A certain Hogwarts professor of runes.

Dobby left happily. Ron thought the house-elf's screams were too frightening and had scared the others away. With Mr. Weasley going to visit Mrs. Weasley, who had been suffering from insomnia all night, only Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Felix remained in the ward.

“Professor, this is your ring,” Hermione said reluctantly, taking a ring out from under her pillow. “I haven’t had a chance to open it yet.”

Felix took it and saw the expression on Hermione's face. He then poured out a huge pile of magical notes from the ring, almost drowning her.

“This was originally prepared for you, Miss Granger. What you need now is extensive reading and practice, and to develop your own insights. Others can't help much with that.”

Harry took the opportunity to ask about the mechanism of the protective magic on him.

“That’s an area I haven’t explored,” Felix said with a shrug. “I suggest you find an opportunity to ask Headmaster Dumbledore; he has more than one protective spell on you.”

As Ron watched Hermione happily put the runebook into her beaded pouch, he asked curiously, "Professor, how did you come back to life? And," he deliberately lowered his voice, "Hermione used the Time-Turner, which means you arrived beforehand and witnessed the whole thing?"

Felix laughed. "Actually, I had cameras set up around there, so I didn't see the specifics clearly... but your screams were quite terrifying; I almost thought something had happened." He said to Ron.

Ron scratched his head sheepishly, but the thought of the Cruciatus Curse's terrible punishment made him shudder involuntarily.

“As for resurrection… I have never died. You can assume I have mastered a kind of apparition magic, only it looks a bit scary,” Felix explained.

"Oh, I see." Ron said, somewhat disappointed. "I thought—"

"You think I can withstand Voldemort's Killing Curse?" Felix asked with a smile. Ron nodded. "This spell is likely Voldemort's most proficient magic. His understanding of the Killing Curse surpasses that of anyone else in the world. I have no interest in experiencing it firsthand..."

"The Cruciatus Curse, the Imperius Curse, and the Killing Curse are collectively known as the three unforgivable curses not only because there is no antidote, but I think there is another important reason: the power of these curses subtly touches upon the realm of the soul—"

"A soul?" Ron said in astonishment.

“Yes, torture, control, destruction…” Felix said softly, and the three people on the hospital bed couldn’t help but shudder. “Although I haven’t tried it myself, I think these three spells are also effective against ghosts.” Seeing their terrified faces, Felix changed the subject and said, “Actually, there are ways to deal with the first two spells. Advanced memory magic is one way, but I’m more inclined to believe that it’s the result of a very high degree of control over one’s own will.”

"You believe that willpower can withstand the Cruciatus Curse and the Imperius Curse?" Hermione asked in a shrill voice, finding the idea somewhat far-fetched.

“It’s unwavering will,” Felix corrected. “I can give some examples, such as the Longbottoms and Harry’s experience last night. Of course, these are specious pieces of evidence, with too many interfering factors… but there are quite a few records that show that wizards can get rid of the Imperius Curse on their own.”

He tilted his head toward Harry. Harry had once escaped Crouch Jr.'s Imperius Curse, when Crouch Jr. was impersonating Professor Moody in class. Harry had already confirmed with the real Moody that it wasn't his idea.

Just as Felix was recommending the Happiness Charm to Harry and Ron, Madam Pomfrey walked in and, ignoring their protests, poured each of them a large glass of Happiness Potion. After drinking it, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all grinned foolishly.

Mrs. Pomfrey said worriedly, "I can only try to keep them positive and optimistic, and not think about the terrible experience that night for the time being... Maybe it won't be so terrifying when they recall it after some time."

“Mrs. Pomfrey, they are stronger than you think,” Felix told her, and walked out of the ward.

At the entrance to the ancient rune office, he saw Yuria, Byers, and Besni waiting outside.

They came to say goodbye.

“Mr. Haip, I am very grateful for our exchange over the past few days. I have an idea—to start a newspaper to promote the Reform Society’s views. I would like to ask if you would mind if I published some of our previous discussions there…”

Felix had no reason to refuse.

……

Harry spent five whole days in the hospital ward, undergoing various examinations under Madam Pomfrey's guidance, feeling like a guinea pig. Hermione was the first to recover and leave the hospital, followed by Ron, making the next few days unbearable. After more than ten requests to be discharged, Madam Pomfrey finally granted his request.

Before leaving, Madam Pomfrey gave him a large jar of euphoria, which Harry figured represented the entire hospital's stock. "All three of you will receive one small cup a day for the time being," she said sternly. Judging by her demeanor, if Harry disagreed, she would force him to stay and supervise him until he finished the jar.

Emerging from the university hospital, Harry was momentarily at a loss for where to go. He felt he must look ridiculous clutching the jar. He didn't want to go back to the common room either. During the days he'd spent in bed, he, Ron, and Hermione had spent countless hours discussing the impact of Voldemort's resurrection, with Hermione constantly sifting through the newspapers for useful information. His mind was practically numb.

He stood in the corridor, looking out the window. From his vantage point, he could see Hagrid's Hut, Beauxbatons' carriage was still there, but the magical creature statues in the Quidditch pitch and Ivermony's quarters were gone. Harry realized the War of the Champions was over, and they should leave Hogwarts…

However, Durmstrang's eerie sailboat was still moored by the Black Lake, where he saw tiny, ant-like figures moving about. He wondered if Krum was among them.

“Hey Harry,” Neville’s voice said, “you’re out of the hospital. Wow, that must be some euphoria, but you have a much bigger bottle than Ron’s. You missed some things while you were in the hospital; Ilfamoni and Vagado’s team left.”

Harry felt a pang of regret. He hadn't yet thanked Nona in person; her amulet had been quite effective. And Byles—he considered them friends, though Dumbledore forbade anyone else to disturb them. It couldn't be helped; they were too popular, and Madam Pomfrey's flower and fruit baskets filled the ward.

"...Since they couldn't see you, they prepared some farewell gifts and left them in your dorm room...Ron decided to wait until you come back to open them; he's really struggling to hold back his laughter," Neville said, suppressing a laugh.

Harry thought for a moment and then grinned.

“Why are Beauxbatons and Durmstrang still here?” he asked.

“You mean this?” Neville scratched his round face. “The students at Beauxbatons stayed voluntarily, and Mrs. Maxime is still at the school, though I don’t know why. But the students at Durmstrang are in a bad situation.”

What happened to them?

"The headmaster of Durmstrang, the one named Kakarov, abandoned his students and secretly slipped away. Nobody knows when it happened; Ors Poliaco said that Mrs. Kakarov has been missing since the night you returned."

Harry was utterly astonished. How could a headmaster of a magic school be so easily frightened away by the intimidation of Voldemort, who was hundreds of kilometers away? This weighed heavily on his heart, and his stomach felt as if a stone was weighing down on it.

"How are they going to get back? They must be terrified."

To Harry's surprise, Neville laughed.

"Well—to be honest, their emotions are relatively stable. Karkaroff isn't very popular. Remember? Just because Poliaco showed some dark magic in the dueling class, he got a severe beating from Karkaroff when he got back."

"But he was doing it to protect his school's reputation!" Harry shouted.

Neville shook his head, agreeing that Karkaroff's actions were incomprehensible.

At that moment, Professor McGonagall hurried over from the other side of the corridor.

"Potter, come with me, the headmaster wants to see you—"

Harry said goodbye to Neville, who offered to help him bring the euphoric potion back to his dormitory, for which Harry was extremely grateful. He followed Professor McGonagall to the statue in the Headmaster's office. Professor McGonagall didn't follow, so he pushed open the door alone, nearly bumping into Snape. Snape's expression was not good; his face was even paler, radiating coldness from within.

Before Harry could even take a second look, Snape tossed his robes and walked away.

Harry entered the office. Headmaster Dumbledore had his hands on the desk, staring blankly at a shallow stone basin. Harry recognized it—it was the Pensieve. It was the first time he had ever seen a real Pensieve, though he had seen something similar at the Spellbook Club.

“You should recognize what this is, Harry?” Dumbledore smiled and looked up.

“Yes, Professor,” Harry’s heart pounded, “Professor Hyp has made some runic items in imitation of the Pensieve…”

“Ah, ancient runes are indeed very convenient,” Dumbledore said with a smile. “They can be used in ancient magic as well as to create magical items. If I hadn’t been so busy these past few years, I would definitely have made time to study them…”

"So, Harry, perhaps you can guess why I'm here to see you?" He closed his fingers, sat behind his chair, and quietly looked at Harry. His eyes held too many emotions for Harry to decipher.

“Well, I guess—you want to tell me something?” Harry honestly voiced his thoughts.

“That’s true. Voldemort has been resurrected, and Harry, you’re deeply entangled with his fate. I think it’s time for you to know some things and address some questions,” Dumbledore said through his half-moon spectacles. “Of course, I also have a request.”

"A request?" Harry looked at him in surprise, wondering what he could do for the headmaster.

“I want to see what happened that night,” Dumbledore said softly, “through your eyes.”

“My perspective…” Harry repeated slowly, his mind a little foggy.

“That’s right. I told you back in first grade that Voldemort’s unsuccessful Killing Curse connected you with him, which allowed you to sense his emotions under certain circumstances—”

"So that's why you had Professor Hyp teach me Occlumency?" Harry blurted out.

“That’s right.” Dumbledore nodded slightly. “Considering that Voldemort is getting stronger and stronger, and his resurrection seems unstoppable, I worry that as he becomes more powerful, he will discover this connection and may even turn around and control you.”

Harry was horrified; he couldn't believe what was happening. The scar on his forehead throbbed, but it was nothing compared to the potential consequences. He had never imagined that his scar would become something like a medium for the Imperius Curse.

“However, you have mastered Occlumency quite well,” Dumbledore said with a slight smile. “I am only explaining the most serious consequences to you, and I believe that Voldemort would have a hard time controlling your body from a great distance.”

Harry breathed a slight sigh of relief. Then he thought of the headmaster's request, and an idea popped into his head, "So you think my perspective—well—can see things differently?"

His attitude began to waver again; so far, his connection with Voldemort had been a good thing.

However, the potential dangers should not be ignored.

“I can’t give you a definite answer, Harry,” Dumbledore said, “but I have a theory that when you get too close to Voldemort, that connection is strengthened and may reveal some secrets hidden in your memories.”

“I agree,” Harry said, then hesitated for a moment: “But I won’t extract memories. I know the principle, but I’ve never tried it myself—”

“I can assist you in casting the spell,” Dumbledore said. “But don’t rush, let’s look at a few memories together first.”

……

Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy stared blankly at a letter in his hand.

The letter was sent to him by his mother. At first glance, there was nothing unusual about it. The letter was full of a mother's longing for her son. Not to mention, the letter also thoughtfully included a list of dishes for the dinner.

Draco only realized something was wrong on the second reading; his mother was rarely so long-winded.

The Malfoy family has many rules, but only one seems to fit the current situation—Draco silently recited a string of numbers while picking out the letters on the letter in order. Soon, his eyes widened; the message conveyed by this secret letter was:

Find an opportunity to have a good fight with Potter.

……

On the eve of his departure from school, the front page of the Daily Prophet refreshed the hot topic of discussion at Hogwarts. Fudge finally came out of his office and, after hastily admitting that the Man of Void had indeed returned, stated that he was not suitable to lead the wizarding world, which was currently in a state of war, and decided to voluntarily step down from the position of Minister of Magic.

Harry stared at the photo of Fudge surrounded by flashing lights in the newspaper for a long time. Fudge looked more than ten years older, much thinner, and extremely haggard. While Harry felt a sense of satisfaction, he also felt a pang of pity for him.

At this point, Dumbledore stood up and gave a speech. He affirmed the Ministry of Magic's claim that Voldemort had come back to life and reiterated the significance of the Tournament, emphasizing that "understanding and unity among wizards" is more important than ever before.

“Every guest in this auditorium is welcome to return at any time, as long as they wish.”

Harry stared at the newspaper: the new Minister for Magic would be Amelia Bornes, the former head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, next week…

Is Sirius Black with her now?

"...Voldemort's methods of creating conflict and hostility are extremely sophisticated. We can only fight him to the end by showing the same unbreakable friendship and trust."

The second edition introduces a wartime survival manual hastily produced by the Ministry of Magic, which will be distributed in the coming days and sent by owls to every wizarding family.

Hopefully it will work...

“We will all face dark and difficult times... Many families will be torn apart, and you will have to choose between the right path and shortcuts…”

The fourth edition brings bad news: a massive breakout has occurred in Azkaban, with the Dementors collectively rebelling. The good news is that there were few casualties, and Acting Minister Ms. Burns has decided to ease restrictions and recruit a group of Aurors and strikers.

The pace of war quickened...

"We still have to thank four people, three of whom were students. I'm talking about Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. They showed great courage in every way, a spirit that few people have shown in the face of Voldemort... courage and wisdom combined, cleverly seeking help from Professor Felix Heap, successfully escaping Voldemort's clutches, and exposing Voldemort's schemes to the world."

Dumbledore raised his goblet. Harry hurriedly followed suit, raising his own glass along with Ron and Hermione, as they faced the stares of everyone in the Great Hall.

The school year is over, Harry thought.

But the war began.

Chapter 492 On the Train

The next morning, the students packed their bags and crowded in the hallway, waiting for the carriages to take them to the station. Harry, carrying a suitcase in his left hand and the cage containing Hedwig in his right, watched as Mrs. Maxime and Fleur walked toward the lawn, where Beauxbatons' carriage was waiting.

"Hibiscus said she plans to find a job in England, at this sensitive time... what is she thinking?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged; he couldn't answer either. Looking past the crowd, Hermione and Krum were saying their final goodbyes; Hermione shook her head awkwardly.

“They’re all in their final year of school, aren’t they?” Harry suddenly realized.

“That’s right, it proves that our trophy is really valuable,” Ron said with satisfaction. “More importantly, including the reward from the ‘Future World’ company, I’ve saved up about a thousand Galleons…that’s a lot of money.” He said with a beaming smile.