Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures - H.P.S.T Chapter 1578: Harry and Hermione's Gift

Dumbledore’s Deluminator was an alchemical creation of his own design, and it was priceless.

With just a click, like a lighter, it could absorb nearby sources of light — whether fire or lamplight, it made no difference. In theory, with enough storage space, it could even absorb all the light in an entire area, including sunlight, and then release it again when needed. It was truly a marvelous object.

The Deluminator absorbed only the light itself; it did not affect the object producing the light.

For example, a candle could be drained of its flame by the Deluminator, but the candle itself would remain unaffected, continuing to burn and still radiating heat when approached.

Taking away the light without interfering with the source — that design was ingenious. Evan was deeply curious about how the Deluminator worked.

Of course, Dumbledore hadn’t given it to Ron simply so that he could study its alchemical workings, or merely to extinguish lights. There were other magical means to accomplish that, though perhaps none as stylish or advanced. But that clearly wasn’t Dumbledore’s intent.

He must have placed other charms upon it, believing that it would be of help to Ron.

If Dumbledore had given the Deluminator to Ron, then what would he leave for Evan, Harry, and Hermione?

The gift for Harry, Evan presumably knew, was the Resurrection Stone.

After finding the ring and the Resurrection Stone, Dumbledore had declared himself unfit to keep it and gave it to Evan for temporary safekeeping. However, before his final act, he had reclaimed the Stone, intending to give it to Harry. While this Deathly Hallow couldn’t truly resurrect the dead, it could help Harry understand the true meaning of death.

Furthermore, their true power only came when all three Deathly Hallows were brought together. Since Harry already had the Invisibility Cloak, giving him the Resurrection Stone was only natural.

As for Evan’s and Hermione’s gifts —

Scrimgeour observed Ron closely and questioned, “This Deluminator is a very valuable object. It may even be unique. Certainly it is of Dumbledore’s own design. Why would he have left you an item so rare?”

Ron shook his head, looking bewildered.

“Dumbledore must have taught thousands of students,” Scrimgeour persevered. “Yet the only ones he remembered in his will are you four. Why is that? To what use did he think you would put his Deluminator, Mr. Weasley?”

“Put out lights, I s’pose,” mumbled Ron. “What else could I do with it?”

Evidently Scrimgeour had no suggestions. After squinting at Ron for a moment or two, he turned back to Dumbledore’s will.

“ ‘To Miss Hermione Jean Granger, I leave my copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, in the hope that she will find it entertaining and instructive.’ ”

Scrimgeour now pulled out of the bag a small book that looked as ancient as the copy of Secrets of the Darkest Art upstairs. Its binding was stained and peeling in places. Hermione took it from Scrimgeour without a word. She held the book in her lap and gazed at it.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard was a very old collection of fables, stories that had been passed down for centuries and in many versions.

The edition Dumbledore had given to Hermione was also quite old. Evan noticed that the title on the cover was in runes.

He knew that the book contained the story of the “Tale of the Three Brothers“, but since he already understood the secret of the Deathly Hallows, the book was of no further use to him. Dumbledore surely knew this too, but why did he give it to Hermione? Could there be some hidden message within?!

Obviously, Scrimgeour had the same questions and doubts.

“Why do you think Dumbledore left you that book, Miss Granger?” he asked.

“He … he knew I liked books,” said Hermione in a thick voice, mopping her eyes with her sleeve.

“But why that particular book?”   

“I don’t know. He must have thought I’d enjoy it.”

“Did you ever discuss codes, or any means of passing secret messages, with Dumbledore?”

“No, I didn’t,” said Hermione, still wiping her eyes on her sleeve. “And if the Ministry hasn’t found any hidden codes in this book in thirty-one days, I doubt that I will.”

She suppressed a sob. Evan hugged Hermione and whispered soothing words to her.

Scrimgeour gave a dismissive grunt and did not press further; clearly, he couldn’t think of any better line of questioning. He turned back to the will.

“ ‘To Harry James Potter, I leave the Snitch he caught in his first Quidditch match at Hogwarts, as a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and skill.’ ”

Scrimgeour pulled out the tiny, walnut-sized golden ball, and its silver wings fluttered feebly.

“Why did Dumbledore leave you this Snitch?” asked Scrimgeour.

“No idea,” said Harry. “For the reasons you just read out, I suppose … to remind me what you can get if you … persevere and whatever it was.”

“You think this a mere symbolic keepsake, then?”

“I suppose so,” said Harry. “What else could it be?”

“I’m asking the questions,” said Scrimgeour, shifting his chair a little closer to the sofa, as though he thought he was onto something worth pursuing.

Dusk was really falling outside now; the marquee beyond the windows towered ghostly white over the hedge.

“I notice that your birthday cake is in the shape of a Snitch,” Scrimgeour said to Harry. “Why is that?”

Before Harry could answer, Hermione laughed derisively.

“Oh, it can’t be a reference to the fact Harry’s a great Seeker, that’s way too obvious,” she said. “If I had to guess, I’d say the Ministry, or perhaps the Minister himself, might suspect that there must be a secret message from Dumbledore hidden in the icing!”

“I don’t think there’s anything hidden in the icing,” said Scrimgeour, “but a Snitch would be a very good hiding place for a small object. You know why, I’m sure?”

Harry shrugged. Hermione, however, answered, “Because Snitches have flesh memories.”

“Correct,” said Scrimgeour. “A Snitch is not touched by bare skin before it is released, not even by the maker, who wears gloves. It carries an enchantment by which it can identify the first human to lay hands upon it, in case of a disputed capture. This Snitch” — he held up the tiny golden ball — “will remember your touch, Potter. It occurs to me that Dumbledore, who had prodigious magical skill, whatever his other faults, might have enchanted this Snitch so that it will open only for you.”

“I don’t know,” said Harry, clearly not wanting to touch the Snitch. He probably thought Scrimgeour was right.

Evan guessed the Resurrection Stone was inside. It wasn’t right for him to hand it over to Harry directly, so Dumbledore had to hand it over in this way. The Snitch had naturally been enchanted, so only Harry could open it, but only when he needed the Resurrection Stone to pass the test.

Now, Harry, Hermione, and Ron’s gifts were confirmed, and nothing seemed different from before, which was a bit strange. …

And as for Evan, what would Dumbledore leave to him?

Translating_Wizard

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