Harry Potter: Archmage of Another World

"Well, it seems we have to leave behind a price," Augustus said, his expression peculiar as he gazed at the hard, dark wall.

"Which is why I keep saying it's too rudimentary," Dumbledore replied with a faint shake of his head, pulling a silver dagger from his robes.

"Allow me, Professor," Augustus suggested, glancing at Dumbledore in an attempt to dissuade him.

But Dumbledore merely smiled slightly. A flash of silver streaked through the air, followed by a spray of crimson, as bright red droplets splattered onto the rocky surface.

"You don't sound much like a pure-blood," Dumbledore remarked with a smile. "For a noble, selfishness is a basic virtue. Still, it seems effective, doesn't it?"

Once again, a dazzlingly bright outline of an archway appeared on the wall. This time, it did not fade. The blood-splattered rock within the arch suddenly vanished, revealing a doorway that led to an abyss of darkness.

"Follow me," Dumbledore said, stepping through the doorway. Augustus followed close behind.

What greeted their eyes was an uncanny sight. They stood on the shore of a vast, black lake, its surface stretching endlessly into the distance, with no sign of the opposite bank. The cavern housing the lake was towering; even when they craned their necks, the ceiling was beyond sight. In the lake's center, a faint, eerie green glow shimmered, reflecting in the still, lifeless waters below. Except for that glow and the light from their wands, the surroundings were shrouded in impenetrable darkness—thicker and denser than any ordinary night.

Activating his Seer's Eye, Augustus' silver pupils gleamed faintly with blue light, sharpening his vision. The area near the shore and beneath the water's surface was teeming with magical creatures of varying strength. At the lake's center, the magical effects were concentrated, and at its very core was a clearly visible magical barrier. It was clear Voldemort had invested considerable effort into fortifying this location.

"We must proceed," Dumbledore whispered. "Be cautious. Avoid stepping into the water at all costs."

Their footsteps echoed softly on the narrow, rocky path along the lake's edge. They continued forward, yet the scene around them remained unchanged: on one side, the rough cave walls, and on the other, the smooth, mirror-like expanse of the black lake, with its mysterious green glow shimmering at its heart.

"If my guess is correct, the Horcrux should be at the lake's center," Augustus said confidently, stroking his chin. "The magical effects and barrier responses are strongest there. Of course, I've never encountered a Horcrux before, so I can't deduce its magical feedback. Still, given Voldemort's cautious nature, the odds are high that it's there."

"An excellent deduction," Dumbledore agreed with a nod. "Ultimately, our mission is to locate the Horcrux. Since we've arrived, why not test it with the simplest method?"

"Oh?" Augustus paused before responding. "At present, the simplest method appears to be a Summoning Charm."

With a flick of his wand, a scarlet light streaked across the air. A loud explosion echoed as something pale and massive shot out from the dark lake about twenty feet away, only to vanish with a splash. The disturbance sent ripples spreading across the lake's otherwise calm surface.

"A well-done non-verbal spell," Dumbledore complimented, his gaze returning to the lake's center. "It seems we'll need a little ingenuity to reach the heart of the lake."

Augustus' silver eyes shimmered, transitioning to deep, celestial blue as he attuned himself to the magical environment. The air seemed alive with water and wind elements, forming unique runes that flickered in his pupils.

"Found it," Augustus said, his hand slowly tracing through the air as if grasping something unseen.

Seconds later, he brought his hand down toward the lake's edge, his wand carving a red line through the air. Instantly, a thick green chain emerged from the lake's depths, shooting toward his extended hand. With a tap of his wand, the chain began sliding into a neat coil on the ground, clinking loudly as it pulled something from the lake's murky bottom.

The ghostly prow of a small boat emerged, glowing the same eerie green as the chain. It glided silently toward Augustus and Dumbledore, leaving barely a ripple in its wake.

"Well, I must admit I'm getting the better deal here," Dumbledore quipped lightheartedly. "The intuition and perception of youth are truly humbling. Of course, consider this a modest compliment. You know Hogwarts doesn't produce too many representatives of youth quite like you."

Augustus shook his head humbly. "Everyone's magical traces have unique characteristics. Having dealt with Voldemort so often, it's difficult to ignore such distinct magical patterns."

"A valuable experience," Dumbledore said approvingly. "However, apart from Death Eaters, few have frequent dealings with Tom."

Stepping closer to the boat, Augustus tapped its hull, then chuckled softly. "It seems the boat has been enchanted. Only one person at a time can cross the lake."

Dumbledore chuckled as well, understanding Augustus' implication. "Ah, it was a sound defensive strategy, but he made a fatal error. Underestimating the young—it's both foolish and forgetful of the elderly. You go first."

Augustus stepped into the boat, and Dumbledore followed, coiling the chain in the bottom. They stood pressed tightly together, unable to sit comfortably, their knees brushing against the boat's edge.

The boat immediately set off in silence, the only sound being the soft swish as its prow parted the water. It glided automatically, as if an invisible cord were pulling it toward the green glow at the lake's center. Before long, the cavern walls faded into darkness, leaving them feeling as if they were adrift on an endless sea, though the surrounding waters remained eerily still.

Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon

https://patreon.com/Glimmer09