Ch319- She is Here!

Ch319- She is Here!

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“Master,” Basi suddenly said, his tone firmer than usual, “you should lie down.”

Harry blinked, disoriented, and only then noticed the clammy dampness on his forehead and the way his hand trembled faintly as he pulled it away from the ring. His shirt clung to him, soaked through with sweat. “Did that... drain all my energy?”

“Yes,” Basi replied, eyes narrowing with concern. “It took a great deal of magic to unravel a curse so deeply entrenched. You have done well, but you must rest.”

Harry barely managed a nod, sinking to the stone floor and resting his back against the nearest pillar. His head spun, but he took deep breaths.

“Guess I underestimated what it would take,” he muttered. The sheer force required to tap into the wards and cleanse them had felt like fighting against a river current. He closed his eyes, letting the cold stone beneath him pull away some of the lingering exhaustion.

“What was that other thing?” he murmured, almost to himself, the memory of it nagging at him.

Basi’s voice broke into his thoughts. “It is not unusual for the wards to be complex, Master. The Founders designed Hogwarts to defend itself against threats and to safeguard the future they envisioned. Perhaps this... trace is simply another part of that vision. Though, it is curious.”

Harry shifted slightly, eyes narrowing at Basi’s words. “It didn’t feel like a spell or a protective charm, though,” he said, thinking it over. “It felt... I don’t know, like something woven into the school’s foundation, but without any clear purpose.”

Basi tilted his head thoughtfully, his massive body coiled with calm patience. “Then perhaps it is not a spell, but rather an intention left behind by the Founders themselves. They did not build Hogwarts with only one goal in mind. Some aspects of the wards could exist for reasons beyond our understanding, beyond even theirs. Some things must simply remain as they are—part of the castle’s spirit, if you will.”

Harry pushed himself off the cold stone floor, feeling the ache in his muscles as he steadied himself. “Maybe,” he replied to Basi’s thoughtful words, rubbing his eyes. “I’ll go back to my room and get some proper rest. Thanks for your help, Basi. I’ll be back before the term ends.”

The basilisk inclined his head, watching as Harry made his way toward the Chamber's exit. “As you wish, Master,” Basi said, his voice calm. “Rest well, and may your path be clear.”

Harry nodded in acknowledgment before stepping into the passageway that led back up to the castle. When he finally reached the staircase leading up to the castle’s main levels, he adjusted his cloak, keeping his steps quiet. The dungeons were empty, the corridors silent save for the soft creak of old wood and stone.

Harry’s gaze narrowed. He took a step forward, invading Avery’s personal space, and without a word, pushed his mind into the man’s. Avery’s thoughts were chaotic, but Harry was practiced enough to sift through them. He focused, digging into Avery’s memories.

Bellatrix... the Carrows... a few familiar faces—Lucius Malfoy, Goyle, Crabbe, Nott...

"Too crowded," Harry muttered under his breath. His thoughts immediately went cold. It wasn’t the kind of environment where he could just waltz in, not with all those Death Eaters around. If Bellatrix had been alone, he could have tried to talk to her. But now, with all the others... it was far too risky.

Harry stepped back, breaking the connection from Avery’s mind. As he mulled over his next move, he caught a figure in the corner of his eye. The man was walking with his head low, collar pulled up, and shoulders hunched as if he wanted to shrink from sight. A slow grin spread across Harry’s face as he recognized the man.

Sliding out of the alley, he casually wandered in Mundungus’ direction, making his presence look completely unintentional. At the last second, he veered into his path, causing the man to bump directly into him.

"Mr. Riddle!" Mundungus exclaimed, looking up in surprise, his eyes widening as he recognized Harry. "Didn’t expect to see you here..."

Harry tilted his head. "I might say the same to you, Mr. Fletcher. You’re looking rather... shifty."

"Me? Shifty? Nah, just, uh, out and about for a bit of business," Mundungus mumbled, his eyes darting nervously down the alley. Harry gave him a measured look, then raised an eyebrow.

“Business in Knockturn Alley? Sounds lucrative.” Harry asked, interested.

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