Chapter 17: Chapter 17
The dimly lit corridors of the ancient castle stretched endlessly before Madara, the torches casting eerie shadows that flickered along the stone walls. The weight of his presence was almost tangible, as if the very air recognized the anomaly that had entered this world.
He was no ordinary wizard, nor was he bound by the same limitations as the inhabitants of this realm. He was something else entirely—a force that neither the Ministry nor Hogwarts could afford to ignore.
As he strode forward, his Sharingan active, he analyzed every detail of the environment. He had spent days gathering information, carefully piecing together the state of this world.
The political unrest left in the wake of Voldemort's fall, the growing tension between the Ministry and the remaining Death Eaters, and the rise of new factions vying for control over the remnants of dark magic. All of it painted a picture of a world that had survived war but had not yet learned true peace.
His destination was clear: the library. If knowledge was power, then Hogwarts held the most dangerous secrets in existence. He needed to understand magic on a deeper level, to blend it with his own abilities. Only then could he begin shaping his path in this world.
As he entered the vast library, the scent of aged parchment and ink filled his senses. The shelves towered over him, lined with books of forbidden knowledge, ancient spells, and historical records.
His fingers traced the spines of the tomes as he searched for anything that could expand his understanding of magic. He knew his chakra was unlike anything this world had encountered. If he could integrate it with magic, he would become an existence beyond anything Dumbledore or Voldemort had ever imagined.
A flicker of movement caught his attention. In the far corner of the library, hidden between two towering bookshelves, sat a lone figure. A girl with wild, bushy hair and sharp, intelligent eyes—Hermione Granger.
She hadn't noticed him yet, too engrossed in the book she was reading. But Madara was no fool; he knew she was dangerous in her own way. Her knowledge of magic surpassed even some of the most experienced wizards, and her relentless curiosity made her unpredictable.
He considered his options. He could leave, avoid unnecessary interaction. But then again, perhaps she could be useful.
"You study late," he remarked, his voice low but carrying through the silence.
Hermione stiffened at the sudden voice, her wand immediately in hand as she turned toward him. Her eyes widened slightly at his appearance. Madara was an imposing figure, his long black hair framing his sharp features, and his crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim light.
"Who are you?" she asked cautiously, her grip on her wand tightening.
Madara smirked. "A traveler. One who finds himself in need of knowledge."
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "This library is for Hogwarts students and staff. You don't belong here."
He took a step closer, his presence radiating quiet authority. "And yet, here I am."
Hermione hesitated. She wasn't a fool. There was something unnatural about this man, something that didn't quite fit into the world she knew. But instead of backing down, she stood her ground. "What kind of knowledge are you looking for?"
Madara studied her for a moment before deciding to test the waters. "I seek understanding of magic beyond wands. Magic tied to the body, the soul."
Hermione's eyes flickered with intrigue despite herself. "That kind of magic is highly theoretical. Most of it is ancient, lost to time."
Madara's smirk deepened. "Then it seems we have something in common."
She hesitated again before finally lowering her wand, though her stance remained wary. "You speak as if you don't use a wand."
Madara raised his hand, channeling a sliver of chakra. The air around his palm crackled with invisible energy, the force of it causing the nearby bookshelves to creak slightly.
Hermione's breath hitched at the display of power—raw and controlled, yet unlike any magic she had ever encountered.
"What… what is that?" she whispered, stepping closer despite herself.
"Power," Madara answered simply. "Not of this world, but now part of it."
Hermione's mind raced. This wasn't dark magic, nor was it anything she had studied before. It was something entirely new, something beyond her understanding.
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Madara let his Sharingan spin lazily, observing her every reaction. "Because you are one of the few who might understand. And because knowledge should be shared with those capable of grasping it."
Hermione's curiosity burned, but her logical mind kept her cautious. This man—whoever he was—was not normal. He was powerful, dangerous, but not immediately hostile. And that intrigued her.
After a long pause, she closed her book and met his gaze directly. "Then let's see what we can learn."
Madara chuckled. "Indeed."
As they sat across from each other, the silent library became the birthplace of an unlikely alliance. One that would change the course of history in ways neither could yet imagine.
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