A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts-Chapter 619: Release

Chapter 619: Release

Harry hurriedly walked away, afraid that if he continued speaking, he might end up doing something strange. He definitely didn't want Ron's last impression of him to be sobbing uncontrollably, with snot and tears all over the place.

"Professor," he gasped, his heart pounding.

Felix nodded, expressionless, "It's better to wait until everyone disperses, don't want to attract attention."

Harry watched as Ron left with the crowd, glancing back at them with a puzzled expression. Finally, the cheerful and lively atmosphere gradually faded, and Harry's mood inevitably sank along with the empty and quiet hall.

After a few more minutes, Felix led Harry away.

Harry followed behind in a daze, those few minutes bringing back the emotions he had deliberately suppressed throughout the summer. In his mind, a tumultuous surge of emotions resurfaced, making him feel like a drowning person, gradually losing hope. As they passed through the dim entrance hall and headed towards the spiral staircase, Harry felt strange. Weren't they supposed to go outside?

Suddenly, he felt a sharp gaze staring at him from behind. He turned abruptly, seeing a blurry, massive black figure standing at the dark staircase, motionless and confronting him.

Harry stumbled on the steps, and when he looked up again, the figure had disappeared, leaving him with a chilling sensation.

Felix stopped, looking towards the empty stairs, deep in thought.

"Syphlet."

"That... is that Snape?" Harry said, still in shock.

"It's Professor Snape... probably not trusting enough," Felix said uncertainly. They continued up the stairs, and Harry, preoccupied with complex thoughts, remembered something he hadn't mentioned – Ron's uncle, Billius.

Billius died after encountering something ominous – a large black dog – twenty-four hours later.

But there were various signs of impending death, Harry thought, grateful to Trelawney for teaching him about many 'ominous' signs in class. This had happened in his third year when he was terrified by Sirius Black's Animagus form. The eccentric Divination professor was to thank for that.

Luckily, he didn't have to take her class this year.

However, Harry's mood quickly turned gloomy again. Would he be able to sit peacefully in the classroom tomorrow? Perhaps that was just a luxury for him unless he turned into a ghost like the weeping peach blossom... I wonder if Dudley could see him then?

"Keep up," Felix said.

Harry realized he had fallen behind Professor Snape by half a flight of stairs and quickened his pace.

"Where are we going, Professor?" To prevent himself from continuing to overthink, Harry asked random questions.

"Room seven."

"Room seven?"

"Where else did you think we were going?" Felix replied casually.

"I thought... well, maybe to some secluded cave or dungeon."

"Ah, did you guess that?" Felix chuckled. They stopped at the door of Room Seven. "Dumbledore should already be inside." When Harry saw Professor Snape conjuring intricate magical patterns with his fingertips, he was amazed.

"Necessary precautions," Felix's smile became more apparent. "You could open the door with a key, but I find this method more convenient."

"Do students enter this way too?" Harry asked, doubting anyone could enter except Hermione.

"Oh, didn't Dumbledore mention it at the feast? Room Seven is not open to the public this year; some functions have been moved to the adjacent room... Let's go." The door opened, and Felix held it open for Harry to enter first.

Harry walked in silently.

"Voldemort is confined here?" he suddenly asked.

"That's correct; we've arrived."

Harry thought he would see a platform or a cage, and Dumbledore and Professor Snape would be the only spectators watching him duel with Voldemort. However, reality was vastly different. Dumbledore stood confidently in front of a small two-story building, hands folded in front of his beard, humming a tune happily, seemingly not detached from the festive atmosphere of the banquet.

"Harry," Dumbledore said cheerfully, "I know you must have a lot of questions, but I hope you can remain calm and not scream."

He finished speaking and stepped aside.

Harry's eyes widened, a scream stuck in his throat. He saw Voldemort, limbs limp, hanging towards the ground, suspended in mid-air. A silver, transparent tail-swallowing snake, larger than a serpent, slowly rotated, devouring him.

The room twinkled with colorful dots, which dreamily merged into the snake's body.

"This is—"

"Felix Harp's private prison. He's completely trapped there, from magic to body, including consciousness," Felix said briefly. "Feel it carefully."

Harry was somewhat puzzled, so he gripped his wand tightly.

Felix and Dumbledore exchanged a glance. Dumbledore whispered, "No, Harry, you don't need a wand – feel it with your heart."

Harry's heart stirred, and he sensed something unusual. "I... um," he looked uncertainly at the two, "I seem to be able to perceive that snake..."

Felix chuckled.

"Because your thoughts are in there. This snake, your guardian – let's call it that for now – is actually formed by multiple magical entities similar to guardians. You've seen the information I gave you, so you should understand, right?"

Harry thought seriously for a moment.

"Guardians need positive emotions, but I demonstrated in the club that you can substitute with other emotions. Can they still come together?" he asked.

Harry imagined several – even dozens – of guardians with different appearances coming together in his mind, for the first time feeling that his brain wasn't enough. He didn't know if the book on guardians he wrote was outdated.

"It's difficult," Felix sighed. "Some things are unrelated to magic, and those little guys don't get along with each other. It's understandable – they're all products of strong emotions. I have to find a common goal, a leader-like figure for them."

Harry was stunned. He asked tentatively, "You mean... me?"

"Your guardian," Felix corrected. "How should I put it? Emotions don't lie, especially to oneself. Although I deeply dislike Voldemort, it's still hard to burst out strong emotions when facing him... So, I had to gather your guardians during the last part of the previous school year."

"Gathered them?" Harry repeated hoarsely. He didn't understand why his voice suddenly started trembling. "So, you called me here for this – to replenish emotional energy? Only I can do it, right... Let me think, because he killed my parents and wanted to kill me, but unfortunately, he only left a scar on my forehead. Oh, I almost forgot, the scar is the most important... It contains a small piece of Voldemort's soul."

Felix looked surprised, exchanging a glance with Dumbledore. The meaning was, did you tell Harry?

"Severus told you?" Dumbledore asked, the joy disappearing from his face.

"I saw it myself, through his memories, yes, I know everything." Harry gritted his teeth, his tone involuntarily rising. "On the day you caught Voldemort. It seems Snape didn't tell you, I guess he didn't know how to handle the situation, just like me..."

"Who else have you told about this, Harry? It's important," Dumbledore asked with a serious expression.

"Don't worry, I haven't told anyone. I used the Occlumency you taught me," Harry said excitedly. He was trembling all over, but not out of fear. "I only have one question now – when do I die?"

"Harry—" Dumbledore struggled to speak.

"I understand. This is my mission and the whole meaning of being alive, right?" Harry shouted. The long-suppressed emotions finally found an outlet, allowing him to vent freely. "But before that, I think I can live for a while, because... because of my guardian."

"Patronus!" he shouted, raising his wand. A majestic stag emerged from the tip of the wand, like a real creature, a true guardian, standing in front of him, radiating bright light that shook the entire Room 7.

Harry calmed down. He waved his wand, and the silver stag leaped in the air. At this moment, the snake started moving, spitting out its tail. Then, the huge snake eyes lowered, staring at the stag, longing for something.

The silver guardian rushed into the open mouth of the snake without hesitation, merging with it.

The snake suddenly raised its head, as if roaring. Two bright lights shot from its eyes, and its body began to convulse violently, along with the Voldemort at the tip of its tail. But in the next second, the snake swallowed Voldemort and its own tail again.

Room 7 fell silent.

Harry spoke, his tone as calm as death:

"I've been thinking about this issue for a while. Calculating dates in my mind, even on my birthday. Maybe you'll show up on the first day of summer vacation, but you didn't. Professor Snape found me afterward, but it was for Mr. Bashat. I thought the Phoenix Society's bonfire night would be a good opportunity, but none of you showed up... I thought, yes, maybe you'll be merciful and let me live past my 16th birthday."

"Did I have any hope in my heart?"

"Perhaps, but it disappeared at the end. I was prepared before coming here. But it seems it's not the time yet. I just hope you make a decision soon because... I might change my mind suddenly one day, not wanting to die anymore. So, give me an accurate date while I still haven't changed my mind."

Harry couldn't continue. Through his moist eyes, he saw Dumbledore, also teary.

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