NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Harry Black's House
Faced with questions from his old friend and others, Dumbledore maintained a serene expression as his fingers rhythmically tapped on the table.
Albus Dumbledore: "Don't get too excited, everyone. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure about this either. Perhaps it's a benefit granted by the Phoenix to its masters, right?"
Albus Dumbledore: "The best thing we can do now is to pay close attention to the curtain of light so we can have a chance to obtain rewards."
As expected of Dumbledore, his few words were enough to draw everyone's attention back to the valuable rewards offered by the comparison room.
There was no longer any doubt about Albus' magical power; only a small minority still silently wondered.
The focus finally shifted to the central topic: which house would Harry Black be assigned to?
Neither the curtain of light nor Harry Black himself showed any clear inclination toward a house, leaving all the wizards in a state of restlessness, as though a cat were scratching at their hearts.
After all, what is Harry Black's greatest treasure?
Could it be his years of magical practice? Certainly not.
Although Harry Black has an impressive magical foundation and can cast silent spells after just a single incantation, this is not the most extraordinary thing.
Then, could it be the mysterious Serpent Wand, which seems to rival the legendary Elder Wand?
Undoubtedly, this artifact is one of the most valuable items in the magical world, granting its wielder unparalleled power.
However, everyone knows it's not wizards who choose the wand, but the wand that chooses the wizard.
Even if the Serpent Wand appeared before everyone, how many could guarantee it would deem them worthy, as it did Harry Black?
Moreover, no matter how powerful a wand is, it only amplifies its owner's strength.
Without sufficient power to protect oneself and loved ones, possessing such a wand might become more of a burden than a blessing.
Harry Black's greatest treasure is undoubtedly his [Magical Training Method].
This miraculous method defies the traditional rule of the magical world that magical power can only strengthen over time.
If one practices diligently, as Harry Black has for just five years, they can achieve magical power comparable to that of an average Auror — second only to elite Aurors and professor-level wizards like Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape.
Most importantly, this method can be taught to others.
Imagine a wizarding family in possession of this method: within a few decades, they could form an entire battalion of Aurors, some even at the level of Hogwarts professors, becoming prominent figures in the magical world.
It's nice to imagine yourself facing a certain noseless Dark Lord, supported by more than 500 Auror-level wizards.
A strange smile appears on your face and you understand a certain phrase: the sky has cleared, the rain has stopped and you feel like you can do it.
It's evident that once the restrictions of the curtain of light are lifted, magical leaders will desperately seek all Muggle knowledge available to replicate Harry Black's [Magical Training Method].
After all, would it be so difficult for an entire family to replicate the exercise of a six-year-old child?
Furthermore, the desire for Harry Black to be assigned to the house where their children study grows incessantly.
After all, those who are close to the tree pick its fruit first.
If their children were to learn directly from Harry Black, wouldn't success in the parallel world be guaranteed?
With this in mind, the heads of great families began to smile intriguingly, while their wives watched them helplessly, sighing softly with a touch of regret.
As everyone prepared to continue watching the vision of the parallel world, the black and white curtains of light began to move quickly toward each other, seeming ready to collide.
The eyes of the spectators shone with excitement, as if in front of them were not mere curtains of light, but a completely naked beauty. Everyone knew exactly what that meant.
When the giant golden curtain appeared, it was hard to contain the euphoria.
That was it: it was time for another question-and-answer quiz!
The absurd rewards granted to those who answered the previous questions correctly were still fresh in everyone's memory.
Now, they also had the chance to "ascend to the heavens in a single step."
With anxious hearts and heightened expectations, everyone focused entirely on the next question from the comparison room.
James Potter: "Great! It seems I finally have a chance to reunite with my family soon."
Rabastan Lestrange: "Don't daydream, Potter! Those rewards will surely belong to us Death Eaters."
Filius Flitwick: "I'm quite curious about the spells the curtain of light might offer. Could my dueling skills be enhanced?"
Minerva McGonagall: "I already have a hypothesis about what the question described at this moment might be."
Penelope Clearwater: "It's clear that the next question will be about the house Harry Black will be assigned to."
As Penelope's words ended, the golden curtain of light began forming words:
[The initial period has ended. From now on, four people will be randomly selected to choose between the following alternatives. It is allowed to select alternatives collectively.]
[Reminder: Choosing the wrong alternative will result in a punishment. Choose carefully.]
[The people selected to answer are: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle, Cornelius Fudge, and Argus Filch.]
[Question: To which Hogwarts house will Harry Black be assigned?]
[Option A - Gryffindor]
[Option B - Slytherin]
[Option C - Ravenclaw]
[Option D - Hufflepuff]
[Harry Potter and Argus Filch chose C, Tom Riddle chose B, Cornelius Fudge chose A.]
Everyone: "..."
Everyone: "!!!"
Damn it! You like to play with emotion, right?
It seems no one has reacted yet, and the chat channel erupted into another heated discussion.
Lucius Malfoy: "What is going on? Does it mean that before, it was the initial period where everyone had a chance to earn rewards, but now it's all gone just like that?"
Arthur Weasley: "Not just that. Now there's a punishment for those who answer incorrectly. Good thing I wasn't chosen to answer the question. Who knows what kind of punishment this comparison room might impose on someone casually?"
Nymphadora Tonks: "I know Harry Potter, the Savior; Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic; and Argus Filch, the Caretaker of Hogwarts. But who is this Tom Riddle? Could he be from a mixed-blood wizard family?"
Cedric Diggory: "I don't think so. I remember hearing rumors about this person being a splendid Slytherin student during his time at school. But that was over 40 years ago! This person must already be an adult, but why have I never heard of him in the wizarding world?"
Cho Chang: "Who knows? Maybe this Tom Riddle prefers living an ascetic life, isolated from the world."
Horace Slughorn: "Dumbledore, this..."
Albus Dumbledore: "There's no need to mention anything, Horace. Just leave it as it is, for now."
With Dumbledore's warning, Horace didn't continue his speech, but his heart was already burdened with guilt, making him feel anguish at every moment.
Ah, little Tom, it's all my fault for leading you down this path of no return.
Now that I know you survived, I wonder what difficult times await the wizarding world...
Rubeus Hagrid: "I'm confused about these people's choices. Why was Cornelius Fudge the only one who chose Gryffindor, which had the highest likelihood of being the correct answer?"
Harry Potter: "Well, actually, Harry Black gave me the impression that he's not someone who blends in much with others and seems to have a different line of thinking than most."
Argus Filch: "Oh, please, Potter! Just admit that you thought the same thing I did: that Harry Black is the typical example of a true nerd, and his biggest motivation for coming to Hogwarts is its thousand-year-old library!"
....
These are the levels available for now, but as I said, there is still a long way to go before reaching the level of a true world of magic, other levels will be mentioned later.
Students:
Students are those who are at the beginning of their magical journey, in a continuous process of learning and development. They are divided by grade levels, from 1st to 7th year, with each grade representing a stage of growth in both magical abilities and theoretical knowledge. The higher the grade, the more magical power the student can control, with a gradual increase in spell manipulation skills and the depth of knowledge acquired. At this level, magic is still in development, and the spells performed are basic, mostly learned in a practical and repetitive manner.
Adults:
Magical adults are those who, after years of training, have achieved solid control over various magics, usually mastering spells up to the 4th year of Hogwarts. Their magical ability is more refined, and they can cast spells with greater efficiency and precision. The magical power they possess is considerably more abundant than that of a student, allowing them to handle everyday magical situations with ease. Although their magic is stronger, they still lack the dexterity to face more complex spells or high-level magical creatures.
Common Auror:
Common Aurors are witches and wizards specifically trained to deal with magical threats and defend the wizarding community. Their magical power is superior to that of other witches and wizards of the same age and training, and they have a particular mastery over more complex spells, which enables a higher level of learning. Additionally, Common Aurors can handle some dangerous magical creatures, such as acromantulas and griffins, using their magical abilities to neutralize threats. Their combat experience, combined with their magical power, makes them a formidable force within the magical world.
Elite Auror:
Elite Aurors are a class of highly specialized witches and wizards with far more abundant magical power and exceptional skill in spellcraft. They have mastered all of the spells taught at Hogwarts and can use them with great ease, applying them strategically and effectively. In addition to their magical dexterity, Elite Aurors are highly trained to face high-level magical creatures, such as dragons and dementors, in direct combat. Their experience and control over magic enable them to handle the most challenging situations that arise within the magical world.
Professor:
Professors are witches and wizards with vast knowledge and understanding of all things magical. Those who aspire to reach this level must demonstrate exceptional creativity, capable of developing new techniques and even creating innovative spells. A professor's magical power is considerably greater than that of an Elite Auror, with the ability to perform extremely complex and powerful spells. Their control over magic is so refined that they are capable of battling high-level magical creatures on equal footing and, in many cases, even surpassing them. The ability to teach magic clearly and effectively is equally essential for professors, who must be masters of both theory and practice.
Legendary Wizard:
Legendary Wizards are individuals who have reached an almost incomprehensible level of magical power, with unique and unparalleled abilities. These wizards are considered rare figures in history, often seen as icons or legends due to their ability to perform magical feats that go beyond common understanding. Their magical power is vast and limitless, allowing them to perform magic of a magnitude that few can even imagine. Their influence on the history of magic is immense, and their presence, even in times of peace, is revered. Those who reach this level are considered at the peak of magic and wisdom.