The Evil Thoughts of Hogwarts and the Genie

"Get lost," Edmund said with annoyance. "Don't get in my way."

That's what he said, but the other party refused to give him that face.

The strange Dementor continued to creak, its bluish-gray, flesh-like limbs twitching and twisting in a remarkably human manner, as if enduring some kind of pain that it should not have to suffer.

The original owner of this place, Extis, was an out-and-out dark wizard... He slaughtered countless people in his sinful life, and then one day, he suddenly went insane.

There are rumors that he offended the devil and is now being punished; others say that he is the devil—he will become mentally impaired simply because his soul has returned to hell.

Edmund didn't care about the truth. He recognized the person in front of him as an "old friend," and so he said amiably:

"Something that's annoying."

"I said get lost, and I said it three times."

Without a doubt, "3" is the most magical number to the genie, and when he emphasizes this, the Dementors' forms change.

The humanoid monster "opened its mouth" and, by its own will, let out a wail like that of a drowning person on the verge of death.

The sound was terrifying, like something churning inside a throat, as if it were folding outwards from the inside.

Cluck, cluck.

Its upper limbs were twisted off by an invisible force. Something was hurting it, hurting this creature that symbolized the lowest point of humanity and represented the deepest despair of mankind.

A malicious force is relentlessly gnawing at it, devouring this "despair".

Manipulated by the First Evil, the Dementors writhed and screamed like victims, almost curled up into a ball.

But the thing that controlled it, having sensed the power of the genie and driven it to investigate, refused to retract its power.

That thing was also doing its best to wrestle with Edmund, putting up a fierce battle of strength:

"...You...come...back..."

As is well known, Dementors cannot speak.

Because they do not have a real face, under the hood there is only a scabbed gray-black skin and a sunken hole used to suck in human souls.

It lacks vocal organs, and magic other than that of a guardian deity is difficult to apply to it.

But it did speak. The sound—more like some kind of reptile rubbing its carapace with its chelicerae than like a human's—was creating syllables similar to a human voice.

Gerald remained expressionless, while his master's voice grew even more impatient.

"This rotten, tattered body suits you quite well. Since you can't understand human speech, why not get closer to your host?"

Gerald stretched out his right hand and drew a circle in the direction of the "Dementor".

With a series of crackling sounds, the possessed Dementor twisted and distorted like a small boat being drawn into the center of a whirlpool, shrinking smaller and smaller.

"...My...lord...you...in...this...world..."

The thing attached to the Dementor knew it wouldn't be long, so it sped up its speech.

"...We...are...all...waiting...for...you..."

The sound was like spider legs covered in corpse oil scraping against the iron bars.

The content was ambiguous, and Edmund scoffed dismissively.

"Really? Should I compliment your good memory and your sentimental nature?"

Edmund manipulated Gerald's body and gave the middle finger to the black garbage bag in front of him that was getting smaller and smaller.

"Find a way to climb out of hell first, then it's not too late to catch up with me."

With a strange "pop," the Dementor, which was said to be indestructible, vanished without a trace, melting into the air like spring snow.

"Alas," Edmund sighed. "Bymon, Simachion, Andras... this force is too weak; I can't even tell whose grudge I should hold."

As he spoke, Gerald took two steps forward. His empty eyes then turned to Cooper, who was slumped on the ground.

This young Auror—he was already stunned.

If he hadn't been so frightened that he lost his voice, he would have shouted so loudly that old Ned could hear him a kilometer away.

Cooper's mind went blank at that moment; his worldview had been shattered.

Perhaps it will take him some time to realize that his current state of mind is actually very similar to that of Becca when she suddenly learns that her lover is a wizard.

"Sorry to bother you."

Edmund sighed, his voice incredibly soft.

"I hope this hasn't spoiled your mood, young Mr. Auror... Come, stand up."

Cooper paused for a moment, then Edmund emphasized again: Stand up.

An instinct drove Cooper; he seemed to know he couldn't let the other person repeat themselves a third time.

The young man scrambled to his feet, wand in hand, trembling all over.

"I...I'm going to die...I'm going to die, you're going to kill me, aren't you?!"

Edmund scoffed.

"You're so self-centered. Why should I kill you?"

"If you die, who will open the prison door for my servant?... Who will grant this wish?"

When Cooper opened his mouth again, he almost bit his tongue. He then realized that his jaw was chattering and he could barely speak.

"...What do you mean...What are you trying to do? You...you can kill that thing—that thing!"

"Shh!"

Edmund chuckled.

"Don't get so agitated, you tormented soul."

"What…"

"Don't be so desperate, young man. Do you even understand your current position? You've hit the jackpot!"

It is not a demon, but something a hundred times worse than a demon, that is subtly inducing:

"For reasons that could go on and on, I can fight against those ignorant bastards, but I can't open the prison door in front of me;"

"And you, my dear child. You have an old wand that's no longer quite as nimble as it used to be... Let me guess, it's not as effective since you did that guilty thing, am I right?"

Cooper trembled and said nothing.

He really wanted to cover his ears, but even if he did, those sweet words would still flow into his ears and seep into his very being.

"Then why not go to that old charlatan and exchange it for one? Why not use it to exchange for a wish?"

Cooper shook his head, crying as he tried to refuse.

But how could he possibly refuse?

"Listen to me, son—don't you understand what's going on?"

"No matter what your wish is, even magic can't help you. Only a 'miracle' can make it come true... and I can help you make it a reality."

"I am the miracle."

"Do you even understand what this means?... And best of all, you don't even have to pay me with your soul."

"Come closer, child. Come closer—let me see that little stick in your hand... Yes, very good. That's it."

"Tell me, go ahead and tell me."

What is your wish?