Evan observed the tranquil exchange between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, marveling at the latter's remarkable emotional detachment. Her serene demeanor, devoid of sentiment, struck him as both unsettling and awe-inspiring. Ravenclaw's apparent lack of emotion allowed her to maintain unwavering rationality, making her decisions based on pure logic.
Despite her incredible intelligence and vast magical knowledge, Evan couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness emanating from Ravenclaw's detachment. It was as if she had transcended the realm of human emotion and become a detached, unfeeling deity.
The "favor of War Goddess Morrigan" notion appeared more like a curse than a blessing. A person without emotions, devoid of sentiments, was, in essence, no different from a machine. Even if Ravenclaw were the most intelligent wizard in the world, her lack of emotions made her less human.
Gryffindor, on the other hand, displayed genuine sadness in response to Ravenclaw's words. He was deeply affected by her revelation, and his tears reflected the pain he felt. Gryffindor's emotions were raw and real, contrasting starkly with Ravenclaw's detached demeanor.
"You're an excellent wizard," Gryffindor said sincerely. "You don't need to change anything. I like you just as you are."
Ravenclaw gazed at Gryffindor with her unchanging, serene expression. "Godric, you don't understand the pain that comes with this power. I appreciate your sentiment, but you can't judge me based on your emotions and reactions."
As the conversation continued, Evan noticed Gryffindor's eyes were filled with tears. He couldn't fathom the depth of emotion that Gryffindor was experiencing.
Ravenclaw's demeanor remained unchanged, and Evan couldn't help but wonder if, even in the face of Gryffindor's suicide, she would remain emotionless, unphased, and unruffled. She had become a detached, emotionless deity, always maintaining unwavering rationality and logic.
The "favor of War Goddess Morrigan" concept appeared more like a curse than a blessing. A person devoid of emotions was akin to a machine, and it wasn't easy to relate to or empathize with such an individual.
Gryffindor's heartfelt response to Ravenclaw's revelation was a stark reminder of the profound impact of emotions on human interactions. It was a reminder of the beauty and complexity of human emotions, even in the face of unimaginable power.
As the scene unfolded, Evan observed Ravenclaw's transformation into an Animagus form—a raven. Her eyes remained blue, devoid of the strange red hue that had characterized her during their encounter with the Inferi. The royal crown she wore as a human was also reduced in size, becoming a subtle mark.
With a peck on Gryffindor's head, Ravenclaw, in raven form, took flight and left the ship. Evan's body felt weightless the next moment as he was lifted into the air. He was connected to Ravenclaw, soaring through the sky while attached to her.
This unique experience allowed Evan to witness the world from a bird's-eye view as they soared through the sky. Standing near the precipitous black reef, the massive Siren statue drew closer. The turbulent sea whipped against the reef's base, concealing numerous underwater caves.
These caves were the lairs of the Sirens, and Evan watched as they greedily eyed the distant sailing ship, their enchanting songs luring the crew closer. Sirens hoped for new victims to approach, sailors and travelers who could fall prey to their charms.
Ravenclaw paid no attention to the Sirens below. Her raven form carried Evan closer to their destination. As they approached, Evan noticed a massive vortex forming in the sea below.
The vortex was colossal, with a diameter stretching several thousand feet, and it seemed to reach into another world. The seawater was drawn into its depths, yet the vortex appeared insatiable. In the center of the vortex, a garnet-like substance emitted a powerful magical aura, resembling a volcano on the verge of eruption.
Evan couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding as he watched the vortex's terrifying power. He half-expected a monstrous creature to emerge from its depths, akin to the nightmarish gods he had seen in his visions. The immense whirlpool was like a gateway to another realm.
However, nothing emerged from the vortex. After several minutes of intense activity, the vortex's rotation slowed, and its diameter shrunk. Evan sighed with relief, believing that the vortex would soon dissipate.
This ancient artifact was a testament to the power of the wizards who had created it. Even in its diminished state, it was beyond anything Evan had encountered in the modern magical world.
As the vortex continued to shrink, Evan wondered about Ravenclaw's intentions. Given the awe-inspiring nature of the vortex, he expected her to reconsider and withdraw. After all, an emotionless individual like Ravenclaw should prioritize logic and self-preservation over any potential discovery.
However, to Evan's surprise, Ravenclaw's raven form suddenly sprang into action. A pale blue magical barrier surrounded her, and she darted incredibly fast to the center of the vortex. Evan had little time to react as they descended further into the depths of the vortex.
Intrigued and filled with trepidation, Evan clung to Ravenclaw, who appeared resolute in her determination to explore the heart of the vortex.
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Evan, overcome with a sense of urgency and curiosity, had inadvertently shouted out when Ravenclaw approached the vortex. His instincts were to protect her, even though he knew this was merely a memory. However, he had no power in this ethereal world to prevent her from entering the terrifying whirlpool. He and Gryffindor were swept up and drawn into the vortex, following Ravenclaw into a world of unknown peril.
The space around them trembled violently as they entered the vortex. Sea waters churned and crashed against them, and the central core of the vortex glowed brighter with each passing moment. The powerful magic of the ancient artifact combined with the raging sea threatening to tear them apart. Only Ravenclaw's protective magical barrier kept them intact.
As they ventured deeper into the vortex, Evan observed an orange brilliance in the distance, realizing it was Godric Gryffindor. Gryffindor had followed Ravenclaw, determined to protect her, even though he knew the dangers ahead.
Evan knew from his research that Charybdis Whirlpool held ancient magical remnants. Anyone who had ventured into it for thousands of years had never returned. But Gryffindor's courage and loyalty were unwavering, much like the modern-day Hogwarts students sorted into his house.
In the darkness, the blue and orange magical barriers emitted faint light akin to stars in the night sky, mutually reinforcing each other's brilliance. Ravenclaw transformed back to her human form, her serene expression unchanged. She seemed to have expected Gryffindor's arrival or, perhaps, had not anticipated it due to her emotional detachment.
Gryffindor approached Ravenclaw, and they shared a touching moment, holding each other tightly. Evan watched as Ravenclaw smiled genuinely for the first time, a smile that seemed to come from her heart. Her fine features and radiant smile were stunning. Still, it was a different kind of beauty, captivating and unapproachable.
At that moment, it felt as if Ravenclaw had briefly experienced a sense of sentiment, as Gryffindor's emotions had touched her. Their minds and hearts had connected, even if only for a moment, amid the powerful vortex.
As they descended further into the depths of the vortex, Evan's view of a massive outline in the abyss was interrupted. He strained to see what lay ahead, but the scene shifted abruptly before he could make out any details.
Suddenly, Evan was back in the circular room with the Merpeople statue, surrounded by silence. The world he had just witnessed, a memory of Ravenclaw's past, felt distant and dreamlike. He had gained profound insight into the secrets of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Still, one question consumed him: What was the massive outline he had glimpsed before the memory ended?
Breathing heavily, Evan realized he couldn't continue further into the memory. His encounter with Ravenclaw and Gryffindor's past had left him shocked and bewildered. Millennia had passed since the events he had witnessed, and he felt disconnected from reality.
Though he had learned much from the memory, his thoughts were consumed by that mysterious outline he had glimpsed. What was it? What secrets did it hold? Evan couldn't help but feel compelled to find out.
Turning his attention back to the Ravenclaw statue, Evan saw the raven gazing at him intently with its two ruby eyes.
"Visitor, you have witnessed Ms. Ravenclaw's past memories," the raven's voice was eerie and cold. "Follow in her footsteps, pass her tests, and you will be rewarded."
"What do you mean?" Evan inquired, unable to hide his curiosity. "Don't you want me to enter that great whirlpool?"
The idea of entering the vortex seemed suicidal to Evan. He was not Ravenclaw or Gryffindor; he lacked their formidable magical abilities. The whirlpool posed too great a danger, and Evan couldn't imagine a safe passage through it.
"Follow in Ms. Ravenclaw's footsteps, pass her tests, and you shall be rewarded," the raven repeated without directly addressing Evan's question. "This royal crown shall guide you. May the light of wisdom be with you."
With those cryptic words, the raven flew onto the royal crown held in Evan's hand. Its ruby eyes emitted a bright light, and a flame engulfed the raven and the crown. As the flames dissipated, the royal crown had transformed. The center of the crown now featured a raven with outstretched wings.
Evan understood that this was the final step in Ravenclaw's test to obtain her secret treasure key. He had to follow her path, overcome her challenges, and repair the damaged royal crown. It seemed he would need to travel to Sicily, and the whirlpool was an unavoidable part of this journey.
Evan sighed, recognizing that he had no choice but to proceed. He would have to follow the path set before him to obtain Ravenclaw's secret treasure key and fulfill the mission Dumbledore had entrusted him with.
With the royal crown in his possession, Evan left the circular room, intending to seek Dumbledore's guidance and begin his journey to Sicily.