Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Water Margin

Chapter 167 Hermione Dies Suddenly Bleeding from Seven Orifices

Chapter 168 Hermione Dies Suddenly Bleeding from All Seven Orifices

Picking up where we left off, Nurton Gries recounts his meeting with the man in black in May, which took place just over a month after Harry killed Quirrell.

Upon hearing this, Harry's heart skipped a beat. He spread his fingers and clamped them around Mundungus's neck, casting Legilimency over him.

As soon as the spell was cast, a dark figure emerged from Mundungus's mind: wearing a hood and a black cloak, his entire body was covered like an iron barrel, with only two sinister eyes shining out from the shadow, just like will-o'-the-wisps drifting in a tomb.

Harry then watched as the man robbed Black's old house, but the closer he got to the kitchen, the more his eyes seemed to be clouded with a layer of dust.

As he crossed the threshold, he suddenly became like someone having an epileptic seizure, his hands and feet twitching as he grabbed a few things haphazardly and scurried away in a panic.

Turning around again, I saw a woman in a light pink robe standing in front of the stall in the alley. She was short and thin, with curly hair that looked like withered grass. She was pointing and gesturing.

Harry released his grip, thinking to himself: This guy has fallen for Voldemort's tricks, but I don't know if he's been cursed or possessed by Voldemort.

Seeing Harry remain silent and hesitant, Mundungus assumed he was about to be killed and cried out in panic:

"Don't kill me! I promise I'll make up for the stolen treasure with an equivalent amount of Galleons!"

Harry didn't answer, but grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up, saying:

"I know a thief in the martial world, and today, for his sake, I'll spare your life."

"If you dare set foot in this house again, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

Blake swung his fist, as big as a vinegar jar, and punched him in the stomach. With a muffled "thud," the thief curled up like a shrimp being scalded in boiling water, his knees buckling, and he collapsed to his knees with a "thud."

"This punch is punishment for stealing from my house!"

Mundungus knelt on the cold ground, dry heaving for a long time before struggling to cling to the wall, panting like a broken bellows.

After catching his breath, he forced a wry smile and said, "Looks like I should thank myself for doing things for the Phoenix Society back then."

Having said that, he dared not linger, and staggered away, leaning against the wall for support.

Once Harry had seen that guy was far away, he turned to Ron, crossed his arms, and said:

"I wonder if the Director is at home? I hope you can introduce me another day, brother. I need to find out about Umbridge's background in person so I can get that locket back."

"Leave this to me," Ron said, patting his chest. "My dad will be happy to talk to me about that woman."

Harry nodded upon hearing this and left the matter to Ron without saying anything more.

He then gave Blake some more instructions, telling him not to alert the enemy, and then stood up and said:

"I've taken too much of this damn despair potion, so I'll go and do you a favor."

They then went upstairs.

Seeing Blake staring blankly at his brother's corpse, Ron stepped forward to comfort him:

"Mr. Black, I think we should hold a funeral for Mr. Regulus."

Upon hearing this, Blake seemed to wake from a dream, nodded, and said in a hoarse voice, "You're right, Ron."

He was about to bend down and pick up his younger brother's remains when he suddenly hesitated for a moment, pulled out his wand from his sleeve, summoned a handful of clear spring water, and splashed it all over Kreacher's face with a "splash".

The house-elf, jolted awake by the cold water, immediately opened his cloudy eyes. Blake lifted him by the back of the neck, dragged him to the corpse, and said in a low voice:

"Say goodbye to my brother. I know he doted on you when he was alive."

Kreacher stared intently at Regulus's face, and in an instant, his heart broke. Tears streamed down his face, snot and tears smeared everywhere, and he burst into loud sobs.

Its voice is mournful and shrill, like the cry of a lone ape at night; even the most hard-hearted person would be saddened by it.

Blake, who had always disliked the old servant, couldn't help but turn away when he saw him so grief-stricken. He secretly wiped his eyes with his sleeve, thinking to himself that he had been too harsh on him in the past.

Kreacher lay on the corpse and wept for a long time, then suddenly awoke with a start, raised his tearful eyes, and cried out:

"Oh! Kreacher smells that scent again!"

"It's what killed Master Regulus!"

"It shouldn't be in the old house!"

Black and Ron became alert when they noticed the strange and unusual language spoken by the pet elf.

Before he could even ask, Kreacher seemed to be possessed, scrambling and crawling towards the second floor following the scent, his nose twitching like a hunting dog sniffing out a trail.

In the blink of an eye, a thunderous roar could be heard from upstairs.

"You son of a bitch! What are you even looking at, you idiot!"

Before he could finish speaking, Kreacher let out a scream and tumbled down the stairs like a kite with a broken string.

Her clothes were disheveled, and her face was still streaked with tears, yet she cried out at the top of her lungs:

"Mr. Harry Potter's urine tastes like the potion of despair!"

"He drank the potion of despair and came back alive!"

"It must have been him who saved Master Regulus's body!"

As the saying goes, "He who loves a man will love even the crows on his roof." Seeing the old servant's unwavering devotion to his deceased brother, Blake secretly thought to himself that he had been too harsh on him in the past.

He took a few breaths, forced a friendly expression, and said gently:

"Kreacher, people are very vulnerable when they are using the toilet, you shouldn't disturb Harry."

Upon hearing Blake speak, Kreacher quickly looked up and said in a hoarse voice:

"The hypocritical Sirius Black pretends to be friendly to Kreacher, but Kreacher pretends not to hear him."

"If only Sirius Black had an accident, then Potter would be his godson, and Kreacher could let Potter be his master."

Upon hearing this, Blake's smile instantly twisted, and he kicked Kreacher, sending him rolling three meters away before crashing into the base of the wall.

"Just you wait, you little bastard!"

"I will live to be two hundred! Until I outlive you to death!"

Enough of the preamble. Harry and his companions gave Regulus a grand funeral, and his coffin was laid to rest in Black's ancestral graveyard.

With everything settled, Harry and Ron didn't dare to delay. They said goodbye to Black and boarded the train back to school.

It should be noted that the two had originally agreed to return on the same day as Hermione, but the funeral arrangements delayed them. By the time the two stepped into Hogwarts, Hermione had already been waiting for a day or two.

It was just after lunch, so the three of them agreed to meet at a secluded spot by Black Lake to talk.

Harry and Ron settled their luggage and went to the lake, where they saw Hermione playing in the water with a woman, who turned out to be Nagini in human form. Her hair was cloud-like and her eyes were like autumn waters, and she stood in the shimmering water, truly like a goddess descended to earth.

Harry stepped forward, bowed, and asked in surprise, "Sister Nagini, what brings you here today? And you've even revealed your true face!"

"Because you didn't take me with you during the Christmas holidays."

Nagini said with resentment in her eyes, "I'm afraid I'll lose my temper and hurt the students who stay at school, so I can only wait in the hut."

Harry was ashamed upon hearing this and repeatedly bowed and apologized.

"Oh dear! I was so focused on my godfather's release from prison that I forgot about my sister. I deserve to die. Please forgive me."

"It's okay. I've lived alone in Godric's Valley for many years and I'm used to it."

Then he smiled at Hermione and said, "You guys chat, I want to go for a swim."

After speaking, her jade-like body spun lightly, instantly transforming into a giant azure-scaled python, disappearing into the turquoise waves of the Black Lake, leaving only a trail of water stretching into the distance.

The three of them then chose a shady spot under a willow tree to sit down, and Harry recounted the whole story of Regulus and the locket to Hermione.

Hermione's eyes widened in shock upon hearing this, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "Why didn't you two tell me?!"

"Harry, you're being incredibly reckless! Nobody knows how dangerous that cave is!"

Harry, unperturbed, crossed his hands and replied, "Please forgive me, elder sister. It's not that I intentionally concealed anything or showed favoritism; it's just that when I wield my Ruyi Cudgel, hundreds of Yin Corpses cannot get close, which is perfectly suited to this situation."

"Besides, Kreacher had just entered the cave with that scoundrel Voldemort, and he had already explained the traps and ambushes there to me. If I didn't know my enemy, how could I dare to venture into the tiger's den?"

Hermione's words were perfectly worded, but she still frowned, wanting to retort.

Seeing this, Ron quickly interrupted, saying, "By the way, my dad has already told me about Dolores Umbridge."

"The woman was indeed wearing Mr. Salazar's locket around her neck, but she didn't know it was genuine; she was just showing off her support for pure-blood theory."

Harry clapped his hands and laughed, "That would save us trouble! I'll find an opportunity to intercept her on her way back, snatch the locket, and leave. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"If only it were that simple," Ron sighed. "My dad said she lives in her office all year round."

"I think she was probably afraid that someone would find out that the janitor who used to clean the Ministry of Magic was living with her."

Harry thought to himself, "If that's the case, then a trip to the Ministry of Magic is still necessary."

Ron shrugged. "But the Ministry of Magic has never allowed students in unless it violates the Wizarding Act, like when Draco was taken away by the Aurors last year."

"That's alright! I'll find a thief and kill him another day, and those bastards from the Ministry of Magic will surely come looking for me!"

Upon hearing this, Ron broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly advised, "Absolutely not! Harry, they won't let you bring your wand and knife to court."

"I have a way."

Hermione suddenly spoke up: "I can use the Death Diary to influence Fudge's mind and make him want to 'visit the Ministry of Magic as Hogwarts students and teachers,' so that we can get in legitimately."

Ron was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but slap his thigh and exclaim, "Hermione! Your idea is absolutely brilliant!"

In the past, Harry would have come to cheer like Ron.

However, when he witnessed Hermione casting the Blessing spell in the Shrieking Shack, her face turned deathly pale, as if she had been fighting a hundred or so giants.

Upon hearing this plan, he frowned and pondered, saying:

"That scoundrel Fuji holds a high-ranking official position and influences the entire court. If Elder Sister intends to take action against such a person, I wonder if her life and cultivation are sufficient to withstand it?"

Hermione felt a warmth in her heart when she saw his earnest question, and smiled sweetly, "Don't worry, I've thoroughly studied the Death Diary."

Readers, you may have heard that Hermione was best at studying the Death Diary, and had long ago deciphered the secrets of the spiritual words on the paper.

The amount of magical power one expends when writing incantations depends on three factors: first, the weight and importance of the act; second, the status and rank of the person being incantated; and third, the depth of magical power within that person.

She secretly had hundreds of wizards test her magic, observing the rise and fall of her own magical power, and she actually discerned a nine-rank, eighteen-level system. Indeed:

The enigmatic book reveals profound mysteries; the spiritual discernment distinguishes truth from falsehood.

To know about magic, you must look at these three things.

"Most students in grades one through four are grade D, and students in grades five through seven are mostly grade C, with a few barely reaching grade B."

"The professor's level is even higher. I once tried to get Professor Flitwick to lecture without his feet on books and after he drank two bottles of magic potion, but he only lasted for half an hour. So I would rate him A+."

"Fudge's magic is probably just at the level of an ordinary person, maybe B+. As for his status... the Aurors, as the most important violent organization, seem to be more willing to listen to Harry."

At this point, Hermione held up two fingers and said seriously:

"With two bottles of magic potion, plus the magic of the two of you, I think we can make Fudge think about 'inviting students to visit the Ministry of Magic'."

Hermione had just finished explaining when Harry pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Big sister, have you ever tested Professor Dumbledore's abilities? What rank would you place him?"

"S+"

Harry's eyes widened, and he clicked his tongue, "Wow! I knew the professor was highly skilled, but I never imagined it would reach this level!"

Hermione nodded and said seriously, "I wrote a message before Christmas, telling Professor Dumbledore not to eat dessert after dinner, and even after drinking three bottles of magic potion, it didn't work."

"And after dinner that day, Professor Dumbledore called me to his office and asked me if I had used the Death Diary on him."

Ron, listening nearby, gasped in shock. Harry then asked, "If Big Sister had brought a few more potions, would things have gone smoothly?"

"Harry, you should know that the more magic potions you drink, the less effective they become. I can only say that Professor Dumbledore's true abilities are indeed far beyond those of ordinary people."

"Don't be fooled by his amiable demeanor, which makes him seem like he has Alzheimer's. Don't forget, neither of the two Dark Lords could do anything about him."

"What about Snape?" Ron asked impatiently. "Have you tried the old bat's skills?"

Upon hearing the name Snape, Hermione remained silent for a long time before saying:

"S".

Ron was struck dumb, speechless and stunned, nearly dropping the willow stick in his hand.

Finally regaining his senses, he exclaimed in surprise, "S-rank?!"

"Snape is that strong?!"

Are you sure it's not a misjudgment?

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Is it more troublesome to make him wash his hair than to get Professor Dumbledore to give up sweets?"

Ron was skeptical. "It must be because his hair is too oily to wash out. Believe me, Hermione, you've completely misjudged him."

Seeing the two arguing, Harry shouted, "Stop, sister and brother! As they say, delay makes things worse. Let's change Fudge's mind first."

Hermione said no more, pulled out her Death Journal, tilted her head back, and drank two bottles of magic potion. She flipped through the book, picked up her quill, and the ink flowed like dragons and snakes.

Ron and Harry stood on either side, wands in hand, like two guardian deities. Hermione had only written a few lines when Ron suddenly exclaimed:

Hermione, you have a nosebleed!

Hermione paused, casually wiped away the bloodstains, and wiped herself off on the grass, saying nonchalantly:

"A minor issue. It seems I underestimated Fudge."

After writing for a while longer, Harry couldn't help but exclaim, "Is Big Sister really alright? Why is there blood seeping from her mouth too!"

Hermione spat, gritting her teeth and forcing herself to say, "It's okay, I can still hold on—pfft!"

Before she could finish speaking, Hermione suddenly shuddered and spat out a three-foot-long spray of blood, instantly turning the Death Diary crimson.

Immediately afterwards, four streams of blood flowed from her eye sockets and ear canals, and blood flowed from her seven orifices, just like cinnabar bursting from a white jade pillar. Her beautiful face instantly lost its color.

Seeing that it wasn't the boss, Harry quickly kicked the demon book away with his right foot, and his wand was already in his hand from his sleeve, transferring half of its magic to it.

Hermione collapsed limply, and without hesitation, he bent down and scooped her up in his arms.

Just as one arm embraced the other, a gust of wind whipped up from the soles of boots. A figure, his black robes billowing, broke through the stench of the lake shore and rushed towards the school hospital.

Ron dared not delay, hurriedly stuffing the Death Diary into his pocket, raising his arms and shouting towards the Black Lake to call Nagini, then he also set off at full speed, like chasing the wind and lightning.

Harry carried Hermione as fast as he could, but seeing her face as pale as paper and bloodstains from her seven orifices resembling fallen red plum blossoms in the snow, he cried out anxiously:

"Elder sister, don't close your eyes, or you'll lose your life!"

Hermione collapsed into Harry's arms, struggling to breathe, and weakly murmured, "No... to the Ministry of Magic... no..."

Before she could finish speaking, her head lolled to the side, and she had already fainted.

Upon seeing this, Harry felt as if his soul had been shattered, smoke was billowing from his seven orifices, and his teeth were clenched so tightly that they were grinding together. He only regretted that he had never learned Apparition.

They swung their legs like windmills, stomping on the green grass and sending it flying everywhere.

He rushed to the school hospital, only to find the two large paulownia wood doors tightly shut. Harry didn't care about anything else; he just kicked out and smashed the doors open with a "bang," bursting inside.

"Lady Pomfrey is here! Come quickly to save my elder sister's life!"

As the shout rang out, the white curtain fluttered slightly, revealing an elderly woman with white hair. Although she was also dressed in a moon-white medical robe, her demeanor was dignified, and her eyes held a certain authority, unlike those of an ordinary physician.

"Please be quiet, Mr. Potter. I'm on duty at the school hospital today."

Harry had no interest in inquiring about her origins; he simply settled Hermione on a plain brocade couch, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and called out:

"We beg you, Madam, to heal my sister! Even mountains of gold and silver would be enough to repay this immense kindness once my elder sister is safe and well!"

The old woman ignored these words, went straight to the bedside, and her wand, like a nimble snake, probed and moved around Hermione's acupoints for a moment before nodding to Harry and saying:

"Please rest assured, Mr. Potter, this young lady has simply overexerted her magic and lost a lot of blood. She will be fine after some rest."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Before I could even express my gratitude, I suddenly heard a flurry of footsteps outside the door.

Ron was panting heavily when he and Nagini rushed in one after the other.

When Nagini's eyes met the old woman's, his snake-like pupils suddenly contracted, and his face lost its former gentleness. He shouted sharply:

"Harry! Stay away from her!"

"She's a bastard! A close confidante of Grindelwald!"

The story unfolds: Hermione's clothes are stained with blood, Harry breaks through the porch. An old woman uses magic to conceal her true form, a snake woman reveals the old story; a miraculous hand brings life back to a halt, the evil party is revealed to be hiding in the infirmary. To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment.

(End of this chapter)