Soon, the soul solidified into form. It was Lily.
Lily stared at Erwin, startled. "It's you? Child, where is Death?"
"Eliminated. Ask your godson for the details," Erwin replied briskly. "I'm going to resurrect you now. Don't speak. Remain silent."
Though confusion swirled in her eyes, Lily dared not argue. Erwin began to wield the authority of Death with precision. Resurrecting a soul was no simple matter. Even with such power, it demanded a significant price.
To resurrect Lily, he needed to pay that price.
Fortunately, Erwin could bear it. This authority operated similarly to ancient magic—there were gains and losses in equivalent exchange. To restore her, he needed to exchange souls to replenish the cosmic balance.
Erwin touched the dark mark on his arm. "Commence operations."
Meanwhile, in America...
Rivers surveyed the manor before him, a sinister smile creeping across his face. "Brothers, let's engage them."
He raised the RPG propped on his shoulder.
"Times have changed, wizards!" he barked.
He pulled the trigger. The rocket, trailing fire, hurtled toward the manor. The explosion was deafening, flames shooting skyward as screams followed immediately.
Rivers grinned wickedly. "Move out! The Master is waiting."
The Cavendish operatives nodded, faces twisted with ruthless determination.
Elsewhere, in Germany...
Wenda Rosier observed the purple lotus mark on her arm flash urgently. The Saints had already assembled.
"Excellent," she said. "We returned at the opportune moment. Now, commence the purge." Her voice was glacial. "Anyone hostile to the Cavendish family or the Saints... leave no survivors."
The Saints nodded grimly. They drew their wands, transforming into streaks of black mist that dispersed in all directions.
British Mainland...
The Cavendish family's forces had assembled before their commander. They had just returned from operations abroad, following Erwin's explicit orders.
The commander looked at the darkening sky.
"It is getting late. Eliminate the obstacles hiding in the shadows. Extract them. We've permitted them to exist long enough; it is time for them to settle their debts."
He raised his wand. "Leave no survivors. You have one hour. Do not disappoint the Master."
The wizards nodded, dividing into tactical teams and vanishing into the gloom. The campaign to silence dissenting voices against the Cavendish family had commenced.
In the Kingdom of France...
Voldemort materialized on a darkened street, flanked by Death Eaters. A Cavendish operative approached and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Dark Lord."
Voldemort observed the purple lotus mark on the operative's chest. "Young Erwin informed me. You have targets?"
"Yes, my Lord." The operative produced a parchment. "These are families hostile to our operations. According to the Master's directives, they are obstacles to the consolidation of French magical territories. They must be eliminated."
Voldemort glanced at the list. "Several formidable targets. Are their locations confirmed?"
"I am to guide you personally."
"Excellent," Voldemort rasped. He turned to his followers. "Did you hear? The Master requires our service. Do not fail him."
The Death Eaters grinned menacingly. Bellatrix tightened her grip on her wand, barely containing her bloodlust.
"Remember," Voldemort commanded. "Leave no one to seek leverage against us. No witnesses."
The group vanished into a cloud of black mist. The Western magical world was about to plunge into controlled chaos.
Back at the river...
Erwin manipulated his authority, channeling streams of souls to replenish Lily's fading essence. She had been deceased for over a decade; within two years, her soul would have dissipated entirely. Without this replenishment, even resurrection might leave her a fractured shell.
As the souls converged systematically, Erwin sensed the power of his operatives acting with ruthless efficiency. A faint smile touched his lips. He ignored the influx of energy and focused solely on Lily's restoration.
Wisps of black smoke rose around him, and a chilling aura permeated the atmosphere. The river water began to freeze at its edges. Lily's soul solidified, detaching from its ethereal form. Her body began to coalesce from the mist, flesh knitting together methodically over bone.
Finally, she stood fully restored.
Erwin stepped back, exhaling sharply. The exertion was considerable.
At that exact moment, on the Hogwarts Express...
Severus Snape, resting in his compartment, suddenly opened his eyes wide.
Professor McGonagall looked up. "Severus? What is it?"
Snape shook his head, clutching his chest. He felt a tremor in his very core, an inexplicable pull he couldn't identify.
At the Styx...
Lily slowly opened her eyes. She looked down at her hands, solid and tangible. "Am I... resurrected?"
"Yes," Erwin confirmed. "But you are now functionally a Muggle. Magic is no longer accessible to you. Your soul's connection to magical energy was depleted too extensively; even I couldn't fully restore that link."
Lily's eyes welled with tears. "This is more than enough. Thank you."
"No need," Erwin replied, his tone softening marginally. "I did this for my godfather."
"I know," Lily said. "But thank you regardless. Can I... can I see Harry?"
"They should be arriving back at the castle shortly," Erwin said. "I'll transport you to Hogwarts to wait."
He extended his arm. Lily understood, gripping his wrist firmly. The next moment, the world twisted and dissolved.
They reappeared on the Quidditch pitch at Hogwarts. The wind was crisp, and the castle loomed majestically before them.
"They will land here shortly," Erwin said.
Lily nodded, gazing at the sky, her face filled with an overwhelming mixture of hope and profound excitement.
---
I've just launched Hogwarts: I, Tom Riddle, Am a Good Teacher! I've put extra care into the writing and consistency for this one, and I think you're going to love the vibe.
If you enjoyed my previous work, come check out the first few chapters and tell me: Would you survive a class with Professor Riddle? Don't forget to drop those Power Stones to help us rank!
— MrGrim