A certain Hogwarts professor of runes

Chapter 224 The Origin of the Dementors

Dumbledore pondered for a moment and said, "This involves a terrible dark wizard from the fifteenth century, Extis, who was the earliest known inhabitant of Azkaban, which was then just an unknown island in the North Sea, sealed off by concealment magic."

Although history has never lacked dark wizards labeled "evil," Extis's evil was ingrained in his very being; he showed no mercy to any living being, and it was through cruel means that he created the Dementors.

Felix exclaimed in surprise, "Dementors are created by wizards? Like five-legged monsters?" He had no idea that this was a closely guarded secret of the wizarding world.

"The five-legged creatures were an accident, but the Dementors were not." Dumbledore shook his head. "When Extis died and the concealment magic failed, people discovered what he had done, but the Dementors had already become a separate species. At first there were only a dozen or so, but they could multiply and divide like fungi, and regular spells were almost ineffective."

Felix asked doubtfully, "If that were true, their numbers should have been out of control long ago, but in reality, they are few in number and used by the Ministry of Magic?"

Dumbledore explained, "The Ministry of Magic and the Dementors have more of a cooperative relationship, and these creatures seem to have a strange sense of community. Their numbers are always kept within a certain range, but if they drop to a certain level, they will split up on their own. Perhaps this is a form of reproduction?"

Felix had a pretty good grasp of how Dementors existed, and he couldn't help but ask, "Besides the Patronus Charm, what other spells are effective? I mean, spells that can completely kill a Dementor?"

"It's difficult, Felix, it's very difficult," said Dumbledore.

Felix wanted to press further, but Dumbledore was clearly unwilling to elaborate, and their conversation quickly came to an end.

……

In the early morning, the young wizards awoke from their beds, completely unaware of what had happened a few hours earlier.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were having breakfast at the Gryffindor table when owls flew in every now and then. Hermione looked out of the Great Hall with expectant eyes.

"What letter are you waiting for?" Ron asked.

"Oh, I bought a book from Flourish and Blotts through the Owlshaw," Hermione said absentmindedly. "Looks like I won't be getting there today."

Seeing Harry looking a bit down, Ron suggested, "After your training this weekend, we can go visit Hagrid. To be honest, the shrunken Cerberus is especially adorable. For the first time, I agree with Hagrid's taste..."

Harry was also intrigued. He said excitedly, "It might be a bit late. Wood will probably be training until dark."

Ron shrugged. "Hopefully Hagrid won't kick us out again." At the beginning of the semester, fearing Hagrid would be expelled, they went to visit him at night wearing invisibility cloaks. As a result, Hagrid personally escorted them back to the castle and warned them that they could only visit him during the day.

Hermione was about to express her opinion when Professor McGonagall suddenly walked into the Great Hall and called out, "Potter, come this way!"

Harry put down his knife and fork in a daze. What had he done wrong this time? Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance and followed him.

"Weasley and Granger...it's good to have you two here." Professor McGonagall didn't chase the two uninvited guests away. She looked at Harry with a serious expression: "Where's your spyglass? The one used against Black!"

Harry carefully took the miniature viewing mirror out of his pocket; it lay quietly in his hand, and Professor McGonagall visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"What happened, Professor?" Hermione asked in a low voice.

“I shouldn’t keep it from you any longer, Potter,” Professor McGonagall said. “I know you may be shocked, but I have to tell you, Black—”

“I know everything,” Harry said angrily. “I know he’s after me, that’s why he escaped from Azkaban! I also know he was close to my father, even his best man, and he, he was also—” Harry couldn’t finish his sentence. The thought of the word “godfather” made him feel insulted, as did his deceased parents.

Professor McGonagall seemed very surprised, staring at him wide-eyed. "I see, well, I thought—"

"Then you should understand why I made you carry this spyglass with you at all times; it can protect you." She pursed her lips. "Just earlier today, before dawn, the castle's spyglass sounded an alarm."

Harry stammered, "Is it...is it the spyglass I have? But it's been in my pocket the whole time, and there's been nothing wrong with it."

Ron's face also showed signs of shock. He clutched his pocket tightly and whispered, "Don't move, Scabbers!"

Professor McGonagall clenched her fist repeatedly, seemingly hesitant to reveal the secret. Previously, to maintain secrecy, only Felix, Dumbledore, and she knew that there were three Spyglasses, not one, but now it was no longer a secret.

Hermione chimed in, "Professor McGonagall, I saw that Professor Hyp had three of those same spyglasses. The other two must be somewhere else. I guess at the castle gate..."

Professor McGonagall sighed. "Well, Granger, like you said... one at the front door and one at the back door."

Harry, unsure whether to express relief or disappointment, said, "So, he was loitering at the castle gates?"

"That must be it," Professor McGonagall said. "The professors got up early and conducted an emergency search of the castle, but found nothing. No strangers were found in the portraits inside, which means..."

"He knew he'd been exposed, so he ran away beforehand," Harry said.

“That’s right, Potter,” Professor McGonagall said. “Now that you understand, I believe you’re mentally prepared that some activities are not suitable—”

"Hogsmeade—" Harry cried out, his heart leaping into his throat.

Hogsmeade is a village entirely populated by wizards. Wizards in their third year and above can visit the village on specific days each school year with permission from their parents or other guardians.

He was discussing this with Ron last night. He told Ron that he hadn't gotten Uncle Vernon's autograph, and Ron suggested that he try Professor McGonagall.

It seems like things might fall through now.

Professor McGonagall glanced at him and said seriously, "Of course you can't go to Hogsmeade, I mean Quidditch. To be honest, it's too dangerous to let you train like that. Even with other players around, Black alone wouldn't be enough to handle you."

"Professor McGonagall," Harry couldn't help but shout, "what does this have to do with my training?"

"Of course it's related. Black is very likely hiding in Hogsmeade, or deep in the Forbidden Forest," Professor McGonagall dropped a bombshell. "The Quidditch pitch is too far from the castle; if something happens, we won't even have time to rescue him."

"But, but..." Harry said somewhat bewildered. He had already started his training this year, three times a week. Wood had ambitiously told him that he wanted to win his second Quidditch Cup as a graduation gift.

The other players also seemed very confident because of last year's victory.

But the first match hasn't even started yet, is the trophy already going to be a pipe dream?

Harry suddenly remembered something and said urgently, "Professor McGonagall, what if a professor is watching us, like Mrs. Hooch..."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips and remained silent.

"Please..." Harry pleaded.

"Alright," Professor McGonagall relented, "I will ask Mrs. Hodge to oversee your training. Return to the castle before dark. I will also visit when I have time."

She left in a hurry because she had many things to take care of due to the unexpected incident this morning.

(End of this chapter)