Harry Potter: The Last Exodus

The Shattered Veil

The leaders had just concluded their meeting when a distant rumble echoed through Wizengamot Hall, startling everyone to silence.

"What was that?" Neville asked, eyes wide.

Harry frowned. "It came from below. Let's go see."

The group moved swiftly, Draco and Luna at Harry's side. They followed the tremors to the lower levels of the government building, where they reached a section known as the Hall of Artifacts, a place for items of magical significance. The Veil, a relic from the old world, stood in the center of the hall, usually silent and still.

But now, the Veil was shimmering, a faint silver light pulsing across its surface.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "I thought the Veil was just... well, an artifact. Something that connected us to the magical mysteries of the past."

"Apparently not today," murmured Luna, a hint of wonder in her eyes.

As they stared, the Veil rippled again, and a figure began to emerge, faint at first but growing clearer by the second.

"What on earth..." Harry whispered, heart pounding. His mind was racing—had someone actually crossed over from the other side?

The figure stumbled forward, falling onto the stone floor with a groan. The man was dressed in worn robes, his face half-hidden as he tried to get his bearings. He looked slightly disoriented, as if he'd been somewhere far away for a long time.

The leaders stared in silence, tension thick in the air.

Finally, the man pushed himself up, blinking under the bright lights. He had a familiar build, with long dark hair falling across his face.

But before anyone could react, he looked up, just enough for Harry to catch a glimpse of his face—and then, the chapter ends on a cliffhanger