Gryffindor did not prevent Ravenclaw from taking the archway that seemed to exude an aura of ill omen. They retraced their steps, passing once more through the library and the hall where Dementors were nurtured, back up to the upper space via a path formed by the hands and heads of those terrifying house-elves.
As they returned to the island from the initial chamber, the dark sky over Azkaban had turned pitch black.
The Dementors were restless and pacing around, possibly out of fear for the large stone pillar that was still floating in mid-air, and they were too afraid to approach it.
Even though it was clear that they would not encounter any danger in the Memory World, as soon as they stepped back onto the scorched earth below, Sirius breathed a sigh of relief subconsciously. It was likely that the experience below had shattered their worldview, and finally, Sirius managed to overcome some fear. Looking at the tall and ominous stone tower standing beneath the dark curtain, he had a complicated expression on his face.
The cold spiral tower had imprisoned the most important decade of his life, and it was his own choice. Just half a year ago, he still firmly believed that he would never regret his decision at the time, but seeing the tower again today, Sirius was filled with complex emotions.
What changed his mind was not the harsh reality, but the beautiful and mundane life.
He met this outstanding young wizard by his side, regained the friendship and innocence of Remus, and during a few months at Hogwarts, he met many kind young wizards. Of course, most importantly, he finally fulfilled some of the responsibilities he should have undertaken.
Sirius no longer wanted to consider whether his decision in the past was right or wrong. Now he just wanted to hold onto the good things he had.
"I'm pondering a question, Godric..."
It seemed that both Ravenclaw and Gryffindor were indifferent to the towering spiral tower. After taking a glance at it, no one mentioned wanting to go inside and take a closer look.
Ravenclaw stood beneath the tall, rugged stone pillar, gazing up at the faint magic nodes on its surface, and suddenly spoke up.
"To hatch the embryos below, these creatures have been slaughtering the life in the nearby seas, but they will not be satisfied for long. To hatch more of their kind, they will leave this sea and venture into human society. These creatures have lost the ability to judge good and evil and do not know how to control themselves. That will lead to an early outbreak of disaster; Muggles will be helpless and the wizards will lack the means to punish them."
That is indeed quite possible, unless they can eliminate all of them before they get out of control, but that is exactly the difficulty of this matter.
Gryffindor paused for a moment, looking around the island.
"This island itself has magic left by Hagrid to ward off intruders. We can do the same, Rowena. Leave some measures in place to prevent these creatures from escaping the island."
"Useless methods for them, only direct soul power can limit their ability to leave the island. And if one day we die, these methods will become ineffective."
"What do you plan to do?"
Gryffindor asked with a furrowed brow.
This is a difficult question. Ravenclaw did not immediately give an answer.
"I need to think. After we return to Hogwarts, I will research this creature further. Although Hagrid created them not for torture and massacre, we must ensure that these creatures will not lose control."
Boom!
The stone pillar slowly descended, sealing the deep chasm on the ground once again.
Ravenclaw's fingertips brushed against the stone column, and he thoughtfully said,
"I can feel that there are similar things with the same magical fluctuations existing on land."
"Next time, let me handle it!"
Gryffindor lifted his fiery red hair, which had been disarranged by the wind, and said with excitement,
"Honestly, Rowena, I found that adventuring with you was not very interesting. You always manage to figure things out and your adventures lack challenge."
"I hope you can see the reality, Godric--" Ravenclaw's icy blue eyes swept over Gryffindor, mixed with a faint dissatisfaction, "We are not just adventuring. Ever since Helga sensed those images and made her prophecy, everything we have done has been to prevent this world from eventually falling into eternal darkness."
Hoot.
In the dark and oppressive surroundings, a sudden airy bird call sounded. At the same time, the dark environment around them quickly faded away. Gryffindor and Ravenclaw were still talking under the stone pillar, but their voices were like murmurs, dim and unclear, and their sound quickly faded away.
"What's going on, Amortens?"
Azkaban rapidly disintegrated before Sirius's eyes. He panicked and shouted.
"As we had predicted before, we have always existed in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor's memories, and now that memory has reached its end. It's time for us to go back."
Amortens watched as the silver threads, which had turned into light, gradually disappeared with the two founders of Hogwarts, his expression complex.
Amortens' voice was also very faint to Sirius, and he wanted to ask something, but a sudden thunderclap sounded, and Sirius's sight suddenly went black. It was like suddenly diving into the deep sea. He couldn't feel anything except suffocation and fear. He struggled hard, and then——
"Oooh!"
Crack!
Sirius suddenly sat up from the deck and collided with the door panel that was pressing down on him. The sudden impact caused his sight to go black, and he almost fainted again. After a few minutes, Sirius finally stood up, supporting himself with a hand on his throbbing forehead. He pushed open the door panel that had been pressing down on his leg, which had been bent and broken.
Looking up, the starlight above was gentle and subtle.
The sea was calm, with a few seagulls perched on the broken masts, tilting their heads curiously at the bewildered expression on Sirius's face.
It took some time for Sirius to understand the current situation. He turned his head and looked at Amortens, who had already woken up a few steps earlier by the side of the boat. He found that Amortens was gazing into the distance, and following his gaze, he saw an island reflected in his eyes under the pure sky, with a single dark cloud overhead.
"We're inside?" Sirius asked subconsciously.
Amortens turned around, and at this moment, Sirius noticed that Amortens was holding something in his hand.
It's the crown of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor's sword!
Sirius widened his eyes and stared at the two legendary alchemical artifacts that shone under the starlight, his breath involuntarily held.
"This is from the memory."
Sirius's breath gradually calmed down, and he smiled lightly.
"I dare to bet that if people find out that these two items are in your hands, you will never be at peace again."
"Hmm, not many wizards are capable of taking things from me."
Amortens smiled gently.
The seagulls on the mast flew to Amortens' hand, gently pecking at his fingers. The slightly dim eyes showed some begging, looking for something to eat. So Amortens moved his fingers, and several small fish the size of his fingers splashed out from the overlapping waves onto the boat's railing.
The seagulls immediately made joyful chirps and fought over the food.
"I will keep what I saw to myself, Amortens –"
Looking at the seagulls flapping their wings and fighting for food, Sirius who was silent all of a sudden opened his mouth. Amortens raised his eyebrows, looked straight at Sirius, and Sirius was also looking seriously at him.
Ding-dong—
Amortens, smiling gently, turned his gaze away and lightly knocked on the ship's railing towards Azkaban while his eyes wandered.
"No, I want you to spread it –"
Before Sirius could react in surprise, Amortens continued.
His voice was calm, and his deep eyes seemed to pierce through space and time, seeing certain future scenes.
"But not now, but in the future. If one day, I suddenly disappear and you are desperate to find me, then please tell Dumbledore everything you have seen –"
(Chapter completed)
