Compared to other forms of energy, Fel magic inherently symbolizes destruction.
Those who wield it for long periods risk corruption and downfall at any moment. This is why, despite many warlocks bravely stepping forward to defend Azeroth, they still cannot appear openly in public.
Thus, rather than testing human nature, Harry preferred to snuff out this possibility at its root.
It's worth mentioning that when the last demon emerging from the portal was instantly transformed into a teacup and shattered, and the portal was promptly sealed, a charred corpse dropped to the ground where the portal had been.
"Is this… Professor Lockhart?" After closely examining the body, Professor Flitwick exclaimed in shock, "He was here?!"
It was indeed Lockhart. His emaciated frame, little more than skin stretched over bones, was draped in his favorite garish purple robe—the only clue identifying him. His once-prized hair had been burned away, and his skin was covered in vivid green Fel runes from head to toe. Where his eyes should have been, there were only empty sockets, with two flickers of Fel flames burning within.
Lockhart had been utterly drained.
Devoid of consciousness and unable to speak, he was alive—but only just.
"If my judgment is correct, Lockhart was the anchor and sacrifice that allowed these demons to cross into our world," Harry said, standing up after a closer inspection and shaking his head. "Kill him. He's beyond saving… Killing him would be a mercy."
"I never imagined he'd sink to this," Professor McGonagall said, shaking her head sadly—not out of pity for Lockhart, but for the catastrophe that had befallen Hogwarts.
"I thought he was just vain," Professor Flitwick said, glaring at Lockhart's body with disgust. "Because of scum like this—bah! He doesn't deserve to be called a professor! When Miss Granger and the others brought me to the dungeon classroom, this filth was using those children as sacrifices! Disgraceful!"
For someone as mild-mannered as Flitwick to be this enraged, Lockhart had truly outdone himself. Not bothering to say more, Flitwick raised his wand to finish Lockhart off. But before he could act, a flash of green light struck the body.
"Any issues?" Snape asked, raising an eyebrow slightly. "I've wanted to do that for a long time."
The other professors exchanged glances.
"None at all," Harry said. "You merely killed a demon worshipper. Lockhart's soul was already destroyed by Fel magic."
"Professor Potter?" Scrimgeour approached with purposeful strides. "The situation now…"
"What?" Harry asked, puzzled. "The demon commander is dead, and the anchor that allowed them to open a portal to this world has been destroyed. All that's left is to clear out the remaining demons in the castle and purge the Fel corruption."
"No, that's not what I meant," Scrimgeour said, shaking his head. "I mean… please, say something to them, Professor Potter. As a conclusion to this battle… this war."
"Me?" Harry froze for a moment. Turning around, he saw not only Scrimgeour but also the Aurors and Hit Wizards watching him, their eyes gleaming with expectation. Understanding dawned, and he raised his voice. "Everyone! We've won!!!"
"Oh!"
The tension in the air dissolved, and the Aurors erupted into cheers. Some, wearing expressions of relief at surviving the ordeal, even shed tears of joy.
"We defeated legendary demons!!"
"I protected Hogwarts!!"
"Professor Potter! Professor McGonagall! Can we get a Special Award for this? I've wanted one ever since I was stuck polishing trophies as a student!"
The voices mingled in a chaotic but joyful cacophony. In the celebratory atmosphere, no one minded the noise.
"I think every one of you deserves a Merlin Medal," Harry said, glancing at McGonagall. "As for the Special Award…"
"I'd love to say yes," McGonagall replied, "but you've all graduated, my dears. The Special Award is for students." Her words drew groans from the Aurors, but then she broke into a rare smile. "However, as Hogwarts' Deputy Headmistress, when Headmaster Dumbledore returns, I'll propose to him that we create a special award just for you."
"Brilliant!" an Auror shouted. "I love you, Professor McGonagall!!"
Laughter swelled again, and in this festive mood, even McGonagall became more approachable, cracking a rare joke.
But as the laughter continued, some of it gradually turned to sobs.
"…If only Jack were still here. We could've won that trophy together and become Hogwarts legends…"
"Jack…"
One Auror's voice quieted the revelry. For these Aurors, it had been a long time since they'd faced such devastating losses.
Demons, after all, were demons. Though they'd eventually found ways to counter them, dozens of Aurors had still perished. For the wizarding world, with its small population, this was a staggering loss—especially since these were carefully selected, highly trained Aurors and Hit Wizards.
If Hogwarts didn't hold such profound significance to the British wizarding community, the Ministry would never have sent so many to defend it.
Seeing the mood grow somber, Harry raised his wand and conjured a loud, dazzling firework, drawing everyone's attention.
"After that battle, I trust you've gained some understanding of these demons, yes?" Harry asked. "Their reproduction rate, their strength, their magic."
"Demons are like locusts. They rapidly corrupt the world with Fel energy, transforming our home into an environment they thrive in. You saw it on your way here—Fel-tainted waters, air thick with sulfur, and those dense clusters of spider eggs. And we? We're their food."
This wasn't fearmongering. The Aurors, having witnessed the demons' horrors firsthand, shuddered at the thought. Harry continued.
"We could become food, slaves, or—worse—gradually corrupted by Fel energy into new demons. Either way, humanity, whether wizard or Muggle, would cease to exist."
"Thank you," Harry said, performing an ancient bow of respect. "Your bravery stopped the demons' plot. You didn't just protect Hogwarts, this historic school—you safeguarded the entire world!"
"And you, Professor Potter!" someone shouted.
"Yes, and me," Harry said with a grin. "So hold your heads high. For now, we can proudly call ourselves—heroes!!"
As the Aurors' spirits lifted again, Harry turned to Scrimgeour. The stern-faced Director of the Auror Office now wore a faint smile.
"I didn't expect you to ask me to speak," Harry said to Scrimgeour. "Aren't you their leader?"
"I am," Scrimgeour admitted. "But, much as I hate to say it, the turning point of this war wasn't me—it was you. I owe you an apology, Professor Potter, for underestimating you because of your age. I always thought those stories were just Rita Skeeter's nonsense…"
"I understand. Rita was like that before," Harry said with a nod. "But she's been getting better, hasn't she?"
"…True," Scrimgeour said earnestly. "At least now she tells the truth… Thank you for saving my life, Harry. Can I call you that?"
"Of course."
"Good," Scrimgeour said, visibly relieved. "I can't quite express how I feel, Harry, but… that demon's dagger was less than an inch from my throat. I didn't even realize how close I was to death."
"It's not your fault. You're a spellcaster with no experience against rogues," Harry said reassuringly.
"No, it is my fault. I'm the Director of the Auror Office! I should be better than anyone," Scrimgeour said, taking a deep breath before calming himself. "Thank you, Harry, for letting me live to see Alice again—my wife."
"You're welcome," Harry said with a smile. "You're a brave man, Scrimgeour. Keep it that way."
"Of course," Scrimgeour said, nodding. "Call me Rufus."
With no reinforcements, the remaining demons were steadily being cleared from the castle, their bodies piling up in the open space between the castle and the Great Totem—some stacked into a small hill, not counting those burned to ash.
To prevent the land from being tainted, the demon corpses buried by Dotty, Hermione's earth elemental, were unearthed, and the blood-soaked soil was continuously purified.
Harry gave his shaman apprentices an impromptu lesson on water elementals, distributing vials of Water Elemental Binding Potion. Once the apprentices bonded with their water elementals, they immediately learned Healing Waters and Purifying Waters. Whether they sprinkled pre-prepared water with healing and purifying properties or used another method, the goal was clear: purge all Fel corruption from the castle.
To prevent curious or reckless students from hiding dangerous demon artifacts or body parts, those evacuated were still housed in Hogsmeade. The fields near the wizarding village were once again filled with tents, though this time occupied by students. Truth be told, for many students, it felt like a camping trip—aside from the initial panic, they barely grasped the gravity of the situation.
Patrolling professors had repeatedly caught students trying to sneak back to the castle from Hogsmeade. These troublemakers were sent straight to Snape, with McGonagall specifically instructing him to ensure they learned their lesson.
Ron silently mourned for those unfortunate students for three seconds. No one understood better than him the psychological terror Snape could inflict.
Fortunately, the shaman apprentices were on the approved list to enter Hogwarts. They worked alongside Harry to purify every Fel-tainted corner of the castle. As the most experienced, Harry had already cast two Purifying Rains that enveloped nearly the entire Hogwarts grounds.
The demons' corruption within the castle had to be cleansed bit by bit, but the elementals helped by detecting hidden or dead demons in obscure corners or secret passages. Elementals, native to this world, were highly sensitive to Fel energy and tainted objects.
The Daily Prophet had already reported on this invasion from another world, with demons as the enemy. Alongside Harry's leaked intel about the demons, the paper included numerous photos—firsthand shots by Rita Skeeter.
These were truly firsthand, as many captured demons battling stone statues, armors, and elementals within Hogwarts. Thanks to the wizarding world's moving photographs, anyone reading the paper could vividly see what had transpired.
Honestly, Harry had no idea where Rita had hidden to take those shots. In her articles, she lavished praise on Professor Potter's "divine intervention" at critical moments while, unusually, commending the Ministry's Aurors and Hit Wizards.
Several photos of Aurors and Hit Wizards fighting valiantly stirred readers' emotions.
Yet, despite the Ministry's rare positive contribution and the flood of commendatory letters delivered by owls to the Auror Office, Minister Fudge couldn't muster any joy.
As a Minister who had fled during the crisis, Fudge had been thoroughly lambasted by Rita.
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