Harry watched the drop of blood fly toward the rough stone door, touch it, merge into it, and be absorbed—
His eyes widened, and he held his breath, waiting and waiting for some miracle to happen.
Dumbledore did the same.
Perhaps he would not live to see the shadows shrouding this world dispersed, but he wanted to see what preparations the Four Founders had made.
A heavy sound echoed through the ancient cavern.
The stone door opened a crack.
A milky-white radiance, soft as water, poured from within and enveloped the three people before the door.
Dumbledore, Harry, and Grindelwald peered through the gap, bathing in the flawless, gentle light.
Beyond the door seemed to lie a sea of light, its tiny ripples so beautiful, like brilliant sunlight spilling over a deep blue sea beneath a soft breeze.
"So that's how it is."
Silently, tears soaked Dumbledore's aged face.
"How remarkable... Hogwarts and its founders."
Harry was crying too.
But he did not know why. He simply wanted to cry.
Under the illumination of that sacred light, all confusion and desolation vanished, leaving only overwhelming emotion.
"What is that, Professor Dumbledore?"
With great effort, Harry tore his gaze away and looked at Dumbledore, whose face was wet with tears but seemed to hold no regrets anymore.
Dumbledore could not speak. He only choked out a few sobs.
A streak of light woven from fiery red, deep blue, bright yellow, and silvery green flew out from behind the door.
It circled several times above Harry, Dumbledore, and Grindelwald, then charged at Harry without hesitation.
Instinctively, Harry raised his right arm to block the light, but it still struck him.
Harry felt a faint burning sensation in his right arm. It did not hurt, though, and he hurriedly lowered it to inspect