Chapter 132: Choices

Chapter 132: Choices

"Hermione... What kind of magic is this?" Helena's expression was truly remarkable.

"It's a form of Memory Magic," explained Felix Harp, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Can it stay for a while? Honestly, I'm not yet adept at this magic."

She paused.

Felix's head was spinning a bit. He had just conjured a vast amount of memories in an instant, then brought them forth all at once, leaving his mind quite heavy.

Helena looked at him with concern.

Felix took a few deep breaths, feeling much better. He said to Helena, "We're friends, aren't we?"L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

"Of course."

"Forgive my audacity, madam. From your story, it seems that more than hating others, you... hate yourself."

Her expression turned suddenly solemn, and she slightly turned, half her face cast in shadow.

Felix carefully continued, "Why did you become a ghost? Was it out of fear of death? From what I've gathered in our interactions, I don't believe that's the case. What truly troubles you is the guilt you can't release, the guilt you carry toward your mother."

With a deeply serious expression, he added, "The Bloody Baron has carried his chains for a thousand years. In a way, aren't you shackled too? I hope you can try to forgive yourself..."

Night draped the castle, following a long silence—

"Those who could forgive me have long disappeared, by the third day of my transformation into a ghost," Helena said icily and turned, drifting away.

This time, Felix didn't intervene.

...

The birth of a ghost is rooted in obsessions, and the thoughts at the moment of death are the most brilliant and intense. Therefore, the obsessions of most ghosts stem from a fear of death and a desire to escape it.

Cases like Helena, the Bloody Baron, and Professor Binns are rare.

For Helena, her obsession is filled with regret and remorse—regret for her ignorance leading to a grave mistake, regret for not believing the Bloody Baron's words, the guilt of not seeing her mother one last time, not apologizing in person...

That evening, he stood before the white walls of the Room of Requirement.

Through his conversation with Helena Ravenclaw, he suddenly considered an angle he had never thought of before.

He silently repeated to himself, "I need to find the room Rowena Ravenclaw left for her daughter, Helena Ravenclaw... I need to find the room Rowena Ravenclaw left for her daughter, Helena Ravenclaw... I need to find the room Rowena Ravenclaw left for her daughter, Helena Ravenclaw..."

Would it work? In theory, there shouldn't be such a loophole...

Realizing that Felix didn't want to explain, Dumbledore didn't press further. He thought for a moment, then pursed his lips and said, "Everyone has a different view of death—fear, evasion, distaste... But for some, like myself, it's approached with a sense of welcome."

"Welcome?" Felix doubted if he had misheard.

"Felix, for an elderly individual, there isn't much left to fear in the world. Death becomes an unknown, a novel and interesting concept, almost like a ticket to a grand adventure."

Felix shook his head, as this perspective differed from his own. He might not fear death, but he certainly didn't anticipate its arrival.

He asked the question that concerned him most, "What do you think the existence of ghosts signifies?"

"Ghosts? They linger in the material realm due to strong attachments..."

"No, Professor Dumbledore," he interjected, "please pardon me if I didn't explain clearly..."

Understandingly, Dumbledore looked at him, allowing Felix time to rephrase. This time, he carefully asked, "Ghosts exist due to their attachments, and they can be freed by those same attachments. Isn't that right?"

"Correct." Dumbledore blinked in agreement.

"So, what does this liberation really mean? Is it another form of death? Especially for someone like her, who has friends in the real world—I mean, it's a perpetual separation, no different from death."

"Her?" Dumbledore inquired.

Felix fell silent, not answering.

Dumbledore pondered for a moment before saying, "Different people might have varying interpretations. I can only share my own thoughts for your consideration."

"That's precisely why I've come, to use your wisdom to help me see things more clearly," Felix said.

"For ghosts, 'moving on' undoubtedly represents liberation. Staying tethered to the material world doesn't bring them happiness. In fact, while they can still talk and move around, they can't truly experience anything, and they remain bound by their attachments—very few choose to continue existing in this most meager manner."

"And what about the living? The friends of the ghosts?"

"Only blessings." Dumbledore said calmly, "Perhaps having experienced much, I tend to see things quite clearly. To some extent..." He said gently, "perhaps even a bit unemotionally."

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