Chapter 187: Ripples! Part-2
{Great Hall, Hogwarts}
{7th Nov 1991}
{Rigel’s POV}
She cast a charm. This time, it was the Sonorus charm, confirming that earlier Professor McGonagall had used a variation of said charm, "My name is Narcissa Malfoy, though it would be wise to address me as Headmistress Malfoy or Professor Malfoy."
Her firm yet sweet voice echoed through the hall. Her words, on the other hand, were sharp as she immediately began her attack, "Professor McGonagall has done remarkably well in making sure that Hogwarts runs as intended. Starting tomorrow, I’m gonna make sure that Hogwarts regains its position as the premier institution for learning in Europe’s magical community."
’Ouch... I don’t think Professor McGonagall liked that Dumbledore was being called out for Hogwarts’ decline. Although, to be honest, Hogwarts did kind of look a little bland in front of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.’ I hummed along as Narcissa finished her speech.
"Also, I will be taking over the position of the DADA instructor for the remainder of the session. Enjoy your feast!" Her words were accompanied by loud clapping, which was practically thunderous from Slytherin’s POV. The rest of the houses followed suit. The ones dressed in red trim were silent, as they had determined that the new management was against them.
"So, what do you think?" Daphne asked with narrowed eyes.
"I think it’s good. The old man has been in the seat for too long. No matter how brilliant a wizard he may be, stagnation like that could be very harmful to the academic quality of Hogwarts." I replied. Eyeing the trifle, I decided against the heafty dessert.
’Though I never expected Dumbledore ever to leave his post. The backlash must be pretty strong from Flint, and what was the girl’s name...’ My thoughts were interrupted when someone new approached me. His mana was angry and hostile, so I was alert when he approached me, a shiny new prefect badge displayed proudly on his chest.
’Wallis Elias, he must be the new fifth-year prefect who replaced Marcus.’
"What can I do for you?" I asked as I eyed the unusually shining badge.
’He cast several cleaning and cosmetic charms on that thing, didn’t he?’
"Headmistress Malfoy has requested your presence in her office after the feast." With that, the boy walked off.
’I’m not sure that she is being called Headmistress Malfoy... but then again, the thought of pinning her against Dumbledore’s table does seem exciting...’
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{Great Hall, Hogwarts}
{7th Nov 1991}
{Dumbledore’s POV}
’Hmm, not as bad as I thought it would be. It seems like Narcissa isn’t intent on completely tearing down everything as she didn’t reveal the real circumstances regarding my dismissal.’ He thought as he leaned against the wall, a wet, cold sensation covering him from head to toe as he observed the Great Hall under the deathly hallow’s protection.
After a slight hesitation, he walked out, following the crowd of Gryffindors who looked adamant about defending his honor. The sight left a bittersweet taste in his mouth. Whether it was forced due to the blood promise or the silent war, he had faced against Voldemort. Hogwarts had been his base, the one place he could depend on and defend.
Not stopping now that he had made up his mind, he walked onto an abandoned corridor, and Fakwes descended on him, his talons resting on Dumbledore’s shoulders as the mystical bird peered through him.
’Even this can’t shield the user from everything. Still, I think I should return it to Harry. He might need its protection now that I’m not here.’ He thought, his thoughts fluctuating to the memories buried deep within. The broken promise and eternal guilt were quickly suppressed as Fawkes’s sad twirl cut through his emotions. Sending a grateful glance to his companion, a wave of fire washed over the legendary artifact as they both flashed through the castle’s wards and arrived at an old-looking house.
The floor was dusty, but Dumbledore paid it no mind; his eyes locked onto the scrotch mark burned onto the floor, and with a flick of his wand, it was covered by a carpet. He walked over and pulled out the remnants of one of the foulest pieces of magic he had ever encountered. He had read about it so long ago, when they were looking for the Hallows, before the thought about making one was quickly discarded.
’Still, it kind of made sense why Tom became the way he did. Knowing him, he won’t be content with just one backup, not that the Diary was likely meant to be a particularly hidden anchor. If I’m right about the timeline, then he probably made this during his years at Hogwarts, using Myrtle’s demise as a catalyst. I always thought it was an accident and that Tom of that time hadn’t fallen so low already...’ Dumbledore placed the Diary on the table, the compulsion charm was still active on it. It was a subtle suggestion, edging him to write something in it.
’A Horcrux is supposed to be an anchor, so it should be hidden. What was Tom thinking when he made this...’
The question, twisted by the magic of the Diary, invoked the desire to pick it up again. Dumbledore swept aside the compulsion with a pulse of his own magic and settled down onto the old dusty chair. His eyes surveyed the dust-covered place once again before he lifted the aged wand and cast, "~Reparo Maximus~."
As time unwound itself inside the house, Dumbledore focused back on the Diary. The main reason he had allowed his dismissal to happen was that he needed to find answers; he needed to retrace Tom’s steps after he left Hogwarts to find out how many of these foul things he had created.
’And what they are...?’
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{Somewhere along the coast of Coratia}
{7th Nov 1991}
{Tom Riddle’s POV}
The splitting headache was a constant reminder that he had failed. Being forced out of Quirrell’s body, the cursed magical residue of drinking the Unicorn’s blood had muddled his head. Still, his two failures reminded him that he didn’t have enough power right now to go against Dumbledore or take his revenge on Potter.
’And with this cursed magic being able to cling to a shade, anybody that I do not try to possess will be inflicted with the curse as well.’ Voldemort thought as his thoughts stilled for a while, even though he continued fleeing south.
He needed to come up with a way to neutralize this cursed magic, as his Horcruxes did not make him invulnerable to anything other than death.
’First, I need to go into hiding again. And maybe it’s time to see just how invulnerable to magic a Horcrux makes someone or something.’
...
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AN: A little late. I’m adjusting to the new schedule.
P.S- 50+ advanced Chapters on P.atreon!