Chapter 664: The Dark Lord
Chapter 664: The Dark Lord
Felix slowly walked into the castle.
The girl must be Dumbledore's late sister, Ariana, right? He used the Resurrection Stone to summon a projection from his memories... But could the Resurrection Stone really have such a powerful effect?
Felix pondered. With his eyes capable of seeing the faint glow of souls, perhaps Dumbledore used his own power to imbue the memory projection with a trace of a soul's essence, or maybe he shared a part of his own soul, making them both vulnerable to each other’s fate?
But one thing was certain: Dumbledore's understanding of souls far surpassed his own.
His current soul state was terrifyingly powerful.
Felix had a feeling that Dumbledore could, at any moment, detach from reality, open a portal, and send all the ghosts haunting Hogwarts Castle away, just like he did with Helena.
The legend of the Deathly Hallows flowed through his mind. From Luna, he learned the names of the Peverell brothers. Felix believed these three were powerful wizards who each pursued different paths of magic, leaving behind three treasures that represented their individual understanding of magic.
These treasures contained their own insights into magic. Just like Felix's Book of Runic Script, if someone discovered it a thousand years later, they might follow the same path he did.
Alternatively, one of the Peverell brothers might have been an exceptionally skilled alchemist who created these powerful magical items based on the unique characteristics of the three. In this scenario, Felix believed the skilled alchemist was either the second or third brother, as the eldest was more akin to a warrior.
If true, the alchemist's magical prowess would be astounding, not only deeply knowledgeable about souls but also skilled in wandmaking and alchemy. It was terrifying, but not impossible.
Unfortunately, history has left few records of their deeds. Time, indeed!
As for Dumbledore's talk of a 'mission,' Felix dismissed it with a sneer.
...
The next day was overcast, with dark clouds and a light drizzle. The young wizards moved between the castle’s halls, their cloaks damp from the rain.
After the first class of the morning, Felix made his way to the staff lounge, where Professor Mcgonagall eagerly handed him a newspaper.
"The list has been made public", she said with a smile.
Felix took the paper and read it carefully. It detailed the list of Animagi, with the newspaper using exaggerated language to enthusiastically congratulate the fact that the number of Animagi in this century had reached double digits, all of whom were current students.
In reality, seven Animagi had already been registered this century, including Rita Skeeter and Sirius Black, bringing the total to nine. Adding Peter Pettigrew and the unpublicized James Potter, the true number had long surpassed ten. However, the newspaper intentionally or unintentionally ignored Peter Pettigrew's existence.
"So soon?"
"Not really, it's been almost a month", Professor Mcgonagall said, her face brightening and her wrinkles smoothing out. "These three students have started to show their potential in the advanced classes—Granger has always been first, but it's not as obvious. However, Aber and Malfoy have shown remarkable improvement. I've also given Longbottom an extra set of notes; he will be taking the Transfiguration Ordinary Wizarding Level Examination this year, and I believe he can keep up."
Felix understood. Draco had been in high spirits recently, thanks to the Malfoy family's substantial donation of 50,000 Galleons, which caused quite a stir. His father, Lucius, had used his money and influence to sway public opinion. Several newspapers (Felix suspected Lucius had slipped them some money) had shown renewed interest in the heir of the Malfoy family, uncovering many newsworthy aspects: a member of the anti-Dark Magic alliance (contributing to the development of the Light Fire Spell), a rival to Harry Potter and his friends (with some embellishment), a lofty ambition (dreaming of becoming a healer), and a newly minted Animagus.
Draco, feeling proud, had a peacock embroidered on his chest and strutted around the school all day.
Among the first seven qualified Animagi, Harry was the first to feel the transformation but also the first to fail. Of the remaining six, only four successfully became Animagi, and they were all in Harry's year, specifically those who had mastered the Patronus Charm and were part of the Frontline Watchtower.
On the other hand, the two seventh-year students, Virgil and Jemima, were still struggling, practicing spells morning and night and learning the Patronus Charm. This was Professor Mcgonagall's recommendation.
"That's quite a hassle", Ron said.
"If we start counting from when we mastered the Patronus Charm, we are the slow ones", Hermione said rationally. "Professor mentioned that becoming an Animagus is like a complex magical ritual, a result of serendipity from our predecessors."
"Could anyone really come up with such a complicated process?" Harry asked, puzzled. He couldn't fathom why anyone would put Mandrake leaves in their mouth for a month unless they were spell-addled.
"All the steps weren't set in stone at once, and you can't assume the person was a student like you", Hermione argued. "Professor Sprout mentioned in class that Mandrake has significant medicinal value and is a crucial component in most antidotes. So, we can imagine a scenario where:"
"In ancient times, there was a Wizard who lived in seclusion and excelled in Transfiguration and potion-making—both of which play crucial roles in becoming an Animagus. Due to some reason or coincidence, on a full moon night, while harvesting Mandrakes, he accidentally put a leaf in his mouth, perhaps to detoxify something. After a few days, he noticed an unknown change in the Mandrake and began to study it using his knowledge of potions."
"Sounds complicated..." Harry muttered. Ron nodded in agreement.
"If you delve deep into magical research, you can sense these subtle changes. It's like a signal. Before the laws of magic were discovered, most Wizards relied on their intuition." Hermione explained.
Ron mumbled something under his breath that sounded like "Divination class." Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Pay attention!" Professor Sprout sternly said, standing in front of a rowan tree over twelve feet tall. "Today, we will be learning about the Guardian Tree. This is a very important lesson."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione quickly stopped talking. Professor Sprout's words were directed at them, but Harry noticed Draco Malfoy putting away a newspaper and straightening his chest, making the peacock pattern on his shirt more prominent.
I wonder if his tastes have changed recently? Harry thought, but he didn't dare say it aloud because he had observed this from Hermione, who had been particularly fond of peas at meals lately.
Harry knew that Hermione had been practicing Animagus transformation diligently lately. At the time, the four successful students spent a weekend in Professor Mcgonagall's office, focusing on the techniques of transforming and reverting. Afterward, they were required to dedicate a certain amount of time each week to this practice, repeatedly experiencing the transformation process.
Harry felt it was similar to the monthly transformations into a dog he and Sirius had done at school, wandering around the campus.
However, what puzzled Harry and Ron was that they couldn't find where Hermione practiced Transfiguration. Her roommates, Lavender and Parvati, were also unaware, as Hermione never practiced the spell in the dormitory. At that moment, Professor Sprout stepped aside to let the students get a better look at the Guardian Tree.
"The Guardian Tree is a magical rowan tree that protects anyone who touches its trunk from dark creatures. Therefore, the processed materials from the Guardian Tree are widely used in various defensive items. Its wood and leaves can be used to make amulets, protective charms, and engrave warding spells. They grow slowly, and their bark is smooth during the sapling stage, making them suitable as ornamental plants."
Professor Sprout asked the students to come closer for a closer look. Behind her, in addition to a large, rough-barked Guardian Tree, there were two smaller ones in pots, lush and green, looking quite appealing.
"You can touch it; it's harmless unless you're a dark creature in disguise." She said loudly. "But be cautious if you encounter one in the wild, as a group of Bowtruckles might live in the tree."
Harry placed his hand on the trunk of the large Guardian Tree. Without any Dementors or Liches around, he didn't feel any difference. The rowan branches rustled, and he looked up, trying to spot a few fruits in the dense foliage.
"Ouch—Professor Sprout, it hit me!" Lavender Brown suddenly cried, pulling her hand back.
"Dear, I think it might be because your mind is too cluttered. The Guardian Tree, like the wands made from it, is particularly skilled at defense and prefers those with clear minds and pure hearts", Professor Sprout explained.
Not far away, Draco Malfoy smirked and stood even straighter.
"Strange, I thought he would get hit too." When Professor Sprout instructed the students to mix the appropriate fertilizer in buckets, Ron said regretfully.
"Perhaps it's because I've mastered Animagus transformation, Weasley." Draco Malfoy caught up with a small bucket, bumping Ron with his shoulder as he passed, smirking.
Ron opened his mouth to retort, but Harry held him back.
"Don't fall for it; he's just trying to provoke us into a fight." Harry said calmly. "Malfoy, we're also about to complete the first step in two days. If we're lucky, by the end of the Easter break, we'll be Animagi too."
"Right", Ron realized, speaking guardedly.
"I'll be waiting", Draco said, narrowing his eyes and looking down at them. "If you need any help, I can give you some pointers. Unless you suddenly faint, of course." He directed the last part at Harry.
"If you knew what Harry has done, you'd wet your pants, Malfoy", Ron said loudly. Draco slowly approached, threateningly, just as Professor Sprout walked over, eyeing them suspiciously. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing, nothing."
"Then get to work. You're falling behind." She said sternly.
They hurried to the corner of the greenhouse, where various fertilizers, mostly from magical creatures, were piled up. The students, looking disgusted, used Levitation Charms to select the appropriate materials and quickly left.
While waiting in line, Ron suddenly asked Hermione, "Your dream is still to become the Head of the Ministry of Magic, right?"
"Yes, why?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
"Then you should work hard and get a promotion to kick him out of the Ministry."
“Don’t be so pessimistic, Ron. The paper said he wants to become a healer. I think, for his own reputation, he won’t back out easily,” Hermione said.
“I don’t think so,” Ron said firmly. “I bet his dad will secure him a cushy job at the Ministry, like a consultant or something… How about this, you can draft a law that anyone on the Ministry payroll must clock in and out on time…”
He was getting into it when Draco returned with the materials, giving Ron a smug look. He patted his chest, and the peacock on his chest badge flashed in Ron’s eyes before he strode away.
Ron thought it looked like a puffed-up wild turkey. Justin, who was behind them, didn’t like that comparison; his Patronus was a pheasant. However, his good friend Ernie Macmillan said Justin’s favorite food was chicken legs, and they started teasing each other.
Professor Sprout, who had rushed over, deducted five points from both Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.
“Hurry up!” she called out again.
“Crap!” When it was Harry’s turn, Hermione suddenly exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?” Harry whispered, having to hold his breath because the smell around them was terrible.
“My wand is missing!” Hermione said. Harry and Ron inhaled sharply, their eyes widening in disbelief. “No, not what you’re thinking. I think I know where it is.”
She pulled out a small stick from her pocket that looked similar to a wand at first glance, but Harry noticed the difference based on what she had said.
“A personal wand?”
“Warren’s,” Hermione said briefly.
“Oh—” Ron drew out the word. Hermione’s face turned red.
“I, um, was invited by Warren. It’s interested in Animagi, and I thought… transforming alone can be a bit dull, so I decided to take a walk outside the castle with Warren… from an animal’s perspective, some familiar sights can be quite enchanting, and Warren is an expert in this.”
“No need to explain, Hermione,” Ron said casually. “Sirius even managed to befriend Crookshanks, so maybe that’s a hidden benefit of being an Animagus. I should have thought of it sooner…”
In the end, Harry used his wand to help Hermione pick out the right materials. Hermione had wanted to try using her personal wand, but Harry stopped her. It wasn’t the time; if Hermione made a mistake, it could lead to a mess of fertilizers flying everywhere.
The students gathered around a large worktable, beginning to mix their fertilizers. “Take one part soil from decaying fruits, one part Niffler droppings… Wow, this smell is intense!” The greenhouse quickly became more and more pungent.
The Bubble-Head Charm came in handy.
“I don’t recommend using spells, as the smell is an important factor in evaluating the quality of the fertilizer. However, it’s not mandatory, so if you really can’t take it…” Professor Sprout said dryly.
But only Neville didn’t use the Bubble-Head Charm. After he finished his portion, he looked like he was about to faint.
“Very well done, Mr. Longbottom,” Professor Sprout said approvingly.
“P-professor, can I go outside for some air?” Neville asked, his face flushed abnormally.
“Of course,” Professor Sprout said understandingly. Neville immediately ran toward the door. “Additionally, ten points to Gryffindor.” She called out, hoping other students would follow, but they stared wide-eyed, hiding behind the fishbowl-shaped spells, quietly dealing with the slimy mess in their buckets.
After class, Hermione vanished immediately.
Harry knew Hermione must have gone to retrieve her wand. Professor Mcgonagall had instructed them to store their wands safely during transformation because wands couldn’t transform with their clothes. Not just wands, but any magical items were the same.
So, Hermione must have handed her wand to Warren to keep in his pocket, and then, as a beaver, the two small creatures had slowly wandered around the castle walls…
In the Ancient Runes office.
“Hermione Granger?” Felix asked, a bit surprised. “What’s so urgent?”
Hermione, out of breath, held up a finger. “S-sorry, professor, I’m looking for Warren.”
“Uh—”
Felix turned around. It was odd. The Niffler, which was doodling on parchment, looked up, blinked, and pointed at itself. Hermione waved at it, meaning “Yes, that’s you.”
Warren jumped off the sofa and approached slowly. Hermione scooped it up.
“Sorry, professor, we’ll be right back.”
A while later, Warren returned alone. It held its little hands behind its back, shaking its head. Hermione was so careless; next time they met, Warren would have to tease her, but not now, as it was at a disadvantage in size.
“What did she want?” Felix asked curiously.
Warren shook its head vigorously. It couldn’t say; it couldn’t let the Dark Lord know about its efforts to gather allies.
“So, this is your new animal friend?” Felix mused.
“Chirp!?”
“I’m not snooping through your diary,” Felix said, pouting. “You were talking in your sleep, saying something about uniting and defeating the Dark Lord… What did Grindelwald do to you?”
Warren stared at him, speechless.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
