A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 132: Choices

Chapter 132: Choices

"Hermione... What kind of magic is this?" Helena's expression was truly remarkable.

"It's a form of Memory Magic," explained Felix Harp, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Can it stay for a while? Honestly, I'm not yet adept at this magic."

She paused.

Felix's head was spinning a bit. He had just conjured a vast amount of memories in an instant, then brought them forth all at once, leaving his mind quite heavy.

Helena looked at him with concern.

Felix took a few deep breaths, feeling much better. He said to Helena, "We're friends, aren't we?"

"Of course."

"Forgive my audacity, madam. From your story, it seems that more than hating others, you... hate yourself."

Her expression turned suddenly solemn, and she slightly turned, half her face cast in shadow.

Felix carefully continued, "Why did you become a ghost? Was it out of fear of death? From what I've gathered in our interactions, I don't believe that's the case. What truly troubles you is the guilt you can't release, the guilt you carry toward your mother."

With a deeply serious expression, he added, "The Bloody Baron has carried his chains for a thousand years. In a way, aren't you shackled too? I hope you can try to forgive yourself..."

Night draped the castle, following a long silence—

"Those who could forgive me have long disappeared, by the third day of my transformation into a ghost," Helena said icily and turned, drifting away.

This time, Felix didn't intervene.

...

The birth of a ghost is rooted in obsessions, and the thoughts at the moment of death are the most brilliant and intense. Therefore, the obsessions of most ghosts stem from a fear of death and a desire to escape it.

Cases like Helena, the Bloody Baron, and Professor Binns are rare.

For Helena, her obsession is filled with regret and remorse—regret for her ignorance leading to a grave mistake, regret for not believing the Bloody Baron's words, the guilt of not seeing her mother one last time, not apologizing in person...

That evening, he stood before the white walls of the Room of Requirement.

Through his conversation with Helena Ravenclaw, he suddenly considered an angle he had never thought of before.

He silently repeated to himself, "I need to find the room Rowena Ravenclaw left for her daughter, Helena Ravenclaw... I need to find the room Rowena Ravenclaw left for her daughter, Helena Ravenclaw... I need to find the room Rowena Ravenclaw left for her daughter, Helena Ravenclaw..."

Would it work? In theory, there shouldn't be such a loophole...

Felix slowly opened his eyes. A plain blue door materialized before him, its outline drawn on the white wall.

On the door, a silvery-white handle jutted out.

Felix placed his hand on the doorknob, but at that moment, he hesitated.

After a pause, he firmly pushed the door open.

Inside was a quite simple room, not large, with a few basic tables and chairs, several potted plants, books—a place untouched by dust, exuding a sense of tranquility and warmth.

"Is someone here?" he inquired.

A long while passed without any response. He tapped his forehead with his finger, shifting his perspective.

Colors rapidly faded, ripples extending from him like a center, spreading continuously.

Felix saw the tangible source of magic and something like silken strands nestled deepest within, a dozen magical channels resembling chains extending into the air.

'This is the true heart of the Room of Requirement,' a thought arose in his mind.

...

In the following days, Felix Harp remained indecisive, struggling to make a decision.

He had come to realize that the core of the Room of Requirement was that very room.

And the substance deep within the magic, something resembling silk, he had a hunch, was likely memories left behind by Lady Rowena Ravenclaw.

He wasn't sure why he could enter; perhaps mentioning the name Helena Ravenclaw had something to do with it. And it was only the slumbering memories left by Lady Ravenclaw that had allowed him this discovery.

By all accounts, he should inform Helena of this matter right away. It would benefit both parties—Helena could find reconciliation with her mother, and he could take the chance to inquire about the mysteries of magic, even potentially accessing Ravenclaw's legacy.

However, he found himself not particularly hopeful about this matter.

For ghosts, "moving on" meant release, but for someone who had formed a friendship with a ghost in the real world, what did it signify?

Felix felt puzzled. His past experiences weren't providing much guidance, so he decided to seek advice from someone wiser.

"Dumbledore, how do you view 'death'?"

"Um... Felix, why this question out of the blue?" Dumbledore looked at him somewhat puzzled.

"Because of some recent events that got me thinking."

Realizing that Felix didn't want to explain, Dumbledore didn't press further. He thought for a moment, then pursed his lips and said, "Everyone has a different view of death—fear, evasion, distaste... But for some, like myself, it's approached with a sense of welcome."

"Welcome?" Felix doubted if he had misheard.

"Felix, for an elderly individual, there isn't much left to fear in the world. Death becomes an unknown, a novel and interesting concept, almost like a ticket to a grand adventure."

Felix shook his head, as this perspective differed from his own. He might not fear death, but he certainly didn't anticipate its arrival.

He asked the question that concerned him most, "What do you think the existence of ghosts signifies?"

"Ghosts? They linger in the material realm due to strong attachments..."

"No, Professor Dumbledore," he interjected, "please pardon me if I didn't explain clearly..."

Understandingly, Dumbledore looked at him, allowing Felix time to rephrase. This time, he carefully asked, "Ghosts exist due to their attachments, and they can be freed by those same attachments. Isn't that right?"

"Correct." Dumbledore blinked in agreement.

"So, what does this liberation really mean? Is it another form of death? Especially for someone like her, who has friends in the real world—I mean, it's a perpetual separation, no different from death."

"Her?" Dumbledore inquired.

Felix fell silent, not answering.

Dumbledore pondered for a moment before saying, "Different people might have varying interpretations. I can only share my own thoughts for your consideration."

"That's precisely why I've come, to use your wisdom to help me see things more clearly," Felix said.

"For ghosts, 'moving on' undoubtedly represents liberation. Staying tethered to the material world doesn't bring them happiness. In fact, while they can still talk and move around, they can't truly experience anything, and they remain bound by their attachments—very few choose to continue existing in this most meager manner."

"And what about the living? The friends of the ghosts?"

"Only blessings." Dumbledore said calmly, "Perhaps having experienced much, I tend to see things quite clearly. To some extent..." He said gently, "perhaps even a bit unemotionally."

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