The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 107 A Life Ruined by Black Magic

Grover Cecil, the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, was a notorious dark wizard, but he was also a white-haired old man who doted on Ada. How could Ada not feel sad when she knew that the old man could die at any time?

If those who have been hurt by Cecil knew this news, they would probably open the champagne in advance and wait for the death of their enemy; there are also many people who would be grateful that there is one less dark wizard in the world; but Ada could not do that. Cecil might be sorry for everyone in the magic world, but he deserved Ada.

Cecil's office and classroom are in the same place. There is a staircase in the classroom, and up to the office and rest area. After calming down, Ada raised her hand and knocked on the door.

Boom!Boom!Boom!
"Professor, it's me, Esmeralda Drizzt."

"Come in! The door is not locked." There was nothing morbid in the voice coming from the office.

Pushing the door open, Ada walked in. The office smelled heavily of cigarette smoke. Cecil looked in good condition. He was studying a manuscript with his head down and did not look sick at all.

He raised his head and said, "Open the door to let the smoke out so it doesn't get on you. Why are you here so late? Is there something you don't understand? Or do you want to borrow a book from the library?"

There were several thick books on the desk. They looked very old, with frayed pages and traces of being eaten by insects. They seemed like they would fall apart if the wind blew.

Placing the box of potions on the desk, Ada said, "Professor Snape asked me to deliver the medicine to you. Your body..."

Cecil was stunned for a moment when he heard this, then asked with a smile: "Sit down, Snape told you everything? Since you already know, I don't have to endure it."

While talking, Cecil adjusted his posture, leaning slumpedly on the chair, his brows slightly furrowed, and his face turned much paler.

"Almost. He told me the effect of this potion." Ada patted the medicine box gently with her hand and said, "It can delay the death of the drinker, but the person who drinks it can only wait for death and can no longer be treated."

Cecil said, "I am indeed dying. Black magic has given me power, but it has also destroyed my body. Despite this, I still don't regret learning black magic. It's me who is wrong, not magic."

"Snape prepared this medicine for me before school started. At that time, my magic power was still able to support my normal life, and I didn't need to drink the medicine so often." Cecil continued, "My physical condition was getting worse day by day, and I became more and more dependent on the potion, and I became the half-human and half-ghost appearance you see now."

He spoke so easily, as if he was talking about someone else's affairs, not his own. Ada also understood Cecil's mentality. When death is imminent, there is nothing to fear, because no matter what you do, you can't prevent this result from coming. In this case, it is better to face it calmly, at least it looks cool.

Ada recalled the scene when school started. At that time, Cecil seemed normal. He smoked like an old smoker every day. He was humorous in his lectures and had no airs when getting along with students. He was more like an old child than a man with one foot in the coffin.

"But you don't have to worry about anything. I can still hold on until the end of the semester." Cecil was still joking with Ada, "So if you have any banned books to read, you'd better hurry up."

When people live in this world, they have to face all kinds of interpersonal relationships. Some people will help you without asking for anything in return, but you can't take it for granted. The relationship between Ada and Cecil is just like this, so Ada asked, "Professor, is there anything I can do for you?"

Cecil smiled and shook his head. He said, "You can't help me unless you are ready to spend the rest of your life in Azkaban. Besides, you brought me potions, which is your help to me." Azkaban is a wizard prison located on an isolated island far away from people. It is a place that all wizards in Britain fear. Hagrid, who likes to raise various monsters, will feel scared when he mentions Azkaban. Even Cecil still has lingering fears about that place.

The Dementors guarding the prison are one of the most terrifying magical creatures in the world. Wherever they pass, all the good feelings such as happiness and courage will be sucked away, reminding people of the most terrible things in life. The Dementors' "kiss" can also suck the human soul, turning humans into an empty shell with no hope of recovery. This is the horror of Azkaban and the Dementors.

Wizards can use the Patronus Charm to expel Dementors, which is one of the most powerful and oldest defensive spells in the wizarding world. It is extremely difficult to successfully cast the Patronus Charm. Most wizards cannot do it, or they will cast a shapeless silver vapor.

Ada has also practiced the Patronus Charm, but she is not yet able to cast a complete, shaped Patronus. However, the ball of silver steam she casts also has a strong defensive power.

This school year was the closest that Ada had ever been to Azkaban. She always heard the name of Azkaban from different places, so many times that she had the illusion that there were five colleges in the school, just like the Three Musketeers were actually four.

"This is not much of a help, it's just a task assigned by Professor Snape." Ada said. She still wanted to do something to help Cecil so that she wouldn't owe him too much.

"You are the most talented witch I have ever seen. I really want to teach you more knowledge and pass on my research on black magic. Unfortunately..." Cecil pointed upstairs, "Unfortunately, the one who lives on the eighth floor doesn't allow me to do that."

Cecil continued, "He thinks the power of black magic is too tempting and too dangerous. You are too young to be exposed to these dark things."

"I'm sorry, professor, I really can't help you with this matter." Ada said that she didn't want to learn black magic. Unless she could find a way to offset the negative effects of black magic, she would not learn and use this black magic. Simply put, Ada wanted to get something for free.

This school year, because of Cecil's "indulgence", Ada frequently went in and out of the forbidden book area. She not only read many banned books on potions, but also read a lot of content related to black magic, and gained a lot of understanding of black magic.

Compared to ordinary magic, black magic is much more lethal and harmful, just like the difference between a small wooden stick and a controlled weapon, and the damage it causes is difficult to reverse.

Black magic is also a profound subject. In the early stages, you may quickly gain extraordinary power, but as you learn more, the dangers and difficulties of black magic will increase day by day.

Driven by their inner desires, some people will try more dangerous learning methods, and gain power through dangerous and strange black magic transformations. But after the transformation, are you still the same person you were at the beginning? Or have you turned into a crazy, twisted, paranoid monster who only knows how to kill?

Black magic can distort people's hearts. All wizards who have extraordinary attainments in black magic have certain psychological problems. This is also the reason why Ada has always resisted black magic. Although magic is a very idealistic thing, Ada does not think that she can definitely resist the temptation.

Cecil's eyelids drooped, and he looked very sleepy. He said to Ada softly, "Okay, go back. I should rest as well. You don't have to learn the black magic, but you must have an understanding of it."

Just as Ada was leaving the office, Cecil's words came from behind her. He said, "You must remember the most important point. Evil is never power, but the human heart..."

(End of this chapter)