š I. The Echo Within ā 1 Week Later
The Room of Requirement had adapted again.
No longer the dusty vault of spells, it now reflected a more personal archive: fragments of Chris and Hermione's journey. Their choices, near-misses, and memories shimmered on the walls like ghostlight.
They sat closeāalmost touchingāwatching a memory orb swirl between them.
š§ Hermione Granger ā Future Timeline, Age 25."I always loved him. Even if he was borrowed time."
Hermione turned to Chris, voice low:
ā "That version of me⦠she sounds like she never told you."
Chris swallowed.
ā "Maybe that's the part we get to change."
The orb pulsed.
Suddenly:
Editarš¬ System Prompt: Memory Sync Initiated New Feature Unlocked: "Soul Thread Link" Benefit: Enhanced spellcasting synergy. Shared fates = shared magic. Warning: Emotional entanglement may affect critical decisions.
Hermione blinked. "That's⦠incredibly poetic. And deeply terrifying."
Chris smiled.
ā "So, just like us."
She didn't laugh. Instead, she leaned forward, eyes burning.
ā "Then let's not waste the time we have."
š® II. Legacy Training: The Archives of the Almost
The Room of Requirement shifted againāresponding not to desire, but destiny.
Three doors appeared, each carved with runes of timelines that never were.
Hermione translated softly:
š„ Door 1: Severus Snape ā The Unbroken Vow
āļø Door 2: Ron Weasley ā The Wandless Duelist
š§āāļø Door 3: Albus Dumbledore ā The Man Who Lived Twice
Chris felt the pull of Door 3.
They entered together.
Inside was not the real Dumbledoreābut a temporal echo, crafted from System knowledge and collapsed timelines.
He spoke like smoke and starlight.
ā "You carry knowledge not meant for your years⦠and burdens not meant for your soul."
Chris asked: "Then why was I brought here?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, but there was sorrow behind it.
ā "Because sometimes, Time itself asks for a rewrite⦠but never gives you an eraser."
š Gift Gained: "Chrono Warden" Trait
Bonus Resistance to Temporal Damage
Access to Spell: "Veritas Tempora" ā Truth Through Time"
Dumbledore's Echo Favor: May Intervene Once in a Timeline Collapse
āļø III. The Reckoning ā Department of Mysteries
A silver missive appeared midair.
Hermione gasped. "A Ministry Seal. Level 9 Clearance."
Chris opened it.
š By order of the Department of Mysteries, Office of Temporal Regulation:Christopher Kim is hereby summoned to the Veil of Judgment.Charges: Chrono-Contamination, Anomaly Interference, Memory Tampering.You will speak before the Watchers of Time.You may bring one bonded witness.
Hermione grabbed the letter before Chris could respond.
ā "They want to judge you without seeing what you've saved?"
Chris raised an eyebrow.
ā "You're not afraid?"
ā "I'm furious."
š The Veil of Judgment
A circular chamberādimly lit, filled with silent, faceless wizards cloaked in obsidian.
Time bent here. Chris saw moments flicker at the corners of his vision: Cedric dying, Hermione crying, Solan destroying timelines.
Then the lead Watcher spoke:
ā "You have altered reality. Even if for noble reasons. Why should we not reset your presence entirely?"
Chris stepped forward.
But Hermione was faster.
ā "Because he didn't change fate. He gave it a chance. You think you're protecting timeābut time isn't your prisoner."
She grabbed Chris's hand.
ā "Sometimes, time needs someone brave enough to break the rules."
š§ System Prompt:
Editarāļø Verdict Pending⦠ā You may present one Memory to the Veil ā You may offer one Bond as Collateral Choose: [1] Present Cedric's Survival [2] Present Saving Hermione's Life [3] Present A Future That Could Be ā You and Hermione Together
Chris looked at her.
Then chose [3].
The Veil showed a world of peace, of laughter. Of two people who had no right to meetāyet chose to stay anyway.
The Watchers were silent for an eternity.
Then:
ā "So be it. For now⦠you remain."
š SYSTEM UPDATE:
Editarš Timeline Stabilized ā Version3A š Bond: Hermione Granger ā Level4: "Woven into Destiny" š§© Access Granted: True Archive ā Beyond the Echo Vault ā³ Warning: Solan Myrr is Regenerating Across Time The final arc begins soonā¦