Myriad realms store owner of Harry potter

After hearing Harry's words, the others looked up at the roof. At first, they thought they were seeing birds, but upon closer inspection, they realized that the shiny objects fluttering around were actually winged keys.

Suddenly, Harry exclaimed, "There you go! Look! Broomsticks! We have to go up and catch the key to that door!"

Spotting the broomsticks and the keyhole on the wooden door, they immediately understood the challenge they faced.

As Harry grabbed a broom, Ryan took out a vial containing the acid secreted by the tombstone moss and carefully applied it to the stones at the edge of the doorframe. However, the stones remained unmoved.

Sure enough, this level wasn't that simple. The magic sealing the door and walls required either immense magical power or deep knowledge to break. Otherwise, they'd have no choice but to chase the keys on broomsticks.

Ryan considered Voldemort's approach. Given his nature, he wouldn't simply ride a broomstick. A suspicious and controlling person like him would never willingly follow an enemy's design, fearing it might be a trap. Instead, he would likely use magic to capture the key—an act that would further drain his already limited magic reserves.

It reminded Ryan of the cave where Voldemort hid his Horcrux, which required a blood sacrifice to enter. Voldemort's strategy was always to weaken his enemies before they even reached their objective. Dumbledore had similar cautionary measures, though his methods were more honorable.

By now, Harry and Ron were already on their broomsticks, while Ryan and Hermione—both poor fliers—remained on the ground. Standing back-to-back, they scanned the chaotic swarm of winged keys above.

"We're looking for a big antique key—probably silver, shaped like a door handle!" Ron called out as he took off.

Ryan watched the two rush into the dense flock of enchanted keys. They grabbed at them desperately, but the keys were too fast and agile.

As their frustration mounted, Ryan's sharp eyes finally spotted the correct key. "Harry! It's right in front of you and up! Silver with sky-blue wings! The feathers on one side are bent, like it's been grabbed before!"

Ron noticed it first and lunged forward, but the key made a sharp turn, sending him dangerously close to the ceiling.

"Let's drive it down! Ryan, be ready!" Harry instructed.

With Harry and Ron flanking it, the key darted lower, trying to evade them. However, it had strayed from the larger swarm, making it an easier target.

The key was now just above the ground. Ryan saw his chance—he jumped and snatched it from the air. The key wriggled furiously in his grip, behaving as if it were alive.

Ryan held on tight. "Good thing I've been studying mechanical and medical techniques—my reflexes are much better now. Otherwise, I'd have missed and embarrassed myself."

Once Harry and Ron landed, they hurried to the door. Ryan forced the struggling key into the lock and twisted it. With a soft click, the door swung open.

They had chosen correctly.

As the key flitted away, Ryan twisted the doorknob and stepped through, leading the others into the next room.

The moment they entered, everything went pitch black. Ryan tensed, worried about tripping or falling. But as soon as all four of them stepped inside, torches ignited on the walls, flooding the room with light. Behind them, the door locked with a click.

Ryan was briefly reminded of a scene from an old TV drama—a heroine returning home after a long day, exhausted and heartbroken, only to be greeted by a surprise birthday party as soon as she closed the door.

Unfortunately, this wasn't a surprise party. Instead of cake and laughter, they were met with Professor McGonagall's giant chessboard.

Ryan couldn't help but think, If McGonagall were from Edinburgh, she might have made this a giant mahjong board instead.

Still, he found the whole setup amusing. These obstacles were essentially a joke at Voldemort's expense—each one designed for first-year students.

In the wizarding world, there weren't many recreational activities. Apart from Quidditch, wizard chess was one of the most popular pastimes. Given McGonagall's academic nature, Ryan assumed her chess skills were only average. Despite the magical properties of the stone pieces, the real challenge would be the strategy of the game itself.

The chess pieces, roughly the size of humans, were carved from black and white stone. Ryan didn't need to test them to know they had high magical resistance—spells like the Blasting Curse wouldn't work against them.

What unsettled him most was their featureless faces. With the brightly lit chessboard contrasting the surrounding darkness, the eerie atmosphere reminded him of faceless creatures from old horror films.

A shiver ran down his spine. But when he glanced at Harry and the others, he saw them trembling as well—they were just as unnerved.

At the far end of the board stood another door. The only way forward was to win the game. Worse yet, they had to take the place of chess pieces. The more players, the harder the game.

After some quick discussion, Ryan and Ron took the positions of knights, Hermione became the queen, and Harry played the castle. Ron, the best chess player among them, would direct the game.

Once the match began, Ryan noticed that the pieces, while imposing, only knocked each other over rather than using their weapons for lethal attacks.

This confirms it, Ryan thought. McGonagall's challenge is meant to delay, not harm. She must have ensured the game wouldn't fatally injure Harry. But if Voldemort tried to force his way through with magic, these pieces would fight back for real.

Voldemort, still possessing Quirrell, likely had to expend significant magical energy breaking through each obstacle. By the time he reached the final room, he'd be severely weakened.

Realizing there was no real danger, Ryan relaxed and began observing Ron's gameplay.

Ron was skilled, but because he had to protect his teammates, he couldn't play as aggressively as he normally would. He had to adjust his moves to keep them safe, which limited his options.

Ryan quickly noticed this disadvantage. "Ron! I know the Shield Charm. I should be fine if I take a hit. You don't have to hold back for me."

"Are you sure?" Ron asked.

After Ryan's repeated reassurances, Ron's strategy changed. "Alright, then! Move diagonally to the right and take their queen. You'll be captured by their knight, but it'll put us in a winning position."

Ryan nodded. He understood that sacrificing himself would give Ron the advantage needed to secure victory.

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