaster Dumbledore and Voldemort, but Harry discovered his Occlumency was working on its own, blocking everything. This realization made him even more frustrated.
He angrily punched the niche with the hourglass, wincing at the pain.
This helped him calm down a bit. He wandered aimlessly in the dimly lit hallway, then walked through the oak doors and out of the castle. The sunlight was blinding, and the sky was a clear blue, with the waves of the Black Lake shimmering in the distance.
Harry squinted, trying to think of a solution.
What should he do?
Tell Professor Hup! Yes, Harry thought, regretting not thinking of it sooner. He turned back towards the castle, but Hermione and Ron rushed out of the hallway and, without a word, dragged him down the corridor.
Harry was confused, but Hermione pulled him into a nearby broom closet, locked the door with her wand, and then turned to face him and Ron with a serious expression.
"What's going on—why did you come out? The exam isn't over—"
"I've finished", Hermione said quickly. Ron shrugged. "I wrote what I could, the rest—"
He left a significant pause. Hermione's expression was grave. "Harry, your scar hurt again, didn't it?"
"Yes, I saw—"
"Dumbledore, you mentioned Headmaster Dumbledore, said he was cursed and that he was doomed", Hermione said rapidly. "Then you fell and knocked over the desk."
Harry was shocked. "Did I say that?"
Ron nodded solemnly.
"So you know why we came out early, right? We need to come up with a plausible excuse before rumors spread."
"I saw Headmaster Dumbledore through Voldemort's eyes", Harry said, his voice hollow. "He was dueling Voldemort, and—"
"He seemed to be at a disadvantage", Hermione and Ron said in unison, their eyes wide.
"Oh, right! I need to find Professor Hup, I have to tell him—"
Harry said urgently, not understanding why he had delayed.
"Wait, Harry", Hermione said calmly. "Do you think Professor Hup doesn't know? He was in the exam room."
Harry stopped and turned to look at Hermione, not understanding at first. After a moment, he stammered, "You mean Professor Hup knows? This is—"
"A prearranged duel?"
"Patronus!" Hermione was about to speak, but Ron interrupted. "Harry, your Patronus!"
"What—oh! You mean the Patronuses Professor Hup has been collecting from me—"
Harry's face lit up with understanding, recalling the past half-month of reporting to the Ancient Runes Office after each exam. "Do you think this is related to today's duel?"
"I don't know, Harry, but Professor Hup clearly doesn't want us involved", Hermione whispered. "There's nothing we can do."
Harry paced in the cramped broom closet, kicking a broom out of his way. He tried to piece together the events. First, Headmaster Dumbledore might be dueling Voldemort right now! And Professor Hup seemed to know about it, yet didn't go to help. Why? All signs pointed to him knowing something, and the helpless Patronuses in glass bottles were evidence.
"Harry, you said Headmaster Dumbledore was at a disadvantage?" Hermione asked softly.
"I—I'm not sure", Harry shook his head, trying to recall the brief vision. "I could feel Voldemort's emotions. He was excited and confident, like he was sure of his victory. He mentioned a curse—"
"Was it a trick?" Ron said, visibly relieved. "We've seen it before."
Harry didn't respond. Describing Voldemort's emotional fluctuations was difficult. He was so confident, seemingly convinced he could kill Dumbledore. Was he tricked?
"I think Professor Hup knows the curse is fake, which is why he's staying at the school", Ron said calmly. "We can confirm with him later—oh, not now, the exam ends in twenty minutes."
"Can you still see the duel?"
"No", Harry said gloomily. "I'm blocked by Occlumency."
This was a terrible situation.
Hermione and Ron exchanged a glance. Ron tried to sound casual. "It's not a problem. We should trust Dumbledore. Think about the last two battles; he's never lost to the Dark Lord. He's the most powerful light wizard—oh, and Harry, I think you haven't realized it, but the O.W.L.s are over."
"Over?" Harry repeated blankly, still processing.
"Yes, a whole year of exams, and we're out of it half an hour early", Ron grinned. "They're still in the exam room. It's great."
"This is something to brag about for life!"
...
"Not here either."
Felix emerged from a dripping cave, the damp, dark air filled with a fiery blaze, from which a woman's harsh, raspy voice echoed.
A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
"Another fragmented soul piece. So Voldemort only taught that woman how to split her soul, but not how to create a Horcrux? Did Voldemort trick her?"
Felix unfolded a map, showing dozens of small dots representing Order of the Phoenix members. They were divided into seven groups, their names marked in ink, jumping around on the parchment. The map still had large blank areas, but important locations were marked:
Hogwarts, Ministry of Magic, Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, Godric's Hollow, Witch Town, Five Feathers Street, Zombie Lane, Comgarley Valley, Woo's Orphanage, London neighborhoods, and various counties in Britain...
Every place with a connection to the magical world was condensed onto this map.
Would Voldemort hide a Horcrux or Bellatrix abroad?
Felix and Dumbledore had discussed this and concluded it was unlikely. Even without considering Voldemort's pathological obsession with ruling the British magical community, practical factors played a role: for wizards, distance wasn't a significant barrier.
If something could be found in Britain, it could be found in a remote corner of the world just as quickly.
Often, it was just a matter of magic.
Besides...
Felix had secretly consulted several famous Seers in Africa, who used self-mutilation to make imprecise predictions. After paying a substantial sum of Galleons, a dying old wizard finally agreed to perform a divination for him.
But they disagreed on the content of the divination.
The old wizard refused to directly divine a powerful wizard like Voldemort, claiming the cost was too high and the results unreliable. Instead, the divination focused on Felix's luck for the day. The result was vague, with the old wizard cryptically saying he would "receive significant assistance."
Felix wasn't entirely satisfied, but the old wizard started vomiting blood, so he paid and left, considering it a good omen from an authority figure—asking Trelawney would be risky.
He didn't want to hear anything "ominous" before the final battle.
Felix's greatest reliance was the extensive preparations he had made—extracting Voldemort's magic from Death Eaters, collecting Bellatrix's hair from Malfoy Manor, and creating a highly realistic doppelgänger to take his place during the exam.
He even had a final ace up his sleeve.
Inspired by House-elves, Amelia Bones had worked tirelessly for two weeks to piece together the ancient documents from old records...
Felix picked up the communication mirror, showing a photo of Sirius Black. Harry had insisted on taking the photo, so Sirius often looked impatient, fidgeting with the tassel from his hat.
"Sirius."
The person in the photo jumped up, and after a few seconds, Sirius said seriously, "Everything's ready. Kreacher is with me." His voice was low, calm, and deadly.
"I'll be there soon."
Felix stepped out, appearing on the steps of 12 Grimmauld Place.
Sirius and Kreacher were waiting. Sirius whispered, "I've explained it to Kreacher; he understands the importance." At that moment, two sharp "cracks" echoed, and Remus Lupin and Tonks appeared, holding hands.
"Felix?" Lupin said. "We've checked the twelve locations on the map with the detector, but found nothing."
Felix nodded, acknowledging the information.
A few more minutes passed, and the other Order of the Phoenix members returned. They had also found no trace of Bellatrix, with the best result being a dark object containing fragments of her soul and Voldemort's magic.
"Is that really part of Bellatrix's soul?" Frank Longbottom asked, surprised. His face showed a mix of shock and sorrow. "I knew Voldemort was cruel, but I didn't think he'd betray his last loyal follower..."
"Alastor's group hasn't returned yet. I hope nothing's gone wrong", Bill Weasley frowned.
Felix studied the complete map in his hand. "He's fine, just delayed—"
At that moment, Kreacher tugged at Felix's sleeve, trembling. "Mr. Heap, can Kreacher really handle this? Can Kreacher help defeat the Dark Lord?"
"You have a more significant role than you think, and I can ensure your safety", Felix said.
Kreacher looked relieved.
Sirius glared. "I've told you so much, and you don't believe me, but you trust a stranger. Who's your master?"
"Of course, it's you!" Kreacher shouted, then turned and muttered loudly, "But Master was unreliable in his youth and ended up in prison, how embarrassing. Who knows what mistake he'll make this time—"
"Kreacher!" Sirius growled. "You're just scared. Your courage is the size of a peanut!"
"Not true! Kreacher isn't afraid; Kreacher is worried about avenging Master Regulus!" Kreacher shouted back.
As they argued, another group arrived.
It was Moody, Mundungus, and Dedalus Diggle, their clothes dusty but unharmed. Moody leaned on his cane, gruffly saying, "We encountered a magical trap and spent time breaking it... but it was empty." His magical eye scanned the area, then focused on Kreacher.
"So we're putting our hopes on this little guy? I can't wait to see."
Lupin, Tonks, Moody, Mundungus, Dedalus Diggle, Hestia Jones, and Bill Weasley spread out, forming a protective circle around Sirius, Kreacher, and Felix.
Kreacher stood up straight, looking at Sirius.
Sirius took a deep breath and said, "I, Sirius Black, the last legitimate heir of the Black Family, voluntarily relinquish all rights over House-elf Kreacher. According to the ancient covenant, Kreacher now belongs to Bellatrix Black, a collateral member of the Black Family!"
"Yes, Master", Kreacher trembled, bowing deeply.
His back bent so low that his nose touched the ground, and a green pendant box fell from his loose pillowcase, gleaming in the sunlight.
"Leave it to me", Felix said softly, placing his hand on Kreacher's shoulder.
...
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"What are you doing, Potter?" Snape glared at Harry, his thin lips twisting into a sneer. "I heard you abandoned your last exam. A reckless decision, but typical of you. And here we have the Golden Trio reunited... preparing to save the world again? Tell me—what's the reason this time, Saint Potter?"
Harry was furious. Snape had a talent for provoking him, and Harry still harbored resentment towards Draco Malfoy, who had coined the nicknames "Saint Potter" and "Scarhead."
"I need your help", Harry tried to keep his tone from being confrontational. "I mean, please, sir. I know Headmaster Dumbledore is dueling Voldemort—"
"This doesn't concern you, Potter", Snape said.
Harry continued urgently, "I know you're skilled in Occlumency and Legilimency, as Professor Hup mentioned. I hope—"
"You hope—"
Snape folded his arms, staring into Harry's eyes. "—what?"
"If those feelings are real", Harry held his breath, his green eyes, identical to Lily's, meeting Snape's. "If you've always wanted Voldemort to fall—"
He demanded, "Use Legilimency on me! Break my Occlumency!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
