The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

73. It's Our Turn Now

The question lingered in the air.

How do we know who is worthy?

Nobody answered immediately. The room had gone unusually quiet.

Even Goose had stopped reading his book.

Kingsley eventually broke the silence. "Firestorm." His deep voice immediately drew everyone's attention. The Minister folded his arms thoughtfully. "It is an exceptionally rare spell."

"How rare?" Hermione asked.

Kingsley looked around the room. Then sighed. "In my entire life, I have only known one wizard capable of casting it correctly and maintaining complete control over the flames."

Several people immediately knew the answer.

Harry certainly did. "Professor Dumbledore."

Kingsley nodded. "Professor Dumbledore."

The room fell silent for a moment. Even years after his death, the mention of Dumbledore seemed to command respect.

Harry looked down at the table. His thoughts drifting elsewhere. "I've seen it."

That immediately caught everyone's attention.

"You have?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded. "Twice."

Several eyebrows rose.

Kingsley looked unsurprised. Harry swallowed. "The second time was when Dumbledore took me to the Crystal Cave."

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Everyone knew what memory he was referring to. The night Dumbledore died. The night everything changed.

Harry stared at the floor. Almost seeing it again. The dark water. The island. The potion. The Inferi. "We were looking for one of Voldemort's Horcruxes."

Several people visibly shuddered.

Harry rarely spoke about that night. "After Dumbledore drank the potion..."

His voice softened. "We were attacked."

"By what?" Tina asked quietly.

Harry laughed once. A humourless sound. "Inferi."

The room went still.

"Oh Harry..." Molly whispered.

Harry shrugged. "It wasn't exactly a fun evening."

Several people looked horrified.

Draco closed his eyes briefly. He remembered Inferi. He remembered hearing about the cave. About the Horcruxes. About everything Harry had endured.

Harry continued. "There were hundreds of them."

Everyone stared.

"Hundreds?"

Harry nodded. "They came out of the water."

Even Newt looked uncomfortable.

"Dumbledore was exhausted." Harry's voice became distant. "He could barely stand."

"But then..."

A small smile appeared.

"He cast Firestorm." The room listened. "It was incredible." Harry shook his head. "I've never seen magic like it."

Flames. Everywhere. Golden. White. Brilliant. Terrifying.

"The fire surrounded us." His eyes drifted toward the window. "It pushed the Inferi back. It burned them. It saved us."