Ch206- Hollow

Ch206- Hollow

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Before Harry could further study his eventual encounter with the basilisk, a letter arrived from Amelia Bones. Harry had long planned how to bring Peter Pettigrew to justice. With ample time and the combined intelligence of both Nigel and himself, the plan was a mischievous stroke of genius.

A month later, in the Great Hall, this year's Easter Egg hunt had just ended. The event was a resounding success, building on the excitement and wonder of last year but with a new and thrilling twist that captivated everyone. The Magical Books of the Duelling Club had played a crucial role, turning the hunt into a magical adventure.

Professor Flitwick stood at the front of the Great Hall, beaming with pride. "Thank you all for participating in this year's Easter Egg hunt!" he announced, his voice full of enthusiasm. "This year, we incorporated your enchanted books from the Duelling Club to make the event even more challenging and rewarding."

The Magical Books had turned into event mode, revealing the progress of the event. The books displayed clues, riddles, and challenges that the students had to solve or overcome to find the hidden eggs. Unlike last year, where solving puzzles and riddles was enough, this year required magical abilities as well. This added a layer of complexity and excitement, encouraging students to use their skills and knowledge in new ways.

"To make the hunt fair and inclusive," Professor McGonagall continued, stepping forward, "some eggs were designed to be found only by certain age groups or combinations of different years. This encouraged the creation of 'parties,'” she looked at Harry to see if she used the right term then continued, “where students could team up and work together. Additionally, some eggs required collaboration between different houses, promoting inter-house unity and cooperation."

Throughout the hunt, students had the option to form parties, combining their strengths to tackle the more difficult challenges. The more experience points (EXP) they gained, the higher their level, and the harder riddles or quests they could undertake for bigger, more rewarding eggs.

Seeing Draco Malfoy and his fellow Slytherins partnered with a group of second-year Hufflepuffs almost made all the hard work worth it. They navigated the dungeons, using their combined magical abilities to solve cryptic clues and dispel enchantments that guarded the eggs.

The Great Hall buzzed with excitement as the results of the hunt were displayed. Each student's Magical Book showed their achievements, highlighting the eggs they had found and the challenges they had overcome. The inter-house collaboration was particularly praised, with many students expressing how much they enjoyed working with peers from other houses.

Harry, the mastermind behind the event, watched with satisfaction from the back of the hall. He had spent countless hours designing the challenges and integrating them with the Magical Books, ensuring that the hunt was both fun and educational.

Nigel's voice chimed in Harry's mind. "Master Harry, it appears your plan has succeeded splendidly. The students are thrilled, and the inter-house unity is a delightful bonus."

Harry smiled inwardly. "Yes, Nigel. It's wonderful to see everyone enjoying themselves and working together but the real show is yet to begin."

As the students continued to celebrate their successes, Professors Flitwick and McGonagall handed out special awards for those who had shown exceptional teamwork and creativity during the hunt. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and mutual respect, a testament to the power of cooperation and shared goals.

With the Easter Egg hunt concluded, Professor Flitwick once again took the stage, his voice ringing with excitement. "This year, Harry Potter has another little addition to our Easter Egg hunt. Let's see what he has for us."

The students erupted in cheers, many of them already familiar with Harry's knack for creating engaging activities through the Duelling Club and previous hunts. They eagerly awaited Harry's next surprise.

Harry stepped onto the stage, a confident smile on his face. With a flick of his wand, an elaborate setting appeared behind him. The scene was reminiscent of a maze, but designed for various pets – owls, rats, frogs, and other student pets. Each section of the maze was tailored to the abilities of different animals, with intricate pathways, tunnels, and small obstacles that they could navigate to find hidden eggs.

The students gazed at the setup in awe, their excitement palpable. Harry began to explain, "This year, I wanted to create a special event where our dear companions can join in the fun. The reward for this challenge is a 50 Galleon gift check from none other than Long Green Pot Alchemy!"

The mention of Long Green Pot Alchemy brought a roar of approval from the crowd. The company, having entered the market just last year, had quickly risen to fame due to the superior quality of their potions, rivaling others in the market while maintaining affordable prices.

Ron, holding Scabbers tightly, was particularly thrilled. The prospect of winning the prize was enough to make his eyes gleam with excitement. "Scabbers, this is our chance!" he whispered to his pet rat, who twitched its nose in response.

Harry continued, "Your pets will navigate through the maze, searching for eggs hidden within. Each egg contains a small treat for them and a point towards the grand prize. The maze is designed to challenge their natural instincts and abilities, making it both fun and rewarding."

The intricate details of the maze were impressive. There were sections where owls could swoop down to grab eggs, tunnels for rats to scurry through, and small water pools for frogs to navigate. Each pathway was filled with enticing scents and sights to guide the pets towards their goal. The maze even included magical elements like enchanted lights and gentle breezes to make the experience more engaging.

Students quickly lined up, eager to enter their pets into the maze. As the event began, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and friendly competition. Pets darted through the maze, each determined to find as many eggs as possible. The students cheered and encouraged their pets from the sidelines, creating a lively and joyous environment.

Ron watched anxiously as Scabbers navigated the maze, the little rat showing surprising agility. "Go, Scabbers! You can do it!" he shouted, his voice full of enthusiasm.

Harry observed from the side, pleased with how the event was unfolding. Nigel's voice chimed in his mind, "Master Harry, your intelligence and knack for grand showmanship never cease to amaze me."

Harry chuckled inwardly. "Why, thank you, Nigel. Although I do consider myself a little angel, I can play the role of a devil if necessary."

Peter's eyes widened with fear as the Aurors closed in around him. He made one last attempt to plead for his life. "Please, you have to believe me! It wasn't my fault! I was just trying to survive!"

Peter's eyes darted around the room in panic. "Please, you have to believe me!" he pleaded, looking directly at Ron. "I stayed with the Weasleys all these years. Wasn't I good?"

Harry's gaze was steely with barely controlled anger, his eyes blazed with madness. "You spied on underage students, pretending to be a harmless pet. And now you dare ask if you were good? You're nothing but a filthy traitor."

The students gasped, their faces a mix of shock and revulsion. Ginny's face turned pale as she remembered all the times she had changed with Scabbers in the room. She fell into her seat, trembling.

The Weasley twins clenched their fists. "You vermin!" they shouted, charging towards the cage, but Dumbledore stepped in front of them.

"Let's not escalate the situation," the Headmaster said, his voice calm but firm.

Harry's eyes flashed with fury. "Why not? This rat deserves no mercy. He killed my parents, spied on underage members of the Weasley Family, and hid among a noble family to probably spy on your so-called light side, Headmaster. What kind of kindness does he deserve?"

The tension in the Great Hall was palpable, the air thick with a mixture of outrage and disbelief. Pettigrew, realizing his pleas for sympathy were falling on deaf ears, continued to cower, his body trembling with fear.

Amelia Bones stepped forward, her expression one of stern resolve. "Peter Pettigrew, you will face justice for your crimes. Your actions have caused unimaginable pain and suffering. It is time you answer for them."

Peter's eyes darted around the room, seeking any sign of support, but finding none. His shoulders slumped in defeat as the Aurors closed in, securing him with magical restraints.

Harry's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of satisfaction and sorrow swirling within him. The man who had betrayed his parents, causing their deaths and so much more suffering, was finally caught. But it also brought back the grief of losing his parents, the pain of his childhood, and the immense weight of his responsibilities.

"Master Harry," Nigel's voice echoed in his mind, a hint of approval in his tone, "you have done well. Justice will be served, and your parents' memory honored."

Harry turned to leave, his feet moving automatically, driven by a whirlwind of emotions. "What does it even matter?" he muttered, his voice thick with sorrow and rage. "I couldn't even hurt him or avenge my parents. Even if I did, it wouldn't bring them back." The coldness in his tone belied the depth of his pain, a mix of anger, sadness, and confusion swirling within him.

"Master Harry," Nigel's voice, tinged with uncharacteristic gentleness, interjected, "revenge seldom brings solace. Your parents would not wish for you to be consumed by hatred."

Harry's eyes flashed with frustration. "Nigel, you don't understand. He took everything from me. My parents, my childhood... and he's been hiding here all this time, living as a rat while Sirius rotted in Azkaban for crimes he didn't commit!"

Nigel paused before replying, choosing his words carefully. "Justice will be served, Master Harry. Pettigrew will face the consequences of his actions. Your role in exposing him has already honored your parents' memory more than any act of vengeance could."

Harry stopped walking, his hands clenched into fists. "But it still hurts, Nigel. It hurts so much. I feel so powerless."

"The pain is a testament to your love for them," Nigel said softly. "And your power lies not in revenge, but in your capacity to change the world for the better. That is what will truly honor their memory."

Harry took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. "You're right, Nigel. I just... I need to focus. There are still so many things to do. Pettigrew might be captured, but the Chamber of Secrets is still a threat."

"Indeed, Master Harry," Nigel agreed. "And might I suggest that we redouble our efforts in mastering the spells and strategies needed to confront the basilisk? Idle hands, after all, are the devil's workshop."

A small, wry smile tugged at Harry's lips. "Thanks, Nigel. Let's get back to work."

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