The concept of the dream world was a revelation for Dumbledore. The wizarding world, despite its vast magical knowledge, had always treated dreams as peripheral—a realm explored mainly through curses and occasional divinations. The structured, transformative system Lockhart had built within the dream world was unprecedented, a combination of innovation and ambition rarely seen in magical history.
At first, Dumbledore thought the dream world was akin to memory magic, much like the Pensieve. Both allowed one to explore vivid, detailed scenes, though one was immutable, while the other was malleable and interactive. With proper preparation, even memories could be altered to resemble something like this dream construct.
But the dream world surpassed anything Dumbledore had encountered. Lockhart had manipulated not only the environment within the dream but also fundamental constructs like space and time. The demonstration of time acceleration—while only affecting consciousness—was particularly striking.
For wizards, the spirit was often considered more important than the body. If a wizard could accelerate their mental processes and achieve years of knowledge or training in hours, the implications were staggering. To Dumbledore, it hinted at a potential new avenue of extending life—an opportunity to maximize one's mental legacy even as the body aged.
For Dumbledore personally, the allure of longevity was tempered by his family's heritage. The phoenix blood that coursed through the Dumbledore line already provided him with an extended lifespan. But he saw the potential this offered to others, particularly elderly wizards or those nearing the limits of their natural life.
Yet, as Dumbledore immersed himself in the dream world, a troubling realization surfaced.
His heightened senses—sharpened by decades of mastery over magic—detected the flow of the energy sustaining the dream world. The spiritual power coursing through the construct felt messy, fractured, and vast. It bore the unmistakable signature of a sea of fragmented human thoughts and emotions—residual mental power from the Muggles of London.
No wonder, Dumbledore thought grimly. No wonder Kamar-Taj focused its operations in London. No wonder they deployed large-scale magic across the city.
He turned to Lockhart, his tone measured but firm. "Lockhart, is the source of this dream world the spiritual power of Muggles in London?"
Lockhart met Dumbledore's gaze without hesitation, his expression calm. "Of course," he replied. "To sustain the dream world over time, a reliable and abundant energy source is necessary. The residual mental power of Muggles, which wizards cannot use and which holds no value for Muggles themselves, is perfect for this purpose."
Lockhart's tone suggested that the matter was straightforward, even logical.
"The mental power we collect," he added, "is nothing more than waste—energy that would otherwise dissipate. Using it violates no laws, nor does it harm Muggles. In fact, it is a practical solution to a resource problem."
Fudge, who had been listening, nodded in agreement. "Dumbledore, I don't see the issue here," he said dismissively. "This so-called mental power is garbage. If we weren't using it, it would be left to rot in the air, wouldn't it?"
He chuckled. "Honestly, if we didn't have this system, the Ministry would probably have to create a department just to deal with all this mental trash. Lockhart's done us all a favor by turning it into something useful."
Dumbledore's expression darkened. He was not as flippant about the implications. While he understood the argument that the mental power was essentially waste, the notion of Muggles being viewed as a resource set a dangerous precedent.
He thought of historical parallels—the colonization of the Age of Sail, where natural resources, and later human lives, were exploited under the guise of progress. If Muggles became seen as a valuable "resource," would they not also become commodities?
Fudge's enthusiasm only deepened Dumbledore's concern. The Minister of Magic, seeing the potential for prestige, exclaimed, "Lockhart, this dream world is a masterpiece! The Ministry of Magic should create its own version. We'll cover all the costs, and we'll ensure Kamar-Taj is generously compensated for the expertise."
Lockhart remained composed, though a faint smile curled his lips. "Minister, that is an intriguing proposal. But the dream world is a delicate construct, and its expansion requires careful planning. Let us continue the tour, and we can discuss this further afterward."
Fudge nodded eagerly, his mind racing with possibilities. He imagined his name going down in history as the Minister who brought the dream world to the wizarding public—a monumental achievement.
Meanwhile, McGonagall, who had been silently observing, was torn. The educational benefits of the dream world were undeniable, but she couldn't shake the unease that Dumbledore's question had sparked.
Lockhart continued his explanation, outlining the practical applications of the dream world.
"Within the dream world, we can simulate combat scenarios, teach potion-making without wasting rare ingredients, and even enhance meditation practices. These tools allow for safer, more efficient learning while minimizing the costs and risks associated with traditional methods."
His words painted a picture of endless possibilities, yet Dumbledore's unease only deepened.
Suddenly, Dumbledore's voice broke through the conversation. "Lockhart, I suddenly thought of something very important," he said, his tone calm but insistent. "Do you have time to discuss it now?"
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