HP: Azkaban's Outstanding Graduate

The small private room felt a bit crowded due to the sudden influx of visitors, and Ms. Rosmerta took the opportunity to bring over a few butterbeers and flaming whiskeys.

The conversation naturally turned to the most eye-catching change in the magical world recently—the magic network.

“Professor Greengrass,”

Minister Bones spoke first, "Regarding the expansion of the Magic Network, could you elaborate on some of the new features you mentioned last time?"

"Of course, Your Excellency Minister."

Sagres put down his water glass. "Simply put, it's like injecting all the Teletubbies' Balala energy into Concrete No. 42, then adding Onii-chan and stirring clockwise for three and a half weeks..." (Ten thousand words omitted here.)

He picked up his water glass, took a sip, and continued, "Then blah blah, blah blah, gurgle gurgle, waibi bab..." (Nine thousand eight hundred and seventy-two words omitted here.)

Professor McGonagall frowned deeply upon hearing this and couldn't help but ask:

"Sagres, please allow me to raise a pressing question. Since the Hogwarts Network was established, I've observed that a significant number of students dedicate almost all their free time to it. This is severely impacting their learning and communication. Sometimes I can't help but wonder if we're creating an irresistible 'poison'?"

This question clearly resonated with all the professors present, and even Snape nodded in agreement.

"Rest assured, Professor McGonagall, this is within my consideration."

Despite the questions, Sagres remained calm, stating, "The 'anti-addiction' function of the Magic Network is already under development. It will automatically adjust the daily connection time based on the age and identity of the user, and disconnect the connection after reaching the threshold."

He concluded by stating his position to everyone: "In my view, the magic network is a tool to promote the development of magic, not a quagmire to escape reality."

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "Very thoughtful, Sacramento. Balance is always key."

He changed the subject, "So, regarding what you mentioned earlier, Voldemort's arrangements..."

Sagres knew what Dumbledore was referring to, and he readily replied, "Yes, I've already connected him to the Magic Network."

"what?!"

Apart from Dumbledore, who seemed to have expected this, and Snape, who remained expressionless, everyone else showed expressions of shock.

"This is too dangerous!"

Professor McGonagall exclaimed, "How can you be so sure that the demon won't use the magic network for something?"

“Rest assured,” Sagres said with absolute confidence, “his access to the magic network is limited to the lowest level. He cannot influence anything in the real world, nor can he actively communicate with other linkers. He is more like a prisoner locked in a ‘dark room,’ only able to passively receive some filtered information and unable to do anything bad.”

He glanced around at everyone and dropped another bombshell: "Not only that, I also plan to add a mirror image based on Voldemort to the 'Floating Arena' at Hogwarts. Any student with courage and ability, including professors, can challenge this 'Dark Lord Mirror Image.' The victor will receive a special title and badge as proof of their courage and skill."

Even Snape raised his eyelids, a strange emotion flashing in his dark eyes.

The controversy in the private room escalated again.

"This is utter nonsense!"

Professor McGonagall's voice was somewhat agitated, "It's absurd to send students to confront Voldemort, even if it's just a mirror image!"

"I think it's a brilliant idea!"

Professor Flitwick stood on his chair, excitedly saying, "Facing the most terrifying enemy in a safe environment will greatly hone their mental fortitude and their ability to deal with dark magic! Just think about it, it's the Dark Lord..."

Professor Sprout said worriedly, "Oh my god, won't this... won't this make us seem disrespectful to the Dark Lord? I mean, after all, he once..."

"respect?"

Snape interjected coldly, “I think it’s perfectly appropriate for him to continue to ‘contribute’ to magical education in this way.”

Chapter 497 The Ghost Voldemort

Just then, Ms. Rosmerta walked in carrying a plate of freshly baked pies and happened to overhear the argument.

Her eyes widened, and she quickly put down the plate she was holding. "What are you talking about? You can challenge the Mystic on the Hogwarts arena? The one whose name can't even be mentioned?"

“Yes, Rosmerta,” Dumbledore said, looking at her calmly, “Is there a problem?”

Ms. Rosmerta wiped her hands on her apron, a hint of excitement on her face.

"If... I mean if, this arena were open to the public, and not just for Hogwarts students... I believe that many people in Hogsmeade, and indeed the entire wizarding world, would be willing to pay to try! After all..."

She lowered her voice, but everyone could hear her, "His era is over, isn't it? I heard even his statue is being washed by water every day in the Ministry of Magic's halls. If someone could... uh, in a safe place, give him a few blows, vent their anger, or prove themselves... I'm sure someone would be willing to pay Galleons for it, a lot of Galleons!"

After Ms. Rosmerta finished speaking, a subtle silence fell over the private room.

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows and pressed her lips into a stern line: "What kind of behavior is this?! Turning the serious struggle against the Dark Lord into... into a paid entertainment program?!"

Her hands, resting on her lap, clenched unconsciously; she was clearly shocked by the somewhat vulgar idea.

Professor Flitwick's reaction was quite different.

He stroked his chin and muttered, "Paid challenges...that's a new idea. Perhaps we could set up different difficulty levels, leaderboards, and even small prize pools...this would not only greatly boost training enthusiasm but also raise funds for clubs or schools..."

Sagres gently stroked the rim of the glass, his gaze lingering on Ms. Rosmerta for a moment.

This woman is quite bold; no wonder she can be a boss...

“Interesting idea, Rosmerta.”

Dumbledore finally spoke, “To visualize fear and then put it into a playful framework…that is indeed a unique way to overcome fear.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "However, this involves very complex issues, and perhaps it is too early for us to discuss these matters now."

Ms. Rosmerta realized she might have said too much, chuckled awkwardly, and quickly said, "Oh, of course, of course! I was just... mentioning it casually. Everyone, take your time chatting, and enjoy the pie while it's hot!"

She hurriedly left the private room and gently closed the door behind her.

……

A cool night breeze carried away the lingering laughter and chatter on the streets of Hogsmeade.

Leaving the warm Three Broomsticks pub, Sagres joined the Hogwarts professors on the stone steps back to the castle.

Minister Burns bid farewell to everyone at the bar entrance and then vanished in a phantom.

The professors were still engrossed in their heated discussion, which revolved around the magic network and the most controversial "Voldemort mirror challenge."

“I still think it’s too risky, Albus.”

Professor McGonagall had had a bit too much to drink tonight. She walked briskly beside Dumbledore. “What we should be doing is teaching them how to build a better future, not wallowing in how to defeat a fallen giant.”

“You can’t say that, Minerva,” Professor Flitwick’s voice came from behind the group.

Because he was short, he walked very fast, and occasionally he would jog a few steps.

"Learning how to face the darkest adversaries in a safe environment is itself a powerful form of 'construction'."

As he spoke, he pulled out his wand and cast a speed-enhancing spell on himself. He strode to the front of the group and continued, "Imagine what would happen if future Aurors faced the most cunning dark wizard during their school years..."

Snape walked silently at the back, his black robes almost blending into the night. Only when Flitwick mentioned "the most cunning dark wizard" did he subtly smirk, whether in agreement or disdain, it was unclear.

Sagres landed slightly at the edge of the crowd.

He appeared to be listening to the professors' conversation, but his brain was actually working at lightning speed, piecing together the fragmented information he had gleaned from Slughorn that evening with the intelligence he already possessed.

“Seven…a magical number, the most powerful…” Professor Slughorn’s words echoed in his mind.

What are the known Horcruxes?

Tom Riddle's Diary

Marvolo Gaunt's ring

Slytherin's Locket

Hufflepuff's Golden Cup

The big snake named Nagini

Including Harry Potter, that makes six pieces, and with himself, that makes seven souls. But he is the main soul, and the Horcruxes should exist outside of the main soul.

Perhaps Voldemort's original goal was to create six Horcruxes, dividing his soul into seven pieces, but on that night more than ten years ago, he accidentally divided his soul into eight pieces, creating Harry as the seventh Horcrux?

Or perhaps he successfully created seven Horcruxes, and Harry was the unplanned eighth?

So the key is what that unknown one or two things are.

The relics of the four founders possess powerful symbolic meaning and magic, and Voldemort considered them excellent materials for creating Horcruxes.

Slytherin's locket and Hufflepuff's golden cup are among them.

So……

Ravenclaw's tiara and Gryffindor's sword are very likely also Voldemort's Horcruxes.

Although the Sorting Hat claims it can sense that the sword is unharmed, given Voldemort's desire for the founder's relics, it's not entirely impossible that he could take possession of it.

……

As Sagres sorted through the clues, another consciousness in the world of the magic network was undergoing an unprecedented and strange "journey".

The moment Voldemort's mirror image connected to the magic network, it did indeed feel a long-lost sense of "freedom".

He broke free from the cold, rigid stone statue and escaped the endless sound of the rushing water.

He "appeared" in the courtyard of the Ministry of Magic, which was constructed using a magic network.

Everything here is incredibly lifelike: the fountains, the firelight, the smooth marble floors, even the movement of the air are all remarkably realistic. He even saw his own sculpture.

Not only that, he also saw scattered images of wizards.

Some are depicted as employees of the Ministry of Magic, while others are bizarre-looking humanoid creatures; they talk, walk, and perform official duties.

A surge of joy rose within him, and Voldemort attempted to communicate with one of the mirror images.

He pointed to a male wizard's reflection that was hurrying past and said in a commanding tone, "Stop."

However, the mirror image did not respond.

The other person, like a puppet with a pre-set path, passed straight through his location and headed towards the elevator in the distance.

Voldemort could even "see" the focused expression on the mirror image of the other person's face.

Undeterred, he tried a few more.

The results are the same.

Gradually, he understood.

He was like a ghost, existing in this world but unable to have any real impact on it.

Any signals he sends out seem to be filtered by an invisible barrier, unable to reach others.