Re:HP-A New Life

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon

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Chapter 58: A Silent Visit

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting silver light over the sprawling grounds of Malfoy Manor. The ancient estate loomed like a shadowed fortress, its tall spires piercing the dark clouds. Wards shimmered faintly in the moonlight, a web of enchantments designed to keep intruders at bay.

Harry stood just outside the boundary of the estate, the Invisibility Cloak draped over his shoulders. The wards crackled with magical energy, layered with spells designed to detect, repel, and destroy. To most, Malfoy Manor was impenetrable. But Harry Potter was not most people.

Taking a deep breath, Harry extended his senses, his magic unfurling like tendrils into the shimmering barrier. He felt the intricate weave of spells—Detection Wards, Anti-Disapparition Fields, Alarm Charms, and defensive runes etched into the very foundation of the manor.

"Simple enough," Harry whispered to himself, his voice barely audible.

With a flick of his wand and a whispered incantation, Harry sent a pulse of energy into the wards. The magic responded sluggishly, confused by the sudden influx. Harry exploited the moment of weakness, weaving his own magic through the gaps and creating a temporary pathway.

The wards shimmered, but no alarm was raised. Harry stepped through, the protective boundary rippling behind him.

The grounds were immaculate, lined with manicured hedges and gleaming marble statues. Harry moved swiftly, his steps silent on the cobblestone path. The grand entrance of the manor loomed ahead, but Harry had no intention of using the front door.

Instead, he made his way to a side entrance concealed by ivy. With a wave of his wand, the ancient lock clicked open. Harry slipped inside, the door closing softly behind him.

The interior of Malfoy Manor was as opulent as he remembered—gleaming chandeliers, dark wood paneling, and marble floors polished to a mirror-like sheen. Magical wards pulsed faintly along the walls, but Harry navigated them with ease, his magic countering each enchantment without a hint of disturbance.

Moving with practiced efficiency, Harry made his way to the study—a room Lucius Malfoy often used to store important items. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and leather-bound books. Harry's eyes scanned the room, landing on a hidden compartment built into the wall.

He traced his wand along the seam, muttering an unlocking charm. The compartment clicked open, revealing an assortment of magical artifacts. Harry's heart raced as he sifted through the items—cursed objects, dark tomes, and enchanted trinkets—but there was no sign of the diary.

His brow furrowed. It should be here.

Harry's instincts prickled with unease. He double-checked the compartment, casting detection spells to ensure he hadn't missed anything. But the diary was nowhere to be found.

A flicker of surprise crossed Harry's face, but he remained calm. No need to panic. It just means Lucius moved it. I'll find it eventually.

Closing the compartment, Harry restored the locking mechanism with a wave of his wand. He moved through the manor as silently as he had entered, ensuring every trace of his presence was erased.

As he reached the entrance, a sudden shift in the air made him pause. The faint pop of Apparition echoed through the hall.

"Dobby," Harry whispered under his breath.

The house-elf's magic thrummed through the manor as he appeared near the grand staircase, his large, bat-like ears twitching. Dobby's eyes narrowed, sensing something was amiss. He sniffed the air, his magic probing the space around him.

Harry pressed himself against the shadows, his magic cloaking him further from detection. Dobby muttered under his breath, his instincts clearly telling him that something was wrong.

But Harry's concealment was flawless. After a few tense moments, Dobby shook his head and disappeared with another pop.

Harry exhaled softly, his lips curving into a faint smile. Close, but not close enough.

He slipped out of the manor, the wards parting seamlessly for him as he exited the grounds. Once outside the boundary, Harry dispelled the pathway he had created, restoring the wards to their full strength.

The night air was crisp and cool as Harry stood on the edge of the estate, the shadows of Malfoy Manor receding behind him.

He didn't have the diary, but that was a temporary setback. Harry knew that Voldemort's Horcrux wouldn't stay hidden for long. Lucius Malfoy had merely delayed the inevitable.

With a final glance at the manor, Harry Disapparated, the wind swirling around him as he vanished into the night.