Chapter 5: For... For the Greater Good!
That's right, I absolutely cannot give up!
Even if fifty years have passed, as long as Lord Grindelwald is still alive, I can't just quit!
Loira took a deep breath and patted her cheeks, her blue eyes slowly filling with determination.
She couldn't just forget the mission and trust Lord Grindelwald had given her. Even if... Lord Grindelwald had already lost, she was still alive.
No matter what, she had to complete Lord Grindelwald's task!
With that thought, Loira felt her fighting spirit return. Alright, next time I see Dumbledore, I'll launch a sneak attack and take him down...
Knock, knock!
Just as Loira clenched her fists, there was a knock on the door.
A moment later, that tall figure pushed the door open and walked in.
"Dum-dum-dum... Dumbledore!" Loira instinctively stumbled back, hiding her hands behind her back.
When I said 'next time,' I didn't mean right now! At least let me get a wand first!
"You seem to be in better spirits?" Dumbledore smiled. He strode into the room and casually placed a small bag on the table.
"This is some food," Dumbledore said. "You don't seem to have eaten at all yesterday."
"Groooowl~" Right on cue, Loira's stomach made a traitorous sound. She blushed and looked down.
That's right... she hadn't eaten in almost two days...
No! This is food from the enemy. I will not accept his charity! Thinking this, Loira's hands clenched behind her back. "Lord Grindel... Where is he?"
"I want to see him."
"Grindelwald?" Dumbledore paused. "You want to see him?"
"Yes... Yes!" Loira pressed her lips together and brought out the excuse she had prepared. "I have a... a grudge against him. Can you let me see him?"
It's definitely not because I want to discuss the revival of the cause and the mission.
"A grudge... hmm?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, then shook his head. "I'm very sorry, Miss Hamilton. Grindelwald is a high-security prisoner, designated as such by the Wizengamot."
"Except under special circumstances, anyone who wishes to see him requires clearance." Dumbledore lowered his voice. "Perhaps there is a great deal of hatred between you."
"But believe me."
"Too much hatred can often only end up crushing oneself, don't you think?"
No...
Loira pressed her lips together, wanting to argue, but she didn't know how to phrase it.
I don't have a grudge against him! I'm just trying to find an excuse to see Lord Grindelwald... Stop acting like I'm going to do something to him if I see him!
"I... I have a reason why I must see him," she finally choked out after a long pause.
It was a sentence that could barely even be called an excuse.
But her earnest expression made Dumbledore pause and think.
"Miss Hamilton, what exactly happened to you... during those fifty years?" Dumbledore suddenly changed the subject.
"I..." Loira hesitated, then explained what had happened. Of course, she only mentioned being unconscious.
"Is that so?" Dumbledore frowned, pondering for a few seconds. "According to Grindelwald's confession..."
"It was the Purist Party that attacked you." Dumbledore said this and glanced at a stunned Loira. "You look as though you already knew this."
Of course I didn't know... And how does this just happen to line up with the lie I just invented...
Lord Grindelwald... could he have said that to cover for me?
Loira pressed her lips together, suppressing the sudden wave of emotion. "I... Before I fell unconscious... I encountered members of the Purist Party."
"Then it seems... it truly was the Purist Party that attacked you." Dumbledore paused. "Only, for some reason, the spell they used didn't kill you, but instead put you in a coma for fifty years?"
"I... I guess so... right?" Loira muttered, uncertain.
"Hmm..." Dumbledore mused for a few seconds, then nodded lightly.
"Miss Hamilton, have you given any thought to what you will do now?" he asked, a strange question.
Of course I've thought about it. First, I'll meet with Lord Grindelwald, then I'll earn your trust, and then I'll take you down, revive the cause... For the Greater Good!
Seeing Loira's strange expression, Dumbledore cleared his throat. "What I mean is... for your own life."
"Although fifty years have passed, Miss Hamilton, your biological age is, without a doubt, still 16."
Hey! Even fifty years ago in 1942, I was already 18!
Loira couldn't help but correct him in a small voice, "Um... I'm actually eighteen..."
"Ah... is that so..." Dumbledore looked Loira over, then blinked. "Well, in that case, Miss Hamilton, you look quite... ah, 'youthful'."
"..."
Loira knew exactly what Dumbledore meant. She lowered her head in embarrassment, and the fighting spirit she had just mustered vanished.
He means I look small, doesn't he?
It's not like I can help it... We all ate the same things... but I'm the only one who didn't grow! Don't I have half-Veela blood, too?
Loira gritted her teeth, unable to defend herself, and finally just lowered her head with a small "Hmph."
Seeing her crestfallen look, Dumbledore said gently, "To return to the subject, Miss Hamilton, what are your plans for the future?"
"Wizards must make a living. To my knowledge... you were not employed before your disappearance, correct?"
Actually, I was... as a member of the Purist Party...
Of course, Loira couldn't say that job out loud. She just fidgeted with her sleeve. "No... I wasn't."
"In that case..." Dumbledore's eyes took on a peculiar glint. "I have a job I could introduce you to."
"A... a job?" Loira pressed her lips together, really wanting to refuse. She didn't need a job; she had the mission to revive the cause. But meeting Dumbledore's frank gaze, she found it hard to refuse him.
She had always been bad at refusing people. It was why she'd ended up in prison, and why she'd joined the cause in the first place.
"Yes. A position at Hogwarts." Dumbledore pulled a contract from his pocket. "If you are willing, Miss Hamilton, I would like to offer you the position of Professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts for the coming term."
"Pro... Professor?!" Loira waved her hands frantically. "No... no way... I absolutely can't!"
She couldn't imagine herself capable of such a position. She had been a problem student at Durmstrang; many professors there hadn't liked her... Besides, Durmstrang didn't have a Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
If anything... it was just a "Dark Arts" class, wasn't it?
"Miss Hamilton, please don't sell yourself short," Dumbledore chuckled. "As one of Durmstrang's most gifted students in centuries..."
"You are more than capable of holding any position at Hogwarts." Dumbledore lowered his voice. "And according to my information..."
"Miss Hamilton, you are also proficient in non-verbal spells, are you not?"
"Eep?!" Loira was shocked he knew so much about her. Could it be... he already knows my true identity?
Just as she was thinking this, Dumbledore explained, "Miss Hamilton, years ago, I had considered finding you and asking you to join me in opposing Grindelwald."
"Unfortunately, after 1942, I never heard any news of you again." A trace of apology crossed his face. "It seems that was when you ran into Grindelwald and his followers."
"Ah... yes..." Loira nodded, lacking confidence. She had indeed "run into" Grindelwald... and then promptly joined his cause.
"Therefore, you are fully capable of taking on the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor." Dumbledore smiled. "After all, you are very skilled with spells, are you not?"
"But... but..." Loira still wanted to refuse. How could someone like her, who had trouble just talking to people, possibly be a professor?
A professor had to... talk to students, right?
"Miss Hamilton, you mentioned earlier that you wished to see Grindelwald, correct?" Dumbledore suddenly brought up their earlier conversation.
He said, slowly and clearly, "If... you are willing to accept the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, then at the end of the school term next year... I will personally accompany you to meet with Grindelwald."
"How about it?"
See... Lord Grindelwald...
Loira pressed her lips together. This was... a condition she couldn't refuse. But... being a professor...
Wait. Being a professor could also be a way to earn Dumbledore's trust, right? He's the Headmaster, after all.
If I become a professor and get his trust...
But... being a professor...
No, Loira, Loira! You just swore you'd be determined to complete Lord Grindelwald's mission! How can you give up over a little thing like this... What is it, really? Just talking to students? They're just kids...
She completely forgot that, strictly speaking, she had only just reached adulthood herself.
"O... Okay... I... I agree..." Loira, her ears drooping slightly, finally stammered her acceptance.
Dumbledore nodded. "Then... Miss Hamilton, I am very pleased to hear it."
With that, he fished a few candies from his pocket and placed them in Loira's hand.
"To welcome you," he said with a smile. "Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans." He popped one into his own mouth.
"Bertie Bott's Every Flavour... Beans?" Loira had never had one. It sounded like some kind of snack?
She subconsciously unwrapped one and put it in her mouth.
"What flavor did you get?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"Strawberry?" Loira said after a moment.
"Is that so..." Dumbledore smiled and shook his head. "Mine, alas, appears to be booger."
"..."
Loira had the immediate, overwhelming urge to throw the rest of the beans in her hand away.