Scrimgeour limped away.
Along with the other Aurors, he began assessing the damage from this unexpected battle—how much had been destroyed, and how many lives had been lost.
Dumbledore turned to Scamander. "Shall we talk at Hogwarts?"
"Though supper is likely over, I don't think the house-elves would mind preparing another al for us."
Even fewer students stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas this year.
When Harry and the others returned to the castle, Hermione and Ron were still waiting by the front gate. Seeing them safe, they let out a sigh of relief, greeted them briefly, and then turned back toward the castle. They could tell Harry wasn't heading to the Gryffindor common room to rest. Though they felt sowhat frustrated, they weren't the kind to throw tantrums; they knew so matters were beyond them.
They had tried so hard—
But the gap only seed to grow wider.
Inside the Headmaster's Office—
Scamander opened his suitcase. "It's safe now. We've made it to Hogwarts."
From inside the case ca soft shuffling. Tina poked her head out, confird it was indeed safe, and stepped out, followed by the rest of the family.
"No injuries, I hope?" Tina asked with concern.
Scamander shook his head. "Of course, I'm quite—"
"A few scratches," Harry interrupted. "Your thigh is scraped, your back is hurt—no sll of blood, so probably a sprain or bruising."
Tina's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint.
Scamander stared at Harry in surprise.
The boy hadn't even arrived until Scamander was already fighting the Wild Hunt in the city. How could he know the state of his injuries better than he did?
"They're just minor injuries, but given your age, Madam Pomfrey should probably take a look," Harry continued.
Tina glared at Dumbledore. "Now."
"That might not be possible just yet," Harry shook his head. "There are so things we need to ask first."
Scamander nodded. "It's just a few scratches. It's nothing for a wizard."
"You take the children and find a place to stay. We'll probably have to live at Hogwarts for a while."
Tina nodded, glanced coolly at Dumbledore, and greeted him with only the barest civility. "It's been a while, Professor Dumbledore."
"It has indeed, Tina," Dumbledore replied warmly.
That was the extent of their greeting. Tina led the children away.
"Newt, you should have listened to and co to Hogwarts sooner," Dumbledore conjured chairs for them to sit.
Scamander took a seat. "I didn't expect them to choose that ti."
The others stayed silent.
Scamander understood what they wanted—to hear the details. He cleared his throat. Before Dumbledore could ask, Harry conjured a glass of water and handed it to him.
"We were preparing for the Christmas feast," Scamander began. "That's when Hobbie and the others—my kneazles—started hissing at the door."
"You know kneazles are incredibly perceptive. When they act like that, it ans sothing terrifying is coming."
"I asked Tina to take the children and the little ones into the suitcase. As soon as they were inside, the Wild Hunt ca."
"I used Apparition to escape. Originally, I planned to go to my brother's house and write to Dumbledore."
Harry interjected, "Why not co straight to Hogsade?"
"I was worried they'd predict that," Scamander explained. "I thought they might set traps there."
Dumbledore added, "Newt's brother is a very accomplished wizard, and he used to be an Auror."
He paused, as if worried that the term Auror might give Harry the wrong impression. Then he quickly added:
"He even fought in the First World War. He was hailed as a war hero—a truly remarkable wizard."
"He also took part in the hunt for Grindelwald."
"Of course... I imagine he probably despises now."
Scamander did not comnt.
If only Dumbledore had acted sooner—if only he hadn't refused...
Harry nodded. "Hogwarts is safe now. I'm not Dumbledore."
"Harry," Dumbledore chided gently.
Scamander chuckled and continued, "However, it seed like the Wild Hunt had learned a spell that could interfere with Apparition. I was only able to move a few dozen kiloters each ti—and I nearly got split in two."
Dumbledore's expression turned serious. "Interference?"
"Looks like they've started studying our magic," Harry said quietly.
He glanced down at Caranthir, who was still conscious.
He drew his wand and pointed it at Caranthir's head.
"Let's see just how much you've managed to learn."
With a flick of his wrist—
The ropes binding Caranthir sprouted two ghostly hands that forcefully grabbed his head, lifting it so that his gaze t Harry's amber, slit-pupiled eyes.
Legilincy!
The spell took hold.
The Aen Elle prided themselves on strength, elegance, and nobility, but they had no spells to protect their minds from intrusion. Caranthir knew about Occluncy, but he had never attempted to learn it.
His mories unfolded before Harry—vivid and clear.
Harry saw—
A snowy day, when Crouch made contact with the Wild Hunt.
They promised him an alliance in exchange for spellbooks.
He also saw how Crouch had misunderstood, believing Harry to be Ciri's child.
Harry watched as Caranthir studied this world's spells, developing sothing akin to Shadow Lock, which had successfully captured Bashat and Gorshak.
But most importantly—
He saw Caranthir's mories from just days ago.
In a eting with Eredin, on Eredin's desk, there lay a dirty, battered diadem—shaped like an eagle spreading its wings, with a gleaming green gemstone set into it.
And—
The Wild Hunt had not abandoned their pursuit of Ciri. They were still hunting her.
The docunts on Caranthir's desk confird it: the Elder Blood remained their primary target.
Harry withdrew from Caranthir's mind.
"What did you see?" Geralt asked imdiately. "Did you see Ciri?"
Harry shook his head. "The Wild Hunt is still looking for her. She's still their main target. But there's good news—she's still in her original world."
Geralt blinked in surprise, then nodded.
Harry continued, "And there's more good news. It seems like Crouch really does fully trust Professor Snape."
"I saw it in Caranthir's mory. On Eredin's desk... there was Ravenclaw's Diadem."
"But I couldn't tell from the mory if it was real or not."
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Powerstones?
For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates
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