The American Ministry of Magic, MACUSA, had fallen.
From the ashes of MACUSA rose the DARK ALLIANCE, spearheaded by the Yellow Warlock, having the Lord of Azkaban, Ekrizdis, and the Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort, as its Generals.
Hundreds of wizards, including the Minister of Magic, had been killed during the attack on the Ministry's headquarters.
Talks of the strange, alien-like magical creatures, Muggle weapons with magical effects, and traitors among the ranks of the Ministry were only the highlights.
Almost all the wizarding population, who had hesitated to run away from America right after learning of the MACUSA's fall, came under the direct rule of the DARK ALLIANCE.
Death Eaters, under the leadership of Lord Voldemort and Lord Ekrizdis, became the new Aurors and Ministers, a swift Killing Curse becoming their instant judgment.
Even the Muggle world didn't come out unscathed, it seemed.
What came out as surprising was that the President of the United States of America conducted a press conference, openly admitting the presence of wizards and witches among them, declaring his full support for the Dark Alliance.
One could even say that the entire American land and air were now in the palms of the dark wizards… except for one.
The Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had lost 16 children to the Yellow Warlock's attack.
This piece of news alone had shuddered the souls.
All knew how ruthless Yellow Warlock was when he took responsibility for the Werewolves' attack during the 1991 Halloween.
Still, killing full-grown wizards and witches was one thing, as one could still justify it as an act of war. But children?
This matter was like the sharpest nail hammered into the world's consciousness.
When Yellow Warlock had declared war upon the wizarding world, not all had thought he truly meant the entire world.
So what if he was at war on European soil? So what if he attacked Hogwarts? So what if he allied himself with Voldemort and Ekrizdis?
The war was still far from their homes, and their Schools… far from them.
Not now. Not after what they learned of Ilvermorny School. Not after they learned that the only reason the number stopped at 16 was because Dumbledore had timely arrived, thwarting Yellow Warlock's plan. Otherwise…
Now, the Ilvermorny School, broken and battered, was like a lone ship voyaging on troubled and foreign waters, surrounded by sharks.
Just who knew when the Dark Alliance would let it remain like that?
One thought resonated in the wizards' and witches' minds of the world independently, though — It might be their ministry next… It might be their school next… It might be their turn next…
And something must be done before that time could stand before them unannounced.
…
"Only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that out of the hat, Draco," said Dumbledore simply.
In the Headmaster's office, Draco and Harry were seated opposite Dumbledore, his blue eyes holding a proud glint.
Draco shuffled unnervingly in his chair as Harry eyed the sword in the Headmaster's hands.
The blood-stained silver sword's rubies were blazing in the firelight, and there was a name engraved just below the hilt — Godric Gryffindor!
By the time Dobby returned with all the children and Lockhart, Darcie had already alerted the Professors and Aurors.
Behind the scenes, after learning that a Hogwarts student had been kidnapped, and later when the news related to MACUSA hit square on their heads, they instantly reinstated Dumbledore to the Headmaster's position.
Weasleys and Malfoys had already arrived at the School as well before the two families parted because of a fistfight between Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy, who had been sacked from his Hogwarts Governor position after the incident.
Now, Ron, Hermione, and Daphne were also admitted to the Hospital Wing along with Ginny. Darcie and Black were yet to be released after waking up.
And Lockhart and Umbridge were detained by Aurors, their fates unknown.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore returned to the School, surprising everyone.
He was supposed to be at Ilvermorny School, helping them against the possible attacks. Still, here he was, carrying a half-hearted smile on his face.
To Harry and Draco's relief, Dumbledore had called them to his office to learn the entire story.
Of course, the children didn't know that this Dumbledore was just Fawkes transfigured into the Headmaster's appearance and then infused with real Dumbledore's memories.
None had doubted Dumbledore's presence because the magic behind this spell didn't belong to a wizard, but a Half-Deep One.
If Dumbledore hadn't revealed it to Black himself, then even he would have never found the truth, despite the Lucky Intuitions guessing the difference between this and the real Dumbledore.
"Sir," Draco said, licking his lips, "I want to…" Would the old fool reward him by letting him switch Houses?
"The answer is still no," Dumbledore answered, letting out a smile. "You possess every quality to be in Slytherin House. You both do. Yet, here you are. Two Gryffindors. Draco, look at me."
Draco, still carrying the shadow of blood on his face, looked up.
"Stop trying to prove yourself to others," Dumbledore told him. "You know what the biggest difference between you and Darcie is? I know you must have had enough of this question, but humor me, please. Do you?"
Draco kept quiet.
"It is not knowledge or power," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "It's acceptance.
"Darcie don't wait for approval to accept a fate, situation, or turn of events. She just does. She just acts. This single trait makes her worthy enough to be in any House she desires. Yet, she is in Slytherin. Do you know why?"
When Draco didn't speak up, Harry said, "Because she asked for it…"
"Exactly," said Dumbledore, beaming once more. "It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
Draco snapped his head up. "But I didn't get to choose!"
"You did," Dumbledore said, peeking through his glasses. "You chose Courage, Draco. You chose it when others didn't. And you have done so enough times that Gryffindor's Sword deemed you to be worthy enough to present itself to you.
"So, let me say it once again. Stop trying to prove yourself to others because… You have already accomplished that."
The tips of Draco's fingers throbbed. His jaw felt a little heavier. His vision blurred as his father's face kept flashing in his mind… until it vanished, along with the scowl on his face.
Sitting next to him, Harry looked at Dumbledore and smiled.
Dumbledore gave a moment to Draco and stared at the diary on the table between them, having a hole in it. He slightly frowned, but the frown went unnoticed.
The children had decided not to let out that it was Lucius Malfoy who had given the diary to Draco to give to a student.
With Draco already giving it to Lockhart before the term began, what happened next could hardly be traced back to Lucius anyway.
Of course, they had told this to Dumbledore.
But this wasn't the point he was interested in chiefly.
"What I want to know… if you can tell, of course," Dumbledore asked slowly, "… is how, in the heat of battle, you two decided to go for the Sorting Hat?"
Rubbing his eyes, Draco looked at Harry and found him looking back.
Yes. This was something they had decided on as well… especially after knowing what happened in America.
"Sir," Harry said, "We need to tell you something —"
Draco took a deep breath and looked into Dumbledore's blue eyes. "— about Hallows of The Scion Of Death."
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