The trial ended with a unanimous vote for Pettigrew to receive the kiss of the Dementor for attempting to help Voldy return to power.
What mattered most was that he was finally neutralized, and Voldy should not be able to return for a little while.
There was a celebration for Sirius's release, although it was decided that he could not yet have full custody of Harry, as he had not fully recovered from the 12 years spent near the Dementors.
Now that this story is over, it's time to begin the underwater exploration.
"It's a pleasure to work with you, Professor Lupin."
"I'm no longer your teacher. Besides, you're supposed to be my superior now."
"Yes, but I still prefer to call you that."
"If that's what you want."
There were about twenty of us participating in the exploration. The only people I really knew were Professor Lupin and Marie, who wanted to stay by my side.
"All right, everyone. I remind you that we do not destroy anything—we are only here to search. Every object has historical value, so do not desecrate anything. There's a chance that this city is Atlantis, meaning we might be able to rewrite history. Finally, does everyone remember the charms to use?"
They all nodded. The charms included one to allow us to float, another to resist water pressure, one to breathe underwater, another to communicate, and a few more to make our task easier.
"It's time to dive."
We all cast our charms and sank nearly a kilometer before reaching what looked like solid ground.
Marie, who had received special authorization, conjured several lights, revealing a large ancient door before us.
"This is already good news. Everyone, search the area and follow the rules."
We all split up, and Marie stayed with me.
As we passed through the doors, we saw dozens of half-destroyed buildings. The farther we went down the street, the more the terrain rose, as if everything led to a central point atop the hill.
The central building was covered in algae, but it clearly had been important.
"Evelyn, what do you think this is?"
Marie was examining the ground, where strange symbols glowed faintly blue.
"I have no idea," she replied.
I decided to take a closer look using my magical sight and saw that the magic in the floor was still faintly active.
"You're thinking what I'm thinking, Marie?"
"You're not seriously thinking of activating that mechanism, are you?"
"Of course I am."
I placed my hand on the ground and tried to channel some magic into the symbols. The blue glow immediately intensified.
The light became so intense that I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, I saw one of the most beautiful sights in the world.
Lights were active all across the city, and I realized I must be in the city center. In certain places, blue lights glowed like connection points or pathways.
At least now, thanks to all these lights, we no longer needed to use light charms.
When I turned my head, I noticed that Marie was no longer with me — but through my magical sight, I could sense her power about three kilometers away.
I took a moment to think before deciding to explore the surroundings, after, of course, reporting that I was safe.
Most of the doors were closed, and I wasn't eager to force them open, so I kept walking, hoping to find one that was already open — and eventually, I did.
The place inside glowed with a green hue.
As I walked through the doorway, I felt like I was passing through a veil. The room beyond revealed itself as a massive library, and strangely, there was no water inside.
"I didn't expect anyone to be able to cross the time barrier," said a voice.
Turning toward it, I saw Marie.
What was strange — aside from the impossibility of her being here — was that everything about her, from her magical energy to her posture, told me this was Marie.
"Have you gone mute, Evelyn?" she asked.
"Who are you?" I demanded.
"I'm Marie, your girlfriend and future wife. I spy on you when you bathe, I do everything I can to make sure we have intimate moments together. I'm telling you all this because you don't seem to believe me."
Even the way she talked — it sounded exactly like Marie.