Chapter 122
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A Month Later
Winter had finally arrived, a season the students of Hogwarts were always excited about—especially this year, since the school administration had announced there would be a trip to the famous village of Hogsmeade. The village was widely known for its bustling marketplace and wonderful goods that delighted both children and adults alike.
At lunchtime, the students were gathered in the Great Hall, enjoying their meals.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat together at the Gryffindor table, chatting as they ate.
Ron leaned forward and asked,
"Hey, Hermione! Do you know why Albert hasn't been sitting with us much lately? Tell us if you know something!!"
Hermione placed her fork down on her plate and answered,
"He's been training all this time, studying things he found in the Restricted Section of the library. So it's natural he hasn't been talking to us much these days."
Harry and Ron exchanged shocked looks at the mention of the Restricted Section.
Harry finally spoke, clearly puzzled:
"What do you mean by the Restricted Section? And why would Albert go there alone?!"
Hermione explained,
"Last year, Albert and I were the top students in our year. As a reward for our achievement, the headmaster allowed us special access to the Restricted Section for a limited time, so we could learn from the books there. That's why Professor McGonagall told me not to tell you about the incident that happened to me and Albert in that place—I lied to you because I had no choice. After that event, Albert insisted on returning with me to the Restricted Section, and I couldn't refuse, especially since the headmaster had only granted us three months of access. And now… only five days remain of that allowance."
At last, Harry and Ron understood the strange behavior Albert had shown when he woke up in the hospital wing.
But Hermione didn't stop there. She went on to describe what had happened during the recent days she and Albert had visited the Restricted Section again.
"The second time we went there, we weren't alone. The headmaster himself came with us, to make sure nothing happened to us like before. But even he was surprised when he saw the traces of Albert's spells on the wall. The writing inscribed there… even the headmaster couldn't decipher them."
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At that time…
Dumbledore placed his hand against the right-hand wall, and immediately felt a chill. A strange scent filled the air—a strong smell of blood seeping from the stone.
This was unusual. The area had always been devoid of any such odor.
Dumbledore murmured,
"I've walked past this place countless times before… but this is the first time I've ever felt this. I've never smelled anything like this here. Tell me, Albert! Did you hear any sound when you first reached this place?"
Albert thought hard, carefully recalling every detail, determined to gather as much information as he could about Salazar Slytherin and the legacy he had left behind.
It was Slytherin's legacy, after all, that had eventually fallen into the hands of Tom Riddle—transforming him from a mere boy into the most dangerous dark wizard in history, second only to Slytherin himself.
After a long pause, Albert finally said,
"Headmaster, I didn't hear any sound when I first approached the wall. But… I did see something strange."
Dumbledore turned to him with sharp attention, ready to hear whatever detail Albert would reveal.
Hermione grew tense as well, waiting to hear his words.
Albert continued,
"Before I fell under that mind-control spell, I saw a name hidden by magic on the wall. When I cast a spell to reveal concealed enchantments, a large inscription appeared. It said… 'Gellert Grindelwald.'"
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Dumbledore's face darkened with shock. He placed a firm hand on Albert's books and said in a raised voice,
"Albert!! Are you absolutely certain that's what you saw on the wall? This is of the utmost importance!!"
For the first time, Albert witnessed true, unrestrained seriousness in Dumbledore's expression.
It was rare indeed to see the greatest wizard alive shaken to this extent.
But Albert alone understood why.
Hermione, frightened by Dumbledore's sudden intensity, stepped back instinctively. But what startled her even more was Albert himself—he showed no fear, no hesitation.
Realizing he had lost his composure, Dumbledore sighed, placed a hand on Albert's shoulder, and said,
"Forgive me. The name you spoke… it unsettled me. I reacted without thinking."
Then he asked again, more calmly,
"Is that truly all you saw?"
Albert nodded firmly.
Dumbledore fell deep into thought. He knew well that Grindelwald had been a master of dark arts, and it wasn't impossible that he could have left such traces at Hogwarts.
But after long reflection, Dumbledore dismissed the idea. As Albert had described it, it was nearly impossible. Grindelwald, who had studied at Hogwarts for only five years, could not have reached such mastery of dark magic at that young age.
Especially magic as rare and complex as mind-control enchantments—far beyond the skills of an ordinary student.
Dumbledore also suspected that Albert had reached the same conclusion: Grindelwald likely wasn't the one behind this horrific magic.
Not because he wouldn't have done such a thing—but because at that age, he simply lacked the ability.
Dumbledore remembered well that in the early years of the century, he and Grindelwald had been close friends—so close that they called themselves brothers. Both were exceptionally gifted, but even then, Dumbledore's talent far surpassed Grindelwald's.
Together they had shared a dangerous dream: to collect the Deathly Hallows and rule the world. But after the tragic death of his sister, Dumbledore abandoned that dark path, while Grindelwald pursued his ambition of domination.
That was why the headmaster had reacted so sharply when he heard Grindelwald's name spoken by Albert.
He feared his old friend may indeed have practiced dark magic during his student years—magic that still lingered in Hogwarts' shadows.
Finally, Dumbledore said, in a calmer tone,
"Well then… now that you've reached the library door, you may proceed inside at last."
To be continued …