Chapter 209 The Quantity Of Magic
Evan squinted his eyes and looked in amazement at Dumbledore.
On the shore of the dark lake, not very far away, Dumbledore did not turn around. He turned his back on everyone as if what had just happened had nothing to do with him.
Sirius, Harry, and Hermione had their eyes wide open, waiting for his next move.
Everything returned to as it was before, everything became surreal. Evan tried to recall that wonderful feeling and search for traces of magic.
It wasn't as strong as it had just been, but he could still clearly feel the location of the boat.
Even if his eyes couldn't see it, Voldemort's magical traces on the boat remained very clear.
Evan lowered his head and tried to recall that feeling.
Of course, being able to notice the traces left by magic is one thing. Identifying that magic and undoing it is another.
He focused on observing what Dumbledore was doing.
In front of them, keeping his fist closed in the air, Dumbledore raised his wand with the other hand and struck his fist with the tip.
Immediately, a thick greenish-copper chain appeared out of nowhere, extending from the depths of the water to Dumbledore's closed hand.
Dumbledore struck the chain, which began to slide through his fist like a snake, coiling on the ground with a metallic sound that resonated loudly on the rocky walls.
The chain pulled something from the depths of the dark water. Everyone held their breath as the ghostly bow of a small boat broke the surface, shining as green as the chain, and floated, barely causing a ripple, to the spot on the shore where they stood.
"How did you know it was there?" asked Harry in astonishment.
Sirius and Hermione also looked at Dumbledore with curiosity, while Evan tried to recall the intense sensation of magical changes when the chain and the boat appeared.
"Like I just said, magic always leaves traces," said Dumbledore, as the boat gently bumped the shore, "sometimes very distinctive traces. I taught Tom Riddle. I know his style."
"Is... is this boat safe?" Harry didn't understand Dumbledore's words. He scratched his head and continued asking, "It's not going to..."
"Oh yes, I think so. Voldemort needed to create a means to cross the lake without attracting the wrath of those creatures he had placed in it, in case he ever wanted to visit or eliminate his Horcrux."
"So the things in the water won't harm us if we cross in Voldemort's boat, right?"
Looking at Harry's expression, he was obviously worried.
What should they do if the boat reached the middle of the island and suddenly sank?
In fact, not only Harry, but also Sirius, Evan, and Hermione were equally concerned, and a dreadful image arose in their minds: the moment they were out of sight of the shore, hands would emerge from the dark water.
"I think we must resign ourselves to the fact that, at some point, they will realize we're not Lord Voldemort...," Dumbledore said calmly, "We can't escape. Don't forget the purpose of our journey. We will definitely have to face them. This is almost inevitable. So far, however, we have done well. They have allowed us to retrieve the boat; we should be allowed to use it."
"But why did Voldemort allow us to do so?" Harry asked.
"Too proud, he only believes in his own strength, that is another of his weaknesses, Harry," Dumbledore said. "Voldemort would be reasonably sure that only a very powerful wizard could have found the boat. I think he would be prepared to gamble on what, in his view, was the least likely possibility of someone else finding it, knowing he had placed other obstacles ahead that only he could penetrate. If nothing goes wrong, it should be the stone altar and the liquid inside to store the Horcrux. I can't wait to see what's inside."
All gathered around and looked down at the boat. It was truly very small.
"I don't understand, Professor," Hermione said softly, "this boat doesn't seem to have been built for us. Will it hold us all? Five people and Kreacher? Will we be too heavy together?"
Hermione's fears were well-founded. In terms of area, they could barely stand on it. It made perfect sense that the boat could only support one or two people at most.
Upon hearing Hermione, Dumbledore chuckled.
"There is no need to worry," said Dumbledore, "Voldemort wouldn't have considered the weight, but rather the amount of magical power crossing his lake. I believe he might have placed an enchantment on this boat so that only one wizard at a time can sail in it."
"But..."
"We must take the risk." Dumbledore took a step forward, causing the boat to sink further into the water and stop a quarter of the way from the shore.
The boat swayed, and it seemed like it could sink to the bottom of the water at any moment.
Harry and Hermione couldn't help but scream, and Sirius took a step forward and tried to support Dumbledore.
But nothing happened. After the sway, the boat gradually stabilized.
"Very well, I suppose you may board. I think it's unlikely that your powers rival mine," said Dumbledore. "Be careful not to touch the water."
Dumbledore stepped aside, and Sirius boarded.
All hearts rose and looked forward nervously. The boat sank a little deeper, shook slightly, and came to an immediate halt.
This time, the draft depth couldn't be compared to Dumbledore's when he boarded.
If the "heaviness" of the boat wasn't measured by weight but by the amount of magical power, then the contrast between Sirius's magic and Dumbledore's was striking indeed.
To illustrate, it was like the gap between a tank and a water bottle.
Next came Harry and Hermione.
The two cautiously boarded the boat, as what remained above the surface was so narrow that it seemed it could sink at any moment.
But nothing happened. The boat didn't even sway; it continued to float steadily, and the draft hardly changed.
It was unbelievable; Harry and Hermione seemed weightless.
This also meant that, in terms of magical power, the two together weren't even equal to Sirius, let alone comparable to Dumbledore.
If Sirius's magical power was a water bottle, Harry and Hermione's magic was more like a glass.