Chapter 122: Gryffindor's Treasure Map
So now, all of this made sense—Professor Quirrell had been Dumbledore's man from the beginning, and his trip to Albania had been entirely for voldemort.
Dumbledore confirmed Phineas's suspicions.
"He's doing it for Voldemort."
Phineas was stunned. He couldn't understand why Dumbledore was telling him this.
"Professor, why are you telling me this?"
Dumbledore sighed.
"You know Voldemort quite well, don't you? I believe you read the records in the Black family library long before you handed over the locket to me."
Phineas nodded. He had indeed read everything related to the Black family before giving the locket to Dumbledore. Even though he already knew it was a Horcrux, he still went through the material—partly to guard against Dumbledore's Legilimency. Many of those books were steeped in dark magic, tempting readers toward the path of a dark wizard.
"I did. But Professor, shouldn't you be very clear about that already? I remember telling you when you helped me set up the Fidelius Charm that year."
Dumbledore nodded.
"Since you know about Horcruxes, then you also understand the concept of wandering souls."
Phineas was taken aback.
"Professor, are you saying the that voldemort is now a wandering spirit? Is that why your people haven't found him?"
Of course, he already knew that Voldemort existed as a wandering spirit—and would remain one for years to come.
A wandering soul is immortal, which means not only is it difficult to find, but even if found, there's little that can be done about it.
Dumbledore nodded.
"Quirinus believes so. His friend discovered traces of Voldemort's spirit in the Albanian forest. Unfortunately, he was cursed in the process—and the curse spread to Quirinus."
Phineas was stunned again.
"So Professor Quirrell is actually cursed? What kind of curse? Can it be broken?"
Dumbledore shook his head.
"I don't know. He wouldn't let me examine it. But from his actions, it's clear he's identified the curse and concluded it's unbreakable. That's why he made this plan."
Phineas asked cautiously.
"What plan?"
Dumbledore shook his head.
"I don't know. He hasn't shared it. The reason I'm telling you all this is because I hope you might help him if the opportunity arises. He's a good young man, and he's going through a difficult time."
Phineas frowned, not giving an immediate answer. Instead, he said he would think about it later. In truth, he intended to send his own people to investigate Quirinus Quirrell and why Dumbledore trusted him so deeply.
By the time he left the Headmaster's office, it was already noon. Rather than going to the library, he headed to the Great Hall for lunch.
No sooner had he entered than he was ambushed by the three overexcited Gryffindor's. George and Fred each grabbed one of Phineas's arms and carried him right back out the door he'd just walked through.
Lee Jordan trailed behind them, holding a few pieces of bread.
The twins hauled Phineas into an empty classroom before setting him down.
"So, what are you two up to? I still need to eat," Phineas asked helplessly.
Lee Jordan handed him the bread.
"Here's your lunch."
Phineas looked even more exasperated and glared at the three of them.
"If you three don't give me a proper explanation, I'll hang you in a professor's office all afternoon."
Although clearly a joke, George and the others shivered, obviously imagining what that might be like.
George spoke up quickly.
"We found something great in the library."
"Really great," Fred added.
"A treasure map!" they said in unison, handing him a piece of parchment.
Phineas took it with a blank expression. When he saw the words "Gryffindor's Treasure" written on it, he looked even more unimpressed.
The parchment was, frankly, ridiculous. It was more of a doodle than a map.
A roughly sketched castle—a few strokes at best—and what looked like a creek. A few trees, a large circle, and a big red X.
If the castle was meant to be Hogwarts, and the creek the one in the Forbidden Forest, then the circle was likely the Black Lake. The tree patterns would correspond to the Forbidden Forest. And the big red X?
Hagrid's hut?
"Are you kidding me? What is this supposed to be?"
Lee Jordan grinned.
"A treasure."
George nodded.
"Gryffindor's treasure."
Fred nodded too.
"That's right."
Phineas sighed.
"You really think Gryffindor would hide his treasure in Hagrid's hut? And if there were a real treasure map in the library, do you think it would still be lying around today? So, how did you find it?"
Fred smiled sheepishly.
"Inside a book."
George nodded.
"We thought something was odd about the book."
Lee Jordan interjected.
"Actually, the two of them damaged the book and accidentally revealed the map."
Phineas raised an eyebrow.
"So you didn't come to me for the treasure map—you want me to repair the book."
Lee Jordan nodded.
"We tried a repair spell, but it didn't work."
Phineas nodded.
"Where's the book?"
George quickly took a battered book from his bag and handed it over.
"You didn't just damage a page—you tore the entire book apart."
Fred rubbed his head awkwardly.
"After we found the map, we wanted to see if there were more pages like it, so..."
Phineas sighed, glanced at the book's cover, then relaxed.
"Fortunately, I have this book in my personal library. I'll just swap the covers. But I won't be able to help next time."
As he spoke, he snapped his fingers, and with a pop, Puff appeared, carrying a suitcase.
The four of them walked down the stairs into Phineas's private library inside the case.
"Let's see... Godric's Travels. Ah, here it is."
Phineas found a brand-new copy on a shelf. He swapped the covers and handed the repaired book to George.
"Return this. And remember, don't damage the library books again. I don't have copies of all of them."