Arc 24The Diadem and the D.A

Su Er and Hermione uncovered the Grey Lady’s hidden room while Su Er helped Dumbledore destroy the soul fragment in Ravenclaw’s Diadem. As the Order and Hogwarts prepared for Voldemort’s return, Umbridge exposed the D.A. and took Harry to the Headmaster’s Office.

  • Su Er warned Harry that Voldemort could invade his thoughts through their connection and urged him to take Occlumency seriously and report suspicious dreams.
  • Su Er trained Hogwarts students to cast Patronuses against Dementors, while Hermione investigated Ravenclaw’s Diadem and the Grey Lady’s legacy.
  • Hermione traced the Grey Lady’s hidden room through the Bloody Baron’s account and Professor Binns’s map, and Su Er revealed that the Diadem was in the Room of Requirement.
  • Su Er and Dumbledore faced Riddle in the Room of Requirement and used Dementors to consume the soul fragment in the Diadem, before Dumbledore drove away the transformed Riddle with a Phoenix Patronus.
  • Su Er and Hermione used the Diadem and Ravenclaw’s door knocker to enter the Grey Lady’s hidden room, where Rowena Ravenclaw appeared and left Hermione with increased magical power.
  • Su Er secured the Centaurs’ support for Hogwarts by persuading Dumbledore to grant them permanent residence in the Forbidden Forest, and Dumbledore installed Priestess Lisi as the new Prophecy Class professor.
  • Dobby warned the D.A. that their meeting had been exposed, and Su Er and Hermione escaped after Su Er confused Pansy and freed the students left behind.
  • Umbridge took Harry to the Headmaster’s Office, and Hermione told the shaken Gryffindors that someone had betrayed the D.A.
Chapters 576–600 Vol. 6 Read

Ch. 576Back to Grimmauld Place

Su Er, Hermione, and Moody returned to Grimmauld Place, where Moody reported the werewolf attack at St. Mungo's and reassured the Weasleys that Arthur was safe. Su Er gave Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny a Patronus Charm lesson, then was left alone with Harry after the others went to bed.

  • Su Er, Hermione, and Moody arrived at Grimmauld Place and exchanged greetings with Mrs. Weasley and the twins.
  • At dinner, Moody told the Weasleys that three werewolves had appeared at St. Mungo's and reassured Mrs. Weasley about Arthur.
  • Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny asked Su Er to teach them the Patronus Charm, and they managed to summon silver wisps.
  • Mrs. Weasley caught Fred and George Apparating inside the house and went upstairs to reprimand them.
  • After the drawing room emptied, Harry called out to stop Su Er as he was about to leave.

Ch. 577Voldemort Had Probably Already Discovered It

Su Er told Harry that his visions and urge to attack Dumbledore came from a mental connection to Voldemort, carried by Harry’s scar, and that Voldemort had probably discovered it. Harry was left shaken by the revelation.

  • Harry asked Su Er whether he knew about Dark Magic and described dreaming that he attacked Mr. Weasley as a snake, then feeling the same urge toward Dumbledore.
  • Su Er reassured Harry that Mr. Weasley’s injury was not his fault and said he had witnessed Harry change when he touched the Portkey.
  • Su Er learned that Harry had studied Occlumency with Professor Snape but had made little progress.
  • Su Er explained that Harry’s scar hurt when Voldemort invaded his thoughts and suggested it carried a mental connection between them.
  • Su Er warned that Voldemort had probably discovered the connection and had tried to control Harry, leaving Harry chilled and speechless.

Ch. 578Warning

Su Er warned Harry that Voldemort could exploit their mental connection and urged him to learn Occlumency and seek help if his dreams showed danger. After Harry left, Hermione joined Su Er by the fire, while an unseen observer watched them from the doorway.

  • Harry worried that Voldemort might control his mind, and Su Er advised him to take Occlumency seriously despite how difficult it was.
  • Su Er explained that Voldemort could invade Harry's mind as an active participant and might use realistic dreams to lure him into danger.
  • Harry understood that he should tell Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall if he saw a suspicious dream and should not investigate alone.
  • After Harry left, Su Er reflected that Harry might forget the warning if he believed Sirius or Remus Lupin was in danger.
  • Hermione came to talk with Su Er about Harry and their plans after graduation as they sat by the fire.
  • An unseen pair of eyes watched Su Er and Hermione from the shadowed doorway.

Ch. 579The wounded members of the Order of the Phoenix

Su Er and Hermione answered Moody’s call and found the Order of the Phoenix returning to Grimmauld Place badly injured. Dumbledore and Snape arrived to help, but Dumbledore asked Hermione to fetch Molly before explaining what had happened.

  • Moody sent a message saying that he and the others would arrive at Grimmauld Place within a minute, and Su Er and Hermione went outside to meet them.
  • A dozen injured Order members arrived, including Sirius, Remus Lupin, Sturgis Podmore, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Moody, who had lost a foot.
  • Su Er sent a Patronus to notify Dumbledore, and the group went inside to avoid being followed.
  • The injured gathered in a room beside the kitchen while Kreacher served tea, and Sirius described their mission only as a major operation.
  • Dumbledore and Snape arrived by Floo, and Snape examined the injured before Dumbledore asked Hermione to fetch Molly without alerting anyone else.

Ch. 580[Two-in-one] Azkaban Breakout

After the Azkaban breakout became public, Su Er trained Hogwarts students to cast the Patronus Charm and taught Harry and Hermione to use Patronuses for secure communication. He warned the students that conjuring one would be far harder when facing Dementors and proposed testing their abilities at the next meeting.

  • Dumbledore and Moody discussed the Death Eaters’ escape from Azkaban, the attack on St. Mungo’s, and Riddle’s apparent interest in the Department of Mysteries.
  • The Daily Prophet reported that ten prisoners had escaped from Azkaban, and students gathered in the Room of Requirement to discuss the news with Su Er disguised as Aibo.
  • Su Er urged the students to learn the Patronus Charm to defend themselves against Dementors, and Cedric demonstrated his developing horse-shaped Patronus.
  • Su Er gave the students chocolates containing Elixir to Induce Euphoria and asked Cedric to help correct their practice.
  • Su Er taught Harry and Hermione to send messages with their Patronuses, and both learned the method quickly.
  • After several students summoned Patronuses, Su Er warned that Dementors would make the spell much more difficult and suggested testing them at the next meeting.

Ch. 581Dementors secured, Eddie's strange behavior

Su Er obtained two Ministry Dementors for D.A. Patronus practice and secured them in the Room of Requirement. After Hermione caught Eddie sneaking into another room there, she decided to investigate what the Ravenclaws were hiding.

  • Su Er persuaded Dumbledore to bring two Ministry Dementors to Hogwarts and promised to keep them under close watch.
  • Su Er showed Hermione that the Dementors were the ones that had attacked Harry over the summer, then locked them in protected boxes inside the Room of Requirement.
  • Hermione encountered Eddie Carmichael and his roommate near the Room of Requirement, where they claimed they were going to practice the Patronus Charm.
  • Hermione waited nearby and saw Eddie and his roommate leave the meeting room, then watched Eddie open another Room of Requirement filled with piled-up objects.
  • Hermione told Su Er that the Ravenclaws had become secretive and planned to use her Animagus form to find out what Eddie and the others were hiding.

Ch. 582The Mystery Unraveled

Su Er and Hermione followed Eddie and his roommate to Ravenclaw’s common room, where a group of students was trying to identify a corroded diadem. Su Er realized the diadem was connected to Rowena Ravenclaw’s statue, but the mystery remained unresolved.

  • Su Er and Hermione waited for the Room of Requirement to disappear, then followed Eddie and his roommate as they left with bulging bags.
  • Su Er and Hermione tailed Eddie and his roommate to Ravenclaw’s common room, where Luna helped them enter.
  • Luna observed a group of young wizards gathered near Rowena Ravenclaw’s statue and left Su Er and Hermione there.
  • The Grey Lady appeared as Eddie showed the group a corroded diadem and said it was a replica.
  • Su Er compared the diadem in Eddie’s hand with Rowena Ravenclaw’s statue and guessed what they were searching for.

Ch. 583Ravenclaw's legacy

Su Er and Hermione eavesdropped on Ravenclaw students debating the Grey Lady’s legacy and the missing Diadem. Hermione decided to search for the legacy, while Su Er kept secret that he knew the Diadem was a Horcrux in the Room of Requirement.

  • Eddie told the Ravenclaw students he had searched the Seventh Floor for objects resembling the Diadem, while hiding the Room of Requirement.
  • Roger Davies argued that the Grey Lady, Helena Ravenclaw, had left a legacy and that the Diadem was its key, but other students doubted the theory and ended the discussion.
  • Hermione returned to the Gryffindor Common Room with Su Er and announced that she would find the Grey Lady’s legacy.
  • Su Er recalled that Riddle had turned the Diadem into a Horcrux and hidden it in the Room of Requirement, and wondered whether it could still serve as a key.
  • Hermione noticed Su Er rolling his eyes, grabbed his cheeks, and demanded to know what he meant.

Ch. 584I Think I Found It

Su Er trained the young wizards to cast Patronuses by confronting them with real Dementors, and their skill improved as Cedric and Hermione conjured Patronuses. As winter began to thaw, Hermione told Su Er she thought she had found what she had been searching for.

  • Su Er brought two real Dementors to the Room of Requirement and explained that the young wizards would practice the Patronus Charm against them.
  • Su Er released the Dementors, drove them back with Patronus whips, and assigned Harry to watch the group and Cedric to help anyone who became unsteady.
  • The young wizards improved over successive meetings, and Cedric conjured a Patronus at the second meeting and shared his experience with them.
  • Hermione also conjured a Patronus at the second meeting but spent the meetings reading and secretly investigating, including talking to ghosts.
  • As the snow began to melt, Hermione told Su Er, "I think I found it!"

Ch. 585Ravenclaw's mysterious room?

Hermione told Su Er how she used information from Hogwarts ghosts to investigate the Grey Lady’s missing Diadem. She concluded that the Grey Lady had left something in a hidden Ravenclaw room with a view of the starry sky, but she and Su Er had not found it yet.

  • Hermione hurried Su Er to the Room of Requirement, which first created an intimate candlelit room before changing to a comfortable sitting room.
  • Hermione explained that she had searched books for information about ghosts rather than for direct clues about the Grey Lady’s legacy.
  • The Fat Friar told Hermione that the Bloody Baron had pursued the Grey Lady, taken Ravenclaw’s Diadem, and later returned to Hogwarts empty-handed.
  • Hermione questioned the Bloody Baron, who said the Grey Lady had loved spending time in a Ravenclaw room with a direct view of the starry sky.
  • Hermione asked Ravenclaw students about the room and concluded that it was where the Grey Lady’s hidden legacy might be.

Ch. 586Unraveling the Threads

Hermione showed Su Er an enchanted map of Hogwarts from the founders’ time and explained that it revealed a hidden room near the Grey Lady’s statue in the Ravenclaw Common Room. After failing to find the room’s entrance, Hermione realized that the door knocker and the Grey Lady’s Diadem were connected to opening it.

  • Hermione showed Su Er Professor Binns’s ancient map, which could reveal detailed layouts of Hogwarts rooms.
  • Hermione pointed out a hidden room on the map beside the Ravenclaw dormitories and said the Bloody Baron had told her the Grey Lady liked watching the stars there.
  • Hermione told Su Er that she had searched the Ravenclaw Common Room but had not found the room’s entrance, though she suspected the Grey Lady’s statue was involved.
  • Hermione recalled the carved words and recesses beneath the statue and connected them to the Ravenclaw door knocker and the Grey Lady’s Diadem.
  • Hermione concluded that the Diadem was likely one of the requirements for opening the hidden room.

Ch. 587[Two-in-one] A hypothesis about Dementors and Horcruxes

Su Er proposed using Dementors to destroy the soul fragment inside a Horcrux and asked Dumbledore to help test the idea. Dumbledore agreed, and Su Er revealed that Ravenclaw’s Diadem was the Horcrux he had found in the Room of Requirement.

  • Hermione became discouraged when she realized the Diadem was still missing, but Su Er told her he knew where it was and warned that it was dangerous.
  • Su Er reassured Hermione that he had a hypothesis for dealing with the Diadem and would not attempt it alone.
  • Su Er returned two trained Dementors to Dumbledore and asked him to help evaluate a plan involving Voldemort’s Horcruxes.
  • The portraits of former headmasters debated whether Dementors could consume a Horcrux’s soul fragment, while Dumbledore considered the possibility.
  • Dumbledore agreed to help Su Er test the hypothesis, and Su Er identified Ravenclaw’s Diadem in the Room of Requirement as their target.

Ch. 588Won't You Come Out and Meet Me, Riddle?

Su Er led Dumbledore to Ravenclaw's Diadem in the Room of Requirement, where Dumbledore confirmed it was real and uncovered the Dark presence inside it. When Dumbledore called for Riddle to appear, a translucent figure emerged from the diadem.

  • Su Er led Dumbledore through the Room of Requirement, and Dumbledore collected books that had gone missing from the Library.
  • Su Er showed Dumbledore Ravenclaw's Diadem and explained why he had not tried it on or removed it.
  • Dumbledore confirmed the diadem was real and found that the gray substance covering it was connected to Dark Magic.
  • Dumbledore asked Riddle to come out, and the gray substance gathered in the gemstone before projecting a translucent figure.

Ch. 589Let's begin

Su Er and Dumbledore confronted Tom Riddle’s memory beside Ravenclaw’s Diadem, and Riddle challenged Dumbledore before vanishing. Su Er released two badly weakened Dementors from their trunks, and Dumbledore prepared to begin dealing with the Diadem.

  • Riddle greeted Dumbledore and questioned Su Er, then tested Su Er with an invisible force that Dumbledore stopped.
  • Riddle and Dumbledore argued over Riddle’s pursuit of power and his creation of Horcruxes.
  • Riddle vanished, leaving the Diadem glowing with gray light, and Dumbledore told Su Er to begin.
  • Su Er opened the trunks and used a Patronus to drive out two shrunken, fearful Dementors.
  • Dumbledore drew his wand and focused on Ravenclaw’s Diadem as he prepared to begin.

Ch. 590Badgers eat snakes-it's only natural

Su Er ordered two Dementors to suck the soul fragment from the Diadem while Dumbledore held the Elder Wand ready. Riddle unleashed Fiendfyre to threaten Su Er, but Su Er countered it with golden magic that took the shape of a badger and pinned the flame snake.

  • Su Er told the two frightened Dementors to extract the soul fragment from the Diadem in exchange for returning them to Azkaban.
  • The Dementors tried to suck Riddle out through the Diadem, drawing a gray mist from the gemstone as Dumbledore aimed the Elder Wand at it.
  • Riddle cast Fiendfyre and sent a gray flame snake toward Su Er, threatening Dumbledore with his student's life.
  • Su Er cast Finite Incantatem and formed a golden badger that pinned the Fiendfyre snake and bit into it.

Ch. 591Didn't expect that, did you? I'm back!

Su Er and Dumbledore defeated Riddle after he merged with two Dementors and returned in a transformed body. Dumbledore explained that the Patronus Charm remained Riddle’s weakness, then entrusted the Diadem to Su Er until he returned the following week.

  • Su Er countered Riddle’s Fiendfyre while Dumbledore forced the Dementors to consume Riddle’s soul.
  • The two Dementors merged into a transformed being that announced Riddle had returned and claimed to feel unprecedented power.
  • Dumbledore summoned a silver Phoenix Patronus and attacked the transformed Riddle, who vanished in the blast.
  • Dumbledore explained that Riddle’s essence was still negative emotions and that the Patronus Charm remained his bane.
  • Dumbledore praised Su Er, gave him the Diadem to hold, and said he would return for it the following week.

Ch. 592[Sweet moments] Huh? This was way too unmagical!

Su Er and Hermione celebrated recovering Ravenclaw's Diadem, then used Valentine's Day to sneak to the Ravenclaw common room and remove its door so they could take the eagle knocker. The chapter ended with the door tilting loose as Hermione prepared to hold it up with a Floating Charm.

  • Su Er noted that Dumbledore had let him recover Ravenclaw's Diadem intact, and Hermione excitedly examined it in the Room of Requirement.
  • Su Er pretended he needed comfort after his ordeal, and Hermione kissed him.
  • On Valentine's Day, Su Er and Hermione went beneath the Invisibility Cloak to the Ravenclaw common room to take its eagle knocker.
  • Hermione opened the door by answering the knocker's riddle, but their spells could not detach the knocker.
  • Su Er removed a screw from the doorframe and told Hermione to use the Floating Charm as the door began to tilt loose.

Ch. 593The Grey Lady's Sudden Appearance

Hermione and Su Er entered the Ravenclaw Common Room by removing its door and placed Ravenclaw's Diadem in a recess beneath the statue. Helena Ravenclaw appeared, mourned over the Diadem, and agreed to show them how to enter the hidden room in exchange for learning where they found it.

  • Hermione and Su Er removed the Ravenclaw Common Room door and fitted Ravenclaw's Diadem into a recess beneath the statue.
  • Helena Ravenclaw arrived and confronted them about breaking into the common room and taking its door.
  • Hermione explained that they sought the knocker and Diadem to find a room, and Su Er told Helena they had recovered the Diadem with Dumbledore.
  • Helena tried to touch the Diadem, grieved when her hand passed through it, and explained that the hidden room held only books and a view of the stars.
  • Su Er told Helena they had found the Diadem in the Room of Requirement, and Helena thanked him and promised to explain how to enter the room.

Ch. 594An ordinary room

Su Er and Hermione entered a hidden room connected to Rowena Ravenclaw, where they found books and a ceiling that revealed a real starry sky. While they stayed there, the Ravenclaw Common Room’s door was discovered missing, and the chapter ended as a gentle voice spoke to them beneath the stars.

  • Su Er used the Grey Lady’s instructions to open the hidden room and entered with Hermione as the Diadem and knocker disappeared.
  • The Grey Lady explained that the room had been a quiet place where Rowena Ravenclaw read and that its transparent ceiling showed an unobstructed starry sky at night.
  • Hermione and Su Er began reading books annotated by Rowena Ravenclaw while the Grey Lady left to bring them food.
  • Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall found the Ravenclaw Common Room door missing and began investigating.
  • The Grey Lady returned and told Su Er and Hermione to remain in the room until the commotion outside had died down.
  • Su Er and Hermione watched the stars ripple around them, then heard a gentle voice ask whether they found them beautiful.

Ch. 595Riddlers, oh, riddlers

Su Er and Hermione met Rowena Ravenclaw in the Room of Hidden Things, where she put them to sleep and left a Diadem and an eagle-shaped door knocker behind. Su Er woke with unanswered questions about what Helga Hufflepuff had entrusted to him, while Hermione planned to ask Dumbledore what had happened.

  • Su Er recognized the Grey Lady as Rowena Ravenclaw, who assured him that Hermione was safe and covered her with starlight.
  • Rowena Ravenclaw sent a galaxy of light into Su Er's eyes and said she hoped he would not betray Helga's trust; Helena Ravenclaw then reunited with her mother.
  • Su Er woke the next morning beside a Diadem and an eagle-shaped door knocker, while Hermione woke with unusually bright eyes.
  • The Grey Lady told Su Er and Hermione to leave while the other students were at breakfast, and warned Su Er that she would be watching him.
  • Su Er told Hermione that Rowena Ravenclaw had appeared, and Hermione suggested asking Dumbledore what had happened.

Ch. 596Ravenclaw's legacy went to Gryffindor-perfectly reasonable, right?

Hermione discovered that the Grey Lady’s legacy had increased her magic, leaving her unable to control it, while Su Er delivered Ravenclaw’s Diadem to Dumbledore and asked about the gifts left by the former house founders. After Su Er left, Dumbledore and a translucent figure discussed giving him their legacies and using Dumbledore’s staged death to draw Riddle into action.

  • The door knocker returned to Ravenclaw Tower after disappearing for a night, prompting speculation throughout the Castle.
  • Hermione showed Su Er that her magic had become uncontrollable, and he explained that the Grey Lady’s legacy had increased it and advised her to relearn her spells.
  • Su Er gave the Diadem to Dumbledore and asked what the Grey Lady and Lady Hufflepuff had given him, but Dumbledore refused to reveal more than that the gifts would not harm him.
  • After Su Er left, a translucent figure asked whether Dumbledore would give Su Er his share, and Dumbledore confirmed that both former Castle owners had chosen him.
  • Dumbledore said he planned to fake his death so Riddle would begin carrying out his plans, and the translucent figure urged him to prepare someone to 'kill' him.

Ch. 597Recruitment complete

Su Er recruited Hagrid and several magical creatures for a future fight, then secured the Centaurs’ promise to help Hogwarts in exchange for a strange request requiring Dumbledore’s approval. He returned to Hagrid’s hut, wondering what the Centaurs wanted.

  • Gryffindor lost to Hufflepuff by a hundred points after Ron missed saves and Ginny was outmatched by Cedric Diggory.
  • Su Er visited Hagrid, who admitted he had been put on probation and was upset about other matters.
  • Hagrid told Su Er that Aiges, the leader of a herd of One-Horned Rhinoceroses, and Morris the Occamy had agreed to help.
  • Su Er and Hagrid visited the Centaurs in the Forbidden Forest, and the Centaur priestess Lisi promised their help in return for a request needing Dumbledore’s approval.
  • Su Er returned to Hagrid’s hut and considered why the Centaurs had agreed and what their unusual request might be.

Ch. 598To be continued

Su Er discovered that an anonymous Quibbler article about Harry had appeared despite Hermione not going to Hogsmeade, and he suspected Dumbledore was behind it. The article briefly improved Harry’s standing, but Umbridge soon tried to dismiss Trelawney, prompting Dumbledore to intervene; Su Er then sought him out.

  • Su Er returned from Hagrid’s, failed to find Dumbledore, and decided the centaurs’ agreement to support Hogwarts had achieved his goal.
  • Su Er found an Umbridge notice banning The Quibbler and later saw an anonymous article defending Harry in the Gryffindor Common Room.
  • Harry and Hermione celebrated the article, while Su Er suspected Dumbledore had arranged its publication and chose not to interfere.
  • The Weasley brothers enlarged the article and displayed it in the common room, briefly making Harry a Gryffindor hero.
  • Umbridge dismissed Sybill Trelawney, but Dumbledore used an Educational Decree loophole to keep her at Hogwarts.
  • Su Er sought out Dumbledore after learning of the dismissal, and noticed that Firenze had not appeared as expected.

Ch. 599The new Prophecy Class professor

Su Er helped Dumbledore secure centaur support, and Dumbledore arranged for Priestess Lisi to become the new Prophecy Class professor. As April passed peacefully, Su Er looked forward to D.A. training while the O.W.L.s approached and the next full moon neared.

  • Su Er told Dumbledore that Priestess Lisi wanted permanent residence rights in the Forbidden Forest and said the request was reasonable.
  • Dumbledore accepted the proposal and planned to meet Lisi, deciding that a centaur would replace Sybill as Prophecy Class professor before the Ministry could appoint someone.
  • Umbridge brought a badly injured, bandaged wizard as her choice for the teaching post, but Dumbledore installed Lisi instead.
  • Students discussed Lisi's appearance and classes, while Su Er watched her teach and later joined practical combat at D.A. training sessions.
  • As April passed, Hermione grew busy studying for the O.W.L.s, and the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox approached.

Ch. 600Betrayal

The D.A. meeting was exposed, and Su Er helped Hermione avoid capture while letting Pansy take the members’ list as part of Dumbledore’s plan. Hermione later told the gathered students they had been betrayed.

  • Dobby burst into the D.A. meeting to warn everyone that it had been exposed, and Harry led the students out.
  • Su Er hid with Hermione, used a Confundus Charm to make Pansy take the list, and freed the three students left hanging from the ceiling.
  • Su Er and Hermione left in Animagus forms and saw Umbridge dragging Harry toward the Headmaster’s Office.
  • Hermione joined the shaken students in the Gryffindor Common Room and told them Harry had been taken but would probably be all right.
  • Hermione answered the students’ questions by saying that someone had betrayed them.
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