This trial of Merlin is related to the Flame Spell.
Harry followed the direction indicated by the Detection Spell and walked forward. In front of him were two gigantic spider webs—the sheer size of the webs suggested their creators were not small, likely competing in size with a calf.
The Detection Spell did not detect any spider presence, so he confidently used the Flame Spell to burn the webs away.
Harry walked to the other side where a stone pillar stood and proceeded to light the fire basin on it in the same manner.
But after lighting the third fire basin, he realized that nothing happened.
Could there be a fourth fire basin?
Harry took two more steps forward, continuing his detection...
He discovered that the first fire basin he had lit had already extinguished.
It seems that all three fire basins need to be lit within a short period.
Harry moved quickly this time, even using Apparition Displacement, just to light all three fire basins in a short amount of time.
After the third fire basin was lit, verdant greenery bloomed on the disc of Merlin Ruins, where the sparkling green light points gradually converged into a line, slowly guiding to Harry's palm.
Perhaps it was just an illusion, but Harry felt like he had become a little smarter.
Maybe this was Merlin's gift, he thought.
But...
Harry realized that Cassandra was still nowhere to be seen in the Merlin Ruins.
Why was this?
Could it be that Cassandra was not in Merlin's Ruins?
Before Harry could ponder further, he heard a rumble emanating from the water in front of him.
He immediately stood up and looked at the patch of water, where the green light points above were growing denser and the water was boiling as if in a cauldron.
The ground trembled violently, and Harry reached out to steady himself against the stone pillar of the Merlin Ruins, guardedly taking out his Magic Wand, ready to see what was happening.
The earth's tremor intensified, and the watery green light points became denser, and soon Harry saw an archway rising from beneath the water, shimmering with a light unique to Ancient Magic.
When the ground ceased shaking, Harry used the Detection Spell to confirm there was no threat around him, then cautiously approached the pond side.
On a stone pedestal rising beside the pond, there lay a Crystal Ball, which Harry picked up, receiving a message from it.
It was left by Merlin—or perhaps, left for the successors who completed all the trials.
Essentially, it indicated that only by completing all of Merlin's trials would one see this archway—which was reinforced by Ancient Magic, making it inaccessible to those without Ancient Magic aptitude.
Harry felt quite fortunate for completing this trial last, lest he had missed it otherwise?
Yet...
Ancient Magic fluctuations?
Harry furrowed his brow; Cassandra was not a descendant of Ancient Magic, so could she be here?
He pondered for a moment before deciding to go check.
Apparition Displacement was a convenient spell; at least he didn't have to wade through the pond to reach the archway before him—and the pond looked deep, Harry doubted if he would be soaked and lost if misstepping.
He patted the stone pillar of the archway and circled to the other side.
Through the Ancient Magic fluctuations on the archway, Harry peered inside and discovered a cavern.
Harry crossed through the magic fluctuation, entering the cavern.
This cavern differed from any he had ever visited, seemingly man-made with walls of blue stone surrounding it.
High fire basins were placed around the cavern, with flames of various colors dancing atop them—Harry could clearly see that these flames required no fuel and could burn eternally—Ancient Burei Immortal Fire.
He followed the path within the cavern—which should rather be called a corridor—arriving before a large bridge.
The entire bridge was carved with intricate patterns, and the Ancient Burei Immortal Fire illuminated the fire basins on either side, appearing solemn and sacred.
Harry stepped onto the bridge, his heartbeat began to race.
He felt a presence ahead, waiting for him.
He followed the bridge to its end, a grand door stood before him.
Harry approached, casting a Detection Spell, intending to find a way to open the door.
Indeed, the Detection Spell revealed a handprint on the door.
He extended his hand, pressing it upon the handprint.
The door suddenly seemed overgrown by vines that swiftly vanished, revealing an archway large enough for two people to pass through.
Harry walked through it, contrary to his expectations, the room beyond was pitch dark, not even a finger was visible.
He raised his Magic Wand, chanting a spell.
"Lumos (Fluorescent Flickering)."
The spell illuminated the entire room, and Harry peered forward, discovering a stone platform before him.
Upon the platform lay a beautiful girl dressed in a Slytherin Uniform, her face flushed, hands folded across her chest, her chest rising and falling evenly, as though merely asleep.
Beside the girl's hand, beneath the stone platform, lay a broken goblet.
Harry naturally recognized the girl, she was none other than.
Cassandra Malfoy.
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