NOVEL NEXT Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Horcrux
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 28: Horcrux
For many wizards, it takes years of practice to achieve the level of mastery required for wandless magic and only a selected few people like Dumbledore, Voldemort, and Grindelwald, are known to have accomplished it. But for Dudley to perform wandless magic by consuming just one talent point was unbelievable.
"System, does this mean I can now perform other spells wandlessly?" Dudley asked.
[Correct, Host. Since you have successfully cast magic using your hands before, it will now be easier to perform wandless magic. However, practice is still required]
[It is advisable to use a wand, as magic cast through a wand is generally stronger than wandless magic]
"So, you're saying my chakra pathways, I mean my magic pathways were blocked before? And now, because of Lumos, they've been cleared?" Dudley inquired. He had read a few Chinese novels and knew that, in some martial arts, the body's pathways had to be unblocked for the flow of energy, or "qi," which the same logic might apply in potter verse.
[Correct. Previously, your magic pathways were blocked, but now they are clear, allowing you to cast magic wandlessly]
"Dude... Does that mean I don't need talent points anymore to perform wandless magic?" Dudley pressed further.
[Talent points still play a role. They enhance the potency and proficiency of your magic]
[Lumos is a simple spell with no other upgrade, which is why it doesn't appear in talent trees like in Hogwarts Legacy. Spells like Revelio, however, can be upgraded with multiple stages]
[So the upgrade for lumos is wandless lumos, if host upgrade another spell it might create another effect of magic or create a new magic using the same spell]
Hearing this, Dudley grinned. He had learned something valuable about his gamer system. In Hogwarts Legacy, even Avada Kedavra could be upgraded to target multiple enemies at once. He could only imagine how powerful Sectumsempra might become if it were taken to the next level. How about Fiendfyre or Protego Diabolica?
Still, Dudley decided to set aside magic upgrades for now. He needed to focus on his current objective, it is finding something hidden in the Black Manor, all before the celebration of Sirius Black's freedom came to an end.
Mage Sight Activate...
"Gamer Mode Activate," said Dudley. Suddenly, Dudley felt his surroundings shift into both third-person and first-person perspectives. He couldn't quite describe the feeling, it was like playing a game with a controller, yet also being fully immersed in it himself.
Dudley didn't linger for long, quickly focusing on his objective. His mage sight scanned the area, detecting something floating nearby. As a veteran gamer, he knew this indicated a "whisper of magic", but what he saw was far more sinister. It was darker, filled with a malicious energy he could sense.
It wasn't ancient magic, something far more evil was at play.
He moved closer and finally spotted it 'the locket'.
[Congratulations! You've found 1 of the 7 Horcruxes]
[Congratulations! You've discovered Salazar Slytherin's Locket]
[Item: A Horcrux is the darkest form of magic ever created, requiring murder and sacrifice]
[Level Up]
[Mental Increased by 2]
'Gamer Mode Deactivate,' ordered Dudley mentally
"Finally, one Horcrux down," he muttered. "Can I just cast Avada Kedavra on this locket?"
[Calculating... Invalid Magic]
[The Horcrux does not contain a soul, the Killing Curse would not destroy the locket]
"What?" Dudley was stunned. "I thought Horcruxes were made by splitting souls? Why is this different?"
[Searching... No magic exists that splits, extracts, or bonds souls]
"Am I in an alternate universe version of Harry Potter?" Dudley asked, in disbelief.
[Searching... Confirmed. This is the book version]
Dudley's head throbbed as his seven years of knowledge from the books felt suddenly irrelevant. There were so many things the books didn't explain, for example how to create magical portraits and now this. Even with his seven years of book knowledge, reality was proving to be different.
Frustrated, Dudley was about to continue venting when—Pop!
Kreacher apparated in front of him, eyes burning with anger at the sight of Salazar Slytherin's locket.
"Thief! You filthy thief!" Kreacher snarled, lunging at Dudley.
Regulus Acturus Black and Kreacher...
"Incarcerous," Dudley pointed his wand at Kreacher. "I'm sorry, house elf, I didn't mean to steal this, but this locket is very dangerous and needs to be destroyed."
Dudley knew Kreacher's weakness and he believed Kreacher would always be near the locket, which is why he phrased it that way and he was proven correct.
Kreacher, who had been grumbling and cursing Dudley from the floor, was stunned. He had long wanted to destroy the locket but had failed miserably.
"You can destroy the locket?" Kreacher asked in disbelief.
"I know how to destroy it, and it really needs to be destroyed," Dudley replied.
"Please, destroy the locket, sir," Kreacher begged.
"I will, but first, can you tell me how the House of Black came into possession of this locket?" Dudley asked. "I can sense something sinister in it, and it must be destroyed."
Kreacher suddenly burst into tears, memories of his master being attacked by Inferi flashing through his mind.
"Go, Kreacher, don't tell my family, especially my mother, about what happened here," Regulus had ordered as the Inferi dragged him into the lake.
The poor house elf recalled his past. "Where is Regulus, Kreacher?"
His mistress, Walburga, had been unable to accept Regulus's death. But due to Regulus's final order, Kreacher was bound by family magic and couldn't reveal the truth about his beloved master's death.
Among the Black family, Regulus had been the only one who treated Kreacher with kindness. While others regarded him as trash, only Regulus would say things like, "Thank you, Kreacher." That's why Regulus was Kreacher's most beloved master.
Finally, Kreacher had someone to whom he could tell the truth about his master's passing.
"Sir, it was like this…" Kreacher began, speaking politely, a stark contrast to his usual grumbling. He then recounted the whole story of Regulus Black. Dudley listened patiently, even as Kreacher wept between sentences.
Though Dudley already knew the story, he felt it was better to let the grieving house elf share his burden.
After about 15 minutes, Kreacher finished.
"So, your master asked you to destroy this locket?" Dudley asked again.
"Yes, but I used all my magic and failed to carry out Master Regulus's final order," Kreacher replied.
"I know a way to destroy it, and I believe you can do it with my help," said Dudley.
"Really?" Kreacher's eyes lit up.
"Yes, and I can also recover your master Regulus's body so it can be buried properly," Dudley offered.
Hearing this, Kreacher felt a wave of happiness. He could finally fulfill his master's last order and give Regulus a proper burial. Little did Kreacher know, this event would make him the most loyal servant to Dudley.
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