Chapter 11
“This is… fascinating.”
“Ya know, you finding something fascinating is… concerning. I assume it has something to do with the soul sliver?”
“Quite so, little mortal. It appears this was the final phylactery Riddle purposefully made. He appears to have made five of them.”
“So, with his diary and that diadem down, we have three left.”
“Not quite, little mage. As you have been progressing through your own endeavours I have been analysing the sliver that was acquired during your summer, and have come to a most intriguing conclusion, one supported by this latest sliver’s memories.”
“Which would be?”
“You carry faint traces of his vile taint. He seems to, unknowingly, have grafted a part of his soul onto yours. A living phylactery. I must say, this is fascinating, and rather unusual.”
“Okay, a living phylactery. Ignoring the ethical concerns, and the magical ramifications, how strong a soul piece is it? Like, do I have to worry about being possessed or is it only a minor worry right now?”
“Ah, now of that I am uncertain. It shall take me some time to perform an adequate analysis, such as I am able with the shards within my realm though, given your perseverance thus far, it would seem rather improbable.”
“Well, at least there’s that. Now, back to the survey.”
Walking through the rest of the castle, Harry cataloged the rest of the building. Thankfully, there were only a few more changes. Some of the suits of armor had come to life and were terrorizing their corridors. Survey complete, he shadow-stepped back to the Great Hall.
“Well, I hope nothing’s happened in my… Lovegood, what is that?”
In front of Luna, where Harry was now staring in sheer bewilderment, was a… structure, of something. Constructed entirely out of cheese.
“Architectural plans of course.”
“What do you- actually, never mind. I’m fairly certain that I’d go insane if you explained. Now, has anything not Lovegood-associated happened?”
“Uh… Dumbledore is… no longer on school grounds.”
All Harry could do was sigh in response.
“So, Fred… you and George completely failed at your job.”
“Okay, in our defense, we were tracking him on the grounds, but then he left through Hogsmeade. Anyways, isn’t this the perfect time to break into his office?”
“No, because we have to steal his wand, which he will have with him. Which means we have to plan, but first we have to deal with the situation we have here.”
“You know, I really am quite surprised you haven’t thought of the obvious.”
“Which would be what, Aureal One?”
“You could use a combination of shadow walking and Conjuration to open a portal to the demi plane where the displaced items and pigment are stored.”
“Really? Experimental Nirnian magic? You’re helping with making the circle, and it’s on your head if we anger Namira.”