Harry Potter: Archmage of Another World

The goblin struggled to lift the massive crystal goblet, nearly as large as himself, to his lips. He began to drink, his movements deliberate. Augustus silently observed the goblin's actions. To everyone's surprise, no matter how much the goblin drank, the liquid in the stone basin remained unchanged, as though it flowed back into the goblet.

Behind his half-moon glasses, Dumbledore's eyes flickered with curiosity. "It seems this liquid has specific properties that respond to the drinker's nature. But how does it discern whether the drinker is human?"

Augustus's silver eyes gleamed faintly. He pointed at the goblin holding the goblet. "My guess is that the container reacts to test the nature and type of the being drinking. At its simplest, it might measure heat response—a straightforward test of the drinker's energy output."

With a snap of Augustus's fingers, the goblin vanished into thin air. Augustus sighed softly. It seemed they were back at square one.

"In that case, I shall drink it myself." Dumbledore's decision was resolute. Without further words, he scooped the liquid with the crystal goblet and brought it to his lips.

"To your health," he said with a faint smile before drinking it all in one gulp.

Augustus stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Professor, how do you feel? Any reaction?"

Dumbledore shook his head, his eyes closed. Without opening them, he dipped the goblet back into the basin, filled it to the brim, and drank again.

Silently, Dumbledore drank three full goblets. By the fourth, he staggered forward and collapsed onto the stone basin. His breathing grew labored, and his eyes remained tightly shut.

It seemed the effects were beginning to manifest. Augustus's silver eyes became serious as he carefully observed Dumbledore. "Professor, are you experiencing any adverse or unusual effects? Can you describe them?"

Dumbledore did not respond. His face twitched, as though he were trapped in a terrifying nightmare. His grip on the goblet slackened, and the potion nearly spilled. Augustus waved his wand, guiding the goblet back into his hand. Looking at the small amount of liquid remaining, he placed the goblet back into Dumbledore's grip.

"Professor Dumbledore, can you hear my voice?" Augustus directed his voice directly into Dumbledore's mind, unsure if the basin's surroundings were interfering with sound.

Between ragged breaths, Dumbledore muttered, "I don't want to… don't force me…"

"…don't like it… want it to stop…" he whispered hoarsely.

The potion's effects were clear—it compelled those who drank it to continue until it was finished, or risk being trapped in eternal chaos. With a brief moment of thought, Augustus poured the remaining liquid into Dumbledore's mouth.

"No…" Dumbledore protested weakly. "I don't want this… let me go…"

Augustus sighed. For the first time in his life, he found himself physically forcing someone against their will—a deeply unpleasant experience.

He dipped the goblet into the basin again, filling it to the brim. The liquid was running low; by his estimate, three or four more goblets would empty the basin.

"Make it stop. Make it stop," Dumbledore begged.

Shaking his head, Augustus resolutely poured the liquid into Dumbledore's mouth.

"Only a little more. Just a few more goblets, Professor. Bear with it."

Dumbledore let out a piercing scream, his anguished cries echoing across the cavern.

"No, no, no… I can't… I can't… don't make me, I don't want to…"

Augustus, watching the distressed headmaster, filled another goblet and gently brought it to his lips.

"It's all my fault… all my fault," Dumbledore sobbed. "Please, make it stop. I was wrong, oh, please make it stop. I'll never, never do it again…"

Augustus hesitated briefly, but he knew the truth: unless the liquid was completely consumed, Dumbledore would remain trapped in this chaotic state. There was no other way.

Dumbledore curled into a ball, as though invisible forces were tormenting him. His arms flailed wildly, nearly knocking over the goblet Harry had refilled with trembling hands. "Don't hurt them! Don't hurt them! I beg you, it's my fault—take me instead…"

Augustus sighed silently. This was no task for a mere human. Yet, there was no turning back. The basin was nearly empty. He dipped the goblet once more and held it steady.

"Please, I beg you, not that… anything but that…"

Ignoring Dumbledore's pleas, Augustus poured the liquid into his mouth.

"Drink, Professor. Just drink…"

Like a parched child, Dumbledore drank greedily, only to scream in agony moments later, as though his insides were on fire.

"No more, please, no more…"

"This is the last one, the very last," Augustus reassured him gently. Scooping up the final gobletful, he brought it to Dumbledore's lips.

"I want to die! Let it stop, let it stop—I want to die!" Dumbledore wailed, his voice filled with torment.

"Just one more sip. Drink it, and you can die," Augustus murmured, his tone tinged with helplessness.

Dumbledore drained the last drop from the goblet, then collapsed face down onto the ground, gasping for air.

Setting the goblet aside, Augustus helped the fallen headmaster to a seated position against the stone steps. With a quiet incantation, he cast a high-level restorative spell.

Dumbledore's eyelids trembled.

"Water," he rasped.

Augustus conjured water from the surrounding elements, channeling it carefully with wind magic into Dumbledore's mouth. It was clear that in this environment, any other container touching the liquid would vanish instantly. Only by using elemental manipulation could the water be contained.

(To Be Continued...)

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