"I doubt that was his true objective," Wyzett said, taking a thoughtful sip of tea. "He might've just been improvising—using me to brew the Soul-Soothing Potion for him. I don't really understand why…"
"Because your Soul-Soothing Potion is unique," Dumbledore replied with a gentle smile. "Perhaps it's some chaotic property from your Obscurus—something that caught his eye."
That explanation eased Wyzett's nerves a little, but he still couldn't help worrying. "If Voldemort tries to go after unicorns again, what should we do?"
"The curse of a unicorn is not so easily escaped," Dumbledore said patiently. "It marks both the body and soul. As long as he has any other option, Voldemort will avoid unicorn blood. That alone tells us his condition is dire."
He cleared his throat softly, folding his hands on the desk. "Did you happen to save any of the Soul-Soothing Potion? I'd like to see your latest work…"
Wyzett nodded. "I brought the cauldron back with me. I could tell this batch was a little different."
Voldemort had only taken the potion itself, leaving the collapsible cauldron behind. Not one to waste anything, Wyzett had brought both the cauldron and its residue back with him.
"Aberforth was quite thrifty as a boy, too…" Dumbledore said, unfolding the collapsible cauldron with a touch of nostalgia in his voice.
He dipped a finger into the potion and smeared a bit onto the back of a nearby toad.
The toad, which had been squirming, instantly calmed, then drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.
For some reason, Wyzett had the distinct impression that the toad was dreaming of something wonderful.
"Everything's as it should be—the Soul-Soothing Potion works as intended." Dumbledore let out a long, satisfied breath. "That was my main concern. Your Soul Labyrinth is a resounding success!"
Wyzett blinked in confusion. "Headmaster Dumbledore, what does this have to do with the Soul Labyrinth?"
Dumbledore gathered up the remaining potion, speaking at a leisurely pace. "Severus likely told you—your soul is… unusual. Certain qualities you possess affect the outcome of some potions."
Wyzett nodded, waiting quietly for him to continue.
"Aberforth and I are very different. His magic springs from love—he's purer than I am. Sometimes I even envy him… perhaps even feel a bit of jealousy."
Suddenly, Dumbledore drew a sharp breath, a flicker of anxiety in his eyes. "Anyway, his Soul Labyrinth magic is a perfect fit for you."
"My theory was that your various soul traits would wander the labyrinth, neutralizing each other until they faded away, or at least became manageable."
"Now, seeing the Soul-Soothing Potion you've brewed, I know I was right! But don't get complacent—the Soul Labyrinth is only a temporary solution."
"I understand. I still have so much to learn," Wyzett said earnestly. "Only by truly understanding and mastering the soul can I ever fully overcome my flaws."
"Exactly!" Dumbledore beamed, as if he'd just eaten a Fizzing Whizzbee. "That's why I have every confidence in you, Wyzett!"
"But what about Professor Quirrell?" Wyzett pressed, unable to hide the concern in his voice.
Dumbledore actually popped a Fizzing Whizzbee into his mouth. "Then tell me everything that happened tonight. I need every detail…"
Wyzett exhaled and started from the moment he returned to Hogwarts, recounting everything—Voldemort's temptations, Quirrell's struggle—leaving nothing out.
By the end, his throat felt raw, so he gulped down some tea. "Can we really succeed?"
"Of course!" Dumbledore nodded. "Everything's moving in the right direction. Quirrell is changing—his will is growing stronger. That's the key to resisting Voldemort."
"A wizard's true strength isn't about what you see on the outside—it's about what's inside. You've helped Quirrell rediscover his own inner power. Now he just needs a little nudge."
"The path Quirrell's chosen is a new one. Everything will change because of it—even his past can be redeemed."
"When he's trapped in the darkness of his own history, you must help him see the beauty of the present—remind him what he's fighting for, what's worth holding on to."
Wyzett asked, "Headmaster Dumbledore, how exactly should I do that?"
Dumbledore waved a hand, then countered with a question of his own. "Severus mentioned you have a spell that can dispel evil thoughts?"
"Yes."
"You didn't try it on Voldemort, did you?"
"I considered it, but… I don't really understand Voldemort. I couldn't risk acting on impulse."
"You did the right thing!" Dumbledore said warmly. "If Voldemort can possess others, his command of soul magic is terrifying. If you failed—or if he figured out what your spell could do—things could spiral out of control. For absolute safety, I'll help you complete the spell."
Wyzett blinked. "Help me complete it?"
"You must always keep your locket with you," Dumbledore said, his expression suddenly grave. "And… you'll need to cooperate with Voldemort's plan—the so-called 'final exam.'"
"This will be dangerous, so don't ever take off the locket!" he repeated, voice stern. "If Quirrell is still resisting, Voldemort will ask you to help him find the Philosopher's Stone!"
"So Harry and the others were right about the Stone… just wrong about the suspect," Wyzett said.
"Wrong about the suspect?"
"They think Professor Snape is after the Stone."
"Ah." Dumbledore sighed. "That's a long and tangled story—one that's largely my fault. Sometimes I wonder if I ever get anything right…"
His expression grew complicated—defeat, loneliness, sorrow, and confusion all flickering through his eyes.
But a moment later, he'd composed himself, as if nothing had ever happened.
"Wyzett, do you know where the Philosopher's Stone is hidden?"
"The fourth-floor corridor?"
"Exactly! I asked quite a few people to set up protections inside. Care to guess which ones?"
"Hmm…" Wyzett rubbed his temples. "Hagrid's Fluffy is one of them."
"I saw Professor Snape's wound—he said he was bitten by a three-headed dog. That's right, isn't it?"
"Spot on!" Dumbledore nodded, sliding a Lemon Drop toward Wyzett. "Keep going!"
"Devil's Snare should be another. I remember Professor Sprout mentioning you'd instructed her to make sure every student could handle it."
"Very good! Go on…"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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