Sign-in Successful! You have obtained the Ravenclaw Diadem alchemy!
Luke was momentarily stunned by the system's message, then a wave of pleasant surprise washed over him. He hadn't expected to acquire this particular treasure. The Ravenclaw Diadem, a relic of Rowena Ravenclaw, one of Hogwarts' founders, was famed for its magical ability to enhance the wearer's wisdom. Generations of Ravenclaw students and professors had sought it, hoping to gain greater insight.
This legendary artifact was also at the heart of a tragic tale spanning centuries: Helena Ravenclaw, Rowena's daughter, grew jealous of her mother's wisdom, believing the Diadem was the source of it. She stole the Diadem and fled to Albania. When Rowena fell gravely ill, she yearned to see her daughter, sending the Bloody Baron, who loved Helena, to find her.
The Baron tracked Helena to the Albanian forests, but she refused to return, hiding the Diadem in a hollow tree. In a fit of love-fueled rage, the Baron stabbed Helena to death, then took his own life. Rowena died shortly after receiving the devastating news, and the Diadem's whereabouts remained a mystery. After their deaths, Helena became the Grey Lady, the ghost of Ravenclaw House, and the Bloody Baron became the ghost of Slytherin.
Centuries later, a young Tom Riddle, still a student, learned the Diadem's location from Helena's ghost. He found the relic and transformed it into his fifth Horcrux, concealing it in the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts. The Diadem was ultimately destroyed during the Battle of Hogwarts by Fiendfyre, unleashed by Crabbe. Throughout its tumultuous journey, the crown, purported to increase wisdom, never overtly displayed its power, leaving its authenticity in doubt.
However, now that Luke possessed the alchemical instructions for creating the Ravenclaw Diadem, he knew the rumors were true. Rowena Ravenclaw was renowned for her wisdom, but her skill as an alchemist was less known. The Diadem was one of her alchemical masterpieces, designed to enhance wisdom.
Of course, its power wasn't as exaggerated as legend claimed; it didn't grant infinite wisdom to just anyone. Instead, it stimulated cognitive potential, making the wearer's brain work faster, allowing them to absorb information more keenly, understand knowledge more quickly, and think and analyze problems more efficiently.
Thus, a person with an empty mind would gain no wisdom from wearing the Diadem. This is why Ravenclaw inscribed the words "Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure" on the crown, a warning that true wisdom isn't given but accumulated through one's own efforts. Most, including her own daughter, failed to grasp this profound message, leading to the tragedies that followed.
Despite knowing the Diadem wouldn't magically grant wisdom, Luke wasn't disappointed. In fact, he desired such a crown even more. It was the ultimate learning aid! With the Ravenclaw Diadem's blessing, his efficiency in studying magical knowledge and arcane secrets would greatly improve. As knowledge accumulated, wisdom would naturally grow, and his power would follow. This, Luke believed, was the Diadem's true value.
In the wizarding world, an intelligence-enhancing potion, also known as a Brain-Elixir, offers a similar function. It sharpens thinking and quickens reactions. Students often took it before exams hoping for higher scores, but the school strictly prohibited its use, especially during O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s, with cancellation of results as punishment for discovery.
Moreover, the potion's effects were temporary, and excessive use led to side effects like dizziness, confusion, anxiety, and an inability to concentrate. Consequently, it was rarely used. The Ravenclaw Diadem, however, was in a league of its own—an enhanced, permanent version of the intelligence-enhancing potion, entirely without side effects. This reward alone made the sign-in worth the journey.
Having completed his task, Luke had no further reason to linger in Annúminas. As he bid farewell to the Dúnedain and prepared to summon the giant eagle Sulond , he noticed his companion circling above Lake Evendim, playing with a flock of large white birds.
As a giant eagle, Sulond was naturally the sky's sovereign, communicating with other birds and asserting his dominant, kingly position. Many birds encircled Sulond , like a hundred birds revering a phoenix, continuously catching large fish from the lake and offering them to him as tribute. Luke watched this scene with surprise.
Upon closer inspection, he realized these large white birds were Great Snowy Owls. Their size far surpassed ordinary owls, with wingspans of four or five meters. Their pure white feathers were immaculate, like untouched winter snow or wisps of cloud, light and flowing. "What kind of owls are those? I've never heard of them," Luke asked Talmir curiously.
Talmir looked up at the owls flying over the lake, unfazed. "They are Great Snowy Owls," he explained with a smile. "They once lived on Númenor. When our ancestors sailed to Middle-earth, some followed. However, their numbers were so small they remained unknown to most humans."
"Are they kept by you?" Luke inquired.
Talmir shook his head. "Great Snowy Owls are proud and independent. While they don't resist humans, they don't surrender easily. They crave freedom. Even if you earn their approval, they will only visit your home temporarily, like a house owner visiting another, then depart quickly. These Great Snowy Owls live in the pine forests at the northernmost end of the Dusk Hills and often come to Lake Evendim to fish."
Hearing that these owls were unowned, Luke saw an opportunity. What wizard could be without an owl as a pet? These particular owls were stunning, pure white with toes like white jade, making them resemble "elves." Luke had previously considered acquiring owls as messengers after seeing dwarves use ravens, but the timing hadn't been right. Sulond , being too large, wasn't suitable for messenger duties.
Without hesitation, Luke cast Animagus. To Talmir's astonishment, he transformed into an owl and flew towards Sulond and the Great Snowy Owls. In his owl form, Luke could understand their chirps and calls. As he drew closer, he heard the Great Snowy Owls calling Sulond "King," offering him fish as tribute, their flattery shocking Luke. Is this still the proud Great Snowy Owl Talmir spoke of? These look more like a flock of sycophants!
"Sulond , are these your new friends?" Luke asked, flying in front of the giant eagle with a smile.
"Master, these are my new little brothers!" Sulond , recognizing Luke's Animagus form, proudly showed them off like a child presenting a new toy to their parents. The other Great Snowy Owls gasped in shock, their large round eyes widening further as they watched the majestic giant eagle address an owl, smaller than themselves, as "master."
"You, you, you... are you the great king's master?" one Great Snowy Owl stammered, so startled that the fish in its mouth fell out. Seeing their bewildered expressions, Luke was amused and deliberately teased, "Yeah, what's wrong? Don't you think so?"
The Great Snowy Owls felt as though they'd been struck by lightning. Oh my god! This defies all sense! An owl has become the master of a giant eagle!
After entertaining the snowy owls, Luke flew onto Sulond's back and reverted to human form. The Great Snowy Owls collectively exhaled a sigh of relief. It was a person! Wait, was it a human? The Great Snowy Owls were thoroughly confused. Was he an owl or a human?
Luke, with a smile that resembled a mischievous uncle holding a lollipop, was ready to "kidnap" them. Since Sulond had already accepted these "little brothers," the rest would be easy. Luke used his persuasive charm, promising them comfortable owl rooms and endless food at Weathertop. Sulond chimed in, reinforcing Luke's offer. This naive group of Great Snowy Owls was easily swayed and agreed to work for Luke.
Soon, over three hundred Great Snowy Owls, along with their entire families, were led by the giant eagle to settle on Weathertop. When Luke said "bringing your family," he meant it literally. He saw one Great Snowy Owl clutching its nest, filled with chirping chicks and even unhatched eggs. They followed Sulond in a grand procession, a sight that left the Dúnedain speechless.
As night fell, Luke decided to stay in Annúminas. Sulond would lead the Great Snowy Owls back to Weathertop and then return to rejoin him. Taming the Great Snowy Owls was just the first step. To enable them to deliver messages with the precise navigation of owls in the magical world—accurately reaching any unwarded location—he would need to brew a special owl potion.
Once consumed, this potion would make them smarter, more human-like, and imbue them with perfect navigational abilities, ensuring they could find any recipient, even if they were moving. Since he was still traveling, he wasn't in a hurry to do this and decided to train his new messengers upon his return.
The next morning, Sulond returned to Annúminas with the rising sun, bringing a letter from Arwen. Luke's expression softened as he read the longing conveyed in her handwriting. Arwen absolutely adored these pure white owls. Following Luke's instructions, she had placed all the snowy owls in a tower and planned to build an exquisite owl house for these new arrivals. After reading the letter and storing it in his space bag, Luke said goodbye to the Dúnedain. He mounted the giant eagle once more and flew southwest, towards the Mithlond.