Harry froze as the eerie voice echoed behind him, every nerve in his body tingling with fear. Slowly, he turned around, his breath caught in his throat, and his eyes widened when he saw a white, transparent figure gliding through the wall. It wasn't just any man; it was small, with pointy ears, large round eyes, long, straggly hair, and dressed in what appeared to be old, tattered servant clothes.
The creature floated before him, looking just as surprised as Harry felt.
"Wow! You are real,"
the creature exclaimed, its voice filled with excitement.
"I thought I was seeing things! I is very much excited that someone else came to this castle. After so long! Master would have been pleased if he was alive."
Harry stood there, stunned, his mind racing to make sense of what he was seeing. He had read about ghosts in stories, but he never thought he would actually see one. The creature didn't look menacing, but Harry was still wary.
"Who...who are you?"
Harry finally managed to ask, his voice trembling.
"And...and what are you?"
The creature gave a little bow, its spectral form shimmering.
"I is Reeny, house-elf of this castle. I is really a house-elf."
"A house-elf?"
Harry repeated, confused. The term was completely foreign to him.
"What's a house-elf?"
Reeny's large eyes blinked at him as if surprised that Harry didn't know.
"House-elf is I. We helps wizards with their houses, mansions, and castles. In exchange, we gets magic. We serve our masters and keeps everything tidy."
Harry tried to wrap his head around this information. It sounded like something straight out of a fairy tale, but then again, so did the idea of a gliding through walls. Speaking of which...
"But how did you glide through the wall?"
Harry asked, still bewildered by what he had just witnessed.
"Because I is a ghost, young master. Ghosts can do that,"
Reeny replied matter-of-factly.
"A ghost?"
Harry's voice pitched higher as the realization hit him. He was speaking to a real, live—or rather, undead—ghost! Panic started to bubble up inside him.
Reeny seemed to sense Harry's rising fear and quickly floated closer, waving his hands in what was meant to be a reassuring gesture.
"Don't worry, I is not going to hurt you, young master. I needs your help."
"Help?"
Harry echoed, his panic giving way to confusion.
"Help you with what?"
Reeny's expression grew a bit sadder as he glanced around at the decaying grandeur of the castle.
"Help me clean this place, of course. Oh, my old master, he would have been so devastated at the condition of this castle now."
Harry looked around as well. The castle was indeed in a state of disrepair, with cobwebs, dust, and decay everywhere. Despite his fear, he felt a twinge of pity for the little ghost, who seemed so eager and yet so forlorn.
"Why would I help you?"
Harry asked cautiously, though he was already starting to feel like he might.
"Because, young master, this castle now belongs to you,"
Reeny declared, his ghostly form straightening with a kind of pride.
"You is the new master, and you must take care of it."
Harry blinked, stunned by the revelation.
"Belongs to me? But how...?"
Reeny's eyes sparkled with a kind of mystical knowledge.
"I cannot explain everything, but the castle chose you. It is now your responsibility, and I will help you care for it. But first, we must clean and restore it to its former glory."
Harry was at a loss for words. He had come here out of curiosity, never expecting to find a ghostly house-elf or to be told that this ancient, magical castle was now his. He wasn't sure what to believe or what to do, but one thing was certain: his life had just become a lot more complicated—and a lot more magical.
The grand hall of Castle was vast and imposing, its stone walls echoing with a silence that had lasted for centuries. The ceiling soared high above, lost in shadows, supported by massive pillars carved with intricate runes. These runes, Harry realized, were not merely decorative; they pulsed faintly with an ancient magic, a reminder of the castle's long and storied past.
As Harry walked slowly across the flagstone floor, his footsteps barely making a sound, he felt a strange sense of connection to this place. The castle was old—older than anything he had ever seen—and it carried with it the weight of generations of powerful wizards. Yet, despite its age, it was as if the castle had been waiting for him, silently watching, biding its time.
Reeny, the ghostly house-elf, floated beside him, her translucent form shimmering in the dim light. The small, white figure watched Harry with large, round eyes, her expression a mixture of anticipation and fondness. Although Harry had known Reeny for only a short while, he felt at ease in her presence. The castle, with its many mysteries, was slowly revealing itself to him, and Reeny had become his guide in this ancient, forgotten world.
"Reeny,"
Harry said, breaking the silence,
"what's the name of this castle?"
Reeny's expression brightened, as if she had been waiting for him to ask.
"This is being Runestone Castle, young master,"
she said, her voice soft yet filled with pride.
"It is standing here for many, many centuries, yes it is. Long before even the oldest of wizarding families could be remembering. The name, it comes from the old runes that is carved into the castle's stones. Powerful magic, those runes still is holding."
Harry repeated the name softly, "Runestone Castle." The words seemed to echo through the hall, and for a moment, Harry thought he felt the castle respond, as if acknowledging its name after so many years of silence.
"It's incredible,"
he murmured, more to himself than to Reeny.
"What kind of people lived here?"
Reeny's eyes gleamed with pride as she began to recount the story.
"The Goslings, young master. They is being a noble and powerful wizarding family, yes, they is. They is known for their kindness and strength, they is. The first Goslings, they is building this castle many, many years ago, using the oldest of magics. They is carving protective runes into the stones, and those runes is still holding the castle together, even after all this time."
Harry looked around, trying to imagine the lives of the people who had once walked these halls. The castle was filled with a quiet majesty, its walls adorned with faded tapestries and portraits of long-dead wizards and witches. The air was thick with the scent of old wood, stone, and a faint trace of something else—something magical, like the lingering essence of powerful spells cast long ago.
"What happened to the family?"
Harry asked, his curiosity growing with each passing moment.
Reeny's expression grew somber.
"The last of the Goslings was Master Eldritch, young master. He is being a great and powerful wizard, he is. A kind master, he is beloved by all who is knowing him. But in the end, his kindness and bravery, it is leading him to face a terrible dark wizard, Axel Armadil. Master Eldritch and his allies, they is fighting bravely, and they is defeating Armadil, but it is costing them dearly, it is. Master Eldritch, he is not coming back from that battle, and without him, the castle, it is being abandoned."
Harry felt a pang of sadness at the thought of this powerful wizard who had given his life to protect the magical world. He looked around at the ancient walls, feeling the weight of history pressing down on him.
"And now... the castle belongs to me."
"Yes, young master,"
Reeny replied, her tone both proud and reverent.
"The wards, they is recognizing your magic when you is arriving, and the castle, it is choosing you as its new master, it is. You is now the rightful heir to Runestone Castle, yes, you is."
Harry's gaze wandered across the hall, taking in the details he had missed before. The walls were lined with niches, each holding a statue of a past Gosling family member. One statue, in particular, caught his eye—a tall, regal figure with a stern expression and a wand held aloft. The name engraved on the base read Eldritch Gosling.
Reeny noticed Harry's interest and floated closer to the statue.
"That is being Master Eldritch, young master,"
she said softly.
"He is being the last of the Goslings, and the bravest of them all, he is. This statue, it is being placed here after he is going to battle, a tribute to his courage and sacrifice."
Harry stared at the statue, trying to imagine what kind of man Eldritch Gosling must have been. The stone figure radiated a quiet strength, a sense of determination that seemed to transcend the centuries.
"He must have been an incredible wizard,"
Harry said, almost to himself.
"He is, young master,"
Reeny agreed.
"He is kind to everyone, even to those who is not deserving it, he is. And he is powerful—one of the most powerful wizards of his time, he is. But he is never letting his power make him cruel, no he is not. He is always using his magic to help others, he is."
As Harry continued to explore the hall, his eyes were drawn to a large, faded painting hanging on one of the walls. The colors had long since dulled, but the image was still clear—a scene of a grand feast in what appeared to be this very hall, with figures in elaborate robes seated at a long table. The painting seemed almost alive, as if the figures were just waiting to spring into motion.
"That painting,"
Reeny said, noticing Harry's interest,
"it is being done by Master Eldritch's aunt, Lady Evelina, it is. She is a talented witch and an artist, she is. This is one of her last works before she is passing away, it is. The paint, it may be fading, but the magic she is putting into it, it is still being there, it is."
Harry stepped closer to the painting, examining the details. The figures at the table were all members of the Gosling family, their faces filled with laughter and joy. It was a scene of happiness, of a time long past when the castle was filled with life.
"It's beautiful,"
Harry said softly.
"Even now, after all this time, you can still feel the warmth in this room."
Reeny nodded.
"Lady Evelina, she is known for capturing the essence of a moment in her paintings, she is. This hall, it is being the heart of the castle, where the family is gathering for meals, celebrations, and important discussions, it is. It is being a place of light and warmth, a place where the Goslings is sharing their lives with each other."
As they moved through the hall, Reeny led Harry to a large, ornate door at the far end. The wood was dark and polished, with more runes carved into the surface.
"This door, it is leading to the library, young master,"
Reeny explained.
"It is being one of the most important rooms in the castle, it is. Master Eldritch, he is spending much of his time here, studying ancient texts and researching powerful spells, he is."
Harry's heart quickened with excitement as Reeny pushed the door open. The library was enormous, its walls lined with towering bookshelves filled with dusty tomes and scrolls. A massive fireplace dominated one wall, and in front of it stood a large, intricately carved desk, piled high with papers and books.
Harry walked slowly into the room, his eyes wide with wonder. The scent of old parchment and leather filled the air, mixed with the faint smell of burning wood from the fireplace.
"This is amazing,"
he whispered, running his fingers along the spines of the books.
"There must be centuries of knowledge here."
Reeny nodded.
"Yes, young master. The Goslings, they is scholars as well as wizards, they is. They is collecting books from all over the world, on every subject imaginable, they is. Some of the texts in this library, they is being unique, the only copies in existence, they is."
Harry's eyes fell on a particularly large and ancient-looking book lying open on the desk. The pages were covered in dense, spidery script, and the margins were filled with notes and diagrams in a different hand.
"What's this?"
Harry asked, pointing to the book.
"That is being Master Eldritch's journal, young master," Reeny replied.
"He is keeping detailed records of his studies and experiments, he is. This journal, it is containing some of his most important work, it is. Including his research into the runes that is protecting this castle, it is."
Harry leaned closer, studying the pages. The writing was complex and difficult to read, but he could sense the power in the words, the magic that had been woven into the text. "This must be incredibly valuable," he said, his voice filled with awe.
"It is, young master,"
Reeny said.
"But it is also being dangerous, it is. Some of the spells and rituals in that journal, they is being very powerful, and not for the faint of heart, they is. Master Eldritch, he is always warning that magic, it is a tool, but it is also being a responsibility, yes it is."
Harry nodded, understanding the gravity of what Reeny was saying. He carefully closed the journal, feeling a deep respect for the knowledge it contained and for the wizard who had recorded it.
"I'll be careful, Reeny. I promise."
Reeny gave a small, satisfied nod.
"Young master, he is wise beyond his years, he is,"
she said softly.
"Now, if young master is wanting, Reeny can be showing more of the castle, she can. There is many more rooms, many more secrets waiting to be discovered, there is."
Harry's curiosity was piqued once again.
"Yes, please, Reeny. I'd like that very much."
Reeny led Harry out of the library and down a long, narrow corridor. The walls here were lined with suits of armor, each one gleaming faintly in the dim light.
"These suits, they is being enchanted, they is,"
Reeny explained.
"They is once guarding the castle, they is, moving on their own to defend the family from intruders. Now, they is standing silent, but the enchantments, they is still holding."
As they walked, Harry noticed that each suit of armor was unique, with different designs and weapons. Some held swords, others spears or axes, and all were adorned with the crest of the Gosling family—a shield with a rune at its center.
"They must have been incredible guardians,"
Harry remarked, imagining the armors springing to life at the first sign of danger.
"They is, young master,"
Reeny agreed.
"They is created by the best enchanters of their time, they is. Each suit, it is being linked to a specific member of the family, it is, bound by blood and magic. When that family member, they is passing, the armor, it is returning to its place in the castle, it is, to rest until it is needed again."
At the end of the corridor, they reached another large door, this one made of heavy oak and reinforced with iron bands. Reeny pushed it open, revealing a grand staircase that spiraled upwards. The steps were worn smooth by centuries of use, and the banister was carved with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and change as Harry looked at them.
"This staircase, it is leading to the upper floors, young master,"
Reeny said.
"There is being many rooms up there, there is. Bedrooms, guest chambers, studies, and more. Each room, it is having its own story, it is, its own place in the history of the Gosling family."
Harry followed Reeny up the staircase, his hand trailing along the banister as he marveled at the craftsmanship. The stairs wound up and up, past several landings, until they finally reached a large landing with a row of doors on either side.
"This is being the family's private chambers, young master,"
Reeny explained.
"The doors, they is leading to the bedrooms of the Goslings, they is. Each one, it is being different, it is, reflecting the personality of the person who is once living there."
Harry approached one of the doors and pushed it open. Inside, the room was large and airy, with a four-poster bed draped in rich, dark fabrics. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books and trinkets, and a large window looked out over the castle grounds, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside.
"This room, it is being Master Eldritch's,"
Reeny said, her voice tinged with sadness.
"He is spending much of his time here when he is not in the library, he is. It is a place of quiet and reflection, it is, where he is finding peace."
Harry stepped into the room, feeling a deep sense of reverence. He walked over to the window and looked out. The view was stunning—the rolling hills and dense forests stretched out as far as the eye could see, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. For a moment, Harry felt as though he could see all the way to the edge of the world.
"It's beautiful,"
Harry whispered, more to himself than to Reeny.
"I can see why he loved it here."
"Yes, young master,"
Reeny said softly.
"Master Eldritch, he is often saying that this view, it is reminding him of the world he is fighting to protect, it is. He is drawing strength from it, he is."
Harry turned back to the room, his eyes taking in the details— the small personal items on the shelves, the books neatly stacked on the bedside table, the faint scent of old wood and parchment that permeated the air.
"He must have been an incredible man,"
Harry said, feeling a deep connection to this place, as if he were somehow continuing the legacy of the family that had once lived here.
"He is, young master,"
Reeny replied.
"And now, you is being the one to carry on that legacy, you is. Runestone Castle, it is being your home now, it is. The castle, it is choosing you, and it is recognizing you as its rightful master, it is."
Harry felt a warmth in his chest, a sense of belonging that he had never felt before. This castle, with its ancient walls and hidden secrets, was now his, and he was determined to uncover everything it had to offer.
"Thank you, Reeny,"
Harry said, turning to the little house-elf.
"For showing me all of this. It means a lot to me."
Reeny beamed up at him, her eyes shining with pride.
"It is Reeny's honor to serve you, young master,"
she said.
"If there is anything you is needing, anything at all, Reeny is always here to help, she is."
Harry smiled warmly at her.
"I'll be sure to let you know,"
he said.
"But for now, I think I'd like to explore a bit more on my own."
"Of course, young master,"
Reeny said, bowing low.
"Reeny will be nearby if you is needing her, she will."
With that, Reeny vanished with a soft pop, leaving Harry alone in the room. He took one last look around, feeling the weight of the castle's history pressing down on him, and then he turned and walked back to the staircase.
As he descended the stairs, his mind raced with thoughts of all the things he had seen and all the secrets that still remained hidden within the castle's walls. There was so much to explore, so much to learn, and Harry felt a thrill of excitement at the prospect of uncovering it all.
Runestone Castle was no longer just an ancient building filled with dust and memories. It was alive with magic and history, and it was now his to discover.
Harry's exploration of Runestone Castle had already revealed many wonders, but nothing prepared him for the hidden treasury he was about to uncover. As he wandered through the castle's winding corridors, he felt a curious sense of anticipation, almost as if the castle itself was guiding him toward something significant. The air grew cooler, and a faint, almost imperceptible hum seemed to resonate through the walls. He followed this invisible thread, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
He reached a seemingly ordinary wall in a quiet corner of the castle, covered in ancient tapestries that had faded over the centuries. As he approached, he noticed something odd. The wall was not just a wall; it seemed to be vibrating ever so slightly, and the faintest hint of a golden glow seeped through the cracks in the stone. Harry's hand reached out instinctively, touching the wall with a trembling finger. As he did, the wall began to shimmer and, to his astonishment, slowly melted away, revealing an archway leading to a hidden room.
With a deep breath, Harry stepped through the archway and into the room beyond. What greeted him took his breath away. The room was immense, a vast underground chamber that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. His eyes widened as he took in the sight before him: gold, silver, and precious gems were scattered everywhere. The floor was a mosaic of glittering coins and fine jewelry, and tall stacks of gold and silver bars stood like monuments to the wealth contained within these walls.
Harry stumbled forward, his mind struggling to process the sheer scale of the treasure. There were ornate gold trinkets, silver dinnerware set with intricate designs, and weapons of the finest craftsmanship. The gold coins alone were piled into small mountains, their surfaces gleaming with an otherworldly luster. Silver coins, equally abundant, added to the overwhelming sight. The room was filled with the soft clinking of metal as coins shifted under Harry's footsteps.
He felt a rush of adrenaline, his heart racing as he moved deeper into the room. The enormity of it all was almost too much to bear. For a moment, he could barely believe that this vast fortune was his, and his alone. The thought of his life living in a cupboard under the stairs, constantly neglected and mistreated by the Dursleys, contrasted sharply with the opulence surrounding him. The realization hit him like a wave: he was not just an orphaned boy with no future; he was now the master of a fortune greater than he could have ever imagined.
As Harry's eyes roamed over the treasure, he felt a surge of vindication. He thought about the Dursleys and the way they had treated him, denying him even the most basic comforts of life. A bitter smile crossed his face. They had made his life a misery, and now, he was standing in a room filled with unimaginable wealth. If they had treated him with kindness, he might have considered sharing some of this treasure with them. But they hadn't, and Harry was determined that not a single penny of his newfound wealth would go to them. This treasure was his and his alone, a symbol of his newfound power and independence.
Harry spent what felt like hours exploring the room, letting his fingers trail over the glimmering surfaces of coins and gems, feeling the smoothness of gold bars. He couldn't even begin to count the vast number of coins scattered about; it was like trying to count the stars in the sky. The sheer magnitude of it all was overwhelming, and he could only marvel at the fortune amassed by the previous inhabitants of Runestone Castle.
In the center of the room stood a large square stone, carved with intricate, ancient runes that glowed faintly with a soft, otherworldly light. Harry approached it, curiosity piqued. The runes seemed to pulse with an energy that resonated deep within him. Atop this stone, on a pedestal, rested a massive ancient book. The book was bound in weathered leather and adorned with mysterious symbols that seemed to shift and change when looked at directly. It was the Grimoire of the Gosling family, the repository of their magical knowledge and secrets.
Harry tried to lift the book from its pedestal, but it wouldn't budge. No matter how much he pulled or tugged, the book remained firmly in place. He could open it, and the pages were filled with delicate, ancient script and strange, arcane diagrams, but the book itself was firmly anchored to the pedestal. Harry's initial frustration at his inability to remove the book was quickly overshadowed by a deep sense of reverence. This was the heart of the Gosling family's magical legacy, and though he couldn't take it with him, he could study it here, in the sanctuary of the treasury.
He sat down cross-legged on the floor, the treasure glimmering around him, and began to carefully peruse the pages of the Grimoire. The language was complex, filled with ancient runes and magical incantations that Harry could not fully understand. Despite his attempts, he found himself unable to decipher the script or grasp the meaning behind the diagrams. The knowledge contained within the Grimoire remained elusive, a tantalizing mystery that he could only glimpse but not yet comprehend.
Hours seemed to pass in moments as he absorbed the sight of the Grimoire's pages. When he finally closed the book and stood up, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The treasure, while astounding, was not just about wealth; it was a testament to the Gosling family's enduring legacy and the magic they had wielded. Harry knew that he had much to learn and many more secrets to uncover, but he felt ready to embrace the challenge.
With one last glance around the room, Harry left the hidden treasury, the door sealing shut behind him as if it had never been disturbed. He retraced his steps through the castle, his mind brimming with excitement and determination. Runestone Castle was not just a home; it was a repository of incredible knowledge and power, and Harry was ready to explore every corner of it.
As he made his way back to the main hall, he couldn't help but think about the future. The wealth of Runestone Castle was more than just material riches; it was a source of power and potential. And with it, Harry felt he had the opportunity to shape his destiny and perhaps even make a difference in the world beyond the castle's ancient walls.
The journey ahead would be filled with challenges and discoveries, but Harry was ready to face them all. The secrets of Runestone Castle awaited, and he was determined to uncover them, one by one.