That night, Connor laid in his bed, thoroughly satisfied. Everything, for now at least, had worked out. Now me and Connor can go home for Easter. That should stop Mum's worrying for a while.
The only annoying thing was that Greengrass had rejected his proposal - for whatever reason, he didn't know, but she'd rejected him nonetheless. I guess business is business, Blake thought, trying to ignore the disappointment in his chest.
But there was another matter that stayed heavy on Blake's mind. Back then, Voldemort said he would be able to return using Ginny. But that Voldemort clearly wasn't the same Voldemort that we faced last year - they had different memories, different faces, even different personalities.
But how? How does that work? He managed to create a way to store his memories, and revive himself from that? But he wasn't dead when he made that - it must've been like a safeguard, in case he died? It's like … it's like he split himself in two - the main body left to continue life, while the diary version stayed hidden all this time, waiting.
Blake thought more, deeply disturbed.
How does someone even do that? And who's to say that's the only one he ever made?
He gasped suddenly.
That's what he meant by immortal! He's made - whatever these are - and that's why he can't die! He's got at least one failsafe - probably more, knowing him! That's got to be the reason why the Killing Curse didn't kill him - he's technically not alive, but he's not dead either, or a ghost. He's something else entirely. Maybe we got lucky, and he only made one? Blake shook his head. There was no chance of that - this was Voldemort, after all. He'd kill his own supporters, leave them to die, if it aligned with his goals, and he would feel nothing. He definitely made multiple of these things.
The Slytherin boy shuddered. So, Voldemort made these things, and we've no idea how he did it, or how many there are.
No - someone knows. Dumbledore. He definitely knows. If I've deduced it, he has too. Come to think of it, that's probably why he's always been convinced Voldemort would return. He must've suspected Voldemort would try this bullsh*t.
But why hasn't he said anything to anyone? Maybe he has? No, he hasn't - Dumbledore doesn't tell anyone anything of importance to his plans. It's safe to assume he's not told anyone anything. But he definitely knows more than me. I need to figure this out myself.
But Dumbledore will know that I'll figure out Voldemort did this - he has a high opinion of me in that regard. That means eventually, I'll have to go ask him about it - but I'm only going to do that after I already know what it is, what they are. Next time this topic comes up, I'll have the information advantage.
/
The next morning in the Great Hall, Connor was a celebrity. Everyone, even Slytherins, were wondering how he'd woken up from petrification so early.
"Aren't you going to talk to him, Blake?" Tracey asked eagerly.
"Already did yesterday," Blake smiled. "I think I'll let him have his moment for now. It's interesting. I still didn't know who woke him up - I'm very thankful to whoever though."
Blake watched Greengrass's face discreetly, but her face betrayed no signs as she continued eating.
/
"Choose your electives!" Snape announced to the second years in the common room, handing out sheets of paper. "You cannot drop any current subjects, but you must choose at least 2 electives! Hand in your forms to me by the end of the day!"
"Only a day?" Tracey raged, back in their (the boys' rooms). "I haven't done any research on these subjects yet!"
"You were never going to."
"Shut up, Blaise."
"He's not lying."
"Shut up, Daph!"
"What's everyone choosing?" Blake asked.
"Runes and Arithmancy," Zabini responded. "Those are the only useful ones."
"Those are hard!" Tracey said indignantly. "I'm definitely doing Muggle Studies - maybe Care of Magical Creatures, too."
"Of course you're doing the soft ones," Zabini said snarkily.
"Don't make me-"
"Runes, Arithmancy and Divination," Greengrass interrupted Tracey's threat.
"What? Divination?" Blake scoffed. "McGonagall told me Divination's basically bullsh*t."
"Prophecies are real."
"I'm not disputing that, but-"
"I've already submitted my form."
"He gave it to us 10 minutes ago!"
Seeing that they wouldn't get any further (useful) responses from Greengrass, Tracey asked Blake what he was doing.
"Runes, Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures."
"Yes!" Tracey cheered. "Thank God one of you's doing one of my electives. If I'd have been with Malfoy and his crew only…" She mimed throwing up, and Blake chuckled.
"Why Care of Magical Creatures?" Zabini asked.
"Future business opportunities," Blake responded brightly, despite Zabini snorting with derision. "I'm serious!" he reiterated. "Ingredients, zoos, transport, there's a lot!"
Blake pretended not to notice Greengrass's interest pique.
As classes continued and the day went on, Blake found himself relaxing for longer than he'd ever done before.
"Renshaw?"
"What's up, Greengrass?"
"Charlotte's the one that left the Mandrakes on my bed."
Blake stopped walking abruptly.
"Huh?"
"You heard me. We don't grow Mandrakes. I've no clue how she got her hands on some, but she did."
Blake seemed in deep thought.
"But how'd you know it was her?" he asked, heart beating rapidly.
"I have protective charms on the room," she said. Of course she does, Blake thought, resisting the urge to roll his eyes (hypocritically). "No one entered without me knowing, so it was either Tracey or Charlotte - and it definitely wasn't Tracey."
A wave of happiness and thankfulness washed over Blake, before a crushing guilt almost made him shake. I got her into so much trouble. She's spent this entire year alone too, probably when her mum wanted her to associate with Malloy and his group, but she didn't. And now, she's saved my brother. When will I ever stop owing her?
"Thanks for letting me know, Greengrass," Blake said, replacing his forlorn look with a smile. "And thanks for-"
"You're welcome," she said.
They continued to walk in silence for a few moments, before Blake smirked.
"What are you laughing about?" Greengrass said irritably. "You're always smirking about something or the other."
"Nothing," Blake responded dismissively. "It's just - even if your answer right now is no, I'll change your mind, Greengrass. I know I will."
Now, it was the blonde girl's turn to smirk.
"We'll see."
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