Harry turned to the bookshelf. He drew a long breath. There was nothing to be afraid of, he had placed filters in the spell to let only the most important detail pass on to his mind. And now that he also had his mind sorted out and his wards placed, it should be okay right.
Harry pointed his wand, Elythral, towards the bookshelf, the air around him shimmered with anticipation. The words "Libri Omnis Imbibere" escaped his lips in a soft whisper.
In response to Harry's incantation, a reddish aura emanated from the tip of his wand, enveloping the entire bookshelf in a gentle embrace. The shelves seemed to pulse with energy, each book glowing with a faint, red light as the spell took hold.
With a mesmerizing display of magic, tendrils of shimmering energy began to extend from the wand tip, weaving their way through the rows of books with precision and grace. These threads of light danced and twirled around each volume, scanning their contents with a meticulous thoroughness that left no page unturned.
As the spell worked its magic, Harry could feel a subtle shift in the air, a tingling sensation that prickled at his skin and sent shivers down his spine. Gradually, the threads of light coalesced into a swirling vortex of energy, gathering the knowledge from each book into a single cohesive stream. The information merged together seamlessly, flowing like a river of light towards Harry's waiting mind.
As the torrent of knowledge washed over him, Harry felt a rush of exhilaration unlike anything he had ever experienced before. He had made a grave error in judgement. The filter he had put in the spell was to keep irrelevant knowledge out and only allow the relevant knowledge. But he had forgotten to put the conditions under which the information should be considered irrelevant. The entire information from all the books in the shelf bombarded Harry's mind. His mind ward was supposed to keep this from happening but as the information is not an intruder but much rather information from books, it went through the wards easily. His entire mind was in chaos and Harry was experiencing an unimaginable pain
As the torrent of knowledge surged into his mind, Harry felt an overwhelming onslaught that threatened to engulf his senses. The sheer volume of information crashed against the barriers of his consciousness like a relentless tidal wave, each piece of knowledge clamoring for attention with an intensity that bordered on madness.
At first, there was a cacophony of voices, a discordant symphony of thoughts and ideas that clashed and collided with a ferocity that defied comprehension. Harry's mind reeled under the onslaught, struggling to make sense of the deluge of information that threatened to drown him in its depths.
But as the torrent continued unabated, the pain intensified with a searing, white-hot intensity that eclipsed all rational thought. It was as if his brain was being torn asunder, each neuron set of fire with a blistering agony that left him gasping for breath. He wanted to call for help, but no words came out of his mouth.
The pain was not just physical; it was an assault on his very soul, a relentless barrage of suffering that gnawed at the edges of his sanity with a voracious hunger. Harry tried to cry out, to scream for help, but his voice was lost amidst the tumult raging within him.
And then finally the pain became too much to bear. Harry's vision swam with darkness, his limbs giving way beneath him as he collapsed to the ground in a heap of shattered consciousness. His mind still under the constant barrage from the knowledge. He lost consciousness, slipping away from the world in front of him.
Hours later, Harry slowly opened his eyes to find himself lying in the hospital wing of Hogwarts. The soft glow of candlelight illuminated the room, casting shadows that danced across the walls in a hypnotic rhythm. He blinked groggily, trying to make sense of his surroundings as memories of the overwhelming pain flooded back to him.
"Ah...if my mum is here she is going to kill me", Harry chuckled.
As he struggled to sit up, he felt a dull ache reverberating through his body, a lingering reminder of the ordeal he had endured. His mind felt heavy and sluggish, as if weighed down by the weight of the knowledge it had absorbed.
A soft voice interrupted his thoughts, and Harry turned to see Madam Pomfrey bustling about nearby, her expression a mix of concern and relief. "Ah, Mr. Potter, you're awake," she said briskly, her tone tinged with a hint of reproach. "You gave us quite a scare, collapsing like that."
Harry winced at the memory, feeling a pang of guilt for causing such worry. "I'm sorry, Madam Pomfrey," he mumbled sheepishly, his voice hoarse from disuse. "I didn't mean to..."
The matron waved away his apology with a dismissive gesture, her focus already shifting to her duties. "No need for apologies now, dear. What's done is done," she replied briskly, her hands moving with practiced efficiency as she checked his vitals. "You're lucky that the elf found you when he did. Another minute and who knows what might have happened."
Well at least Tinsel kept his word, Harry sighed. Harry nodded numbly, still trying to process the events that had led him to this moment. The pain, the chaos, the overwhelming flood of knowledge... it all seemed like a distant nightmare now, a hazy blur of sensation and emotion.
As Madam Pomfrey continued her examination, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at the edges of his consciousness. Despite his best efforts to push aside the memories of his ordeal, they lingered like a shadow, casting a pall over his thoughts. The saying that curiosity killed the cat seemed to be real now.
"How long was I out, Madam Pomfrey?"
"Sixteen hours, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey replied, her tone brisk but tinged with concern. "That reminds me, what exactly were you doing by the lake, Mr. Potter?"
Harry hesitated for a moment, his mind racing to concoct a plausible explanation. He couldn't very well tell her the truth, not when it involved experimenting with powerful magic beyond his understanding.
"I, uh, I was just... practicing some spells by the lake," Harry stammered, his words coming out in a rush. "You know, trying to hone my skills and all that."
Madam Pomfrey raised an eyebrow skeptically, her expression clearly indicating her doubts. "Practicing spells, you say?"
Harry cursed inwardly, realizing his mistake. He hadn't considered the timing of his collapse, or the fact that it would raise suspicions.
"Yeah, well... I lost track of time," Harry replied sheepishly, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I guess I overdid it a bit."
Madam Pomfrey sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. "Well, Mr. Potter, I suggest you be more careful in the future. We can't have you collapsing all over the place, now can we?"
Harry nodded contritely, feeling a pang of guilt for causing such a fuss. "I'll try to be more careful, Madam Pomfrey," he promised earnestly.
"Now you stay here while I inform the headmaster that you are awake", Madam Pomfrey said as she briskly walked towards the door of her office. Harry paled at that. He didn't like the idea of having to explain Dumbledore about everything. And he could push, that man.
As Madam Pomfrey briskly walked towards the door of her office, Harry's heart raced with apprehension. The thought of having to explain himself to Dumbledore filled him with a sense of dread. He knew the headmaster could be relentless in his pursuit of the truth, and Harry wasn't sure he was ready to confront the consequences of his actions.
With a sense of urgency, Harry dived deep into his mind, probing the depths of his consciousness to check on the status of his Occlumency shields. What he found sent a shiver down his spine.
"This is not good. The shields were supposed to be impenetrable...."
Some parts of the shields showed signs of cracking, tiny fissures that threatened to unravel the carefully constructed barriers he had erected to protect his mind. Harry cursed inwardly, realizing that the strain of absorbing so much knowledge had taken its toll on his mental defenses.
Quickly, he set to work repairing the cracks, reinforcing the weakened sections with renewed vigor. With each flick of his mental wand, he wove intricate patterns of energy, strengthening the bonds that held his shields together.
But Harry knew that mere repairs would not be enough to safeguard his mind against the probing eyes of an experienced Legilimens like Dumbledore. He needed something more, something to deter even the most determined intruder. (But he was wrong again. There was no person alive that could have pushed past those shields, even if they were cracked. As Harry is yet to understand the knowledge he had gained in the Room of Requirement library was far greater than he thinks.)
Drawing upon the knowledge he had gained from the books in the Room of Requirement, Harry began to weave a new layer of wards around his mind, layer upon layer of protection designed to repel any unwanted incursion. With each layer he added, he felt a renewed sense of confidence, a determination to fortify his defenses against any and all threats.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of intense concentration, Harry stepped back from his mental fortress, surveying his handiwork with a mixture of pride and relief. His Occlumency shields were stronger than ever, reinforced with layers of wards that would deter even the most skilled Legilimens.
With a sense of satisfaction, Harry settled back into his mental sanctuary, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with the knowledge that his mind was now truly his own. And as he waited for Madam Pomfrey to return, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty that surrounded him.
As Dumbledore and the others entered the room, Harry's heart sank at the sight of them. His mind raced with thoughts of impending doom as he realized the gravity of the situation. Petunia, Sirius...
"Bloody Hell! I am dead", he thought.
Good evening, Harry," Dumbledore greeted him with his usual calm demeanor, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "I hope you're feeling better."
Harry nodded, trying to muster up a semblance of composure despite the turmoil raging within him. "Yes, thank you, Professor," he replied, his voice betraying his nerves.
Harry then mustered up his best cheery voice and turned to Petunia, "Hello mum...why are you here?"
Anger seemed to flare in Petunia's eyes as she glared at Harry, before swiftly moving closer to him and grabbed his ear. " Oh don't you hello mum me young man! Do you know how scared we were? Why did you pull that stunt in the Quidditch match?"
Sirius snickered in the back. He shut up as Petunia both sent a glare at him.
"Ow ow ow...mum you are hurting me..." Harry grimaced as he tried
"Give me a reason not to ground you Harry James Potter", Petunia roared. Harry
As Petunia's hand firmly grasped his ear, Harry winced, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and discomfort. "I'm sorry, Mum, I didn't mean to worry you," he muttered, trying to placate her. Mrs. Weasley, standing nearby, chimed in with a stern tone, "Harry James Potter, you scared us half to death with that reckless stunt! What were you thinking?"
Sirius, however, wore a broad grin, his eyes sparkling with pride. "That was one hell of a move, Harry! You had everyone on the edge of their seats," he exclaimed.
"You shut up Sirius Orion Black! How can you encourage that reckless behaviour?", Petunia shouted at Sirius who looked guilty.
"Petunia, I was just um...."
"You were just what exactly?" she snapped. Sirius looked white, he knew about the Evans sister's rage and didn't really feel courageous enough to face it.
"Umm...as I was saying....Harry I'll see you later", With that Sirius practically ran out of the hospital wing. Dumbledore was looking at this exchange from the corner of the bed, and chuckling to himself. Sirius could face Voldemort himself, but could never face Lily or Petunia when they were angry.
Petunia released her grip on Harry's ears, "And what about this sudden collapse, Harry? What's going on with you?" she demanded, her voice tinged with worry.
Harry told the same story as he had told the matron earlier. Dumbledore could tell that Harry was lying and tried to use Legillimency to discern the truth. He stood quietly as Harry explained to Petunia and attempted to probe Harry's mind with Legilimency. But to his astonishment, he found himself rebuffed, his consciousness thrown back as if repelled by an invisible force. "Curious," he murmured, furrowing his brow in confusion.
Petunia's ears perked up at Dumbledore's murmur, and she turned to him with a questioning look. "What's curious, Professor?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
Dumbledore quickly composed himself, offering a reassuring smile. "Oh, nothing of great concern, Petunia. It's just curious why Harry suddenly collapsed by the lake. We'll need to keep an eye on him to ensure he's in good health," he replied smoothly, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief.
Harry couldn't help but smile inwardly at Dumbledore's adept deflection. It was clear that the Headmaster was covering for him, shielding him from Petunia's rage. And as Dumbledore's gaze briefly met his own, Harry felt a surge of gratitude towards the wise old wizard.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore's attempt to breach Harry's mind with Legilimency had not gone unnoticed. He sent a subtle message to Dumbledore, informing him that Legilimency would not work on him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at his newfound control.
Dumbledore's shock was palpable as their eyes locked, and Harry knew that his message had broken through the Headmaster's own Occlumency defenses. As the tension in the room eased, Petunia's expression softened slightly, her concern for Harry evident in her eyes. "Well, we'll just have to make sure you're taking better care of yourself from now on, Harry," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Thanks mum. I will take care of myself", Harry smiled. Petunia seemed to be much calmer now. As she stood up to leave, Dumbledore turned to her. "Petunia would you mind waiting outside, I would like to ask Harry something." Petunia was confused at this but nodded and went out of the hospital wing.
"Well Harry, I must say that you never cease to amaze me.", Dumbledore turned to him with a smile. "I never took you for such a skilled Occlumen"
Harry smiled, "I just learnt it today sir"
Dumbledore seemed to be confused at Harry statement. "Just today? I am not getting the point here Harry. Would you mind explaining?"
Harry thought about it, should he tell the Headmaster about it? It's not like it's quite a big thing as those were only books. Telling him this will not exactly change anything in the future too. Should he trust the Headmaster? After debating this, Harry came to the conclusion that he should. After all he would require Dumbledore's help in the future, it would be better to keep him on his side, if he wanted to make sure to keep him alive.
With a deep breath, Harry decided to trust Dumbledore with the truth. "Well, sir, it's a long story," he began, "but essentially, I stumbled upon a spell in one of the books that allowed me to absorb knowledge from a book."
Dumbledore listened intently, his expression unreadable. "I see," he said quietly, his eyes searching Harry's face for any signs of deceit. "And how did you manage to repel my attempt at Legilimency?"
Harry took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "There was another book I came across," he began, "one that delved into the intricacies of the mind arts. What surprised me was that this book didn't just contain written information; it also held the experiences of those who had practiced these arts before."
Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he remained silent, allowing Harry to explain.
"As the knowledge and experiences flooded into my mind," Harry continued, "I found myself not only learning about Occlumency and Legilimency but also experiencing firsthand what it's like to defend against mental intrusion. It was as if the authors' memories became my own, guiding me through the process of strengthening my Occlumency shields."
Dumbledore listened intently, his eyes shining with curiosity. "So, the combination of written knowledge and lived experience allowed you to create these powerful shields around your mind?" he mused.
Harry nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. "Yes, sir. It was like having a mentor guiding me every step of the way. And when you tried to use Legilimency on me just now, I instinctively knew how to defend myself, thanks to the insights I gained from the book."
Dumbledore's eyes seemed to twinkle like crazy at this, "That's good Harry. That's good". Dumbledore seemed to be delighted at Harry's mind arts. He was about to leave when he suddenly turned back with a curious look in his eyes, "So why exactly did you collapse Harry? And I think you were not near the lake when this happened?"
Harry sighed, he couldn't keep the entire thing from Dumbledore after all.
"No sir. I had gone to the Room of Requirement to do some reading on magic. The room provided me with a library which encompassed many books on everything. When I saw those many books I suddenly had the wish that there was a spell which could help me read the books faster"
Dumbledore eyes twinkled at this, "There are some spells which allow you to read faster, but since you said that you found a spell that helped transfer the content of the book to your mind, I guess it should be Cognitio Transcribere?"
It was Harry's turn to be shocked now. Dumbledore knew about that spell? He thought only he had known. Dumbledore chuckled, "Yes Harry I know about that spell"
Harry just nodded and continued, "Well after learning Occlumency I thought if I could modify the spell to scan the entire book shelf at once it would be better..."
Dumbledore looked quite concerned but let Harry continue
"I modified the spell into , "Libre Omnis Imbibere" with added filters which could help me get rid of the irrelevant parts in the books. My oversight was that I didn't set the condition in which the spell would consider a part irrelevant so I ended up forcing the knowledge of hundreds of books into my mind at the same time..." Harry sighed. "...and that brought me here"
Dumbledore's expression softened, his eyes filled with understanding. "I see," he said quietly, his tone gentle. "It seems you have learned a valuable lesson, Harry. Knowledge, no matter how powerful, must always be approached with caution and respect."
Harry nodded, a sense of shame washing over him. "Yes, sir. I realize now that I underestimated the dangers involved."
Dumbledore placed a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder, his gaze unwavering and walked out of the room.