[Link to Harry Potter World Shuttle Channel] [Linking...]
[Link failed] [Reason for failure: World shielding strengthened, defense mechanism activated, world has shifted from original coordinates...]
[Initiating new search...] [Searching...] [Expanding search parameters, increasing energy investment, deploying origin power...]
[Searching...] [Search continuing...] [...]
In the ethereal void between dimensions, Lockhart waited silently, his enchanted suitcase clutched in his hand. Though system notifications continued to appear, he had anticipated some complications during this final interdimensional transit.
He hadn't, however, expected difficulties of this magnitude.
In the past, traveling between worlds had been nearly instantaneous—a transition completed in the blink of an eye. But now...
Lockhart cautiously extended a tendril of mental energy, lightly probing the chaotic, twisted energies and information streams that surrounded him in the void.
This must be the space between worlds. And it was... dangerous.
Ultimately, "dangerous" was the only appropriate label Lockhart could assign to this place. Even with the system's protection, he hesitated to extend his consciousness further.
The tiny fragment of awareness he'd already projected was almost instantly obliterated. What little he managed to sense revealed boundless, chaotic, disordered, and violently twisted energy fluctuations.
A profound sense of dread washed over him. Perhaps only beings of divine stature could hope to survive in such an environment.
With these sobering thoughts, Lockhart resigned himself to patient waiting. His only option now was to await the system's precise results. At worst, he would simply return to the Marvel universe empty-handed.
He had prepared himself for this disappointing outcome.
Time seemed meaningless in this place. The system interface continued displaying its blue search progress indicator for what felt like an eternity.
Suddenly...
"Host, I'm not sure whether to tell you you're fortunate or unfortunate," the system's voice, silent for so long, finally announced. "There's good news, and there's rather problematic news. Which would you prefer to hear first?"
Lockhart gently pinched the handle of his suitcase, unconsciously running his tongue across his lips.
"Let's establish one thing first," he said softly.
"Congratulations, host! The Harry Potter world is undergoing a state of advancement!"
Harry Potter World, 2033New York, United States
Honk! Honk! Honk!
A large vehicle hovered high above the city skyline, its horn blaring impatiently. The scene resembled a driver waiting at a traffic light—which, in fact, was precisely the situation.
Floating traffic signals in mid-air indicated that even in the sky, the fundamental rules of traffic control remained in effect.
Buzz!
Soon the red light transitioned to green. As if coordinated by a single consciousness, all the aerial vehicles surged forward together.
Each car moved with remarkable precision, turning and navigating around others with barely any change in velocity. The drivers demonstrated skills that could only come from years of experience.
No—to call them "experienced drivers" would be a significant understatement. These operators possessed what amounted to trillions of miles of driving experience.
In 2033, the concept of manually driving one's vehicle had become almost laughably archaic. Why would anyone drive themselves when artificial intelligence could handle the task with perfect efficiency? Self-driving had become so standard that manual operation seemed ungrateful to the technology available.
On the aerial track above Queens, a yellow vehicle gradually descended to ground level and proceeded forward at a measured pace. It soon came to a stop before a roadside house.
A red-haired woman exited the vehicle and walked directly toward the entrance without glancing back. As she approached, the car began automatically parking itself while the house door slid open.
The woman entered without hesitation.
Slam!
The door shut forcefully behind her, though the sound didn't startle her in the slightest. Instead, she calmly settled onto a sofa.
Sigh... sigh...
The red-haired woman took several deep breaths, her body language suggesting a transition from tension to partial relaxation.
"Professor Maura, what developments have you observed outside?"
Suddenly, a figure materialized beside the sofa, the voice cold and precise.
The woman—Maura—quickly rose to her feet, her tone grave as she responded: "Principal Carter, the dictator's search efforts have intensified beyond precedent. In major cities like New York and Washington, magical apprentices experiencing power manifestations are being collected almost immediately."
Professor Mora's voice carried both affection and desperation. Their situation had already deteriorated significantly—hiding from surveillance daily, resources dwindling to critical levels. These hardships had become their norm.
But now, with recruitment of even a single new student becoming impossible, they faced a dire shortage of fresh talent. Like wounded prey, they were being systematically bled to extinction.
"The methods have become more severe?" Principal Carter inquired thoughtfully. She appeared unmoved by Maura's emotional state, maintaining her composure.
Not long ago, she had sensed pulsations from the Dream Origin. Combined with the current search patterns...
"Yes!" Professor Mora seemed to suppress her inner despair as she nodded emphatically.
"I understand," Peggy Carter said softly. "Maura, return to the Dream World first. I fear this location won't remain secure much longer."
"After all..." she left the thought unfinished.
The precision of technology combined with the mystery of magic creates a formidable force.
With a gentle wave of her hand, Carter summoned a kaleidoscope of colorful lights, and both figures vanished instantly.
The house returned to darkness and silence.
This stillness persisted for an indeterminate period until suddenly—
CRASH!
A thunderous sound erupted as the house's door shattered. Several robotic figures leaped through the opening and stormed into the residence.
Their metallic arms, hands, and torsos bristled with various weapons, ammunition, and tactical equipment. Their steel heads rotated rapidly, red optical sensors flickering as they conducted comprehensive scans.
After a brief analysis, a mechanical voice reported:
"Alert: Lost traces of the Blasphemer."
"No life signatures detected."
"No spatial fluctuations present." "Minor energy fluctuations detected." "Energy signature analysis in progress..." "Composition: 97% Blasphemy power, 2% Shadow essence, 0.5%..." "Deductive calculations indicate target has likely returned to the Blasphemy stronghold—Kamar-Taj!"
Once the information transmission completed, the robots methodically withdrew from the premises, leaving only devastation in their wake.
Dream World, Kamar-Taj
Across a verdant plain stood ancient castles and towers, their majestic silhouettes dominating the landscape. The uppermost level of the central castle housed the office of Kamar-Taj's Principal.
Peggy Carter sat alone at her desk, brow furrowed in apparent internal conflict. She seemed to be weighing a critical decision, one with far-reaching consequences.
For decades, she had shouldered responsibility for tens of thousands throughout the school. Her choices directly impacted everyone's fate.
Relocating from London to New York had proven correct. But now, a greater question loomed: should they return to London—Voldemort's very stronghold—from their refuge in New York?