Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 376, Section 374: The Concept of Horcruxes
"The wizards have defeated too many enemies, so magic has become something that is bound to be lost."

Ignorance, little wizard, is not an obstacle to the progress of magical civilization; arrogance is.

Mr. Owl said.

"So, you didn't use a confusion charm on me, did you?"

Sheen asked.

"Silly little wizard."

With a flap of his wing, Mr. Owl vanished along with the entire portrait.

In the giant tapestry where Barnabas tries to teach the troll ballet, both the troll and Barnabas gaze quietly at the scene.

Once the conversation had calmed down, the troll began to beat up Banaba the Fool.

Sheen glanced at the portrait, and a very smooth door had appeared on the wall next to it.

Sheen stared at it, then grasped the brass handle, opened the door, and entered a spacious room lit with torches, like the underground classroom.

There was a row of wooden bookshelves along the wall, and no chairs on the floor, but large satin cushions.

At the other end of the room, countless wooden shelves held various instruments such as spyglasses and detectors.

The most eye-catching thing is the table, where some steaming bowls are placed.

Sheen looked over curiously, but there was nothing inside.

He immediately realized that the House of Requirement used simple summoning spells and transfiguration, so it followed Gump's basic transfiguration laws.

In other words, transfiguration cannot conjure up delicious food out of thin air.

If you know where the food is, you can summon it;
If you already have some, you can modify them or increase their quantity.

That's why his pumpkin juice didn't appear.

After taking in everything in the Room of Requirement, Sheen took his wand and walked into the wooden bookcase on the left.

A beam of light shone through the high window, illuminating the wooden bookshelf, which resembled a city with towering walls. Sheen could tell that it was made up of items that Hogwarts had hidden in there over the generations.

Along those streets and alleys were piles of dilapidated furniture, probably junk from other houses, which the House of Requirement would consciously collect.

It could also have been hidden by the house-elves who maintain the castle's dignity.

Perhaps, as Mr. Owl said, this is indeed the place where Hogwarts is piled up with junk.

Further into the alleyways, there are thousands of books, undoubtedly all of them banned, scribbled on, or stolen.

There were winged slingshots and wolf-tooth flying saucers, several of which were still hovering listlessly over the mountain of forbidden items;

Some broken bottles contained solidified potions; there were also hats, jewelry, cloaks, and things that looked like dragon eggshells;

Several bottles with their caps plugged still gleamed with an evil light; there were also several rusty swords and a bloodstained axe.

Among the clutter, Sheen immediately noticed a rusty crown.

—The Ravenclaw crown.

He silently took a few steps back, and from the Wizard's Book, the basilisk's fangs floated out and stood right beside him.

Instead of destroying the crown directly, he slowly looked towards the doorway.

A figure appeared as if an invisibility cloak had been removed.

"Welcome back, Sheen."

Justin said with a smile.

"Smells again?"

Sheen paused, then sighed.

……

"So, is there anything I can know?"

When Justin's gaze shifted to the crown, his smile had faded.

He had a lot to say, but for him, many things could give way to one thing.

"Hmm, have you been to the restricted book section?"

Sheen said slowly.

"Is it 'Ultimate Poison Magic'?"

Justin asked.

"There is a darkest creation that can only be made through the most heinous acts. Voldemort, that name means—flying away from death."

Sheen explained softly.

"I saw it fly away then, is that why Headmaster Dumbledore couldn't kill Voldemort?!"

Justin seemed to have grasped something.

"What method did he use? Sheen, do you know..."

He suddenly stopped, opened his mouth, and then said nothing more.

There shouldn't be any cold wind blowing from the House of Requirement, yet he felt a chill running through his bones.

He suddenly understood why those green eyes remained calm and serene, like a still lake, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

He knew that such eyes always conveyed a sense of desolation and resolve.

Now, everything seems to be explained...

"Whether he comes back or not, we will win..."

Justin forced a smile as he spoke.

He recalled the scene when he faced Voldemort, and how he and Sheen had stood shoulder to shoulder, discussing how to fight this battle they were destined to lose.

What will Sheen say?

No, he never spoke; he answered only with his actions.

The important thing is to keep fighting, fighting, and fighting again. Only in that way can evil be brought under control, although it can never be completely eradicated...

Justin felt a tightness in his chest; he suddenly realized that the entire magical world was in grave danger.

Because Voldemort possessed dark magic that was beyond the comprehension of most people.

He didn't die; he will come back.

The safety of Hogwarts is not solely due to Dumbledore's efforts.

Because there is one person who will always stand between Voldemort and terror.

Even in the most difficult times, they would fantasize that Dumbledore would protect them from any harm.

But some people have long since given up on their illusions.

"Only by relying on yourself can you have the best chance of winning."

Justin suddenly murmured.

He felt like he had fallen into a nightmare.

Now, no one can wake him from his nightmares, and he no longer fantasizes.

A twelve-year-old wizard lost all hope at this moment.

He knew clearly that he had to stand with Sheen forever.

Because he was more aware than ever before that the young wizard was more lonely than they imagined.

"Soul Weapon".

Justin finally articulated a concept, a concept he had gleaned from the most potent poison magic—

As for certain more terrifying directions, concerning Horcruxes, this most evil magical invention, we should neither discuss nor offer guidance.

Now, Justin knows that this magic can help evil fly away from death in a cruel way that they cannot even imagine.

"So, is this a Horcrux? How do I destroy it? A basilisk's tooth?"

Justin spoke, his eyes burning with fighting spirit, more so than ever before.

"No, stay away from me."

Sheen said.

Justin was disappointed and instinctively walked away.

Sheen also retreated far away, not wanting any unexpected changes to occur.

Since Tom Riddle's diary can corrupt souls and control wizards' minds, it is never too much to be cautious when dealing with other Horcruxes.

As the wand was raised, the walls of the Room of Requirement underwent a dramatic transformation.

A stone statue nearly three meters tall emerged from the wall and, in a very short time, picked up a snake's fang and, like a warrior, walked toward the wooden cabinet.

(End of this chapter)