Chapter 668: Magical Ritual
Chapter 668: Magical Ritual
Sunlight filled Hogwarts at noon, but in the Headmaster's office, the light emanating from a pink gemstone outshone the midday Sunlight, casting the entire room in a rosy hue.
As Liam continued to channel his magic power, the pink rose formed from light became increasingly solid. When the Light Rose finally resembled a crystal ornament, the magic power it contained reached its peak.
"Next, it's time to bind it completely." Liam thought, swinging his wand with his right hand. Instantly, numerous crystal-like pink petals emerged from the Light Rose, forming a pink rope in the air that began to wrap around the Black Straw Dummy. At the same time, the flames from the two oil lamps on the Straw Effigy shot up, giving the flying pink petals a fiery edge.
"This is it." When Liam noticed that the pink rose petals surrounding the black Straw Effigy were almost entirely edged with flame, he clenched his left hand forcefully. Immediately, the pink ropes dispersed into a multitude of petals, which then swarmed towards the Black Straw Dummy like moths to a flame.
The moment the first petal touched the Straw Effigy, a small burst of fire erupted at the point of contact. At that instant, Harry suddenly shuddered.
"Harry, are you alright?" Dumbledore, who had been watching Harry closely, immediately asked with concern. "Do you feel anything wrong? If you're really uncomfortable, just say so. No one here will mock you."
"It's nothing, just a slight prickling sensation", Harry replied, turning to Dumbledore. "The pricking is more frequent now, but it's not very painful—just a tingling, itchy feeling. I just wasn't used to it earlier; it's not something I can't handle."
Liam knew Harry wasn't just toughing it out. The reason was that Harry had lived with Voldemort's soul since childhood, leading to some soul fusion. This made Harry experience a portion of the Horcrux's sensations when Liam attacked that piece of Voldemort's soul. However, since the two souls were only partially fused and not fully merged, the sensations Harry felt were much milder.
For example, every petal that burst on the Straw Dummy left a black scorch mark with a hint of flame. To Voldemort's soul, it felt like being cut into a thousand pieces, but after being weakened multiple times, Harry only felt a tingling sensation well within his tolerance.
As petal after petal ignited on the Black Straw Dummy, the scorch marks, each as small as a needlepoint, slowly connected into lines. These lines then formed tiny runes the size of fingertips.
Finally, when the shower of rose petals disappeared from the office, the Black Straw Dummy was covered with hundreds of runes composed of dark red flames. These runes connected to form a complex magic power circulation system both on the surface and inside the Straw Dummy.
At this moment, the Straw Dummy began to tremble and struggle as if it had come to life. As it writhed and fought, a shadowy figure made of black mist faintly appeared within the Straw Dummy. The figure struggled fiercely, trying to escape, but every time it tried to leave the Straw Dummy, even slightly, it was forced back by the magic power system formed by the runes.
"The process feels easier than I imagined", Liam thought to himself. Unlike other Horcruxes, which might scream, manipulate minds, or unleash some soul shock, this one was only struggling on instinct. This wasn't surprising, as this accidental creation had virtually no defenses compared to the carefully crafted Horcruxes. The only complication was its entanglement with Harry's soul, but that issue had now been resolved.
Under the effects of the runes on the Straw Dummy, the shadow in the middle became increasingly distinct. Finally, in the presence of the three people in the Headmaster's Office, a blood-red figure emerged.
The thing had the shape of a naked child, curled up on the ground. Its reddish skin was rough, as if it had been stripped of a layer. It was struggling to break free from the Straw Dummy's restraints and was breathing heavily.
"What is this thing?" Harry said with a hint of disgust. In his eyes, the creature was small, weak, and injured, but there was a voice in his soul warning him not to approach it. Despite the pain and being tied to the chair, he strained to lean back, trying to distance himself from the thing.
"Shh—" Professor Dumbledore put his finger to his lips in a gesture for silence. "Next, please trust your friend Liam and do exactly as he says, without asking why."
"Harry, can you move now? Can you control yourself?" Liam turned to look at Harry, while behind him, the blood-red figure was silently screaming.
"No problem", Harry moved his limbs. "I have to say, even though I'm in excruciating pain, I can still control my hands and feet. As long as I don't have to get on a broom and play Quidditch, I think I can manage anything else."
"That's good", Liam said, confirming Harry's condition, then turned to look at Professor Dumbledore. "I think you can release Harry now, as the final step must be completed by Harry himself."
"Very well", Dumbledore nodded and waved the Elder Wand to release Harry from his restraints. He then reassured Harry, "There are two people here who can face Voldemort directly, so you don't need to worry about any insurmountable problems."
"I'm just a bit tired and sore, but otherwise, I'm fine", Harry said, then looked at Liam. "Okay, Liam. Tell me what to do, and I'll do my best."
"Have you ever played with a bow and arrow when you were a kid, the toy kind?" Liam asked Harry, who had walked over.
"Yes", Harry nodded. "When I was in primary school, Dudley had one, but he only played with it for a few days before he switched to video games. After that, I took it and played with it."
"Good", Liam said, taking out a small, toy-like Mulberry Bow and three Peach Arrows from his Spatial Bag. He handed them to Harry and said, "Now, hold these and stand in front of the Straw Dummy."
"What should I do next? Shoot the Straw Dummy with the arrows?" Harry asked, standing in front of the Straw Dummy. "You've given me a target and a bow and arrows, so it looks like you want me to shoot the Straw Dummy."
"Yes, you're correct", Liam smiled. "Now, follow my commands. Shoot the Straw Dummy's left eye with your first arrow."
From a foot away, Harry accurately hit the Straw Dummy's left eye. He didn't use much force, but strangely, the small arrow deeply embedded itself in the left eye of the Straw Dummy.
"Ouch, my left eye hurts", Harry felt a pain in his left eye as the arrow hit its target.
"Don't worry, the final stage of the spell can be uncomfortable", Liam reassured him. "Just bear with it."
Harry turned to look at Professor Dumbledore, who nodded at him. He then turned back and continued to endure the discomfort to complete the ritual.
Following Liam's commands, he shot the Straw Dummy's right eye with his second arrow and the heart with the last one. But as soon as the last arrow hit, he felt a sharp pain in his own heart and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
(End of Chapter)
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