The Shopkeeper of All Worlds in the British Wizarding World

Chapter 498 Choice
The little wizards who were knocked unconscious woke up quickly because Ryan and Hermione tried to weaken the magic of the spell when attacking. They got up and walked outside the corridor to wait for the outcome of the battle inside.

The remaining four people only lasted two minutes longer than them. Under Angela's command, the four people crossed to cover and release magic, which did give Ryan a surprise. But even so, they were no match for Ryan and his team in terms of spell strength and casting speed. Soon their joint attack was defeated by Ryan and Hermione from the front.

"Is this the difference between us and the real dark wizards?" Angela said with some frustration as they sat down to summarize their work after restoring the houses to their original state. In this battle, Ryan and his team did not use any magic beyond their control, but defeated them with stronger magic power, faster reaction speed and richer experience. This is also the reason why the members of the reading club feel extremely frustrated.

"Yes." Ryan nodded, looking at the somewhat frustrated members of the reading club, and said, "Of course, not all Death Eaters are at this level. The one we just imitated was Bellatrix, and her level is considered one of the top ones even among the Death Eaters."

Hearing this name, Neville clenched his fists. Ryan knew that his parents were driven crazy by Bella. Looking at Neville, whose expression suddenly became serious, Ryan continued, "But combat power is only one of the most important parts on the battlefield. In a real battle, the evil Death Eaters will use various means to affect your combat. For example, using cruel magic, creating bloodshed, and even torturing your friends in front of you. These will seriously affect your fighting will and combat level, and even make you flee the battlefield in fear, leaving your comrades to the enemy."

"I will not be afraid," Justin said loudly. "I will fight alongside my comrades."

"I hope so." Ryan nodded at him. "But I can say that a real battlefield, a battlefield full of blood, a battlefield where you can see familiar people dying constantly, is difficult for most people to face now. Of course, you don't have to be embarrassed about this. The adults outside are not much better when facing a real war. Just look at the report in the Daily Prophet about the chaos outside and you will know that we have been at peace for too long."

"So -" Hermione said at this time: "In the next reading club meeting, we will teach you some skills and magic used in real battles. These are all voluntary registration, please remember, if you really have not made up your mind to join the current war as a warrior, don't come to learn these skills. We will prepare another set of escape methods for you. It is not shameful to be unable to fight. Real warriors are always a minority. And forcing yourself to participate in the battle regardless of your own situation and causing trouble for others on the battlefield is a really bad behavior."

After Hermione finished speaking, several students wanted to stand up and say something. But Ryan interrupted them: "These things require you to think carefully and independently before deciding, and you can't do it based on momentary passion. So I will give you a week to think about it, and then you can tell me or Hermione your choice when we meet at the reading club next week."

Seeing that the atmosphere in the classroom was somewhat depressed, Ryan took out some money from his space bag and put it on the table. "Okay, you have a week to think about these things slowly. Now let's talk about something happy, such as dividing the money. Our magazine "Look, This is Muggles" has finally ended its trial operation phase, and now I will pay everyone's previous remuneration."

Everyone got a different amount of money. Generally, helpers were paid two or three Galleons, but people who had their own original columns got much more money. For example, Luna got twelve Galleons and six Sickles because the situation analysis she wrote was well received. Although most people regarded these articles as jokes, in the current situation, things that can make people laugh are precious.

Unexpectedly, the one who got the most money was Neville Longbottom. His article on the cultivation methods of common magical plants in the home was very popular and was the most popular article in the second issue of the magazine. Therefore, he received 17 Galleons in royalties. After receiving the gold coins, Neville seemed very excited. After all, this was his first time to win. He never thought that he also had an excellent side that could surpass others.

"Don't underestimate yourself. As long as you work hard in the right direction, you will definitely become an excellent wizard." Ryan said in a low voice as he handed the money to Neville, who seemed a little excited. Neville nodded vigorously.

After paying the last person, it was almost time for curfew. Due to the recent situation, the inspection in Hogwarts Castle was very strict, so Ryan asked everyone to return to their respective common rooms.

Just as Ryan was returning to the Gryffindor common room with the Gryffindor students from the reading club, he happened to meet Harry who was returning in the corridor.

After everyone else left, Ron asked Harry, "Harry, what exactly did Professor Dumbledore teach you today? Was it a powerful spell or -" "Neither." Harry shook his head and began to tell his friends what he had just seen in the headmaster's office. "Today Professor Dumbledore showed me some memories of Voldemort -"

A few hours ago, not long after Ryan and Hermione left the common room, Harry said goodbye to Ron and went to Dumbledore's headmaster's office for class.

"Sour soda." Harry chanted the command before he came to the two monsters. The stone monster jumped aside, and the wall behind it split in two, revealing a moving spiral staircase behind it. Harry stepped up, and as the staircase rotated around and around, it rose higher and higher, and finally came to the door of Dumbledore's office with a brass door knocker.

After knocking, the door opened and Harry saw Dumbledore looking at a glass jar in front of him. The jar was filled with gray-black ashes, and Harry saw from some unburned remains inside that this thing might have been a book, or something similar to a book.

After noticing Harry coming in, Dumbledore put the bottle on the shelf behind him, and then said to Harry: "I think you must be wondering why I called you here today? Even discussing this issue with your friends throughout the holidays."

"Professor, I--" Harry hurriedly tried to explain himself after hearing what Dumbledore said, but Dumbledore stopped him with his hand raised. "Of course, I don't mean to blame you. It's not a bad thing to ask friends for help when you encounter something you don't understand. I think it's actually a very lucky thing to have friends to talk to."

"Well, let's get back to the point. Now that you know what prompted Voldemort to kill you fifteen years ago, I think it's time to let you know some of the circumstances."

"Didn't you say at the end of last semester that you would tell me all the truth about this?" Harry said a little puzzled. He didn't know why Dumbledore still had new news to tell him.

"I did tell you all the truth I knew at the end of last semester," Dumbledore said calmly. "That was all the news I knew that was confirmed to be true. From this class on, we will leave the solid foundation of facts and go through the dim and vague swamp of memory together into the intricate and bold speculation. At this point, Harry, I can't guarantee that my guesses are all correct, so I also hope that you can put forward your own opinions in the process."

"But at least you confirmed the news, right?" Harry asked.

"That's right." Dumbledore nodded. "But you have to know that all my guesses are based on some incomplete and even erroneous information. This means that my final judgment may also be wrong. Therefore, I hope that you can also use your wisdom in this process and try to reduce the mistakes caused by my personal subjective impressions."

"Sir," Harry said tentatively, "is what you want to tell me related to the prophecy? Is it to help me... survive?"

"Yes," Dumbledore said calmly, "I certainly hope it helps you survive."

(End of this chapter)