Ch135- Wraith

Ch135- Wraith

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Settling on either side of Harry, Daphne and Tracey nudged him, their curiosity piqued. "You seem miles away, Harry. What's on your mind?" Tracey followed Harry's gaze, which had inadvertently landed on Professor Septima Vector. Mistaking his distant look, she teased, "Harry, are you admiring the Arithmancy professor?"

Daphne couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head. "It's Harry we're talking about. He's probably pondering the mysteries of Arithmancy, not daydreaming about the professor."

Harry, unable to resist, joined in their laughter. "If I were to get lost in thought over someone's features, it would undoubtedly be yours, Daphne." Daphne's cheeks turned a shade of pink, and before she could retort, Harry playfully added, looking at Tracey, "Or perhaps, yours, Tracey."

Tracey, still giggling, responded, "Since when did you become such a charmer, Harry? Stumbled upon a secret tome on flirting, have you? There are some things books can't teach you."

"Well, it seems I have the best teachers right here, then," Harry quipped, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

As lunch continued, the trio discussed their upcoming classes, with Harry skillfully steering the conversation away from his earlier preoccupations. The mention of Arithmancy led to a spirited debate about the practical applications of the subject, with Tracey playfully insisting that there must be some magical formula for perfect flirtation.

Nigel, ever-present but silent during the exchange, finally chimed in, his voice a whisper only Harry could hear. "I must admit, Master Harry, your attempts at lightening the mood are commendable. But let's not forget the storm clouds gathering on the horizon."

Harry nodded subtly, acknowledging Nigel's reminder. "I haven't forgotten, Nigel. But sometimes, a brief respite is necessary to gather one's strength for the challenges ahead."

At night, as Harry sat by his window, Hedwig glided in gracefully, landing beside him with a soft hoot. "Good to have you back," Harry greeted her, a smile touching his lips as she playfully pecked at his ear. "You forgot dinner again!" she huffed in a way that made her displeasure clear, yet held a playful undertone. "I had to go hunting in the forest. You know I don't like doing that alone."Ne/w novel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Harry chuckled, reaching for a stash of treats to appease the evidently disgruntled owl. Ever since acquiring the ability to understand basic creature speech through Omnitongue, Harry had discovered a new layer to his relationship with Hedwig. He hadn't realized owls were magical creatures too, though it made perfect sense considering their uncanny ability to locate addresses they'd never visited before, guided by unseen magical threads. Hedwig, in particular, displayed a level of intelligence that set her apart from her avian peers. If Harry had to guess, she possessed the wisdom and wit of a child of six or seven years in human terms.

"So, had any interesting encounters in the forest?" Harry inquired, watching Hedwig nibble on the snacks. "Or was it just the usual mice and voles?"

Nigel's voice followed him, a blend of amusement and concern. "Off to play the hero again, are we? Just be careful, Master Harry. The Forbidden Forest isn't known for its hospitality."

Harry, now almost a shadow himself under the cloak, didn't respond. His mind was focused on the task at hand, racing through the castle's corridors and out into the cool night. The grounds were silent, the usual hustle and bustle of Hogwarts students safely tucked away behind stone walls.

As he approached the forest's edge, the distress calls grew louder, more urgent. Harry's heart raced, not just from the run but from the anticipation of what he might find.

Deep within the shadowy embrace of the Forbidden Forest, Harry could see the shimmering forms of Unicorns, their ethereal beauty marred by fear. And there, among them, was the source of their distress: a dark, wraith-like shadow that moved with unnatural speed, circling the creatures with malevolent intent.

Harry stepped forward, the Invisibility Cloak making him a mere observer, unseen by both the shadow and the Unicorns. He whispered under his breath, hoping for guidance or a plan. "Nigel, any ideas on how to handle a cursed shadow?"

Nigel's response was tinged with worry, "Well, I hadn't planned on adding 'shadow buster' to my resume, but I'd suggest light. Lots of it. Shadows tend to dislike that sort of thing."

Removing one of the wands he had taken from the Potter Vault, specifically one with a core of Unicorn Hair, Harry prepared himself. He chose not to use his own wand for fear it might somehow reveal his presence or intentions more than he wished. As he stepped closer, under the protective veil of his Invisibility Cloak, he silently activated the Observe function on the shadowy figure menacing the Unicorns.

[System Message: Wraith Form of Voldemort. Extreme caution advised. Known for his malevolence and strong dark magic. Currently in a weakened state but highly dangerous.]

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