The Return to Hogwarts

Hermione, unable to contain her curiosity, looked at Professor Blaine. She expected her question to go unanswered, but after a few moments, Professor Blaine hesitated and said…

"I'm not quite sure if this thing that Ms. Ravenclaw created has powerful 'restraint' magic and life force. Is it a contract?"

"Stop, Rowena!"

Suddenly, Hufflepuff, realizing something, looked alarmed and spoke to Rowena Ravenclaw in an unusually stern voice!

"There is a peculiar connection between the individual and the group of these creatures, which makes it pointless for the individual to destroy them. But fortunately, we can also take advantage of this. By restraining the individuals, the behavior of the entire group can be restricted."

Ravenclaw didn't seem to care about Helga's harsh words, but she did stop what she was doing, scattering the 'papers' and 'chains' with a wave of her hand. Then, looking at the worried Helga Hufflepuff, she smiled and said...

"Isn't that a good idea?"

Chapter 661 Ravenclaw's Sacrifice

2023-12-24

"You think this is a good idea, Rowena?"

The amiable Hufflepuff now stared at his dearest friend with a somber expression.

"You intend to use your own life force as a shackle to control this evil creature. Have you considered the consequences, Rowena? The evil magic within this creature will in turn affect you. I don't doubt your ability to resist its corruption, but one thing is certain: it will greatly deplete your life force!"

"We made the decision long ago, to sacrifice our lives to stop that bleak future, didn't we, Helga?"

Ravenclaw smiled calmly.

"We must restrict these creatures to prevent them from leaving the island one day after we are gone, indulging in the emotions of life, and thereby expanding their own population."

My idea is that since we cannot destroy them for the time being, they need to be under the control of a wizard before the final moment arrives. I used my life force as a medium to form a pact with this Dementor, thus making this evil creature's population controllable. Even as time passes, as long as this pact exists, they must obey the wizard's commands.

I could leave this covenant to any future headmaster of Hogwarts. Of course, unless there's no other way, I don't want to do that. Future wizards won't be content with merely limiting their instinctive expansion; they'll likely exploit the power of this evil creature. Whatever they use this evil creature for, whether for good or evil, the very act of using its power implies evil—”

Amosta's pupils trembled slightly.

It seems that Rowena Ravenclaw ultimately did not pass this contract to any of the successive headmasters of Hogwarts, but instead gave it to the Ministry of Magic, the successor to the Royal Wizarding Society.

This is indeed an easily overlooked problem.

For many years, Dementors have guarded the wizarding prison for the Ministry of Magic. When people talk about that prison, the first thing that comes to mind is the terrifying Dementors. But it seems that no one thinks about why such purely evil creatures as Dementors would obey the orders of the wizarding government.

Therefore, the contract is still kept by the Ministry of Magic, and whoever obtains this contract will have the right to command Dementors.

For Amosta, restraining the Dementors' behavior is not difficult, and unless the Dementors gather in large numbers, some elite wizards can also deal with them with ease. However, this does not mean that the Dementors are not to be feared. These creatures are almost a nightmare for ordinary wizards in the magical world. After all, how many people can master such a profound magic as the 'Patron Charm'?

So, is this contract currently in the hands of Cornelius Fudge?

The thought flashed through Amosta's mind, only to be immediately dismissed. Allowing an individual to control such a contract was far too dangerous. More likely, the contract was currently kept by the Department of Mysteries, belonging solely to the wizarding government, not an individual. The Minister of Magic was probably unaware of it, and the secret of its origin and efficacy lay in the hands of a silent figure who had passed through the Department of Mysteries for generations.

Using its own life force to form shackles, it restrains the completely uncontrollable Dementors, making them obey commands.

Harry stared blankly at Rowena Ravenclaw, the witch known to all for her beauty, wisdom, and power, her emerald eyes gleaming.

Harry didn't know how difficult this task was, or what kind of profound magic could accomplish it, but one thing he was very clear about was that Lady Ravenclaw would have to pay a terrible price to do it, and such a great self-sacrifice was hard not to move people.

But Mrs. Ravenclaw's words were not enough to put Mrs. Hufflepuff at ease; instead, her gaze grew even more somber.

“I understand, Rowena, but your child—”

“I won’t do this before she’s born—”

"Ms. Ravenclaw said calmly."

“You know perfectly well that’s not what I meant, Rowena—”

Hufflepuff raised her hand and sadly brushed Ravenclaw's hair.

"This child will never have a father. Do you want her to lose her mother too?"

"Her father will be there for her as she grows up, and will teach her magic, but they won't know each other," Ms. Ravenclaw said with a bittersweet smile.

“Even we will pass away one day, Helga. I believe my child is capable of taking responsibility for his own life.”

Harry clenched his fists.

Take responsibility for your own life.

Did his parents also hold the same belief before they died fighting Voldemort?

Who exactly are they targeting?

A deep sense of confusion arose in Hermione's heart. It was clearly not the Royal Wizarding Society, was it?

Dementors.

The previous conversation made Hermione realize that Lady Ravenclaw and Lady Hufflepuff were trying every means to destroy them. But were Dementors really worth sacrificing herself for Ravenclaw, one of the four great founders of Hogwarts?

"The future is like a river with countless branches, impossible to fully fathom. I hope it will eventually flow towards the brightest path I can glimpse."

Helga's wine-red eyes were filled with pity.

We are all working towards this.

Ms. Ravenclaw said that her majestic eagle guardian perched on her shoulder and swallowed the Dementor back into its belly.

Amostella thought this memory would end there, however, after Lady Ravenclaw waved away the Patronus, she looked at Lady Hufflepuff.

"Helga, have you found anything about the door I brought back from that island?"

Is it the 'Gate of Death' in the final starry chamber within the underground ruins of Azkaban?

Amostah immediately recalled that it was a mysterious and evil magical artifact, surrounded by an ancient aura, and it was hard to imagine what it was created for.

Instead of answering Ravenclaw's question, Mrs. Hufflepuff led her to the oil painting of a vast valley on the wall. After touching a stalk of rice carved on the yellow border, the originally beautiful painting suddenly began to swirl, and Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw stepped inside one after the other.

"Hurry up and keep up—"

Amosta waved to the three little ones and quickly followed.

"Are we going back?"

Ron stared at the painting and asked nervously, if possible, he hoped to take another route back to the castle he knew so well. The scene he had witnessed in that corridor had indeed given him an unparalleled mental shock.

I don't think it's the right time yet.

Amosta spoke succinctly, then disappeared into the painting. The three little wizards and two elves, after pausing uneasily for a moment, also entered the frame before the vortex subsided.

"This is--"

Harry looked around, seemingly lost in thought.

They didn't return to the cold and terrifying corridor, but instead found themselves in another room. It was clean and tidy, and like Mrs. Hufflepuff's office, it had a bright floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the Forbidden Forest. However, unlike their time, there wasn't a simple wooden cabin at the boundary between the Forbidden Forest and the grounds.

Rather than calling it a secret room, it's more accurate to describe it as a private room where Ms. Hufflepuff enjoys her private time.

On the shelf on the wall near the window, there were many flowers and plants. These were not the magical plants that Professor Sprout cultivated in the greenhouse, but edible plants and fruits. There was even a delicate stove where Ms. Hufflepuff could research her whimsical new dishes.

There are things related to magic.

Upon entering the secret chamber, several crystal balls were displayed on the wall to the left. The cores of most of these high-quality crystal balls were filled with a hazy mist, while one or two were enveloped in a dazzling starry sky.

"Ms. Hufflepuff is—"

Hermione stared at the crystal balls, and as if realizing something, she exclaimed in astonishment,

"Just like Professor Trelawney."

"There are probably some differences—"

Professor Blaine gazed at the 'Gate of Death' directly opposite him in the room, bound by the dense ancient magical runes etched into the ground.

"I'm not sure how much real skill Professor Trelawney possesses, but Ms. Hufflepuff is clearly capable of extracting a true picture from the ethereal realm of fate—"

"Has anything ever come out of this door, Helga?"

Lady Ravenclaw forgot about the runes on the ground and immediately realized that it was a seal that Helga had placed to prevent the door from malfunctioning.

Fortunately, so far, that worrying situation hasn't occurred.

Lady Hufflepuff gracefully approached the rough archway, her fingertips brushing against the curtains that swayed eerily in mid-air without wind. Then, she turned and smiled at Lady Ravenclaw.

"However, I have been inside—"

Chapter 662 The Gate to the Stars

2023-12-25

If Dementors were something Harry and his friends were familiar with, then the archway before them, exuding an air of age and antiquity, completely baffled Harry. He and Ron huddled close to Hermione, whispering their questions.

"Do you know what this is, Hermione? Is it mentioned in any book?"

Hermione bit her lip and shook her head in shame. She found that her once-proud knowledge seemed completely useless; she couldn't understand what Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw were discussing, nor could she figure out what the simple stone door in front of her represented.

However, there is one thing that Harry and his friends clearly understand.

The stone archway in front of them was definitely not to be trifled with. The dark, gloomy space beneath the archway radiated an indescribable danger in all directions. Even after a thousand years, this ominous aura made them feel a chill run down their spines.

Hermione, brimming with curiosity, looked at Professor Blaine again with eager anticipation. From his calm expression, she could tell that he knew some secrets, and she was also certain that he knew she was watching him, but he made no response.

After a moment, Hermione grumbled angrily, looked away, and resolved to remember all the details before going back to investigate on her own.

Ms. Hufflepuff said she entered the world behind the door?

Ravenclaw didn't seem surprised, but Amostella's eyes narrowed slightly.