Chapter 59
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Hogwarts was founded some thousand years ago by perhaps four legendary wizards of their time. With the passage of years, they were forgotten. Their traits, character, and genius were forgotten, and now, a thousand years later, they were known only by one trait each.
Godric Gryffindor for bravery, Rowena Ravenclaw for intelligence, Helga Hufflepuff for loyalty, and Salazar Slytherin for ambition.
Just like many before him, Albus had long wished to revel in their stories. He had wanted to learn more about the people whose legacy continued to shape the magical world of Great Britain to this day.
But the founders had left no portraits, no diaries, and no records. If they left anything of the sort, all of it had been lost through the years except for a few tales and treasures.
For all his genius, he had always wondered how Tom had managed to become as powerful as he had. Now, he had his answer.
"He lied to him," Miss Evans spoke softly as they returned to his office after their little crusade into the Chamber of Secrets, and he had known about the place but had never thought that he would get an opportunity to see it for himself.
He had been a simple professor when Tom had first taken a life, and if only he had taken steps to stop him then. But he had no proof of his criminality, and the whole school was rather happy in blaming it all on poor young Hagrid.
It was a great disservice to the kind half-giant, and one for which he always felt rather guilty. He had wondered many a time about the truth of the chamber. What it was? Where it was? What was inside of it?
And now all his questions had been answered.
"That is not unexpected," and to think that the witch infront of him had just conversed with one of the founders themselves. It was sublime and unbelievable.
"Tom had always had a way of manipulating others," and even if it was just a memory, his charm would have been equally effective, and now he knew a part of how Tom had become as powerful as he was.
Salazar Slytherin was a polarizing figure in their history and had been forced out of the school because of his prejudice against Muggle-born children. Yet, those were difficult times, and none of them knew the true history of those days and what had transpired.
"He wishes to help, but there is little that he has to offer. He says that Tom was not much fond of sharing his own plans, and that was not so unlike him.
"We might find something useful in these books, but most of them are in Parseltongue. So only I can read them," and he nodded.
"I am sorry to put such a burden on you, Miss Evans," and she shook her head.
"It's nothing," she answered back with a smile.
"Honestly, I am still in shock at what I have experienced today," and he was not much different. It was just that his age allowed him to deal with it all in a rather more appropriate manner.
"Well, I believe that will be all for today, Miss Evans," and she was not the only student present here.
"You should go back to your dorms now," and she nodded.
"I will, but there is one last thing," she asked.
"What became of the Basilisk?" she asked with some hesitation.
"It was slain," the answer came from her twin, and the only person in the room who did not share their shock and surprise, even though he had been the one to uncover the secret of the Chamber, just like he had been the one to uncover the secret of Tom's immortality.
How he had these things remained a mystery to him to this day.
"What?" She seemed surprised.
"Yes, and it was harvested. A basilisk that old is a treasure. Its hide, its eyes, its heart, bones, teeth, poison, all of it," and Albus nodded.
"Basilisks are extremely dangerous creatures. Keeping it alive, while ensuring the safety of wizards, witches, and other magical beings, was simply impossible," and he had sanctioned the decision himself.
"But since you and your brother played such an instrumental role in its capture, the Ministry has decided to share half of the proceeds from the sale of its parts with you," and now her eyes widened.
"Really?" she asked, and Albus nodded.
"I do not yet have the details, but the sum total should be around five hundred thousand galleons," and now the shock was evident on her face as he leaned back and added as he turned towards her brother.
"Each," and she took a second to respond.
"Wow! That is..." and she was lost for words, but it was all well deserved.
"Quite a sum," he finished her sentence for her.
"The details are still being hashed out, but I believe someone from the Ministry will reach out to you by the end of the term," and hopefully by then they will have rid their world of the cruelty and evil of Voldemort.
"Thank you, headmaster," she said, still reeling from the shock of it all.
"You are welcome, Miss Evans. Still, I do hope that you will not share what transpired today with anyone," and she nodded, for they had discussed it already.
"Now, I must have a chat with your brother," and she turned towards Alder.
"Stay for lunch," she said, and he nodded.
"I will be there," and then she hopped out of his office, leaving him with perhaps the most consequential wizard of their time. They had already discussed most of what they wished to say, and if the plan was to work, this war would be over by the end of next week.
For far too long, they had fought this war on Voldemort's terms and time, but it was time to change that. And so with some lies and trickery, they were going to lay a trap for him, and then end this war once and for all.
"I must say I am not fond of you using students as pawns," he complained, for upon learning of Peter's treachery, he wished to have him removed from the school at once.
But Alder had intervened and then offered up a plan.
"You were happy letting Malfoy and his ilk recruit from the school," he countered, and though they were allies, Alder did not approve of all of his actions, and the same was true for him.
But they both shared at least the consensus that this war needed to be over. Alder reminded him much of his own youth, with his talents in magic and politics.
"I did not wish to alienate them any more, and hoped that change could be inspired through friendship and education," and the young wizard shrugged.
"Perhaps, but I can assure you I hate doing this just as much as you do. But if we are to end this war, we need to make some sacrifices," and that was why he had agreed to it.
"I must say I am quite impressed by your plan," and it was rather elaborate and well thought out.
"It would not have been possible without your help," and he shook his head.
"Compared to you, I offered very little," and they disagreed on that as they enjoyed a small respite from the carnage of wars.
"Have you given any thought to your future?" The question caught him by surprise.
"What do you mean he asked as he put down his cup of tea, and with the end near in sight, Albus had found himself wondering about the future and what lay ahead.
"Soon enough, this war will be over, and you will have played a crucial part in it. The world will look to you just as they once did to me," and he had failed in that test.
"So, have you given any thought to what you wish to do in the future?" and he seemed to ponder over it for some time before he shook his head.
"I am afraid not," and that was not wrong.
"You would make a fine Minister," and those green eyes widened as young Alder chuckled.
"I am honored that you think so, but I never thought you would approve of someone like me as Minister," and he was wrong.
"I will not lie to you that you and I share some disagreements, but the truth of the matter is, you are an exemplary leader. You have this ability to inspire, lead, and protect that few people have. Besides that, despite your challenges, you have impeccable morals," and Albus wondered about the cost of his own failures.
"Thank you," the young wizard said.
"Years ago, I had the same opportunity as you, but I have a checkered past and so I ran away from the responsibility because I could not trust myself with power, and now that I look at the carnage around me, I wonder what might have happened if I had made a different choice then," and that was a troubling thought.
"What makes you think I will make the right choices?" Alder asked.
"Because you have until now," and he had done so in the most challenging of times.
"I will give it some thought," he added as they reached the end of their discussion, and just as he was about to leave, he stopped him.
"One more thing, Mr. Alder," and the young lad stopped.
"Yes," he asked.
"The Horcrux in your possession," and he looked him in the eye as he asked.
"You do know of its dangers, right?" and those eyes dimmed as he offered him a slow nod.
"I do," and that was some relief.
"There is no magic that can bring back the dead," and with that, the boy walked out of his office, as Albus sighed.
"And what a shame that is?"
.
.
.
For months now, Voldemort had been trying to come to terms with his plans being foiled. He had spent decades planning his rise, and yet through a series of events, all of his plans had been derailed.
Each victory was short-lived and was followed by a failure of some kind. It was as if someone had been deliberately sabotaging his plans.
Initially, he had thought that this was the work of the Headmaster, but the culprit was someone else. Someone far more insignificant. A no-name mud blood.
Alder Evans.
The boy had done more harm to him than Albus himself, and yet he had become a thorn in his side. The attack on Hogsmeade was a culmination of his frustrations and ambition. He had hoped to force the Ministry to its knees by using his ultimate weapon, yet once more, his plans had been foiled.
"AGHHHHH!" he raged as his wand tore through the manor, while half his men had already left his side.
"Parseltongue! Parseltongue!" and now it made sense. All of it made sense.
How did he know of his plans? How had he become such a thorn in his side?
"I did not know my lord," the young boy whimpered as Voldemort turned towards him.
"Then what use are you to me?" he questioned, and the boy whimpered.
"My lord. My lord, I have something for you," he began as Voldemort raised his wand.
"Something about their new plan," he began, and now he frowned.
"What?"
"I do not yet have the details, but I heard his sister mentioning something about a cup to James…," and he refused to listen to the next words.
"Crucio!" His screams filled the halls as a cold chill ran down his spine.
His Horcruxes. They knew about his Horcruxes.
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