The Spider:AHero’s Awakening.

The castle halls felt different as Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Daphne emerged from the depths of the Chamber of the Forgotten, the Heart of Magic pulsing faintly in Harry's pocket. The air was thick with anticipation, as if Hogwarts itself knew that something ancient had been disturbed.

They sprinted through the empty corridors, breathless and hearts pounding, finally ducking into an unused classroom. Harry slammed the door shut and cast Colloportus, sealing it behind them.

Hermione leaned against a desk, clutching her side. "We have the Heart… but Mulciber won't stop until he gets it."

Daphne paced near the window, her eyes scanning the darkened grounds outside. "We're in deeper than ever, Potter. Malfoy and his little gang were just the beginning. This changes everything."

Harry pulled the small crystal from his pocket, holding it up to the dim light of the torches. It pulsed rhythmically, sending warmth through his palm, but it also carried an unsettling weight—like it was alive, waiting to be used.

Ron eyed it warily. "And just what the bloody hell are we supposed to do with it?"

Hermione swallowed hard, her voice filled with uncertainty. "The Heart of Magic isn't just an artifact, Ron. It's the very essence of Hogwarts' power. If someone corrupts it, they could reshape the castle's magic, twist it into something unrecognizable."

Daphne frowned. "Then why did the Founders leave it unguarded? Those statues were tough, but nothing that a determined dark wizard couldn't bypass."

Harry turned the crystal in his hand, watching the glow. "Maybe they thought no one would ever find it. Or maybe they left it for someone worthy."

Ron muttered under his breath. "Well, they didn't exactly leave us a manual."

Hermione straightened, her eyes lighting up. "Maybe they did. Hogwarts itself might hold the answer. If the Founders left the Heart behind, they must have left some sort of guide… somewhere."

Daphne snorted. "Great, another scavenger hunt through the most haunted school in Britain."

Harry pocketed the crystal. "Then we start with the library. We need to understand this thing before Mulciber finds us again."

The Hogwarts Library – Restricted Section

By the time they reached the library, the castle had grown eerily quiet. The corridors were dark and empty, the occasional creak of old wood the only sound accompanying their footsteps.

Madam Pince had long since retreated to her quarters, leaving the library deserted. Hermione led the way to the Restricted Section, muttering another unlocking charm to bypass the enchanted gate.

"This is getting too easy," Daphne whispered, slipping inside with practiced stealth.

Harry set the Heart down on the table while Hermione rifled through the shelves, pulling out ancient texts bound in cracked leather and covered in faded runes.

"Here," Hermione whispered urgently, opening a tome titled The Arcane Foundations of Hogwarts. Her eyes scanned the pages rapidly before she gasped. "It says here that the Heart is a conduit for balance. It channels the magic of the castle, keeping the energies of the four Houses in harmony."

Ron leaned in. "So what happens if someone messes with it?"

Hermione's face turned grim. "If the Heart is corrupted, the magic within Hogwarts will begin to shift—darkness will seep into every corner. The wards will weaken, the protective enchantments will fail, and the castle could… turn against us."

Daphne's eyes darkened. "Then Mulciber wants more than power—he wants control of the castle itself."

Harry clenched his fists. "We can't let that happen."

Suddenly, a sound echoed through the library—soft footsteps approaching from the hall.

"Someone's coming," Daphne whispered, extinguishing the light from her wand.

Harry quickly grabbed the Heart and tucked it into his cloak. They ducked behind the towering shelves just as the door creaked open, revealing none other than Draco Malfoy.

His wand tip glowed faintly as he prowled the aisles, his eyes scanning the darkness with predatory precision.

"I know you're here, Potter," Malfoy said, his voice laced with amusement. "You can't hide forever."

Ron muttered under his breath, "What is it with him and dramatic entrances?"

Hermione elbowed him sharply. "Shh!"

Malfoy took a step closer, running his hand along the spines of the books. "Mulciber's patience is wearing thin, Potter. Hand over the Heart, and maybe he'll go easy on you."

Harry tightened his grip on his wand, exchanging a glance with Daphne, who nodded subtly.

"Now!" Harry whispered.

They burst from their hiding spot, wands raised. "Stupefy!" Hermione cast, sending a bolt of red light toward Malfoy.

He dodged nimbly, smirking. "Too predictable, Granger." He flicked his wand, sending a Disarming Charm toward Harry, who deflected it just in time.

Daphne lunged at Malfoy, her wand pressed close to his throat. "You're not getting the Heart, Draco," she hissed.

Malfoy's smirk didn't falter. "You think you've won, Greengrass? You have no idea what Mulciber is capable of."

"Neither do you," Harry shot back, stepping closer. "You're just his pawn."

For the first time, Malfoy's confidence wavered, but he quickly masked it. "We'll see who's a pawn when Hogwarts belongs to us."

Harry took a step forward. "Not if we stop you first."

Before Malfoy could respond, a sudden explosion rocked the castle, sending a deep tremor through the stone beneath their feet.

Hermione gasped. "What was that?"

Malfoy's eyes widened. "Looks like Mulciber's not waiting anymore."

The Grand Staircase – The Battle Begins

Rushing into the corridor, they were met with chaos. Shadows crept along the walls unnaturally, twisting and writhing like living things. The torches flickered wildly, and the very air felt charged with dark magic.

Students ran in panic as figures in dark robes—Mulciber's reinforcements—descended upon the castle, their wands crackling with malevolent energy.

Harry's grip on the Heart tightened. "We have to get to Dumbledore!"

Hermione pulled him toward the grand staircase, but their path was blocked by a hooded figure stepping out of the darkness. Mulciber.

His eyes gleamed like polished obsidian. "Going somewhere, Potter?"

Harry raised his wand. "You won't get it."

Mulciber smirked. "You'll find I'm much harder to fight than your little schoolyard rival."

With a flick of his wrist, Mulciber sent a wave of dark magic toward them, shattering part of the staircase as they barely dodged the falling debris.

Ron yelled, "We can't fight him here!"

Daphne fired a rapid series of spells, forcing Mulciber back momentarily. "Then run!"

Harry led the way up the crumbling staircase, casting defensive wards as they moved. The battle for Hogwarts had begun, and they were right at the center of it.

As they reached the upper levels, Harry knew one thing for sure—if they didn't find a way to protect the Heart, Hogwarts would never be the same again.

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