Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 601: Chapter 599: Advanced Black Magic Unveiled

As one of the oldest families in the magic realm, the Black family indeed possesses quite a collection of books, accumulated over generations.

Moreover, there are rumors that during Phineas Black’s tenure as Hogwarts headmaster, many treasured books disappeared from the school’s library, quite possibly taken to the Black family home.

However, Phineas himself never admitted to such actions and often engaged in verbal battles with other portraits over it.

Of course, this all happened hundreds of years ago, making it impossible to verify.

Led by the house-elf Kreacher, the two passed through the foyer and kitchen, heading toward the basement behind the storage cabinet.

On the way, they encountered the trio discussing holiday assignments, along with Lupin, who were equally interested in the Black family’s library and wanted to join them.

Sirius naturally agreed. Although Kreacher didn’t like Hermione, a wizard of Muggle origin, stepping into the most important place of the Black family, he had no choice but to keep muttering and reluctantly guide them, as Sirius and Kael both nodded.

The group arrived at the dark and damp basement, where Kreacher fiddled with the fireplace for a while, causing the moldy cabinet in the corner to spring open to reveal a spacious passageway behind.

As they stepped inside, the torches on both sides of the passageway simultaneously lit up.

”Unbelievable, I didn’t expect such a hidden place here.” Harry couldn’t help but say, ”It feels like an adventure.”

”It’s normal,” Ron said, ”after all, the Black family has a history of hundreds of years.”

The corridor wasn’t long, and soon they reached a very large room.

Unlike the basement, here, not a hint of musty smell could be detected, and not even dust was found.

Bright sunlight streamed through magically charmed windows, illuminating the room where nearly a hundred bookshelves stood, filled with various books.

Although not as grand as the school’s library, this quantity is impressive, considering it’s in someone’s home.

”Oh! My gosh!” Hermione instinctively exclaimed, ”You actually have a library in the house!”

”It’s amazing here,” Lupin couldn’t help but say, ”Sirius, why haven’t you ever mentioned that there was a library here?”

He had stayed there for a long time but had never heard Sirius mention it.

Sirius’s face reddened slightly because he didn’t know there was such a place in the house either.

Since leaving this home at the age of sixteen, he hadn’t returned until recently.

As for before sixteen.

Who would read at home during holidays...? Some might, but certainly not him.

However, facing Lupin and Harry, he couldn’t say that and stammered:

”Uh, I forgot, you know, twelve years in Azkaban, many things have become a blur.”

”No wonder,” Lupin said.

He didn’t doubt because being with Dementors for a long time can indeed make one forget many things.

Hermione couldn’t resist stepping forward.

Seeing this, Kreacher instantly reacted like a cat whose tail was stepped on, almost jumping up.

”Get your foot off the floor, you...”

”Kreacher, could you do me a favor?” Before he could finish, Kael’s voice interrupted from the side.

Kreacher’s attitude underwent a transformation, respectfully saying, ”I’m happy to serve you, Master Kael.”

”How about helping me find some books?” Kael asked, ”I imagine you know this place well.”

”Kreacher knows where every book here is,” the little elf promised, patting his chest.

”That’s good.” Kael glanced backward, ensuring that no one else noticed before leaning down to whisper something in the house-elf’s ear.

Then he asked, ”Do you have these books?”

”Yes.” Kreacher nodded and immediately ran to the furthest bookshelf.

As he left, Hermione, accompanied by Lupin, bravely entered the library despite being startled earlier.

She approached the nearest bookshelf, browsing the books on it with interest.

Unlike the school library, these books hadn’t undergone any selection.

Some books that in the school’s Restricted Area require a professor’s signature to borrow were openly displayed here, easily accessible.

For a moment, Hermione’s face flushed with excitement, resembling a Niffler stumbling into a Gringotts vault.

Before long, Kreacher returned.

Upon seeing the library invaded by a werewolf and a Muggle wizard, he immediately prepared to act, ready to chase them out.

But Sirius stopped him at the next moment.

”I’ve allowed it, Kreacher,” he said, ”Don’t disturb them, it’s an order!”

Unhappily, Kreacher could only bow reluctantly and agree.

He ignored Lupin and Hermione, instead approaching Kael and presenting the thick stack of books he carried like a treasure.

”Thank you, Kreacher.” Kael took the books and said.

”It’s Kreacher’s honor,” the little elf said, ”If Master Kael needs anything else, just tell Kreacher.”

”Not for now,” Kael replied.

Kreacher had brought him five books, which Kael placed on a nearby table and began to flip through.

On the top book was illustrated a wand with distinct bones.

”Secrets of Wand”

Going further down,

”Broken Wand: Constraint or Assistance”

The next two books were also related to wands.

The sudden inquiry by the Ministry of Magic gave Kael a reminder; to be cautious, he wanted to understand the magic Diana used to remove the Priori Incantatem effect.

But since Diana returned to the Department of Mysteries afterward, she couldn’t teach him shortly, so Kael hoped to find it in the books.

Earlier, he told Kreacher he needed books related to wands, and Kreacher brought these.

However, this isn’t urgent, as the Ministry of Magic won’t trouble him anytime soon; after browsing for a while, Kael placed them aside, picking up the last book at the bottom.

This was a book with a brown cover, surrounded by a faded purple pattern. Its name was written in the center.

”Advanced Black Magic Unveiled”

Kael immediately covered it with another book at first glance, taking several deep breaths.

He had considered whether this book, once in the library and taken away by Dumbledore, might be elsewhere.

In Paris, Nicolas might have it in his library, but it too had magical restrictions; he couldn’t access books on dark magic there.

Originally, Kael planned to ask Nicolas after some time, but when Mr. Weasley invited him to No. 12 Grimmauld Place, he had a sudden thought.

As a pure-blood family with hundreds of years of heritage, the house must have some dark magic-related books.

Thus, he asked with a trial mindset, surprisingly finding one here.

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