Chapter 647 Success or Failure

The new semester started, Dean and Seamus returned, and Harry was the happiest person. He finally didn't have to face the deathly silent dormitory alone, and began to look forward to the arrival of the first night.

As a result, after the dinner that day, Harry was called to Professor Hep's office to add emotional nourishment to the Ouroboros in classroom 7. After witnessing the huge Ouroboros with both deterrence and beauty swallowing his stag patronus into his stomach again, Harry asked Professor Hep: "That... Riddle is okay?"

He didn't know whether Tom Riddle had learned the Patronus Charm. Thinking that this matter was related to him, Harry couldn't stand the strangeness in his heart.

"It depends on how you define it." Felix said: "He is on the right path, but if you ask him personally, he probably won't be happy, and he may even lose his temper."

"Professor, do you really think he can change for the better?"

At least Harry didn't believe it. He felt that instead of having unnecessary expectations for Voldemort, it would be better to say to the Ouroboros Patronus, do a good job, you have a great responsibility.

"Good and bad are determined by comparison. I just hope he's not too bad."

"Will it work? I mean... for my um..." Harry hesitated. He tried not to think about the fact that he was also a part of a Horcrux. It made him feel dirty.

"It's hard to say, Harry. It's really hard to say." Felix hesitated for a rare time. "Memories can't be compared with real souls. I've been trying to help Riddle grow up, but... you know we still have two intact Horcruxes in our hands, right?" He changed the question.

"Lockette, golden cup." Harry said.

"Yes, there are two pieces of Voldemort's soul hidden in them. I hope Riddle can absorb a small piece of soul, or all of it, before merging with the soul of the original body." Felix said, "Memory needs a carrier to work."

Harry was shocked by this bold idea, but even if he didn't know much about Horcruxes, he could hear how difficult the plan was to implement.

"If just in case..."

"Then I will suggest that Dumbledore seal it completely and use all means to turn Voldemort into an idiot." Felix said coldly: "Unless Dumbledore has other ways, or I can be sure again after a few decades, otherwise..."

He looked at Harry, and Harry immediately understood that if the situation described by the professor happened, he might have to live with a piece of Voldemort's soul forever, and the matter would not end until the day he died.

Harry was almost certain of this, because Voldemort had made a living Horcrux - using a python, and in the end, the piece of soul dissipated with the death of the python.

Harry walked back to the dormitory with heavy steps.

His death would destroy Voldemort's hope of life, he said to himself. But if he could survive, who would be willing to die? He still had so many ties. He hadn't seen Sirius and Ms. Bones' wedding yet. They might have children. There were Lupin and Tonks. He might be the godfather of one of the children. There were Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna...

Thinking of this, it didn't seem unacceptable to have a piece of Voldemort's soul in his head. Harry returned to the dormitory and saw Ron and Neville staring at him. He was startled and subconsciously glanced at the other two beds. Dean and Seamus were already asleep.

"Hehe." Ron and Neville looked at Harry flatteringly and consciously wrapped tape around their mouths.

Harry raised his wand woodenly.

The next day, the sixth graders received the news: the twelve-week Apparition class had begun.

In the common room, almost all the students who met the requirements had signed up and squeezed in front of the notice to sign their names. In a corner of the common room, Harry, Ron and Hermione sat together and saw Neville, Dean and Seamus coming back talking and laughing.

"Harry, there's a small piece of transparent tape stuck to the corner of your mouth." Ginny said happily, helping Harry to tear it off. Ron subconsciously touched the corner of his mouth.

"Aren't you going?" Ginny asked again, looking at the people coming back from the notice board, "Oh, I forgot, you could have done it last year. I remember that teacher in the Ministry of Magic...what was his name-Ross, Rocky?"

"Wicky Twycross." Hermione said.

"It's him," Ginny leaned her head on Harry's shoulder and said casually: "Didn't he promise to help you get the certificate in advance?"

"Obviously, someone broke his promise." Ron muttered.

"Oh--" Ginny straightened up and stared at him for a while, "I seem to remember that you mentioned it several times, but you didn't say it much after Easter."

"Remember it very clearly," Ron looked at her indignantly: "Since you have such a good memory, you should know that I don't want to see my sister sticking with others, even if that person is my best friend--" "

You can also find someone else." Ginny retorted.

"Who?" Ron asked vigilantly.

Ginny looked up, and Harry and Ron looked in the direction her chin pointed at the same time. A girl was looking over here. "Lavender?" Ron cried out, "What's the relationship with her?"

Ginny looked at him sympathetically, leaving him with a proud profile, "Idiot." She said clearly, and Ron's face flushed.

Harry immediately recognized the danger signal - Ron's ears were red - he grabbed the figure that flashed in front of him and asked impatiently: "How is it?"

Seamus fell on the armrest of Harry's sofa with a dazed look.

"Oh - what? Hey," he seemed to have misunderstood, and said seriously: "I think I can do it. Now I am proficient in adapting to the appearance of followers. This summer vacation, my mother asked my cousin Figo to practice with me - the situation was not stable at that time, and people wanted to make as many preparations as possible." "

I know," Harry continued, "just like the illumination spell that restrains the corpses was once very popular."

"That's right," Seamus said excitedly: "Mom said that she was exhausted during that time, but she only learned the illumination spell, and she couldn't learn the light and fire spell no matter what - it was too difficult for her." He whispered to Harry, "Figo gave me some extra guidance - I mean Apparition. There were several times when I felt light and floating, as if I fell into cotton. It means that I am very close to success, right?"

"Maybe you can do it in the first class." Harry said based on his own experience.

"It may also be split." Ron said with a smile, and Seamus's face turned pale after he finished speaking. Ron hurriedly tried to make amends, "I mean - actually, separation is not a big deal. The professor is here, except for a little pain -"

From Seamus's expression, his words did not have much comforting effect.

Harry shrugged, looked at Ron and Hermione, and said, "Let's go, we'd better go and sign up, in case we are not allowed to attend the class..."

On the second floor corridor, Felix came to Professor McGonagall's office to discuss the weather problem of Animagus. He was going to confess the fact that he could summon a 'storm with thunder and lightning'.

The door was ajar, and it opened with a slight push. He heard the voice inside.

"I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Noel, Hogwarts is not accepting senior transfer students at present... We do have an exchange student program with Ilvermorny, Ulgardo, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang School of Magic, but it has been shelved due to the war, and this is a cooperation between schools, not applicable to private individuals... Yes, that's what Headmaster Dumbledore meant."

Felix pushed the door open, and Professor McGonagall was facing him, talking to a middle-aged couple. He was a little surprised. When he heard the last name 'Noel', he thought it was an old lady dressed fashionably, but the result was not what he thought.

"I'm sorry. I'll come again." The man said hoarsely.

They didn't argue any more and got up to leave. When Felix passed by them, he saw a sharp face and a pair of blue-green eyes that were impressive.

"Oh, Felix." Professor McGonagall said behind the desk, looking relieved.

"What's the matter with that family?" Felix asked casually as he sat on the sofa.

"They are from the United States and are planning to move to the UK to settle down. They hope to let their children study here for the last six months." Professor McGonagall said, "They have been talking to me for a long time. This family is very stubborn."

"Can't even wait for half a year?"

"I find it strange too. They said that there is not a stable situation there..." Professor McGonagall said. They used the rest of the time to discuss the weather. When Felix explained his purpose, she laughed unexpectedly.

"I do intend to ask Dumbledore for help. No, not the storm... but the next full moon. The Mandrake leaves that have fully reacted with saliva must receive pure moonlight, but the weather has been a bit cloudy recently." Professor McGonagall said seriously, "If we fail due to weather reasons, I doubt whether those students have the patience to do it again."

Despite her serious tone, Felix still heard that she was in high spirits. This may be related to the fact that Professors Snape and Bubbage have recently published papers one after another. Apart from Bubbage, Professor McGonagall and Snape are the deans of two colleges respectively, and they are usually very competitive.

Professor McGonagall is now much more active than at the beginning.

Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye, and it was another full moon night. The students of the 'Animagus' class were gathered and walked towards the edge of a remote forbidden forest. Felix took some candles from the hall and let them float in the air. The weak flames kept jumping, just like the mood of the students who were trudging in the darkness.

After nearly a month, only 11 of the 23 students remained, less than half of the original number. However, Professor McGonagall was very satisfied and admitted that this was the only time she had seen such a situation in her teaching career. The group finally arrived at their destination.

She turned her back to the Forbidden Forest and faced the students. She spoke in the ankle-deep snow.

"Step forward in order - Weasley, you are the first. Hurry up and take your hands away." Professor McGonagall said sternly, and Ron did as he was told with a bitter face. "Your leaf is missing a corner, so it is unqualified."

"Really? It's just a little bit short." Ron said desperately.

"No, unless you are ready to grow a horn on your chest." Professor McGonagall said regretfully, "Next! Hannah Abbott -" A witch with two big braids and a ruddy face stumbled out of the crowd and handed her her share of mandrake to her for inspection.

"Yours is qualified." Professor McGonagall said softly.

Hannah burst into tears, tears could not stop flowing, but her hands were still steady. Neville helped her stand aside and let the inspection continue.

"Cormac McLaggen, failed."

"Susan Bones, failed."

"Draco Malfoy, passed."

"Ernie MacMillan, failed."

...

Soon it was Harry's turn. He spit the mandrake blade out of his mouth and carefully wiped the saliva on it with his sleeve. For a moment, he felt that something was missing in his mouth. He glanced at Ron, who was stiffly crumpling the mandrake.

"Those who fail have a second chance. But if you give up, you will have nothing." Professor McGonagall glared at Ron and said, "Potter--"

Harry held his breath and walked forward. His feet seemed to be out of control. Professor McGonagall didn't speak. She leaned closer and pushed the square glasses. Harry stared at the jumping candlelight reflected on the lens and suddenly forgot how to breathe.

It seemed like a lifetime had passed. Professor McGonagall's voice came from a distant place, "Meets the requirements, passed!" Harry felt dizzy for a moment. Hermione was standing behind him. She was so nervous that her face turned pale. She kept pinching her arm. Only after she heard from Professor McGonagall that she had passed did she breathe rapidly and walk to the side, sobbing quietly.

Those students who had failed long ago were sad. They could empathize with him the most. After all, they had suffered the same pain. But it must be admitted that those who were not declared failed until now were undoubtedly the worst. After the examination, only Harry, Hermione, Hannah, Neville, Draco, and two seventh-year students met the requirements and were allowed to proceed to the next stage of study. Harry

looked up at the full moon. Every successful student here paid a huge price, especially the psychological pressure. Near the last few days, Neville did not sleep, his eyes were bloodshot, and Hermione was sick all day, no longer answering any questions, and did not want to talk.

Hannah Abbott was on the verge of collapse several times. She was the most diligent among all people to find Neville to experience the daydream spell.

As for himself, Gryffindor's "ghost captain" has been famous recently. He used the amplification spell to speak softly, which made not only the players but also the audience in the stands get goose bumps.

Professor McGonagall began to distribute small crystal medicine bottles, asking them to fill them with saliva and put mandrake leaves in them. Hannah's hands were shaking so badly that she almost knocked over the bottles several times. Professor Hepple used the stones and branches on the ground to conjure up several small square tables.

"The rest of you don't just stand there. Come around. If you still want to continue learning Animagus Transfiguration, you will need it one day." Professor McGonagall shouted.

The students came over to observe. Those who were judged unqualified on the spot were hit too hard. Harry had no time to comfort Ron, who was in a state of dismay. He followed Professor McGonagall's instructions and added one of his own hair and a teaspoon of dew from a place without sunlight or human contact for seven days (provided by Professor Hepple).

When the seven students finished the last step - putting the pupa of the ghost-faced hawk moth into the crystal bottle, Professor McGonagall told them to screw in the stopper and hide the bottle in a quiet, dark place.

"That is the edge of the Forbidden Forest." Felix explained: "Find a place you can remember and bury the bottle. I suggest you dig deeper to avoid being dug out by wild animals."

Seven students went deeper into the forbidden forest step by step. Professor McGonagall waited until their backs disappeared from sight before turning around and saying to the remaining students: "Students who want to try again, please come forward to get new Mandrake leaves. The school will provide two free ones."

Half an hour later, the leaders came back.

Professor McGonagall breathed a sigh of relief and quietly lowered her clenched fist.

"From today on, no one is allowed to come nearby to check--"

"In addition, even though you already know it, I still have to repeat it: for the next period of time, each of you should perform the following actions at sunrise and sunset. Point the tip of the wand to your heart and recite the spell: 'Amado, Animado, Animagus,'" "

If everything goes well, at some point, you will feel a second heartbeat after reciting the spell. Sometimes it will be stronger than the original heartbeat, accompanied by panic and palpitations; sometimes it will be very weak. This is normal. You must insist on reciting the spell and not even once, but you must report to the teacher immediately after that."

"Did you hear that clearly?"

Professor McGonagall looked at everyone majestically, "I'm not kidding." The seven people in the center of sight nodded repeatedly. "Very good," she said with a smile, "You are very close to success, and I don't want any of you to fail. You can go back first. I told Filch to leave the door open for you..." "

Professor? What about you?"

"Felix and I will set up warning magic around."

After finishing all this, the two professors returned to the castle. Felix did not return to his office, but knocked on the door of the headmaster's office.

"Felix?" Dumbledore, who was wearing pajamas and glasses, raised his head and asked.

"Riddle has doubts, and he has begun to actively contact advanced dark magic." Felix said briefly: "I can't change his mind - either plan ahead, or let me destroy this personality and start over. But that will take more time."

"I understand."

Dumbledore said slowly, took out two Horcruxes from the drawer and handed them to Felix. When Dumbledore was alone in the office, he took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

The portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black hanging on the wall said in a greasy voice, "I don't know what the hurry is, Dumbledore. The kid's suggestion is actually a good one."

"I don't expect you to see that, Phineas," Dumbledore replied. He hesitated and said, "But it must be done as soon as possible. Harry doesn't have much time left."

Fawkes, standing on the perch, buried his head in his wings and snored softly.