Chapter 76: The Cursed Arm

The red steam engine arrived at Hogsmeade station. As usual, all students except the first years headed to Hogwarts in carriages pulled by Thestrals. There were many students who had seen death over the summer break, and their surprised voices could be heard here and there at the sight of the Thestrals. While waiting for the Sorting Ceremony of the first years in the Great Hall, Leo was thinking about his research theme for this year.

(Immortality of the body and soul is complete. What should I do this year...? The enhancement of 'that' is almost complete, and I need to conduct a performance experiment soon. I feel like I can't wait to unleash its power. What else...? Time, world, fate, universe, there are various things, but what should I do...?)

As various themes floated and disappeared in Leo's mind, the doors of the Great Hall opened and the first years entered, led by McGonagall. The number of students felt slightly less than usual. Perhaps their parents had refused to let them go to Hogwarts.

The Sorting Hat, as every year, called for unity, and the Sorting Ceremony ended without any notable incidents. Dumbledore stood up and began to speak.

"Now, I'm sure everyone is tired of waiting for the food. Let's dig in!"

At his words, all the dishes appeared on the tables. The students around Leo each took their favorite dishes, but Leo was watching Dumbledore.

(That right arm... it's a powerful curse. He's preventing it from spreading with a bandage imbued with protective magic, but he probably doesn't have more than a year to live at this rate. Considering Dumbledore's power, the opponent must be Voldemort, right? Well, whatever. I should eat too.)

All the students enjoyed the food and ate dessert until they were satisfied. The plates were cleared and Dumbledore stood up again to speak.

"Now, I hope everyone has eaten to their heart's content. I hope the first years enjoyed it too. I know everyone wants to go to bed and dream, but before that, I want you to listen to a few words from this old man. First of all, the Forbidden Forest is off-limits to students. Third years and above are allowed to go to Hogsmeade village. And, as Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has told me to tell you until your ears hurt, any goods purchased from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, a joke shop, other than protective items, are not allowed to be brought into the school."

It seems that the name of Fred and George's joke shop has already reached Hogwarts. Although Dumbledore says so, probably most of the students have already brought them in.

"For those who want to join the Quidditch team of each house, please report to the house head. And finally, we have a new teacher this year. Let me introduce you, Professor Horace Slughorn."

At Dumbledore's introduction, Slughorn stood up. The students looked at him with interest.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Horace E. F. Slughorn. I used to teach Potions at Hogwarts, but I retired a long time ago. However, I couldn't resist the passionate invitation from Headmaster Dumbledore and the temptation to study with a new excellent generation. From this year, I will be teaching the essence of Potions, so look forward to it."

Slughorn sat down with a smile. The students clapped, but they looked puzzled. Potions was supposed to be taught by Snape. If that's changed, does it mean Snape has been gotten rid of? But Snape is still sitting at the teachers' table with the other teachers. As the Great Hall buzzed, Dumbledore spoke for the third time.

"Now, let's answer everyone's questions. From this year, Professor Snape will be in charge of Defense Against the Dark Arts. And Professor Flitwick, who teaches Charms, has had an accident and injured himself. Ah, don't worry, his injuries have already healed. But considering his age, we asked him to recommend a replacement. It's someone you all know well... Leonard Taylor will be teaching Charms this year."

The buzz in the great hall grew even louder.

It's not a problem for Leonard Taylor to be a teacher. On the contrary, the magic learned in spell studies is different from the previous defense techniques and has many types. There is also a possibility to learn Leonard Taylor's original magic, which is welcomed by study-oriented students, especially those in Ravenclaw.

However, who would have expected that the teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts would be Snape?

Surely Snape might have excellent magic skills. He might know a lot of dark magic.

Even so, since the previous classes were terrible, it was clear that Defense Against the Dark Arts would be the same.

The Gryffindors, represented by Harry and Ron, did not even try to hide their feelings of disgust towards Snape. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are not supposed to look good either.

"Now, the announcements are over. A fluffy bed is waiting for everyone. Follow the instructions of the prefects and return to each dormitory. Then have a good dream."

Prefects lead to each dormitory.

Leo and the others were about to return to the laboratory when they were stopped by Dumbledore and the others.

In the great hall where there were no students or teachers, only Dumbledore, Leo and Hermione, and Koo remained.

"Leo, thank you for staying. You know what condition I'm in now."

"Yes. If you don't take measures, you may not have a year to live."

Leo states clearly.

Dumbledore naturally knew and was calm, but Hermione was surprised.

"That's right. But I can't die now. The power of darkness is becoming more powerful every day. If this continues, we will be crushed before the power to defeat Voldemort grows.

...I've decided not to care anymore. Leo, I have a favor to ask. Can you break this curse? Of course, it's not for free, I'll do anything after peace returns to the world."

Leo thinks. What can he get from Dumbledore?

He thought for a while, but in the end, it was as usual.

"Then two... First, don't interfere with my research. Next, please teach me all the knowledge and information you know, Dumbledore. Magic, spells, potions, magical creatures, magical tools, and everything else, without hiding anything, regardless of darkness or not. Well, let me research freely."

"I understand. I will teach you everything if the darkness of the wizarding world is swept away."

"It's a contract, then. Let's cure it right away. How did you get the curse?"

"I took a certain item. Now that I think about it, it was a reckless and foolish act."

"Do you still have it? Please show me."

Dumbledore took out a broken ring and a black stone from his pocket.

"That is... A magical tool for communication? But, no, the previous one is... No way!"

"You seem to have noticed. This ring, in which this stone was set, was handed down from generation to generation in the Gaunt family. Voldemort made this ring a Horcrux because it was something of the Gaunt family, which is a lineage of Slytherin. I was tempted by this stone when I destroyed it and put it on my finger. As a result, this is what happened."

He showed a part of his skin by removing some of the bandages. There was skin that looked as if it had been burnt to a black crisp.

"That doesn't matter. More importantly, that stone is a magical tool for communicating with the dead, the other world. What exactly is it?"

"This is one of the Deathly Hallows, the 'Resurrection Stone'. As you said, it can call out the dead and have a conversation. Voldemort probably didn't know about this. That's why it's thought that he made the ring itself into a Horcrux."

"The Deathly Hallows... So you're saying they actually exist, not just in fairy tales. I'll add one more condition to what I said earlier. I'll also make that a subject of my research."

"Very well. It's meaningless for me to have it."

Leo received the "Resurrection Stone". It was lucky to get such a thing as soon as the new term started.

"Now, let's get back to healing. I've analyzed the residue left in the ring. Headmaster Dumbledore, please remove the bandage from your arm. I'm going to amputate it."

Dumbledore removed the bandage from his arm. At the same time, the curse advanced its erosion into the body, but before that, Leo cut off his arm. He had also administered anesthesia to Dumbledore at the same time, so there should be no pain. The cut-off arm crumbled miserably, and the curse materialized from its remains. It turned into a black mist and tried to invade Dumbledore's body again, but was blocked by Leo, who stood in front of Dumbledore. The curse changed its target to Leo and attacked. Without any resistance, Leo accepted the curse.

"Hmm... Degradation of body tissues and decrease in physical strength, it's simply powerful but the content is quite simple. It's interesting that the curse continues until the person it's attached to dies. Well, I've analyzed it and it's done with."

The curse that had been tormenting Dumbledore was meaningless to Leo, who had an immortal body and soul. He analyzed it with his "eye" and immediately dispelled it.

"It's over. I'll create a new arm for you at a later date. Good night."

Leo, who had already lost interest in the curse and was interested in the Resurrection Stone and other things, took Hermione and Ku and returned to his own laboratory.

"Thank you, Leo. Good night."

The curse that had been waiting for death, said to be the greatest wizard of this century, was so easily nullified. Dumbledore once again realized the horror of Leonard Taylor. At the same time, he swore firmly that he would do anything and everything not to upset him.

---

Slughorn is teaching Potions, and Snape is teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, just like in the original story.

The teacher of Spell Studies has changed from Flitwick to Leo.

The reason for the change is that Flitwick was injured on a mission with the Order and due to his old age, and also because Flitwick was interested in the Spell Studies taught by Leo.

Dumbledore is acting as the Ravenclaw dormitory supervisor.

Dumbledore, doesn't care anymore about what method he used.

Since the current situation continues to be at a disadvantage against the forces of darkness, he can't die here, so he asked Leo to prolong his life. The price is the Resurrection Stone.

This time he only treated himself, but the reason he didn't treat other members of the Order was because Dumbledore was afraid of offending him by asking too much at once.

Normally, if he asked, he would have sensed it, but Dumbledore was too cautious.

Leo, get one of the Deathly Hallows.

Communication with the afterlife... In other words, Leo will recognize the afterlife.

So, stay tuned for the next chapter.

Recently, I feel like I haven't been writing much about Hermione.

Should I force it in somewhere...?

No, let's quickly destroy the bow and make the 7th year a peaceful lovey-dovey school life!

Well, from the 6th year onwards, the forces of darkness will inevitably become more serious as they gain momentum in the plot stage.