Night, Hogwarts
Under the vast, star-strewn sky, Dumbledore stood at the pinnacle of Hogwarts Castle. His gaze was fixed upward, taking in the brilliance of the stars scattered like precious gems across the midnight canvas. The chill of the night air carried a somber stillness, reflecting the emotions stirring within him.
Tomorrow, he would journey to the United States to lend his aid to the Magical Congress. Officially, it was a mission of support, but Dumbledore understood the truth—it was an opportunity to step away from the storm brewing within the British wizarding world.
The thought unsettled him. As Headmaster of Hogwarts and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, the idea of leaving his home during such turbulent times weighed heavily on his conscience.
Yet, the war was inevitable, and the goblins' involvement complicated matters further. Dumbledore sighed, his hand lightly massaging his temple as if to ease the dull ache forming there.
Initially, he had believed that dealing with two versions of Tom Riddle—Voldemort in his prime and the fragmented remnant—would be his greatest challenge. But the goblins' brewing rebellion had introduced an entirely new layer of complexity.
Tom's machinations, for all their destructiveness, were internal disputes within the wizarding community. The goblins, however, posed a far greater threat, turning this conflict into a full-scale racial war.
Logically, the best course of action would be to join forces and suppress the goblins' uprising. But the thought of leading the Order of the Phoenix and Hogwarts into a blood-soaked conflict filled Dumbledore with revulsion.
Mass killings… involving the students, the professors… dragging the castle's legacy into this mess? No. I cannot.
If it came to that, Dumbledore feared he wouldn't even recognize himself anymore.
Pushing the thoughts aside, he took a deep breath and reminded himself of his upcoming tasks: meeting the goblin delegation, attending to the Magical Congress in America, and conversing with Gellert Grindelwald once more.
After that, he hoped things would return to some semblance of normalcy.
I am old now, Dumbledore mused, a wry smile crossing his lips. The more I intervene, the more the younger generation resents me. Perhaps it is time to let them take the reins. Wisdom comes with age, but so too does the realization of when to step back.
He extended his hand, and a soft lavender light appeared on his palm. A delicate, glowing seed floated there—a Dream Seed, humming faintly with magical energy.
Standing tall, Dumbledore began to draw upon the power of Hogwarts itself.
In the skies above the castle, motes of light began to emerge. Dark red, light green, indigo, and other brilliant hues danced against the darkness, forming patterns like a celestial tapestry.
The shifting lights gradually took shape: a brave lion, a wise eagle, a cunning serpent, and a loyal badger. Other images followed—scenes of wizards brewing potions, taming magical creatures, and delving into arcane research.
Dumbledore's eyes softened as he gazed upon the spectacle, a nostalgic smile forming. Yet, the memory of Cornelius Fudge's recent behavior weighed on him, and his expression dimmed with a sigh.
The lights coalesced, streaming toward the Dream Seed in his hand. With a flash of brilliance, they vanished, leaving the headmaster standing alone atop the castle, the seed pulsating faintly in his grasp.
A new Dream World had been born.
Secret Space, Kamar-Taj
In a secluded magical realm, Kamar-Taj thrived as a haven of mysticism and learning. Its landscapes were breathtaking: to the east, a dense forest echoed with the calls of birds and the rustling of unseen creatures. The west held an endless ocean where seagulls soared and dolphins leaped gracefully through the waves. If one were fortunate, they might even glimpse the majestic movements of whales.
North and south offered their own splendor—towering mountains, serene lakes, and rolling grasslands, each alive with natural beauty.
At the center of this wondrous expanse stood a remarkable array of buildings. Castles of European design stood alongside ancient palaces, oriental bamboo teahouses, and even Egyptian pyramids. At first glance, the architecture seemed chaotic, but closer inspection revealed an unexpected harmony, a beauty born of diversity.
This was Kamar-Taj, a magical institution envisioned and meticulously designed by Gilderoy Lockhart and a team of talented architects. Initially established as a school for magic, it had grown into something much greater—a thriving organization of wizards.
In a grand hall near the eastern side of the compound, two wizard apprentices were engaged in conversation.
"John, how many spells have you mastered now? Want to team up for a mission? We can earn some good credits," a young wizard suggested eagerly.
John, a cautious apprentice, shook his head. "Not yet. I want to perfect my Disarming Charm first. Going out now feels premature."
Undeterred, the young wizard turned to another apprentice seated nearby. "Fox, what about you? Want to join me? The rewards for this mission are significant. With enough credits, you could be promoted to a second-class apprentice."
Daniel Fox hesitated, the offer tempting him. He had come to Kamar-Taj with expectations of traditional magic education: structured lessons, professors guiding students step by step. Reality, however, had been far more unconventional.
Kamar-Taj employed Dream Worlds and Dream Spirits for instruction. Students spent credits to access these dreamscapes, where they could practice and learn magic in immersive simulations. Exceptional performance or extra credits could even earn one-on-one sessions with skilled wizard professors—or, in rare cases, Lockhart himself.
In this system, credits were the ultimate currency. They determined access to resources, accommodations, and opportunities. Lockhart's vision of a credit-based hierarchy ensured fairness while fostering competition and motivation among students.
Apprentices were ranked into three levels, with the first level receiving the most privileges. Advancement required not only skill but also effort, encouraging every student to strive for excellence.
Fox weighed his options, considering the merits of the mission. Before he could respond, a commotion erupted in the hall.
"Big news!" a student exclaimed. "Senior Ian has posted a high-reward, low-risk mission. He's looking for over twenty participants. It's a long-term task, but he's allowing consultation on magic during the mission!"
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