The Rise of the God-Emperor

CH 56: A Refuge for the Lost

The soft hum of magic filled the Great Hall as breakfast was being served, but the usual bustling energy felt subdued, as if everyone at Hogwarts could sense a change in the air. Word had spread quickly that something was coming—something that went beyond the increasing attacks from the Muggles. There had been whispers among the older students and staff, rumors of entire magical communities fleeing their homelands, seeking safety wherever they could find it.

Harry sat at the head of the Gryffindor table, his thoughts distant as he reviewed the plans for fortifying Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the prison. The barriers, the artifacts, and the fortifications were all part of a larger strategy, but something inside him told him this was only the beginning.

As he turned to discuss plans with Neville and Ginny, Headmistress McGonagall's Patronus—a sleek silver cat—appeared before him, its voice calm but urgent. "Harry, we have visitors at the front gates. You need to come at once."

Harry's heart quickened, and without another word, he stood and motioned for his closest allies to follow him. Luna, Neville, and Ginny rose quickly, sensing the gravity of the situation. They hurried toward the entrance hall, where McGonagall waited, her face lined with tension.

"They've come seeking asylum," McGonagall said quietly as Harry and his group approached. "Magical beings from all over. They say they've been hunted down... captured, killed."

Harry's stomach dropped. He had known the conflict was escalating, but he hadn't anticipated that it would spread beyond wizards and witches. "How many?"

"Dozens," McGonagall replied, her voice grim. "And more are coming."

A Plea for Asylum

Harry and his companions made their way to the front gates of Hogwarts, where a large crowd had gathered. The scene was unlike anything Harry had ever witnessed. Standing outside the protective wards of the castle were members of different magical races, all wearing expressions of desperation and fear.

There were centaurs—tall and proud but weary from travel—mingling with goblins, their sharp eyes filled with uncertainty. House-elves clung to one another, their wide eyes brimming with hope and anxiety. In the distance, Harry could even make out the shimmering forms of veela, their beauty dimmed by the hardship they had endured. There were even giants at the back of the group, towering over the others but hunched with exhaustion. And others like werewolves, vampires,Hags, and other creatures like them.

One of the centaurs, an elder with graying hair and deep, dark eyes, stepped forward, his hooves clacking softly on the cobblestone. He bowed his head low to Harry, his voice deep and resonant as he spoke. "Harry Potter, we come to you not as warriors, but as those who seek refuge. The lands we once called home are no longer safe for us. We have been hunted, captured, killed. We ask for your protection."

Harry stood before them, his heart heavy with the weight of their plea. He looked into the eyes of the centaur, then into the faces of the others who had gathered, each one carrying the burden of loss and fear. It wasn't just wizards under threat anymore—it was the entire magical world.

"You're all welcome here," Harry said, his voice strong but compassionate. "Hogwarts will protect you."

A ripple of relief passed through the crowd, though the tension in the air remained. A goblin, short and stern, stepped forward, his voice sharp but respectful. "Our kin have been taken, Potter. The Muggles have captured us and used our magic against us. We cannot survive alone anymore."

"We'll keep you safe," Harry promised, his eyes steady. "No one here will be harmed."

Hogwarts' Gift

As the words left Harry's mouth, the ground beneath their feet trembled slightly, and a deep, ancient hum filled the air. Everyone—Harry, the magical beings, and his companions—turned their attention toward Hogwarts itself, where the stone walls seemed to shimmer with life. There was a moment of stillness, a quiet pause, as if the castle were thinking, deciding.