"No... please stop talking," Harry said anxiously. "Tell me quickly—what do you mean by the Necromancer?"
He looked at Blake, eyes full of urgency.
Lupin, equally astonished, turned to Blake. Even he hadn't expected this. Blake wasn't one for exaggeration. If he said something, it meant something.
After all, even Dumbledore and the Longbottoms—who had been in St. Mungo's for a decade—were healed by this young man.
"The Necromancer, as the name implies, can interact with the dead," Blake began. "One ability is briefly summoning spirits from the afterlife."
"I know you want to ask where I got this ability... it's hard to explain. Just know that I can summon Harry's parents."
Lupin's voice rose with interest. "You've tested this power?"
"Of course," Blake said, turning to Harry. "My first test subject was your mother."
Harry's jaw dropped. "You... summoned my mother? When?"
"Last year. I'd just awakened the ability, and I needed Professor Snape's help... so I summoned her in front of him."
"You summoned my mother in front of Snape?!" Harry's voice cracked in disbelief. "And you never told me?"
Lupin quickly intervened, placing a calming hand on Harry's shoulder. "Harry, this kind of magic is no small feat. I suspect it comes at a great cost. If Blake didn't tell you, he must have had a reason."
Harry paused, breathing hard. Lupin's words made sense. If it was easy, Blake would've said something sooner. The silence must mean the cost was serious—maybe even dangerous. And if Harry had known, he would've asked him to do it again. Blake, kind as he was, would've agreed... and suffered again.
And as for summoning someone like Snape in Snape's presence—he definitely would've required a steep price.
Blake, meanwhile, scratched his chin guiltily. The "steep price" was... a few raw chickens and candles. But no way was he admitting that now.
"Ahem... yes. The cost is significant," Blake said solemnly.
"What kind of price?" Lupin asked.
"It's better if you don't know," Blake replied with grave seriousness.
[Ding! Two moving emotions detected!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving two golden treasure chests!]
Lupin and Harry were clearly moved. Despite the price, Blake was willing to summon Harry's parents just so Harry could gain better memories—possibly to help master the Patronus Charm. What a selfless act. They were both close to tears.
"Blake, there's no need for this," Lupin said firmly. "I have other ways to help Harry with the Patronus."
Harry nodded. "As much as I want to see my parents... if it costs you, I'd rather not."
Blake flinched inwardly. Should he tell them the real cost? No. Not now.
He cleared his throat and put on a stern face. "No more talk! I've made up my mind. If I have the power to help someone and choose not to, I won't sleep at night."
Harry's eyes widened again.
Blake, really... I'm crying to death here.
[Ding! Two moving emotions detected!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving two golden treasure chests!]
Blake's conscience twitched again. He was technically lying... but it wasn't hurting anyone!
Harry looked devastated. "I shouldn't have asked for your help, Blake. If anything happens to you because of me—"
Blake sighed. "Harry, stop crying. You're making it seem like I'm about to die."
He glanced at Lupin. "Things are different now. What once seemed costly doesn't affect me much anymore."
Lupin nodded. He already suspected as much. He'd noticed Blake's increased appetite the night before and confirmed with Dumbledore that morning—Blake's body had evolved. He could likely withstand the magical backlash of necromancy now. Still, even with his upgraded abilities, Lupin deeply admired Blake's willingness to help.
"I still don't feel good about it," Harry muttered.
"Stop fretting," Blake said. "Instead of worrying, think about what you'll say to your parents."
He drew his wand, releasing a thick gray mist into a corner of the office. It obscured all vision.
No choice—he had to create a dramatic atmosphere. It wouldn't do if they realized the actual "price" was poultry.
"I need a few minutes to prepare," Blake said, stepping into the fog. "[You should prepare mentally too.]"
Harry and Lupin didn't question the mist. They figured it was part of the ritual. Both stood in silence, lost in thought about what they'd say to James and Lily.
Inside the fog, Blake casually opened a dimensional door to the Hogwarts kitchen. He summoned several house-elves by name and, under their respectful gazes, gathered a stack of raw chickens.
In just a few minutes, he returned, set up the summoning circle, and began.
He threw a chicken into the circle.
Last time I summoned Lily, James came too... maybe I should just bring both now and be done for the year.
Decision made, Blake stepped out of the mist, feigning weariness.
"Blake! Are you alright?" Harry asked.
"I'm okay. Just a little tired," Blake said with a weak smile. "But enough about me. Are you ready?"
Harry and Lupin nodded.
Blake turned toward the mist, chanting a long incantation.
Suddenly, a chill blew through the office, making Harry shiver.
Blake's eyes opened. "James Potter. Lily Potter."
A powerful wind swept through the room. Papers scattered. Footsteps echoed from within the fog, soft and distant, as if from a long hallway.
Then—two figures emerged.
A man and a woman.
The man's hair was just as messy as Harry's. The woman had vivid red hair and emerald eyes.
"James! Lily!" Lupin gasped.
The couple looked around in confusion until they spotted Lupin and Harry.
"Remus John!" James grinned and moved to embrace his old friend—only to pass through him.
"Like ghosts, you can't touch the undead," Blake reminded gently.
"Oh… right. I'm dead," James said with a chuckle.
James turned to Harry.
"Harry!" Lily's eyes welled up. Though he was no longer a baby, she knew her son instantly.
"Mom..." Harry's voice broke.
Lily rushed to him, crouching as if to hug him—but her hand passed through his cheek.
"Harry... you're Harry!" James said, finally noticing the boy who looked so much like him.
The scene was too much—Lupin's eyes brimmed with tears.
[Ding! Ecstatic emotion detected!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving a diamond treasure chest!]
[Ding! Emotions of shock, joy, and sentimentality detected!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving a golden treasure chest!]
Blake stood quietly, soaking in the system's rewards. Lupin's chest was a bit off, but Harry's was totally worth the performance.
He tapped his magically expanded pocket. Enough chickens remained to fuel the next summoning if needed.
After a few moments, James stepped forward.
"Thank you, young man, for letting me see Harry all grown up."
"Yes, thank you... Blake, right? I believe we met before, at Severus's place," Lily said warmly.
James raised a brow. He remembered Blake tagging along during the previous summoning. And that slug Snape had been there too... Still, bygones. They were dead. No point holding grudges—especially since he'd heard Snape had reformed.
"You're welcome," Blake replied. "Just doing what I can. Spend time together while you can—I can hold the spell a while longer."
More emotion flooded the room.
Harry and Lupin's inner chests were basically emptied at this point. Blake basked silently in their admiration.
"By the way, Harry," Blake added. "Don't forget why we're doing this. You must master the Patronus Charm."
"Patronus?" James looked puzzled. "You're learning that now, Harry?"
Lily added, "Is that why we were summoned?"
Lupin explained, "Harry encountered Dementors last night and wanted to overcome the fear... seeing you both might help anchor him."
"Dementors?" James frowned. "Aren't those things in Azkaban? Why would Harry—wait. Did he go to Azkaban?"
"No... Sirius Black escaped from prison," Lupin said gravely. "The man who betrayed you."
Blake's eyes sparkled. Ah, the drama begins.
James's expression darkened.
"Wait. Remus John. Sirius... betrayed us? What do you mean?"
Lupin blinked. "Well, Sirius was your Secret Keeper, wasn't he? You were under the Fidelius Charm. Only the Secret Keeper could have leaked your location to Voldemort..."
James cut him off. "That's the thing. Sirius wasn't our Secret Keeper."
"What?" Lupin looked stunned.
"Sirius was too obvious a choice. We switched."
"You what?! Who did you switch to?"
"Peter Pettigrew," James said grimly. "He became our Secret Keeper."
Lupin's face went pale.
"What?!"
=============
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