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Chapter 335: Harry Under the Bronze Oil Lamp
🕑 Added 2025-03-29 19:08:56 +0000 UTCAfter Professor McGonagall made her firm stance clear, Madame Maxime turned and left without hesitation.
The affairs of Hogwarts and the English Ministry of Magic had nothing to do with her, a French headmistress. Staying any longer would only make it seem as though she was here to witness a spectacle.
Her departure also prompted Karkaroff to leave, as it would be inappropriate for him to remain alone.
With the exit of these two foreign guests, Bagman immediately relaxed. Now that only familiar faces remained, matters could be discussed behind closed doors.
To him, the whole situation wasn’t a big deal—after all, it was just a dragon that had been killed, not a person. The only complication was the use of the Killing Curse in public.
However, given the circumstances at the time, combined with Harry’s fame, a mere visit to the Ministry would be nothing more than a formality. It wouldn't impact the tournament’s continuation in the slightest.
"Listen, this isn’t as serious as you think. Barty, there's no need to be so anxious..."
Bagman played the role of a mediator, ensuring that as long as the competition remained unaffected, everything could be resolved smoothly.
After some persuasion, Barty Crouch Sr. reluctantly conceded, shaking his head.
"I'll remain here for the time being—at least until Harry Potter has fully recovered."
His intention was reasonable, but Professor McGonagall shot him a sharp glare and retorted in an irritated tone,
"Stay here? Then you’ll need to pitch your own tent, and for the record, Hogwarts' kitchen only serves its students and faculty."
Sensing the tension, Bagman quickly jumped in to smooth things over.
"Haha! Don’t worry, Professor McGonagall! Barty has his own house-elf, after all. Besides, I doubt he’d be too fond of the meals from our school days."
It was meant to be a harmless remark, giving Crouch an easy way out of the situation. However, Crouch's reaction was unexpected. He froze for a moment, his expression unreadable.
"I have… a house-elf?"
As if realizing he had misspoken, Crouch quickly changed the subject.
"Never mind, that’s not important. The decision is made—I’ll wait for Harry Potter’s recovery."
---
While the Ministry and Hogwarts reached an uneasy agreement, Ino noticed something strange.
Under the dim glow of the oil lamp, dark smoke billowed from Harry’s lightning-shaped scar.
It was eerily similar to what he had observed with Ravenclaw’s diadem.
However, unlike the diadem’s smoke, which carried an unmistakable sense of allure and corruption, this dark mist seemed restrained—silent and subdued, as if something was suppressing it.
But whether it seemed harmless or not, these comparisons were only relative.
Though Ino didn’t know the exact details of Harry’s past, the sight of this restrained darkness made him more cautious than ever.
Being exposed to this malevolent aura daily, Harry had managed to endure for so long—undoubtedly thanks to his mother.
The moment Ino noticed the mist was restrained, he recalled Lily Potter’s sacrificial protection magic. Without it, Harry alone would have likely succumbed to the dark influence long ago.
"But even then, this doesn’t add up..."
Staring at the restrained black mist, Ino murmured to himself in confusion.
"What do you see?"
A voice interrupted his thoughts—Snape had appeared beside Harry’s bed.
The professor had noticed Ino’s sudden change in expression and immediately realized something was wrong. He knew his student well—Ino was not one to joke about serious matters.
"I see Voldemort’s lingering malice. Fortunately, it’s contained for now, so there’s no immediate danger."
Ino didn’t hide the truth. After all, Snape was already aware of this matter.
"And this time?"
Snape didn’t elaborate, but his meaning was clear.
"I don’t know."
Ino shook his head slightly.
Something had been overlooked. That much he was certain. Otherwise, with the Horcrux count remaining unchanged, there shouldn’t be such an extreme reaction from Harry’s scar.
Dumbledore, fearing unexpected complications, had already secured two more Horcruxes over the summer. It was a precautionary measure—ensuring they wouldn’t be accidentally destroyed and trigger unintended consequences.
Yet now, despite those precautions, something unexpected had still happened.
Hearing Ino’s response, Snape didn’t press further.
He merely stood there, gazing at the unconscious boy on the hospital bed.
Harry lay still, his face calm in sleep.
Looking at him, Snape felt a familiar mix of emotions.
The resemblance to James Potter was undeniable. And yet, after four years—after the first potions class and all that had come after—Snape found it harder and harder to hold onto the resentment he once harbored.
"Professor, I’ll be going now. There’s something I need to investigate further."
After confirming there were no immediate changes in Harry’s condition, Ino stood up.
Snape gave a slight nod, but just as Ino turned to leave, that ever-familiar monotone voice called out once more:
"If you need Felix Felicis, let me know. I have plenty in storage."
Plenty in storage...?
For a moment, Ino recalled how Hermione had been deceived. So much for ‘no extra Felix Felicis’—it was all a lie.
But on second thought, it might have been a test of sorts. Either way, the potion was Snape’s property—he could decide what to do with it.
"Not for now. But if I need it, I’ll come to you."
With that, Ino walked out of the hospital wing.
Meanwhile, with the tournament concluded, Hogwarts was livelier than ever.
The corridors, dormitories, Great Hall, and common rooms—everywhere was packed with students.
After all, discussions require company.
Even in the usually quiet hospital wing, the corridor outside was not devoid of voices.
"You don’t need to worry too much. Given the circumstances, Harry was acting in self-defense. I don’t think it’ll cause too much trouble."
Hermione spoke softly, attempting to comfort Ginny while explaining the concept of ‘self-defense.’
She understood Ginny’s anxiety. The moment Harry killed the dragon and was escorted away by the professors, Ginny had wanted to follow.
But in the crowded stands, there was no way to do so.
The moment the match ended, she had rushed straight to the hospital wing.
As her friend, Hermione couldn’t just leave her alone and had come along.
"Thank you, Hermione. I know... I understand."
Ginny turned to look at her, still visibly worried, but her expression was noticeably calmer.
Seeing this, Hermione decided to let the matter rest.
After all, Harry had used an Unforgivable Curse in front of countless witnesses—there was no avoiding the consequences.
At the same time, as Ino stepped out of the hospital wing, he spotted two Gryffindor girls approaching from the opposite direction.
