Re:HP-A New Life

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon

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Chapter Thirty-Eight: Breaking the Jinx

The Slytherin dormitory was silent, the heavy drapes around each bed drawn tight, muffling the sounds of the outside world. In the farthest corner, hidden from prying eyes, Harry Potter sat cross-legged on his bed, his room dimly lit by the soft, silvery glow emanating from the floating diadem in front of him.

Ravenclaw's diadem hovered, suspended in mid-air, a delicate circlet of silver inlaid with a blue sapphire that seemed to pulse gently. Around the diadem, ancient runes floated, shifting and rearranging themselves in complex patterns. The air thrummed with magic, a tangible presence that filled the room. Harry's green eyes glinted as he watched the runes carefully, his wand held loosely in his hand.

With a slow, deliberate motion, Harry waved his wand, guiding the runes into a specific structure. The symbols shimmered and fused, forming an intricate web of magical energy that encased the diadem. For a moment, the room was bathed in an ethereal light, the runes vibrating with a frequency that made the very air hum.

As the final rune settled into place, the diadem emitted a brief, brilliant glow, a sign that the jinx placed on the Defense Against the Dark Arts post had been broken. Harry allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. He knew the significance of what he had just accomplished.

"Tom Riddle," Harry murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "You are a vile man, but even I can't deny your brilliance."

The jinx on the Defense post had plagued Hogwarts for decades. No professor had been able to hold the position for more than a year, each one meeting an unfortunate fate. It had always been assumed that the jinx was tied to the school itself, but Harry had realized the truth: the jinx was not on Hogwarts but on an artifact connected to it—the diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw.

It was a masterstroke of cunning. To hide a jinx in a Horcrux, an object already steeped in dark magic, made it nearly impossible to detect. The diadem had been hidden in the Room of Requirement, a place that only revealed itself to those in need. It had been right under the noses of countless students and professors, yet no one had known its true nature.

Harry's discovery had been a combination of intuition and knowledge. He knew that Tom Riddle had hidden the diadem in the school the same day Dumbledore had rejected his application for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. It made perfect sense for Voldemort to curse the post in such a way, ensuring that no one could truly protect the students of Hogwarts.

Now that the jinx was lifted, Harry felt a sense of accomplishment. He had taken a significant step in weakening Voldemort's influence over the school. But his work was far from over. The diadem was just one of the Horcruxes that needed to be destroyed.

Harry lowered the diadem gently onto the bed, the runes dissipating into the air like wisps of smoke. He leaned back against the headboard, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The Horcruxes were the key to defeating Voldemort, but gathering them would require patience and precision.

"Patience," Harry reminded himself, closing his eyes for a moment. "Opportunities will come. I just have to be ready."

He knew where the other Horcruxes were—or at least had strong suspicions. The locket, the cup, and of course, the piece of Voldemort's soul hidden in the diary. Each one presented its own set of challenges. The locket was in the possession of someone who wouldn't part with it easily, the cup was locked away in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts, and the diary is safely tucked away in Malfoy Manor.

But Harry wasn't one to be deterred by obstacles. He had faced too much, endured too many hardships, to let anything stop him now. The key was to bide his time, to wait for the right moment to strike. Voldemort was cunning, but Harry was prepared to be even more so.

His thoughts drifted to his friends, to his sister Rose, who had no idea of the burden he carried. They were all so young, so full of life and hope. Harry wanted to protect that innocence for as long as he could. They deserved a future free from the shadow of Voldemort.

A soft hoot drew Harry's attention to the windowsill. Hedwig had returned, her white feathers gleaming in the dim light. She hopped onto his bed, nuzzling against his hand. Harry stroked her feathers absently, a sense of calm washing over him.

"Looks like we're one step closer, Hedwig," he said softly. "One step closer to ending this."

Hedwig hooted again, as if in agreement, her amber eyes shining with a quiet wisdom. Harry smiled, a genuine, unguarded smile that only Hedwig could bring out. She had been his constant companion, his confidant, through all the highs and lows.

As the night wore on, Harry carefully placed the diadem back into the golden box alongside the Gaunt ring. He concealed the box in a hidden compartment under his bed, the enchantments around it ensuring that only he could access it.

With a final glance at the box, Harry lay back, his mind finally easing into a state of rest. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but Harry knows he can deal with them, Harry felt hopeful for the future. He was not alone in this fight, and with each step, he was closer to a world where Voldemort no longer cast his dark shadow.

As sleep claimed him, Harry's dreams were filled with visions of a future where he and his loved ones could live in peace, free from the chains of the past. And in the quiet of the night, the pieces of the puzzle slowly began to fall into place.