Hogwarts: Harry Potter's Return from the Witcher World-Chapter 426: The Swamp

Ciri threw out the fatal question.

The Baron sighed helplessly and once again recounted his past.

This was his first time speaking to Ciri about his family matters.

Meanwhile, Hermione focused intently, casting spells to lift the curse from Anna. For her, this was a tremendous challenge.

Lifting Avalach's curse had seemed effortless—graceful, even—but who had performed that spellwork?

The most powerful white wizard alive.

Alongside masters of herbology, spellwork, potions, and not one but two Transfiguration experts.

Now, although Anna's curse was far weaker than Avalach's, Hermione was the only one attempting to break it. And she...

She was still far from being a master.

"Expecto Patronum," she murmured. Milky mist flowed from her wand, entering Anna's face and brain through her features.

But this was just the first—and safest—step.

And even that caused Anna to groan in pain, frowning, her body writhing in distress.

The Baron immediately turned toward them.

Startled, Hermione withdrew her magic.

A human soul is fragile.

Even a gentle, protective charm like the Patronus—when too powerful—could cause damage.

Dumbledore and Snape had made it look easy, but in her hands, she'd almost made a grave error.

She proceeded carefully.

Thin, pale mist streamed from her wand, enveloping Anna and seeping into her slowly, gently encasing her soul. This time, the poor woman made no reflexive movements—but the weak Patronus was still insufficient to protect her soul from the curse's backlash.

Then Harry returned.

Only after Anna had been driven to groan several more times in pain did Hermione manage to find the correct balance.

"What about the first curse?" the Baron asked, looking around anxiously.

Harry nodded. "Resolved smoothly. The vessel was inside that hut."

The Baron let out a long breath. "Harry, maybe you should take over. She seems to—"

"Trust Hermione. She's already finished the first step," Harry interrupted flatly.

The Baron, troubled, sat in the corner and watched silently.

For Hermione, the hardest part had been the beginning—safely enveloping Anna's soul with the Patronus Charm.

The rest—breaking the bodily curse—was much smoother.

All in one go.

Still—

Managing the Patronus while dismantling the curse forced Hermione to split her focus. Her work grew a bit rough as a result.

Anna moaned in pain.

The Baron wished he could suffer in her place.

At last, it was over—half an hour later.

The curse was lifted.

Harry waved his wand, dispelling the protective enchantments over Anna.

Time caught up with her.

Her already aged face gained a few more lines, carved by suffering.

From the Sorting Hat flew a cup of hot chocolate, steaming by the time it reached Hermione's hand.

"The curse is gone?" the Baron asked, standing, eyes fixed on the bed.

Hermione didn't reply.

Because Anna stirred on her own.

"Anna? Anna?" the Baron crept forward nervously.

Anna turned toward the voice. "Phillip?"

"Yes, it's me. How do you feel?" The Baron gently tried to hold her hand. "I'm sorry for everything you've gone through."

Harry watched coldly.

Then turned, leading Ciri and Hermione out of the room.

"Only Talia hasn't returned yet," Ciri said, glancing back. "Things were awful, but if the family reunites, that's something, right?"

Harry didn't confirm nor deny. "Maybe. But Witchers don't dwell on that. It's just another contract."

Ciri glanced at him. "So where to next? Back to the swamp?"

Harry nodded.

Hermione looked puzzled between them. They could live anywhere with magic—why go back to the swamp?

Harry answered her thought. "We don't know when the Wild Hunt might come. Tonight? Tomorrow? The day after? But they will come—fully prepared."

"Only I match what they're ready for—a Witcher with magic. They've already suffered under my hand, and now there's Ciri, the Elder Blood. Don't be surprised if Eredin himself shows up."

Hermione understood now.

The Wild Hunt didn't negotiate. They destroyed everything in their path.

When the sobbing from inside stopped, the Baron came out.

"Thank you, Witcher."

"Just doing my job," Harry said calmly.

The Baron looked at him with mixed feelings. "You'll stay here tonight, right? I'll prepare rooms—"

"No need." Harry shook his head. "We stayed only to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?" the Baron blinked. "But aren't you going after the Wild Hunt?"

Harry nodded. "But we can't fight them here."

"I could help," the Baron said seriously. "I'm still a baron."

Harry just snorted softly.

The Baron flinched and lowered his head.

"Good luck," Harry said curtly. Then, taking Hermione's hand and grabbing Ciri's wrist, he Apparated them away.

CRACK.

Just like when the Baron had first met him—sudden and intense.

Back in the swamp—it was quiet again.

"Hard to believe our first night reunited will be spent in a swamp," Ciri muttered, dizzy but adapting on her third Apparition trip.

Harry raised his wand.

"Protego Totalum!"

"Protego Maxima!"

White and grey light spread outward, forming a dome over the hut.

Hermione looked at Ciri. "Which room do you want?"

"We'll probably have to share one tonight," Ciri shrugged. "I don't mind—up to you."

Hermione wasn't the delicate type. She picked the nearest hut.

With a tap of her wand, the thatched roof turned to brick, walls to tiles, windows grew glass panes.

In a blink, the place was transformed.

Inside, she waved her wand again.

By the time Harry and Ciri entered, the space had changed.

There were only two beds.

A warm fire burned in the hearth.

Half the room had even been walled off into a bathroom.

"Amazing magic. So... bath together?" Ciri asked playfully.

Hermione declined immediately. "No, thanks. I'll pass."

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Powerstones?

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