Chapter 127: The Secret of the Pages
What Phineas needed to do was input magic to complete the Transfiguration—filling in the unfinished half and finalizing the object's transformation based on the residual magical imprint.
Gathering all the pages, Phineas waved his wand. A surge of magic flowed out from him, consuming nearly all of his magical energy in an instant.
The pages rose from the table, fluttering in the air, combining and reshaping until they formed a spindle-shaped, airtight vessel. A rotating switch was embedded at the top, and a translucent panel at the front revealed the interior.
Once the transformation was complete, Phineas climbed atop the vessel and turned the dial, opening an entrance.
All four of them squeezed inside. It was cramped—clearly built for a single occupant. Two people might manage with effort, but four was a crowd.
Phineas scanned the interior. Ancient runes were etched into the walls—traces of the magical script that had originally formed Gryffindor's notes. Rearranged by the Transfiguration, they now composed a different kind of magical structure.
From a quick glance, Phineas deduced that the enchantment allowed the user's magical input to fuel the vessel's operation.
At the heart of the vessel was a sphere, integrated into the surrounding spellwork. By channeling magic into it, the user could activate the vessel and navigate it.
It was no longer just a container—it was a mode of transport, remarkably resembling a submarine. The enchanted pages that formed its structure were water-resistant by nature, and the transformation had altered the material's properties further.
"Wow!" the three others gasped in unison, staring in awe.
Phineas smiled.
"It seems we now have a way to enter the Black Lake. This must be how Gryffindor intended his treasure to be reached."
"When do we leave?" Fred asked, eyes alight with excitement.
Phineas looked at them calmly.
"There's no need to rush. The treasure isn't going anywhere. But you must understand—whatever Gryffindor left behind, it won't be easy to retrieve. We need to be prepared for anything."
George nodded in agreement. "That makes sense... so when do we leave?"
Phineas rubbed his temples. He had hoped they would grasp the gravity of the situation.
Perhaps they did—but the thrill of adventure clearly outweighed the danger for them.
Still, Phineas planned to explore Gryffindor's treasure soon. If the note was accurate, the treasure and the founder's legacy were in the same location.
Though he hadn't yet unraveled the secrets of Ravenclaw's legacy, the rewards for recovering the Founders' inheritances—and uncovering Hogwarts's hidden truths—were too great to ignore.
"It's Friday night. We have Saturday and Sunday—two full days. That should be enough. And today is only Wednesday, so we still have time to prepare."
Lee Jordan looked uneasy. Although he loved adventure, he understood the risks. Phineas had spoken of preparation, and he'd assumed that meant months, not days.
"Phineas... are you sure we're ready? If there's real danger—"
Phineas smiled reassuringly.
"There's definitely danger. But Gryffindor left a legacy for someone to find—it's unlikely he intended it to be fatal. At least not immediately."
Of course, he didn't believe that for a second. The Black Lake itself was perilous, filled with dangerous creatures. And while the vessel appeared functional, they had no way of knowing how it would hold up in real conditions.
That was why he wasn't planning to test it himself.
He left that task to Puff. House-elves could Apparate at will—even from under water—which made Puff the safest candidate for testing the vessel's limits. If anything went wrong, Puff could escape instantly.
Over the next two days, in addition to Puff's trials, Phineas focused on other preparations—especially ancient magic suitable for underwater use.
He also crafted magical artifacts through alchemy: rings that protected against dark spells, hats that maintained a Bubble-Head Charm, cloaks that granted temporary invisibility, and enchanted boots that functioned as Portkeys.
These were inventions of Nicolas Flamel, passed down in the notes he had given Phineas. With his system bonuses, Phineas succeeded on the first attempt every time. Each item required four points to create.
He made one set for each of them. With those tools, they wouldn't need to fight their way out. They could escape safely, no matter the situation.
Activate a shield, apply the Bubble-Head Charm, don the invisibility cloak, and trigger the Portkey—back to Hogwarts in an instant.
Had he discovered the map and notes alone, Phineas would never have brought others along. It wasn't about hoarding the treasure—he simply wouldn't have risked their lives.
But the discovery had involved George, Fred, and Lee Jordan. If he left them behind, it would seem as though he wanted it all to himself.
So instead, he focused on providing protection. He didn't expect them to reach the treasure—only to survive the journey.
The days flew by. Phineas hardly left the box. Since the start of the term, he had barely attended classes, and now he spent every moment refining spells and preparing artifacts.
By Friday evening, George, Fred, and Lee Jordan arrived at the empty classroom where the box was stored.
They stepped inside, brimming with anticipation.
"Phineas, we're ready—let's go!" Fred grinned.
George and Lee Jordan echoed the sentiment, eyes gleaming with excitement.