章 404: 0403 The End of Memory

Gryffindor didn't stop Ravenclaw from taking away the ominous-looking archway. They returned along the original route, passing through the library and the hall where Dementors were bred, returning to the upper levels via the chilling path made of house-elf hands and heads.

When they emerged from the initial stone chamber back onto the island, the gloomy sky of Azkaban had turned pitch black.

The Dementors restlessly roamed nearby, likely afraid of the massive stone pillar still floating in mid-air, never daring to approach.

Sirius, despite knowing full well that this was just a memory couldn't help but release a long, shuddering sigh of relief as his feet touched the scorched earth once more. Perhaps because the experience below had broken his worldview, Sirius finally overcame some of his initial fears. As he stood there, feeling the coarse, lifeless soil beneath his feet, Sirius found himself gazing at the tall, eerie stone tower standing against the dark background, his eyes were filled with complex emotions.

Six months ago, Sirius would have sworn that he would never regret his decision to accept imprisonment in this hellish place. It had been his choice. But now, standing here in this memory-world, face to face with the tower that had stolen so many years from him, Sirius felt an overwhelming conflict raging within his heart.

What had changed his mind wasn't the harsh reality of his past experiences, but rather the stark contrast provided by the simple beauty of a normal life – a life he had only recently begun to taste again.

In the months since his escape, Sirius had encountered a world he had almost forgotten existed. He had met this exceptionally talented young wizard beside him, regained Remus's friendship and, most importantly, reclaimed his own innocence and in the months at Hogwarts, he had met many pure and kind-hearted young witches and wizards.

But perhaps the most significant change had been the opportunity to shoulder the responsibilities he should have borne long ago. Taking on the role of godfather to Harry, offering guidance and protection to the son of his best friend, had given Sirius a renewed sense of purpose. It was as if he had been given a second chance to make amends for past failures.

As these thoughts swirled through his mind, Sirius realized that he no longer wished to dwell on whether his decision to accept imprisonment had been right or wrong. The past is unchangeable, and such contemplations served no purpose. Instead, his heart was filled with a fierce determination to protect the good things he now possessed – his freedom, his friendships, and the chance to make a difference in the lives of those he cared about.

While Sirius was lost in his self-examination, Ravenclaw's voice suddenly cut through the oppressive silence, startling him back to the present moment.

"I'm pondering a question, Godric—" she began, her tone thoughtful and tinged with concern.

Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, unlike Sirius, seemed to have little interest in the imposing spiral structure of Azkaban. They had spared it only a cursory glance, showing no inclination to explore its dark interior. Instead, their attention was focused on the magical anomalies they had discovered beneath the island.

Standing beneath the immense, rough-hewn stone pillar that had sealed the underground chamber, Ravenclaw's piercing gaze was fixed on its surface. Even in the dim light, the faint magical nodes etched into the stone were visible, pulsing with magical energy. She continued,

"To hatch the embryos below, these creatures have been systematically draining the life force from the surrounding waters. But their hunger is insatiable, and they won't be content with this limited feeding ground forever. To propagate their kind in greater numbers, they will inevitably leave this sea and encroach upon human society."

Ravenclaw's ice-blue eyes, usually sharp and calculating, now held a hint of genuine fear as she explained the dire consequences of their potential spread.

"These beings have lost all capacity to discern between good and evil. They lack even the most basic ability to restrain their voracious appetites. Their unchecked expansion will trigger a catastrophe of unprecedented scale, Godric. The Muggle world will be reduced to a helpless hunting ground, its inhabitants nothing more than prey waiting to be devoured. And we wizards, for all our magical prowess, lack the means to control them effectively."

The scenario she painted was indeed nightmarish, a future that seemed all but inevitable unless they could find a way to eliminate all the Dementors before they grew beyond control. However, that very task presented an almost insurmountable challenge, given the creatures' indestructibility and their ability to multiply.

Gryffindor, his brow furrowed in deep concentration, took a moment to survey the island. His eyes scanned the desolate landscape, taking in every detail as if searching for inspiration. After a thoughtful pause, he offered a suggestion, his voice carrying a note of cautious optimism:

"This island is enveloped by powerful magic left behind by Herpo to repel outsiders. Perhaps we could employ a similar strategy, Rowena. We could implement some measures to prevent these creatures from leaving the this island."

Ravenclaw, however, was quick to point out the flaws in this plan.

"Ordinary magical barriers would prove utterly useless against them, Godric. These creatures operate on a fundamentally different magical principle. The only way to restrict their movement would be through direct suppression of their soul energy – a feat that requires constant magical maintenance. And therein lies the crux of the problem: if we were to die, these measures would inevitably fail."

Gryffindor's frown deepened at this sobering assessment. He turned to Ravenclaw, his eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and determination. "What do you propose we do, then?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

It was a very tricky problem, and Ravenclaw didn't immediately provide an answer.

After a long moment of contemplation, she spoke, her words measured and thoughtful: "I need more time to consider all the variables. Once we return to Hogwarts, I intend to study these creatures in greater depth. While it's clear that Herpo's original purpose in creating them wasn't for torture and slaughter, we must take decisive action to ensure these beings don't spiral out of control."

Boom!

A resounding boom echoed across the island. The massive stone pillar that had been hovering in the air slowly descended, sealing the deep hole in the ground once more.

Ravenclaw approached the pillar, her slender fingers brushing against its rough surface.

"I can sense," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, "that there are objects on land with the same magical fluctuations as this pillar."

Gryffindor, who had been listening intently, suddenly broke into a wide grin. He ran a hand through his fiery red hair, which had been tousled by the relentless sea breeze, and exclaimed with unbridled enthusiasm:

"Leave the next expedition to me, Rowena! To be entirely honest, I find that adventures with you lack a certain... excitement. You always manage to unravel every mystery before we've had a chance to truly explore. Where's the thrill in that?"

His playful complaint was met with a look of mild disapproval from Ravenclaw. Her ice-blue eyes fixed on Gryffindor, conveying a seriousness that contrasted sharply with his jovial mood.

"I hope you can face reality, Godric," she said, her tone carrying a hint of exasperation. "This is not some frivolous adventure we're upon. Ever since Helga experienced those troubling visions and made her prophecy, everything we've done has been to prevent this world from eventually falling into eternal darkness."

Coo-coo—

The ethereal call of an unseen bird echoed across the island, its haunting melody at odds with the miserable surroundings. As the sound reverberated, a strange phenomenon began to unfold. The dark, ominous environment of Azkaban started to fade rapidly, as if being erased by an invisible hand.

Gryffindor and Ravenclaw remained standing beneath the stone pillar, their conversation continuing, but their voices became increasingly distant and dream-like. Their forms began to shimmer and blur, as if they were nothing more than mirages on the verge of disappearing.

Panic gripped Sirius as he watched the world around him dissolve. The solid ground beneath his feet seemed to lose its substance, and the oppressive environment of Azkaban began to melt away.

"What's happening, Bryan?" Sirius called out; his voice tight with anxiety. He reached out instinctively, trying to grasp onto something solid, but his hands passed through the dissolving scenery as if it were made of mist.

"As we anticipated earlier, we've been existing within either Ravenclaw's or Gryffindor's memory. Now that this memory has reached its end, it's time for us to return to our own reality." Bryan replied, his expression complex as he watched the Hogwarts founders gradually disappear into glowing silver threads.

Bryan's voice also sounded muffled in Sirius's ears. He wanted to ask more questions, to understand better what was happening, but before he could form the words, a deafening thunderclap shook the disintegrating world around them. In an instant, Sirius's vision went completely dark, plunging him into a void of nothingness.

The sensation was akin to suddenly sinking into the depths of a bottomless ocean. Sirius felt an overwhelming sense of suffocation and fear, his mind reeling as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. He struggled desperately, and then—

And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the darkness lifted.

"Whoa!"

With a startled cry, Sirius sat bolt upright, his sudden movement causing him to collide with something solid above him. There was a loud crash as he knocked open what appeared to be a door panel that had been pressing down on him.

The unexpected impact sent a shock wave of pain through Sirius's head, and for a moment, his newly recovered vision began to grow dark once again. He wobbled on the edge of consciousness, as the world spinned around him in a dizzying blur.

After a few moments, Sirius's vision began to clear. He found himself clutching his swollen forehead, wincing at the throbbing pain that radiated from the point of impact. With considerable effort, he managed to push away the bent door panel that had been pinning his legs.

Staggering to his feet, Sirius took a moment to steady himself. As the world slowly came into focus, he lifted his gaze skyward, and was met with a sight that took his breath away.

Above him, the night sky stretched out in an endless expanse of velvety blackness, studded with countless stars that twinkled like diamonds scattered across a dark cloth. The starlight was soft and graceful, a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness of Azkaban that still lingered in his mind.

Sirius drew in a deep breath, savoring the crisp, salty air that filled his lungs. The sea around them was calm, its surface a mirror reflecting the starry sky above. The gentle lapping of waves against the hull of their vessel was a soothing rhythm, sinking him in the present moment.

A movement caught his eye, and Sirius noticed a few seabirds perched on the broken mast of their ship. The birds tilted their heads curiously, their beady eyes fixed on him as if trying to make sense of this strange, disheveled human who had suddenly appeared in their midst.

It took Sirius several long moments to fully grasp his current situation. His mind was still reeling from the abrupt transition, struggling to reconcile the vivid memories of Azkaban with the peaceful night that now surrounded him.

Turning his head, Sirius sought out Bryan, who had awakened a few steps ahead of him and was now standing by the ship's rail. Bryan's posture was relaxed but alert, his gaze fixed on some distant point on the horizon. Curious, Sirius followed his line of sight.

There, in the distance, an island loomed. It was barely visible, shrouded in the only patch of dark clouds that marred the starry sky.

"We made it in?" Sirius asked, his voice hoarse and uncertain.

Bryan turned at the sound of Sirius's voice, and it was then that Sirius noticed something extraordinary. In Bryan's hands, gleaming softly in the starlight, were two objects that made Sirius's breath catch in his throat.

Ravenclaw's diadem and Gryffindor's sword!

Sirius's eyes widened to the point of pain; his gaze locked on the two legendary alchemical artifacts. He found himself holding his breath, as if afraid that the slightest movement or sound might cause these Mythical objects to vanish.

"These are from the memory," Sirius breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. He blinked rapidly, half-expecting the artifacts to disappear. But they remained solid and real in Bryan's grasp.

As the initial shock began to wear off, Sirius felt a bubble of laughter rise in his chest. It was a sound born of disbelief, amazement, and perhaps a touch of hysteria. He chuckled, shaking his head in wonder.

"I bet if people knew you had these two items, Bryan," Sirius said, his tone casual despite the tremor in his voice, "you'd never have a moment's peace again."

The sarcasm was almost comical. Sirius knew all too well the power these artifacts held, not just in terms of their magical properties, but in their historical and cultural significance. The wizarding world would be turned upside down if word got out that these long-lost treasures of the Hogwarts founders had resurfaced.

Bryan's response was a soft chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement and perhaps a hint of mischief. "Ha, there aren't many wizards capable of taking things from me,"

Their conversation was interrupted by a fluttering of wings. The seabirds that had been perched on the mast, apparently growing bolder, flew down to land on the ship's rail near Bryan. Their slightly dim eyes held a hint of pleading as they gently pecked at his fingers, clearly hoping for food.

Bryan's demeanor softened as he observed the hungry birds. With a casual wiggle of his fingers several small fish, each about the size of a finger, suddenly materialized. They flew out of the scale-like waves, arcing through the air before landing with soft plops on the ship's rail.

The seabirds immediately erupted into a cacophony of joyful, low cries. They scrambled over each other, wings flapping and beaks snapping as they fought to snatch up the unexpected feast. The scene was so normal, so mundane, that it created a surreal contrast with the magical artifacts and the lingering tension from their otherworldly experience.

Sirius watched the squabbling birds in silence, his mind whirling with thoughts and questions. The simple act of kindness – Bryan feeding the birds – seemed to ground him, bringing him fully back to the present moment.

After a few moments of contemplative silence, broken only by the sounds of the contented birds, Sirius spoke up.

"I'll keep what I've seen here a secret, Bryan—"

Bryan raised an eyebrow at this, turning to look at Sirius properly. Sirius met his gaze steadily, trying to convey the sincerity of his promise through his eyes alone.

The moment stretched between them, filled with unspoken understanding. Then, unexpectedly, Bryan's lips curved into a small smile. He shifted his gaze away from Sirius, looking out towards the distant silhouette of Azkaban. His fingers tapped gently on the ship's rail, a rhythmic sound that seemed to match the echo of the lapping of the waves against the hull.

"No," Bryan said at last, his voice calm and measured. "I hope you can tell—"

Sirius raised his eyebrows in surprise, a question forming on his lips. However, before he could speak, Bryan continued, cutting off any potential interruption.

"But not now," Bryan added, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. His deep gaze seemed to pierce through space and time, as if seeing some distant future.

"In the future, if one day I suddenly disappear and you urgently need to find me, then please tell Dumbledore everything you've seen—"

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章 405: 0404 Out

In the gentle sea breeze, Bryan's calm expression made Sirius startle.

"What do you mean, Bryan?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Sirius realized he had asked Bryan this question many times tonight. But he quickly pushed that thought aside and asked solemnly, "Suddenly disappear... What exactly are you planning?"

Bryan didn't answer the question. He just smiled slightly, and his gaze was once again fixed on Azkaban.

Seeing his demeanor, Sirius knew he probably wouldn't get any answers. He stared at Bryan's profile. Though barely in his twenties, the young man's eyes carried a determination that did not match his age. The depth in his gaze was not something he could see through.

"You're incredible, Bryan—" Sirius sighed, the words escaping him in a rush of breath. He reached out, patting Bryan's shoulder. "I can't think of any wizard who could possess such powerful magic at your age, probably not even Dumbledore. But I hope you understand—this is also the insight that twelve years in Azkaban gave me—I, Remus, Dumbledore, ah, and even Snape, we're all your friends. Even against Voldemort and his Death Eaters, understand? Bryan, if you need help..."

The soft starlight bathed Bryan, softening the contours of his profile.

Bryan's voice, when he spoke, held a hint of amusement. "I don't need a lecture from you, Sirius," he said, smoothly changing the subject. Before Sirius could formulate a response, Bryan continued, "I need to go to Azkaban. That place affects you too much; you should wait here."

"You're going up there again?" Sirius frowned. "Don't tell me that memory we just experienced didn't resolve your questions. Are you planning to check out that underground ruins? But how do you intend to get in? Oh, Ravenclaw's diadem is in your possession."

Under Sirius's worried gaze, Bryan rose into the air until he disappeared from sight.

Waiting, Sirius discovered, was an exquisite form of torture.

For several hours, Sirius stood on the dilapidated deck, staring anxiously in the direction of Azkaban. But the place remained as silent as an abyss, without any sign of movement.

Sirius's mind raced with possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. He knew, rationally, that Bryan's skills were extraordinary. If it had been an exploration of any other place, Sirius wouldn't have been so worried. But after experiencing the memories of Hogwarts' two founders, Sirius realized that Azkaban was far more sinister and dangerous than anyone had ever imagined.

It wasn't until the starlight dimmed and first hints of dawn began to paint the eastern sky that Sirius's vigil was rewarded. A shadow, skimming low across the sea's surface, rapidly approached the ship. The sight allowed Sirius to finally release the breath he felt he'd been holding for hours.

"How did it go? Did you encounter any problems?" The questions tumbled from Sirius's lips the moment Bryan materialized on the deck. He rushed forward, eyes gathering over the young wizard's form, searching for any sign of injury. Only when he was satisfied that Bryan was unharmed did Sirius allow himself to relax. But as he met Bryan's gaze, he felt a jolt of surprise.

"Your eyes—" Sirius began, his words trailing off.

"They've returned to their original color, haven't they?" Bryan seemed to be in a good mood. He touched the corner of his eye, smiling as he spoke.

"Well, as long as you're alright—" Sirius let the sentence hang, unfinished. He chose not to pursue the matter of whether Bryan had truly used Ravenclaw's diadem to open the underground chamber, nor did he ask about Bryan's activities during those long hours of absence. Seeing that the young wizard was unharmed was enough for now. Sirius shrugged, pushing aside his burning curiosity.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to Sirius, and his mood brightened considerably. "You've finished what you needed to do, right?" he asked, a note of excitement creeping into his voice.

"Does this mean we can go back now? Oh, Harry must be waiting for me to pick him up for the Quidditch World Cup. How about it, Bryan? Want to come along? We'll pick up Harry first. Remus is probably getting impatient waiting at the old house; he and Kreacher don't get along at all. We all agreed before the summer holiday to stay at the Weasleys for a few days, then take all these youngsters to watch the Quidditch World Cup!"

Sirius looked at Bryan eagerly, hoping he would agree. But to his disappointment, Bryan slowly shook his head.

"I don't like crowded places. For the rest of the summer holiday, if nothing unexpected happens, I'll probably stay at the Manor. I need time to ponder over the memory we experienced."

The journey that had brought them to this remote sea area had taken over twenty days, but the return wouldn't be nearly as complicated. They could use the Portkey to transfer to Old John's place, and then Bryan could Apparate with Sirius back to London.

Their current location lay within the magical protection range of Azkaban, a zone where powerful magic rendered all forms of instant transportation spells ineffective. Bryan used magic to slowly guide the completely immobile wreck of a ship to slowly float out of this sea area.

Just as Bryan had anticipated earlier, passing through the magical barrier again caused some disturbance, but it was nothing compared to the earth-shattering resistance they had encountered on their way in. This time, it felt more like a gentle breeze ruffling their hair and clothes.

As they finally escaped Azkaban's influence entirely, Sirius felt the last traces of gloom lift from his spirit. He leaned against the ship's rail, savoring the pleasant sea breeze while Bryan went to fetch the Portkey from the cabin.

The peaceful moment was shattered by the sudden appearance of a snowy owl. The bird had been circling high above, nearly invisible against the pale sky, but now it swooped earthward, leaving a sharp shadow in mid-air. By the time Sirius realized the bird might be headed for him, the owl was already pouncing in front of his face, beating its wings against his cheeks.

"Oh, don't do that—" Sirius protested, staggering back a few steps. He frowned at the clearly agitated owl, which glared at him with unmistakable hostility, as if ready to peck him fiercely at any moment. The bird looked as though it had been through quite an ordeal, its white feathers looked ruffled and disheveled. After a moment of careful examination, he suddenly exclaimed.

"Come quick, Bryan! It's Harry's owl, I think it's called Hemingway!"

"It's Hedwig—" Bryan's voice carried a hint of amusement as he emerged from the cabin, with Portkey in hand. He shook his head slightly at Sirius.

"What did I tell you!" Sirius exclaimed, looking extremely pleased with himself despite the correction. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he turned back to the owl. "Harry must be getting impatient staying with those Muggles. He can't wait for me to pick him up. Oh, speaking of which, this owl is quite something, to be able to find us here!"

For Sirius, whose world had been shattered and rebuilt around his godson, the greatest joy was feeling needed by Harry.

With gentle words and soothing gestures, Sirius managed to calm Hedwig enough to retrieve the letter she carried. His hands trembled slightly with anticipation as he unfolded the parchment in front of Bryan. He began reading eagerly, but as the somewhat childish handwriting jumped into his eyes one word after another, Sirius's joyful expression gradually faded, replaced by a hint of seriousness on his brow.

"Perhaps you should take a look at this letter, Bryan," Sirius said, his voice low and tense.

Harry's owl had delivered letters to him before. Bryan was feeding Hedwig small fish from the sea when he heard Sirius say this. He shifted his gaze over, immediately sensing that something unpleasant must have happened.

"What's wrong?" Bryan inquired while unhesitatingly taking the letter and quickly reading it at a glance.

"What do you think, Bryan?" Sirius asked softly, watching Bryan's face intently for any reaction. "Harry's scar isn't an ordinary scar, is it? Harry said the last time it hurt was when Voldemort was near him. Voldemort couldn't possibly appear near the Muggle family where Harry is staying, could he? With Dumbledore's magical protection, he simply couldn't find Harry, right?"

"Harry probably hasn't told us everything," Bryan said, narrowing his eyes slightly as he stared at the cautious words on the paper. He suddenly recalled his conversation with Dumbledore before this trip and couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. It hadn't been long since Dumbledore had warned him, and now something unusual had happened with Harry.

Putting down the letter, Bryan met Sirius's worried gaze and said calmly.

"Harry's scar is indeed unusual. It represents a hidden connection between him and the wizard who gave him that scar. It certainly needs to be taken seriously. Alright, I'll accompany you to Privet Drive to ask Harry in person if there's anything he hasn't fully explained. Also, I suggest you write a letter to Dumbledore, telling him about this—"

Bryan's words were cut short by a sudden screech that pierced the air. Another owl, this one an ordinary grey, came swooping in from the distance. Like Hedwig, this bird's feathers were disheveled, looking as if it had been struggling in this sea area for some time.

The letter was addressed to Bryan, sent by Kakus Fawley.

Bryan's eyes sharpened as he quickly scanned the contents of the message, his expression growing more focused with each passing second.

"I'm sorry, Sirius—" Bryan said, looking up from the letter. "You'll have to inquire about Harry's situation on your own. If there's any new information, write to me anytime. There's a matter I must investigate personally—"

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