Chapter 677 - 678: Memories; Karkaroff Trail

"What's a Pensieve?" Harry inquired, his curiosity piqued.

He observed a shallow stone basin inside the front cabinet adorned with intricate carvings around the rim. The basin was filled with unfamiliar letters and symbols, emitting a silver light from its contents. Harry couldn't discern whether the silver light was a liquid or a gas; it defied easy description. It seemed like a radiant piece of silver, constantly flowing and rippling like water stirred by a breeze, yet also resembling drifting clouds, gently revolving. It was akin to liquid light but had the appearance of solidified wind.

A strong urge coursed through Harry, compelling him to touch it and experience its texture. However, his four years in the wizarding world had taught him that it was unwise to plunge his hand into an unknown substance. So, he turned to Evan, expecting him to explain the purpose of this enigmatic object.

"To put it simply, meditation tubs are alchemical artifacts used to store thoughts and memories of the mind," Evan explained, noticing Harry's curiosity. "Once memories are placed inside, they can be re-embodied in an immersive manner, with the person within the memory unaware of the presence of the observer."

As he elucidated the concept to Harry, Evan gently ran his hand over the meditation basin, studying the large stone vessel intently. However, Evan soon gave up trying to understand its intricate construction. The meditation basin appeared deceptively simple, yet its complexity was beyond what met the eye. Without Dumbledore's permission, Evan couldn't dismantle the artifact to examine its internal mechanisms.

"This stone basin can actually preserve and replay memories!" Harry exclaimed in amazement.

"Yes, it's quite remarkable," Evan agreed.

Harry, ever curious, pressed further. "And what about the letters on its rim?"

"If you take the Ancient Magical Writing class, you'd learn that it's Runic, a form of Ancient Magical Writing commonly used in alchemy," Evan explained. "As for the intricate symbols surrounding the Runic script, they are magical runes that gather and channel magical energy. I've never seen this particular arrangement before."

Harry nodded, seemingly grasping the explanation, and inquired, "Evan, what are those peculiar silver things inside?"

"They're memories," Evan replied, pointing his wand at the silver objects within the meditation basin.

As Evan's wand touched the silver objects, they spun rapidly, becoming increasingly transparent until they resembled glass. Dumbledore had likely placed these memories into the basin but could not remove them.

"Memories!" Harry exclaimed in realization. He was about to ask another question when Evan grabbed his right hand.

"What?" Harry was taken aback.

The next instant, Evan pulled Harry into the stone basin, and Harry's head dipped into it. The scenery before him changed rapidly as Dumbledore's office seemingly flipped over. Harry's hair didn't touch the basin's bottom as expected; instead, he entered a strange realm.

He felt like he was descending through a cold, dark substance akin to being drawn into a black vortex. Suddenly, he found himself in a dimly lit room.

Harry surmised that it might be underground, as there were no windows, only torches mounted on wall sconces reminiscent of those at Hogwarts. Rows of wizards were seated on stepped benches all around the room, with an empty chair in the center. The chair appeared ominous, with chains entwined around its arms, seemingly used for restraining individuals.

Evan and Harry were seated on the topmost bench at the bottom of the basin, which was taller than the others. Harry glanced upward at the high stone ceiling, searching for the skylight, but found only solid stone.

The environment in which they found themselves resembled a dungeon more than anything else, exuding a gloomy and eerie ambiance. The room lacked any decoration, with no pictures on the walls, only dense rows of benches on all sides, rising step by step. One had an unobstructed view of the chair bound with chains from any seat.

Harry's shock intensified as he took in the scene. He couldn't comprehend how they had suddenly been transported to this place. He turned to Evan, who sat beside him, thankful for his presence as he would have been utterly bewildered otherwise.

"Evan, what is this place?" Harry asked in a hushed tone, his voice trembling with anxiety.

"Didn't I explain earlier? This is a memory," Evan replied calmly. "We're inside a memory of Dumbledore's. Remember what I told you about the meditation basin? We're merely spectators here. The people in this memory can't see us, and we have no influence over their actions. It's just a memory, one that belongs to Dumbledore."

Harry nodded; even though he had mentally prepared himself, it was still challenging to fully accept the surreal experience.

He hesitated momentarily and then raised his right hand skeptically, waving it vigorously in front of Dumbledore's face. However, Dumbledore remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on something distant. Evan's words were accurate; they were just observers within a memory, with no capacity to interact with its individuals.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shortly after Evan and Harry arrived in this memory, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching. The door to the dungeon-like room swung open, and three figures entered. To be precise, one person was being forcibly accompanied by two Dementors.

The bone-chilling sensation brought by the Dementors felt so real that it made everyone momentarily forget that this was merely a memory. Even Evan, who had no trouble thinking of a happy memory, felt the oppressive fear the Dementors brought. He saw Harry's face pale, his gaze fixed on the Dementors in panic.

Under the influence of the Dementors, the people in the room appeared somewhat timid. The two Dementors, hooded and resembling grotesque monsters, advanced slowly towards the central armchair in the room, their rotting hands gripping the person's arm tightly. The person seemed on the verge of fainting.

They secured the person to the chair with chains, and the door was closed behind them. The chains on the chair's armrest suddenly emitted a golden light, coiling around the person's arms like snakes, securing them in place.

The terrified individual raised their head, and Evan recognized him as Igor Karkaroff. Unlike the silver-haired Dumbledore, Karkaroff appeared much younger, with black hair and beard. He wasn't wearing a luxurious fur coat but a thin, tattered robe, trembling in fear.

"When is this?!" Evan mused, observing the young Karkaroff bound to the chair.

In this memory, he was interested in Karkaroff, particularly how he had betrayed many Death Eaters to gain his freedom.

"Igor Karkaroff!" Mr. Crouch, who was standing in the center of the room, spoke. His hair was also black, and his face had far fewer wrinkles than in the present. He appeared full of vigor.

At this moment, Crouch would have been at his youngest when he had successfully rallied the public against dark wizards following Voldemort's initial defeat. Everything seemed to be heading in a favorable direction, even to the point of being offered the position of Minister for Magic.

Little did they know that everything would take a different turn just a few months later.

"Karkaroff, you've been released from Azkaban to testify before the Ministry of Magic," Crouch said seriously, gesturing. "You've informed us that you have crucial intelligence to share."

Karkaroff's body stiffened, and he tried to sit upright in the chair he was tied to.

"Yes, sir!" Despite the fear evident in his voice, Karkaroff's tone still carried that familiar slickness. "I'm ready to work for the Ministry of Magic. I understand that the Ministry is hunting down remnants of the Dark Lord's faction, and I'm willing to do everything I can to assist."

Dumbledore didn't react emotionally to this statement, and Mad-Eye Moody, standing nearby, narrowed his magical eye, looking at Karkaroff with intense dislike.

Moody didn't possess his magical eye in this memory, and his face bore fewer scars.

"He's going to spill the beans, Crouch!" Moody muttered to Dumbledore in a low voice. "I spent six months capturing him, and now, as long as he can provide the names of many others, Crouch will let him off the hook. Let me tell you, we should hear what information he has first before releasing the Dementors on him."

Dumbledore's expression remained unchanged, and he responded quietly, "I see your point, Alastor."

"The thing is," Moody continued with a smirk, "he hates Dementors, doesn't he, Albus?"

"Yes," Dumbledore agreed calmly. "I've never been fond of them either. I've always believed it was a mistake for the Ministry of Magic to entrust these creatures to guard dark wizards. It's inhumane, even for…"

"Most of them deserve it!" Moody interjected, his disdain clear. "Word has it that this fellow's family wields considerable influence in the Northern European region, perhaps even colluding with local vampires, dark wizards, and pure dark creatures!"

"What have you heard about the movements of those vampires lately?" Dumbledore asked in a hushed tone.

"Nothing," Moody replied, "since that man's disappearance, they've been unusually quiet. When I captured Karkaroff, there was no interference. It's strange. I don't know if you have any contacts in that area, but…"

Moody lowered his voice and leaned closer to Dumbledore to share something confidential. Evan tried to eavesdrop but couldn't catch their conversation.

The trial continued, and Crouch began to ask questions.

"Karkaroff, you mentioned that you know the names of some individuals," Crouch said sternly. "Please provide us with that information."

"Very well, but you must understand," Karkaroff began hurriedly, "that he, you know who, always operated in secret. He wanted us, I mean his followers, to remain unknown. I deeply regret having associated with him in the past."

"Get to the point," Moody growled, raising his voice.

"We never knew the names of all his followers," Karkaroff explained, "only he knew who we were."

"That's wise, indeed," Moody commented sarcastically. "It prevents individuals like you from betraying them."

"You didn't say you know some names?" Mr. Crouch's voice grew impatient.

"I… Yes," Karkaroff stammered, fear evident in his voice. "But please understand, these are very important followers. I personally witnessed their activities under his orders. I'm providing this information as a sign of my complete break from him and to cooperate with the Ministry."

"Speak their names!" Mr. Crouch demanded fiercely.

Karkaroff took a deep breath, gathering his courage.

"Antonin Dolohov. I've seen him torture countless Muggles and Muggle-borns without hesitation."

"You worked with him!" Moody muttered under his breath.

"We arrested Dolohov!" Crouch informed Karkaroff. "Shortly after your arrest."

"Is that so?!" Karkaroff's eyes widened. "I… I'm relieved!"

However, he didn't appear genuinely relieved. Instead, this news seemed to be a severe blow to him because one of his bargaining chips had been taken away.

"What else?" Crouch asked impatiently.

Karkaroff hesitated but continued, "And there's also Evan Rosier."

"Rosier is dead," Crouch stated. "He was captured shortly after you and resisted arrest, leading to his death."

"Rosier took something from me," Moody muttered in a low voice.

Evan and Harry turned to look at Moody, and he pointed to the scar on his nose, which had been inflicted by Rosier during their encounter.