บท 242: Chapter 242: The Trial Realm
As evening approached, the sky darkened, and delicate snowflakes adorned the Hogwarts castle like drifting cotton. After dinner, Augustus made his way alone to the Room of Requirement. Although Christmas had not yet arrived, the festive atmosphere permeated every corner of the castle. Large and small Christmas lanterns floated in the air, hovering near the moving staircases, their shimmering lights creating a dreamlike radiance. Climbing the constantly shifting stairs, Augustus soon reached the seldom-visited upper floors.
Standing before the large tapestry on the eighth floor, he waited briefly. A bronze door appeared, and as he pushed it open, the torches inside the room flickered to life. The dim, warm light illuminated the space. Above him, over a hundred golden orbs floated gracefully, emitting the crisp chimes of wind bells.
With a casual flick of his wand, a book flew off the shelf in the corner. Holding the ancient tome, Augustus settled into a chair, quietly waiting for the others to arrive.
The golden spheres above collided gently, producing a tinkling melody akin to a serene stream. Their shifting rhythms seemed to compose a series of elegant symphonies. In the tranquil room, the flickering firelight danced on the yellowed pages of the book as Augustus held it with one hand, silently absorbed in thought.
The door creaked open, and Cho entered alone. She found Augustus sitting quietly in the room, and a glimmer of joy flashed in her dark eyes.
"Good evening, Augustus," she greeted, her serene smile softening her features. She gestured to the golden orbs and clusters of green trailing plants overhead. "This is beautiful. Did you arrange it?"
Putting down his book, Augustus shook his head. "No, it was probably the house-elves."
"Hmm, these golden orbs sound so pleasant," Cho remarked curiously, "but I don't recognize the plants. They have such a fresh scent."
"Mistletoe," came a dreamy voice as Luna Lovegood entered the room, her expression as whimsical as ever. "But be careful; they sometimes harbor Nargles."
Augustus chuckled faintly and resumed reading his book.
Cho's elegant face showed a hint of disappointment as she inwardly regretted not arriving earlier.
Shortly after, Angelina, Katie, and Alicia entered, huffing from the cold. They looked thoroughly chilled.
More people began arriving in groups of twos and threes, and the room gradually filled.
By around eight o'clock, everyone had assembled. Augustus closed his book, stood, and with a light wave of his hand, extinguished the firelight. The room was now illuminated by a dazzling canopy of starlight.
Conversations dwindled as the crowd turned their attention to Augustus, awaiting his words.
"This past week," Augustus began with a tone of satisfaction, "your progress in constructing magical strings has varied in speed. Some are faster, some slower, but one thing is clear: none of you have been idle. You've done very well. On the path of magic, talent is not the key. Attitude and perseverance matter most. This week has been merely your ticket into the world of magic. I'm pleased you've not let me down."
He paused briefly before continuing. "The formation of magical strings means that the key to the fourteen schools of magic is now in your hands. From here, advancing from a magic apprentice to higher levels depends entirely on your own efforts. What I can offer you is guidance in the early stages and the experiences gained through practice."
"For a mage, from basic first-circle spells to legendary forbidden arts, knowing how to adapt to different environments, confront varying enemies, and harness the arcane network to cast spells effectively is essential. Every spell has its greatest potential. Achieving maximum magical impact through environmental advantage requires your judgment and combat experience."
"Thus, for a mage, combat is often more critical than meditation or study. Tonight, as fledgling magic apprentices, you'll engage in your first combat training. I will take you to the Trial Realm, your first battlefield."
With a slight wave of his hand, Augustus transported everyone in the Room of Requirement to a different location.
Starlight shone upon the Tower of Amethyst Clouds, and in the next instant, Harry realized he was standing in a space that seemed oddly familiar.
It was a circular, domed chamber. Magical gnomes scurried about, tirelessly polishing the smooth black obsidian floor. Suspended from the ceiling were purple crystal lamps, their magical glow illuminating the room. Along the edges were rows of pristine white shelves, while the floor-to-ceiling ice crystal windows reflected the faint starlight of the dark void outside.
"Where are we?" Ron asked Loki, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
Loki shook his head in confusion. "I've followed Augustus for a long time but never knew about this place. But look." He pointed to the enormous northern window. "If that's not some magical illusion, we might actually be in outer space."
"Impossible," Parvati said, her face pale and lips trembling slightly. "This room can't be off Earth. Even Apparition couldn't transport all of us to another planet."
"It's probably an illusion," muttered Zacharias, his voice carrying across the room. "Remember those magical creation scenes Augustus showed us in the Room of Requirement? This might be something similar."
Ginny lightly touched a cold metal table and remarked, "It doesn't feel like an illusion. That scene was vivid, but these desks and chairs are tangible. If this is an illusion, it's remarkably realistic."
Lilian nodded, her crimson eyes reflecting the starlit void outside. "It does seem like we're actually in space."
Sitting on a plush-cushioned chair, Cho glanced around with doubt. "If the stars outside are real, then what about this room? Could the Room of Requirement somehow move into space? It seems unbelievable."
Harry shook his head and replied firmly, "If I'm not mistaken, this must be the flying tower owned by Augustus. I saw it once during the Quidditch World Cup, and he also used it to rescue me from Riddle's graveyard after the Triwizard Tournament. Right now, I believe we're in that very tower."
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