The virtual light flashed, and Amorsta emerged from the state of phantom transformation, not actively, but forced out by something in the void.
"Indeed--"
Gazing at the bronze chain wall before him, the chaotic spatial whirlpools like surging rivers behind it, and the five-level small buildings floating above, Amorsta revealed a contented smile.
The old mansion of the Black family is located in the Grimmey Square, northwest of London. It is away from the Muggle busy areas and in a quiet place. Moreover, this old house is protected by numerous ancient magic spells and all the defense spells you can imagine. It's very difficult for outsiders to break in by magic force without the invitation of the owner.
Last time, Amorsta's attempt to enter here ended in failure, not because he was unable to overcome the bronze chain wall that divided the worlds before him, but because he didn't know the spatial coordinates of the mansion. Even if he had broken through these defensive spells, he would have been lost in the spatial whirlpools. However, now there is a person inside the house who has been magically marked by him and can serve as a 'coordinate'.
--Previously, in the Screaming Shack, Amorsta had released Black from the house with an ulterior motive.
Because, since his failed attempt to break into the house last time, Amorsta suddenly realized that the house and his ideal place of residence were quite compatible...
.............
Boom!
A heavy collision sound broke the silence in the darkness, finally welcoming the only direct descendant of the Black family still alive in the world to the twelve-yearly abandoned mansion.
Sirius fell to the ground, groaning feebly. Although he narrowly avoided the powerful spell launched by the young wizard, Amorsta Braene, the attack had not left him unscathed. The explosion unleashed a fierce gust of air that easily broke several of his ribs and pierced the skin at its worst point, causing blood to drip steadily like a stream.
However, Sirius did not focus his attention on his injuries but instead looked at the old house before him with a complex expression.
The air was filled with a damp, dirty smell, as well as an unshakeable sweet rotting scent. It seemed that the sound of entry caused all the old gas lights along the long, dimly lit corridor walls to be lit up. The light cast a shaky glow that did not accurately reflect the reality. It illuminated the peeling wallpaper and worn-out carpets on the long, gloomy corridor walls.
A chandelier with a spiderweb-like structure flickered with a dim light above, and some portraits, blackened due to years of neglect and lack of protection, hung crookedly on the walls.
Sirius took a deep breath and, upon seeing the familiar decorations, unpleasant memories from the depths of his memory surged back. He had sworn never to return here again, but now, in order to save his life, he had to break his vow himself.
The memories of the years he lived here had taken root in Sirius's mind like a maggot, causing his already dismal demeanor to become even more malevolent. However, he knew that he couldn't spend too much time dwelling on the unpleasant memories of the past, or else he would waste the hard-earned opportunity to save his life from Amorsta Braene.
The excessive blood loss had turned Sirius's face as pale as death, and the pain from the broken bones was like the tides under the full moon, one wave after another crashing against his consciousness. Perhaps in the next moment, he would lapse into unconsciousness.
With his deathly pale lips clenched tightly, Sirius crawled towards the wall, leaving deep, disturbing black prints on the dusty wooden floor.
"Ouch, that's quite the hit--"
Pulling back the rags that had rotted away to clothing, under the yellow light of the gas lamp, Sirius sucked in a cold breath, finally seeing the extent of his injuries.
With difficulty, Sirius raised his hand, and the wand sprayed out a few streams of white light. Under the cool light, the broken ribs shrank back into the chest again, and the wounds healed themselves, leaving a hideous scar.
After roughly treating his external injuries, Sirius sighed and stood up with difficulty, holding himself up against the wall with one arm.
Due to excessive bleeding, his cheeks had turned even paler than before, and he looked more like a mummy than a living person, just with a bit of breath left. Withholding the dizziness that was crashing into his consciousness and the discomfort brought by the old mansion, Sirius shuffled inside with support from the wall.
Since he had already returned, there was no need to rush away in a hurry. He needed to find some food to replenish his strength and figure out a plan at the same time.
The Head of Hogwarts Security has already found him, and discovered that he is an illegal animagus. Any further attempts to enter Hogwarts using the old methods would be foolish, greatly increasing the difficulty of avenging James and Lily. For the time being, Sirius could only think of one solution - waiting for the boy to take his pet rat home for summer vacation, and then finding another opportunity to act.
This means that he will have to wait for six to seven months to achieve his goal, which is an unimaginable torment for Sirius, who dreams of revenge every day.
Sirius sighed weakly, his thoughts filled with a sense of bitterness.
How did Amorsta Braene manage to come to the Screaming Shack tonight?
There are two possibilities. The first is that the wizard finally remembered that he had a secret experimental base left in Hogsmeade and, inspired by a flash of insight, decided to take a look.
However, Sirius believes that this possibility is not high because the terrifying young wizard has not returned for over two months, and it is likely that he has no intention of reopening the place.
And the reason for his sigh was the second possibility - Amorsta Braene had arrived through the secret passage beneath the Devil's Snare.
In the current Hogwarts, only one person knows about the ability to pass through that secret passage - his close friend, Remus Lupin.
Since that Halloween night when he visited Hogwarts, Sirius had been worried for a while. He knew that Remus was currently teaching at the school, and he feared that Remus might tell Dumbledore about his past as an illegal animagus, thereby leading to the closure of the secret passage beneath the Rodent's Tail.
But after a while, Sirius relaxed, as he monitored Hogwarts through the Cruciatus on Kracken's Tongue.
Dumbledore had not sealed off the passage, which meant that Remus likely said nothing to Dumbledore about it.
As Sirius's former closest friend, he could guess the reason for Remus's reaction.
But now Amorsta Braene had arrived through the passage, revealing Sirius's true identity while still in disguise, Sirius had reason to believe that Remus had told everything to the young man.
"Have you decided to kill me, Remus?"
The heart that had become numb long ago could no longer control the overwhelming sadness that surged up within his chest, and a trace of sorrow emerged on his skull-like face.
"This is all karma--"
Sirius sighed despondently and muttered, his strength and spirit both nearing their limits. Suddenly, he lost his balance and collapsed, his head smacking against the giant monster umbrella stand in the entrance to the kitchen downstairs.
Splatter---
Two tattered velvet curtains, covered in insect holes, were ruthlessly pulled open, and a portrait behind the curtains suddenly opened its eyes. The elderly witch with a black hat glared at Sirius lying on the ground, panting. In the next second, a terrifying scream that shook the ears and terrified the soul sounded instantly, awakening this sleeping mansion that had been silent for years.
"You ungrateful son!!"
Silence.
Library.
