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HRHL# CHAPTER 224
🕑 Added 2025-06-26 20:38:38 +0000 UTC“Professor,” Harry called out as he stepped into the Headmaster’s office, searching for any sign of Dumbledore.
To his disappointment, Dumbledore was nowhere to be found.
With remarkable patience, Harry settled into a chair in the office, waiting for over half an hour until Dumbledore finally entered from outside.
The sight of Harry caught Dumbledore off guard, a brief flicker of surprise crossing his face. He hadn’t expected Harry to be waiting for him in the Headmaster’s office.
“Professor,” Harry stood to greet him.
“My apologies, Harry,” Dumbledore said, crossing the room to sit in his chair. “The Ministry had some matters to discuss, which delayed me a bit. What brings you here?”
“I wanted to ask if I could visit the Forbidden Forest,” Harry said, clasping his hands together. “I’m one step away from completing the final Merlin Trial. I just got some Mallowsweet leaves from Professor Sprout, and I suspect Cassandra might be there.”
“I recall granting you leave last year, Harry,” Dumbledore said with a smile. “Besides, today is a study day—no classes.”
“There are Dementors at Hogwarts’ gates and in the Forbidden Forest, Professor,” Harry sighed. “You know how Dementors are—they don’t exactly understand the concept of forgiveness. I’d rather avoid trouble.”
Dumbledore gazed at Harry impassively, a glint of light flashing across his half-moon spectacles.
Trouble? Dumbledore thought. You say you don’t want trouble?
Didn’t want trouble, yet you dispatched three Dementors on the train?
Did you think I was at the Ministry for a casual chat? They wanted to know why three Dementors sent to search the train vanished without a trace…
“I know you don’t want to cause trouble for the school, Harry,” Albus I’m-Exhausted Dumbledore said with a sigh. “But I believe your matters are more pressing. Those Dementors won’t threaten your safety.”
Indeed, the Dementors should be more concerned about their safety, Dumbledore thought with a hint of schadenfreude.
“What if a Dementor attacks me?” Harry pressed.
“That’s their responsibility, Harry,” Dumbledore replied firmly.
That was exactly what Harry needed to hear.
“With your assurance, I feel much better,” Harry said, standing. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be off, Professor.”
Dumbledore nodded, allowing Harry to leave the office.
As Harry approached Newt’s tent, he was intercepted by Poppy.
“Harry, what are you up to?” Poppy asked warily, eyeing him. “There are Dementors everywhere outside—it’s dangerous! Newt told me all about it!”
“I’m heading to the final Merlin Trial, Poppy,” Harry said, ruffling her hair. “Just one left.”
“I’ll go with you, Harry!” Poppy said, bouncing eagerly.
Harry glanced at her, shaking his head. “Dementors aren’t to be trifled with, Poppy. What if they target you? Be good and stay with Professor Scamander—it’s safer here.”
“No way, Harry!” Poppy protested, tugging at his cloak. “Harry, Harry! You know Dementors only attack humanoid creatures. I don’t count…”
“I can’t take you along, Poppy,” Harry sighed. “I’ve got Alfonso the Basilisk in my pouch right now, and I don’t trust him not to petrify you with a glance.”
“Fine,” Poppy relented, stepping back with a pout. “Go on, then. I’ll wait here for you.”
“Alright,” Harry nodded at her before entering Newt’s tent, where he Apparated to Hogsmeade.
The moment he arrived in Hogsmeade, Harry pulled his Firebolt 2000 from his pouch and mounted it.
Following his memory, he soared toward the Forbidden Forest.
The Forest seemed to have been expanded by some mysterious magic. On maps, it appeared modest in size, but once inside, it felt vast enough to rival the entirety of Britain.
The final trial lay ahead of Jackdaw’s Tomb.
Harry guided his broom downward, landing on the opposite shore of a pond.
Towering trees surrounded him, their trunks so thick it would take four or five people to encircle them—trees that must have stood for centuries.
Above the pond, specks of green light danced like fireflies, though they weren’t insects but remnants of Merlin’s power.
Harry cast a detection charm before stepping onto the circular platform of the Merlin Trial, sprinkling Mallowsweet leaves across it.
A surge of green energy erupted from the platform. Seizing the moment, Harry flicked his wand, casting another detection charm.
The results of the two charms differed. After activating the trial, three brazier-like structures appeared around him.
This Merlin Trial was tied to fire charms.
Following the detection charm’s guidance, Harry approached two enormous spider webs. Their size alone suggested their weaver was no small creature—likely rivaling a calf in stature.
The detection charm revealed no spiders, so Harry confidently incinerated the webs with a fire charm.
He moved to a nearby stone pillar, igniting the brazier atop it as before.
But after lighting the third brazier, nothing happened.
Could there be a fourth?
Harry took a few steps forward, casting another detection charm…
The first brazier had gone out.
It seemed all three braziers needed to be lit within a short window.
This time, Harry moved swiftly, even using Apparition to light all three braziers in rapid succession.
As the third brazier flared to life, the trial’s platform burst with vibrant green energy. The scattered green lights converged into a single line, flowing gently into Harry’s palm.
For a moment, Harry felt sharper, as if his mind had grown clearer.
Perhaps this was Merlin’s gift, he mused.
Yet, to his dismay, there was still no sign of Cassandra at this Merlin Trial.
Why?
Could Cassandra not be at a Merlin Trial after all?
Before he could ponder further, a deep rumble echoed from the pond ahead.
Harry sprang to his feet, staring at the water. The green lights above grew denser, and the surface began to boil as if heated.
The ground trembled violently. Harry steadied himself against the trial’s stone pillar, wand at the ready, preparing for whatever was coming.
The quaking intensified, the green lights thickening. Soon, an archway rose from beneath the water, shimmering with the distinct glow of ancient magic.
Once the tremors subsided, Harry cast a detection charm to ensure no threats lingered before cautiously approaching the pond’s edge.
Atop a stone plinth that had risen from the water sat a crystal ball. Harry picked it up, receiving a message within.
It was from Merlin—or rather, for whoever completed all his trials.
The message explained that only by finishing every trial would this archway appear. Reinforced by ancient magic, it could only be entered by those with the gift for such power.
Harry felt a surge of relief. Good thing he’d completed this trial last, or he might have missed it.
But… ancient magic?
Harry frowned. Cassandra wasn’t an heir to ancient magic. Would she be here?
He decided to investigate.
Apparition was a convenient spell, sparing him from wading through the deep, foreboding pond to reach the archway. One misstep, and he suspected he’d be floundering in the depths.
He patted the archway’s stone pillar, circling to its other side.
Peering through the shimmering ancient magic, Harry glimpsed a cavern beyond.
He stepped through the magical barrier into the cave.
Unlike any he’d explored before, this cave seemed artificially shaped, its walls lined with blue stone.
Tall braziers stood at intervals, their flames dancing in various hues. Harry recognized them instantly—Gubraithian Fire, capable of burning eternally without fuel.
He followed the cave’s path—or rather, a corridor—until he reached a grand bridge.
Intricate patterns adorned the bridge, its braziers alight with Gubraithian Fire, lending it an air of solemn sanctity.
As Harry stepped onto the bridge, his heart began to pound.
Something was waiting for him ahead—he could feel it.
At the bridge’s end stood a massive door.
Harry approached, casting a detection charm to uncover how to open it.
As expected, the charm revealed a handprint on the door.
He placed his hand upon it.
Vines seemed to crawl across the door, only to recede swiftly, revealing an archway wide enough for two to pass.
Harry stepped through, but contrary to his expectations, the room beyond was pitch-black, so dark he couldn’t see his hand before his face.
Raising his wand, he incanted, “Lumos.”
The spell illuminated the chamber, and Harry followed the light to a stone platform ahead.
On the platform lay a beautiful girl in a Slytherin uniform, her face flushed, hands folded over her chest, her breathing steady as if she were merely asleep.
Beneath the platform, near her hand, lay a shattered goblet.
Harry knew her at once.
It was Cassandra Malfoy.
T/N: If you find any typos or incorrect names, please leave a comment. Thanks, and enjoy reading!
