Although Professor McGonagall was reluctant to speak about Magical Creatures transforming into humans, her attitude alone was already a clue. From that clue, Leonard deduced that in the past, there might have been a Transfiguration incident with extremely severe consequences, or perhaps some other taboo event that could not be mentioned.
Wherever something exists, it leaves traces. No matter how significant the event, ripples of it will always remain in history. This was unavoidable. Even if someone forcibly prevented a segment of history from being recorded, hints could still be found within the causes, developments, and aftermath of other events.
Therefore, what Leonard sought this time wasn't a magical tome, but the thickest and driest volume of Magical History in the entire library.
Leonard retrieved the massive tome—one meter long and eighty centimeters wide—from the bottom shelf at the very back. Without the enhanced strength granted by the Ancient Sprout's secondary reinforcement, he wouldn't have been able to lift it at all. It was clear this book had existed for ages; dust a full inch thick coated it when he first pulled it out.
Blowing the dust from the cover revealed the title beneath.
Chronicles of the Wizarding World, Volume 16.
Publication Year: 1900.
This book had likely sat in the library since its release, more than seventy years ago. After all, very few Hogwarts students were interested in Magical History, and those who were usually had their enthusiasm drained by Professor Cuthbert.
Leonard carried the tome to a quiet corner and began flipping through its pages. A chronicle arranged events strictly in chronological order, making it easier for readers to follow developments. This was precisely what Leonard needed. If it had been written in biographical format, national format, or as an epic narrative, he wouldn't have been able to make sense of it.
To uncover an event hidden within history, a chronological structure was far more accessible. And since it was published in 1900, it wouldn't be written in nearly indecipherable Old English, making Leonard genuinely willing to read on.
The chronicle did not begin with the origins of wizards—indeed, wizards themselves still didn't understand their origins. Instead, it started in the mythical age of 3000 BC.
Wizards of that era were highly revered, even worshipped as gods. And in truth, these "gods" were extremely powerful, capable of unleashing destructive force with the slightest motion. After leaving behind countless legends and miracles, they vanished abruptly, and world history transitioned into a new era—one dominated by Muggles.
Although the book didn't detail the specific abilities of those ancient wizards, Leonard had his own theories. This era likely referred to the age of ancient magic. As a practitioner of ancient magic, Leonard deeply felt its immense power. Compared to the mysterious, intricate nature of modern magic, ancient magic carried a divine majesty.
Later wizards were still strong, yet their magical systems changed dramatically—from awe-inspiring divine magic to twisted arts that manipulated minds, tormented spirits, and manifested in bizarre forms. Thus wizards shifted from being "gods" to "devils."
Ancient magic wasn't merely the precursor to modern magic. Between them lay an unnamed magical era drenched in blood and evil—more powerful and malevolent than even later dark magic. Leonard found "the Age of Bloody Magic" an appropriate term. Unlike dark magic, which pursued forces opposed to normal magic, bloody magic was fundamentally tied to bloodshed and death.
Wizards in that era conquered numerous magical races, including those that would later become house-elves, goblins, and other powerful beings.
In 382 BC, the ancestors of the Ollivander family created wands, accelerating the modernization of magic and replacing blood-soaked magic with more structured practices. Yet this did not stop some wizards from delving deeper into bloodshed.
As certain wizards acted without restraint, tensions between wizards and Muggles intensified. Some magically gifted individuals, consumed by hatred, refused to become wizards. Instead, they embraced the Obscurus, becoming Obscurials who turned that uncontrollable force against wizards.
These individuals were later known as Demon Hunters.
Their existence accelerated magical modernization. Many evil and bloody magical texts were lost in the chaos of Obscurial rampages. Later wizards could only continue developing modern magic, naturally eliminating bloody magic from the world. Yet hatred persisted.
Centuries later, the Ecclesiastical Court emerged. Over time, its influence spread across nations, sparking widespread anti-wizard movements in Europe—the Witch Hunts. These amateurish hunts lacked Obscurial involvement and were led entirely by Muggles. They accomplished nothing aside from harming a few wizarding families whose members had never formally studied magic.
Even so, wizarding heritage suffered. Around 990 AD, Hogwarts was founded, shifting the wizarding education system from family-based learning to a collegiate model—saving many Muggle-born wizards.
A long era of peace followed. Wizards gradually distanced themselves from Muggles, allowing magic to fade into mythology among non-magical people.
Then came the Goblin Rebellion.
Leonard focused heavily on this section. After noticing clues that might relate to ancient magic, his curiosity about goblins increased. Unlike house-elves, who were forcibly tamed into complete servitude, goblins preserved their own civilization through their mastery of forging and goldsmithing.
But this independence also bred instability. Wizard conquest and contempt continually fueled goblin resentment. Goblins could not wield wands and, aside from Gringotts, lacked respectable employment opportunities.
Discrimination was common. Even though goblins were weak compared to wizards, and modern magic lacked the sheer brutality of ancient bloody magic, its precision allowed wizards to maintain dominance—though not absolutely.
In the nineteenth century, around 1890, a goblin rebellion erupted suddenly and vanished just as quickly.
It was led by a goblin named Ranrok, a powerful figure who mastered goblin magic, modern magic, and even the bloody magic of the dark era. In pursuit of greater power, he allied with Victor Rookwood, the dark wizard leader at the time. Together, they developed a force nearly capable of overthrowing wizarding rule.
But just before their success, they were stopped by a fifth-year Hogwarts student.
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on P@treon.
[Upto 50 chapters ahead for now]
[email protected]/BlurryDream