Chapter 81: Forbidden Third Floor Corridor
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As he continued down the corridor, the mirror safely tucked away, he considered his approach. Hagrid, with his affinity for all things magical and monstrous, could be a valuable resource. But he would need to tread carefully, ensuring he didn't reveal too much.
"Master Harry, you might consider creating a 'Hagrid's magical creatures' fan club you've been so secretly passionate about," Nigel suggested with a barely concealed chuckle. "It might just win him over."
Harry let out a laugh, the sound echoing down the corridor. "I'll keep that in mind, Nigel. For now, let's focus on exploring. I want to see every nook and cranny of this castle."
As he ventured through Hogwarts, Harry took the opportunity to "show" the castle to the mirror. It was a tedious process, but he was patient, understanding the artifact's potential value. Each room, each hidden passageway, was committed to the mirror's memory, creating a comprehensive visual guide to Hogwarts.
He already explored the first two floors and the basement over the week, and his System map had already shown every nook and cranny. He knew there were still some hidden passages and shortcuts he didn't know of, but he was confident he would uncover them gradually. Climbing to the third floor, Harry started his exploration. At this time, Nigel chimed in, imitating Dumbledore's voice from the headmaster's speech on the first day, "Do remember, Master Harry," he said, "I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death." Harry chuckled as he looked at the corridor leading to the forbidden area.
Harry paused, considering Nigel's reminder. "Dying a painful death doesn't sound very appealing, does it? But then again, the forbidden is often the most tempting," he mused.
Nigel's response was tinged with sarcasm, "Oh, by all means, let's dive headfirst into danger. It's not as if we have an entire castle to explore that doesn't involve potentially fatal consequences."
Harry grinned at Nigel's comment. "Point taken, Nigel. But a little peek wouldn't hurt, would it?"
With cautious steps, Harry approached the corridor, his eyes scanning for any signs of trouble. He didn't plan to venture far, just enough to satisfy his curiosity. The air seemed to thicken as he neared the forbidden passage, a silent warning of the dangers that lay beyond.
Nigel, sensing Harry's determination, sighed, "I suppose there's no stopping you when you've set your mind on something. Just be careful, will you? I'm rather fond of our chats, and I'd prefer they didn't end prematurely."
Harry nodded, his hand resting on the door handle. "I'll be careful, Nigel. I have no intentions of meeting a painful end today." With a deep breath, he pushed the door open just a crack, peering inside.
The corridor was dimly lit, shadows dancing along the walls. It was eerily silent, the kind of silence that screamed of hidden dangers. Harry's heart raced with a mix of fear and excitement. He knew he was pushing the boundaries, but the thrill of the unknown was too enticing to resist.
Nigel, ever vigilant, remarked, "Well, if we're going to do this, let's at least be smart about it. Keep your wand ready and your wits about you."
Harry nodded, his wand at the ready. He took a tentative step inside, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. The corridor stretched out before him, its end lost in shadows. Every instinct told him to turn back, but his curiosity propelled him forward.
In the corridor, Harry felt something. The air was charged with an invisible force, a subtle pull that tugged at the edges of his consciousness. "Master Harry. There is a compelling zone in the area," Nigel's voice echoed in his mind, his tone serious.
Harry, nodding, took a step back. "I felt it too," he said as he took out the Magical Compass, the Potter artifact he had taken from the vault. It could point to the nearest source of strong magic. As Harry held it in his hand, the needle on the compass swirled then pointed at one of the doors in the corridor. He didn't approach, sensing that something was amiss. "The compelling is coming from there," he noted.
The zone was wide, but the closer he walked, the stronger it got. If it wasn't for his Occlumency and System Defenses, he might have fallen for it. "What is the compel, Nigel?" Harry inquired, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and caution.
He then added, "Nigel, please create a virtual replica of this corridor, complete with a duplicate of myself for testing." Nigel responded, "Initiating virtual consciousness creation. You may feel a slight disorientation, Master Harry. Please endure." As Harry felt a portion of his consciousness being temporarily redirected, he closed his eyes to visualize the Virtual Room. In this simulated space, an exact duplicate of Harry now stood in a meticulous recreation of the Third Floor corridor of Hogwarts. As the duplicate approached the Compelling Zone, it suddenly veered towards the door Harry had noted earlier. "Nigel, stop his advance with a barrier," Harry instructed, and Nigel created a wall between the Clone and the door. The Clone, to their surprise, rushed down the stairs, ran all the way to the other side of the school to climb back to the third floor from the corridor's other side, so he could reach the door.
Harry watched, a mixture of fascination and concern etched on his face. "That's quite a persistent clone," he remarked dryly. "It seems the compulsion is quite powerful."
Nigel, his voice tinged with worry, added, "Yes, it appears your other self is quite the marathon runner. Shall we put out some water for him?"
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at Nigel's comment despite the situation's gravity. "Let's keep him contained for now. I want to analyze this compulsion more closely. Can you record the clone's behavior for further study?"
"Certainly, Master Harry. Recording now. You might consider a career in magical behavioral studies at this rate," Nigel responded, the light-heartedness of his tone belying the seriousness of their task.
Harry asked, "Why is the compulsion so strong? I doubt it would have a similar effect on me."
Nigel replied, "Master Harry, the clone possesses only a fragment of your consciousness and none of your defenses, making it much more susceptible to magical influences. Normally, such a spell would subtly entice you, planting a seed of curiosity, a gentle nudge urging you to discover what lies behind that door. But since the clone is far weaker, the spell's influence is markedly more pronounced."
Harry peered down the corridor, his gaze fixated on the door that seemed to emanate an invisible pull. "Can we determine if the Compelling Zone affects everyone or just me?"
"Not enough data to ascertain that, I'm afraid. Would you like to expend points for a more in-depth analysis?" Nigel inquired.
Harry shook his head, a plan already forming in his mind. "No need to waste points. I can always lead other students here to check."
Nigel, with a chuckle that managed to convey both amusement and disapproval, remarked, "Oh, leading innocent lambs to a potentially deadly snare. That doesn't quite align with the image of the noble young wizard, now does it, Master Harry?"
Harry's gaze hardened, his voice carrying a hint of steel. "I would express the same concerns about our dear headmaster and this esteemed school, Nigel. Dumbledore warned us about this corridor, suggesting a gruesome fate awaits those who enter, and yet here we find a spell compelling me to do just that. Either the headmaster is an unaware and incompetent old fool, or this is his machination. Neither scenario casts him in a particularly favorable light."
Nigel, with a subtle shift in his tone to match the seriousness of Harry's, responded, "Indeed, it presents quite the conundrum. Caution and cunning must be your companions as you navigate these murky waters, Master Harry."
Harry nodded, his resolve firm. He would need to tread carefully, but the mystery of the third-floor corridor was too intriguing to ignore. With Nigel's assistance, he would uncover the truth behind the compulsion and the secrets that Hogwarts hid within its ancient walls.
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