Harry Potter: The Golden Viper

On the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Bryan stopped and took a look at Hagrid's house. There was no light in the simple log cabin, and at the same time, he couldn't feel any magical presence. It seemed that Hagrid was not in the house.

As we all know, the gamekeeper at Hogwarts is one of Albus Dumbledore's most trusted confidantes. Many times, Dumbledore would entrust extremely important and private matters to this seemingly rough, but always reliable, big guy.

Bryan wasn't sure whether Hagrid was out on errands or patrolling in the Forbidden Forest. In order to ensure that he wouldn't be disturbed, Bryan walked a long way to the south before striding into the woods.

The dense Forbidden Forest was dark and silent, except for the sound of feet stepping on dead leaves. Even the bone-chilling winter wind seemed afraid of the oppressive silence here.

Bryan walked straight into the woods, deviating from the winding path and circumventing a felled logging field now covered with mossy stumps. He continued until he couldn't see any sign of the castle, stopping before a massive, flat bluestone.

"Here it is, Granny Ferrena."

Bryan said to the old woman whose kind smile was forever fixed in the photo. He placed the photo on the ground and propped it up with a broken branch.

"According to the customs of the world I lived in before, at midnight on the seventh day after death, the soul will have a chance to return to this world to visit their living family members," Bryan explained.

He shook his sleeves, and a twelve-inch long, ebony wand with a core of dragon's heart nerves slipped down his palm in perfect condition.

He pointed his wand at the ground, and a fist-sized pebble immediately floated up at his feet, spinning rapidly and transforming into an orange-yellow copper basin.

"At this time, living family members will use a method to honor their deceased relatives—"

Bryan sat down cross-legged, not feeling the slight discomfort of the slippery and cold bluestone on his buttocks.

He took out a cloth bag from his pocket, an expanded space created by the traceless stretching spell. The bag, bought from the 'Dervish and Banges' magic supply shop in Hogsmeade for two Galleons, it was initially limited in space but had been improved to hold a significant amount of items and had the function of classifying and organizing them.

"I wonder if you would appreciate this method?" Bryan mused.

A large stack of incense, food, water, flowers, and candles spilled out from the bag, scattered on the ground.

"Pong!"

Bright golden flames ignited out of thin air, swiftly consuming the Incense and the flowers. The intense heat quickly charred the edges of the candles, drying the damp air and removing any moisture.

The dancing flames flickered against the glass shield, reflecting Bryan's slightly pale face.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be with you in your final days. It will probably be the biggest regret of my life."

Bryan moved his chapped lips, adding more incense to the basin as he spoke to the old woman smiling in the flames.

The flames swayed, casting a golden light that made the old woman in the photo appear as if he were moving, like a magical portrait comforting a sorrowful young man with his soft voice.

"—If it weren't for you, I would have died at the hands of that woman about 15 years ago, and I would never have had the opportunity to know this wonderful world."

The piercing north wind that swept through the fire-lit area turned gentle, gently lifting the ends of Bryan's hair as if an invisible hand caressed the top of his head.

Bryan stared at the photo and whispered the secret hidden deep in his heart. Those absurd things, no matter how close they were, could not be said. Only in the presence of his deceased relatives could Bryan be free of inhibitions.

The graceful moon gradually slanted across the sky. In the latter half of the night, the mist from the depths of the Forbidden Forest enveloped everything in a hazy veil.

"What do you think he's doing, Henry?"

Due to his preoccupation, Bryan had lost his vigilance, failing to notice that two individuals with broomsticks and wearing red Gryffindor jerseys had been silently observing him from a few feet behind.

"I can't say, Grace, but it looks like he's performing some kind of dark ritual... using black magic to summon the deceased person in the photo. It's probably the sort of thing the Slytherin gang loves to study," Henry, Gryffindor's fourth-year beater, with his round face and small eyes, whispered to the girl beside him, who was both his teammate and lover.

"He's Bryan Watson, a nerd with a very eccentric character."

"A nerd with a eccentric character?" Grace, with her long pale golden hair, raised her slender eyebrows.

"That's right," Henry puffed up his cheeks and chuckled. "I heard Haytham from Ravenclaw say that every Saturday morning when he goes to the library, he sees Bryan sitting in the corner of the reading area, surrounded by piles of books. He doesn't interact with anyone, seems obsessed with studying, but his grades are much worse than Charlie's, probably because he's not very bright."

Grace giggled, leaning against her Cleansweep Five broomstick and snuggling up to Henry's arms.

"Maybe we should go back to the castle and inform a professor, dear. We can't allow him to curse a dead old woman with evil black magic, can we?"

"That's not a good idea, Grace."

Henry's small eyes sparkled mischievously as he rejected his girlfriend's suggestion without hesitation. "Charlie and the others are still playing hide-and-seek with that giant spider in the Forbidden Forest. If we call a professor, they'll all be caught."

"Charlie mentioned that his brother Bill, the prefect on duty tonight, is reliable. We can go and inform him. I don't think Bill would betray his search brother."

Grace blinked, making another suggestion.

"That's a good idea, Grace," Henry said, grinning at Bryan's thin figure on the bluestone. "However, I have an even more interesting way to punish this dark wizard. Come on, Grace, get out your wand, and let's teach him a lesson!"

With only a few incense and candles left on the ground, Bryan gathered them in his hands and threw them all into the red copper basin. As he whispered his final farewell, he hoped that his grandmother's merits in this life would bring blessings in the next.

"I hope that your merits in this life can become a blessing in the next, Grandma Ferrena. The place where I lived in my previous life is also peaceful. If you have the opportunity to choose, you can be born in..."

"Hey! Dark wizard of Slytherin, prepare to be judged!"

The sudden shout startled Bryan, who was emerging from his deep emotions. Before he could react, two sharp spell cries sounded behind him.

"Arresto Momentum!"

"Petrificus Totalus!"

In an instant, Bryan jolted awake, but he had no time to think about who was attacking him. Instinctively, he reached for his wand to defend himself, only to realize in shock that the wand was inadvertently pinned beneath his legs. Sitting cross-legged in front of the brazier for over an hour had caused his legs to go numb, leaving him unable to react effectively.

Damn, I was too careless!

Frustration welled up within Bryan as he pushed himself up from the ground, using his left hand to support his body. He let his weight shift to one side, picking up the magic wand that had rolled down the bluestone during his fall. Just in time, he managed to dodge the incoming spell.

However, the photo of Grandma Ferrena and the brazier conjured by Bryan were not as fortunate. Henry's petrification spell missed Bryan but accidentally struck the brazier. Instantly, the fire snakes that danced in the air cast an eerie glow, illuminating the gloomy Forbidden Forest as if it were dawn.

Grace's Curse hit the photo of Grandma Ferrena head-on. With a crisp sound, the photo shattered, and the torn pieces were devoured by the golden fire snakes, swiftly turning to black ash.

As Bryan struggled to rise, his gaze followed the path of the disintegrated photo. Trance, astonishment, and anger flickered in his light brown eyes. When the photo turned to ashes, Bryan, seething with anger, slowly but resolutely raised his wand in the direction of the attackers.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading the chapter, I will add some extra facts and description of gadgets and spells of wizarding world mentioned in this chapter below.

Extra Fact 1 :

The specifications of a twelve-inch long, ebony wand with a core of dragon's heart nerves in the context of the Harry Potter universe represent the unique characteristics and properties of a particular wand.

Length: The length of a wand is believed to be an indicator of the personality and magical abilities of the witch or wizard who wields it. A longer wand, such as a twelve-inch wand, often suggests that the wielder possesses a strong and focused magical presence.

Wood: Ebony is a rare and highly valued wood known for its dark and dense nature. In wandlore, the choice of wood can symbolize various traits and qualities. Ebony is associated with protection, power, and elegance. It is often used to create wands for witches and wizards with a strong sense of purpose and determination.

Core: The core of a wand is its magical center, providing a source of power and imbuing the wand with specific characteristics. Dragon's heart nerves are considered to be a powerful and rare core material, representing strength, courage, and ambition. Wands with dragon core are often associated with a more forceful and adventurous style of magic.

Overall, a twelve-inch ebony wand with a core of dragon's heart nerves suggests a wand that is wielded by a determined, powerful, and ambitious witch or wizard. It signifies a combination of strong magical presence, protective qualities, and a propensity for more forceful and daring magic.

Fact 2:

In European folklore and cultural beliefs, there is a concept known as the "Seventh Night" or "Seventh-Day Visit." While not universally practiced across all European cultures, there are some regions where similar beliefs and customs exist.

In certain European traditions, it is believed that the soul of the deceased may return to the earthly realm on the seventh night after death. This is often seen as an opportunity for the departed soul to visit their family, seek closure, or provide comfort. Family members may prepare for this visit by leaving a door or window open, setting a place at the table, or lighting a candle to guide the spirit back home.

In some countries, such as Ireland and parts of Scotland, this belief is associated with the concept of "wake nights." During the wake, which typically lasts several days, family and friends gather to mourn and remember the deceased. It is believed that on the seventh night, the soul may return to bid their final farewell and ensure the family's well-being before departing to the afterlife.

Fact 3:

Petrificus Totalus" is a spell commonly used in the Harry Potter series to temporarily immobilize a target by rendering them completely petrified. When the spell is cast, the victim's entire body becomes rigid and unable to move, as if they have been turned to stone.

The incantation "Petrificus Totalus" is derived from the Latin words "petra" meaning "stone" and "totus" meaning "total" or "entire." It is a binding spell that freezes the target in place, making them unable to move, speak, or defend themselves.

The spell is typically performed by pointing a wand at the target and saying "Petrificus Totalus." The effects of the spell vary depending on the skill and power of the caster, as well as the resistance of the target. While under the effects of Petrificus Totalus, the victim remains conscious but completely immobilized.

It's worth noting that Petrificus Totalus is a temporary paralysis spell and does not cause any physical harm to the target. The effects wear off over time, and the victim eventually regains their mobility. In the Harry Potter series, the spell is often used as a means of capturing or restraining opponents temporarily.

"Arresto Momentum" spell is used to slow down or halt the momentum of a moving object or person. This spell is seen in the third book/movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when Hermione Granger uses it to slow down the fall of Harry and Ron from their broomsticks during a Quidditch match. The incantation "Arresto Momentum" is not explicitly stated in the scene, but it is commonly associated with the spell. The spell's purpose is to reduce the speed or force of movement, providing a momentary respite or stabilization.

Fact 4:

In the Harry Potter series, one of the magical supply shops in the village of Hogsmeade is called "Dervish and Banges." Dervish and Banges is a store that sells various magical items and supplies, catering to the needs of Hogwarts students and wizards in general. The shop offers a wide range of products, including spell books, potion ingredients, cauldrons, broomsticks, and other magical gadgets. It is a popular destination for Hogwarts students during their visits to Hogsmeade, providing them with essential supplies for their magical studies and adventures.