Chapter 56: “nurturing” Harry
A Guardian Spirit is essentially the most potent proof that a wizard possesses a normal mind and a normal sense of good and evil.
A person corrupted by Dark Arts, or a dark wizard who has long used Dark Arts and harbors only extremely malicious thoughts, absolutely cannot summon a Guardian Spirit.
Because there is no longer any pure land within their hearts.
This is why Vaughn first pointed out the Guardian Spirit spell.
Not only because it is difficult to practice, but also because it is a good indicator.
At least Old Dumbledore would be more at ease.
When leaving the Headmaster’s Office, Vaughn held a large tome, 《The Past and Present of Memory Magic》.
The title is quite artistic; the person who wrote this book must be a Ravenclaw.
Returning all the way to Slytherin, Vaughn couldn’t wait to start reading.
The book details the branch of Memory Magic, from its history and development to modern spells related to memory.
Besides the Obliviation and Legilimency spells that Vaughn already knows, and wants to learn the Legilimency.
There are also the False Memory Charm, Sweet Dreams Charm, Nightmare Charm, and so on.
It also explores many other branches of magic that involve memory.
Alchemy alone includes the Pensieve, Memory Charms, Portrait creation, and Self-writing Quills, and while it doesn’t provide specific creation methods, the parts requiring memory are all meticulously recorded.
“Even advanced Transfiguration requires memory? The process of turning an inanimate object into a living one, imbuing it with life, is essentially injecting it with memories, simulating a soul through false memories…”
Reading this section discussing Memory Magic’s involvement in advanced Transfiguration, Vaughn thoughtfully turned back to the title page.
There, the author had written in ornate script:
【Memory is the Cloak of the Soul】
When he first saw it, he thought this preface was just Ravenclaw Academy’s usual pretentious style.
Soul…
Vaughn’s interest in the book grew, and the next day, after class, he took it with him to Professor Snape’s to research Potion Ingredients.
Snape was taken aback upon seeing the book: “Where did you get this book? You already have it, why did you ask me for it last time?”
“Oh? The Memory Magic book you promised to give me this summer was this one? Dumbledore gave it to me.”
Snape’s expression darkened, likely cursing Dumbledore internally for saying one thing to his face and another behind his back.
Vaughn had previously suspected that Snape’s promise to give it to him in the summer was likely a plan to persuade Dumbledore.
He didn’t care how uncomfortable Snape was feeling, and said with a smile, “Professor, shouldn’t our agreement be renegotiated then?”
Snape’s face twitched: “The Quidditch season is about to start, talk to me after you defeat Potter!”
Vaughn looked at him with suspicion.
“Professor, you’re not planning to go back on your word, are you?”
“…”
After being stared at by Vaughn with a stern face for 10 seconds, Snape could no longer stand it, and with an indignant flick of his robe, he swept away.
Change the terms?
If they changed any more, he would only be teaching Vaughn Dark Arts!
He dared not casually agree to such a thing.
Vaughn didn’t mind, studying the materials alone in the basement, reading his book when he was tired. Unfortunately, Memory Magic required a target to practice.
However, his practice target was soon in place automatically.
And the other party was even grateful!
At night, Vaughn met Harry in the Room of Requirement; Harry had received his letter and had secretly rushed over.
As soon as they met, Harry said repeatedly, “Vaughn, thank you so much for helping me this late. If it weren’t for you, I…”
In just one day, the Boy Who Lived’s dark circles had deepened again, almost to the level of Wood’s devilish training period last month.
It seemed he had been quite frightened.
“It’s nothing, Harry. We’re friends, and friends should help each other.”
Vaughn made a casual remark and then looked at Harry expectantly, “Shall we begin?”
So soon?
Harry listened to Vaughn’s instructions with a bewildered expression and sat down opposite him.
The Room of Requirement today was intentionally made more comfortable by Vaughn’s request.
It was a rather luxurious lounge, with leather sofas and wool carpets, soft wherever you stepped.
After all, Memory Magic doesn’t damage the environment, and a comfortable state also helps the Boy Who Lived relax, making it easier for Vaughn to cast spells.
Of course, Vaughn would never admit that his primary goal was to practice Legilimency…
Vaughn sat upright in front of Harry, holding his book in one hand, flipping through it, and said to Harry, “Harry, before we officially begin, I need to explain that learning Legilimency is a very difficult process. To speed up your progress and help you shake off the influence of Dark Arts as soon as possible, I need to perform Legilimency on you throughout. Do you know what Legilimency is?”
Harry replied blankly, “The first time I heard of this magic was this morning when you mentioned it.”
“Very good…”
Harry: “?”
“Cough, I mean, your answer was very good,” Vaughn nodded with a straight face. “Simply put, I will invade your thoughts and memories, manipulate them, toy with them. You need to carefully feel that sensation, not be afraid or escape, and cooperate actively. Do you understand?”
This was simple?
Hearing words like “manipulate” and “toy with,” Harry began to tremble.
If he explained in detail, would there be even more tricks?
He suddenly wished he could tell Vaughn that he didn’t want to learn.
Obviously, that wasn’t an option.
Although he hadn’t felt any discomfort throughout the day, the phrase “Dark Arts” was enough for Harry to overcome his fear, so he finally straightened his chest: “Okay, let’s do it, Vaughn!”
What a perfect target!
Vaughn praised him internally and immediately raised his wand, chanting the spell.
The first attempt, as expected, was unsuccessful. Neither Vaughn nor Harry was disappointed. After two more consecutive failures, Harry even let out a sigh of relief.
It felt wrong to think this, but he thought he might not be “toyed with” today.
Unfortunately, just as he thought this, Vaughn succeeded.
“Legilimency!”
The failures of the previous few attempts were enough for Vaughn to grasp some of the patterns of the Legilimency spell. Sufficient magic power, flawless casting, and most importantly, emotion – a strong emotion to invade the other and uncover their secrets.
The moment the spell succeeded, Vaughn felt…
A part of his consciousness, intertwined with magic power, entered a viscous and illusory space.
Countless wisps of mist swirled before his “eyes,” vaguely projecting images, all from Harry’s perspective.
There was Vaughn sitting in front of him, raising his wand, him walking in the corridor, the Gryffindor common room, Ron and Hermione walking beside him…
All of Harry’s memories were laid bare before Vaughn’s eyes!
It even included Harry’s dream, a hazy dream that seemed pink, where he gently took a girl’s hand!
“No!”
The moment he saw the dream, a shout, as if from a distant direction, suddenly rang out, and Vaughn’s consciousness was immediately kicked out.
He looked up to see Harry’s face, which had turned as red as a monkey’s backside.
