Chapter 80: Facade
*Narrator pov*
As the sun dipped below the towering spires of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the castle came alive with the bustling energy of students. The courtyard echoed with laughter and animated chatter as witches and wizards, their robes trailing behind them, made their way to various destinations.
In the Great Hall, the enchanted ceiling mirrored the evening sky, casting a warm, twilight glow on the long rows of house tables. The aroma of hearty meals wafted through the air as students filled their plates, recounting the day's adventures and sharing tales of their magical classes.
In the tallest spire, the headmaster's office seemed to give off an air of wisdom and strength. Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk seemingly sorting through student records, his mind constantly turning in an endless cycle trying to uncover potential Dark Lord supporters.
Albus sighed putting down a stack of papers, taking off his glasses he massaged his eyes from dreariness.
Albus was all too aware this year and the next was going to be very different than any other year he'd been the headmaster of. Tom Riddle better known as Lord Voldemort is starting to move and gather subordinates, he will stop at nothing to achieve his goal.
Albus knows Tom has students trying to recruit within the castle but, he hasn't been able to pinpoint all of them.
As he was about to continue his search Morpheus entered the office, "How you get in without the password will continue to baffle me," Albus said in a joking manner trying to see if Morpheus would tell him
Morpheus laughed, "I think they just like me," his smile as off-putting as ever strangely didn't bother Albus much
Albus shook his head exasperated by Morpheus's antics, "What brings you here?" he asked
Morpheus shrugged while sitting on the seat in front of Albus, "No reason in particular, I know you are looking for the potential candidates Tom has spotted. And his spies of course," he chuckled
"Have you come to help? I haven't had much luck myself except for the obvious ones," Albus slid over a paper containing his findings
Morpheus nodded, "In a way, to be honest with you originally I didn't mind how many supporters Tom gathered but" his smile turned into a grin, "I had some revelations over the summer and think it's best to save the children from having to go through the experience as a whole,"
Morpheus shook his head adding, "Of course, we won't be able to prevent many from joining but I know for a fact some that join in the future didn't want to they just didn't have another option,"
"You suggest we create another option?" Albus asked nodding in agreement while popping a candy in his mouth
Morpheus took the offered candy and popped it in his mouth, "This is good what type of this? Ah, and I'm not saying create so many factions it would get all tangled, I know you headed a group during your old friend's uprising you could always start that again," he suggested while taking another piece of candy
Albus chuckled, "They are rather good, aren't they? Lemon drops are one of my personal favorites. To tell the truth, I've been pondering over starting it up again but I've been unsure,"
Morpheus sighed, "Albus your biggest weakness is also your biggest strength. You analyze everything in a way that helps you make decisions but, also leads to hesitance. You don't need to create a massive group just start off small, I will take care of the dark families that don't want to join but are feeling pressured,"
Albus looked deeply into Morpheus's eyes, the daunting reflection of himself falling from the top of the very building they sat in seemed to pop up in his memory.
"Morpheus Everglade just who are you?" He asked not expecting an answer
Albus couldn't see it but Morpheus's eyes weren't on the headmaster but on the mirror behind him, "That is the big question isn't it?"
Down in the dungeons, the Slytherin common room exuded an air of sophistication and dark determination. Ambitious students collaborated on homework, their green and silver banners hanging proudly on the walls. Whispers of future plans and aspirations added to the ambiance of ambition that defined Slytherin House.
It was all a facade. The Slytherins seemed to eye each other, analyzing who was stronger. Dark whispers were in the background, the older years seemed to walk around as if they were invincible.
The older students were in search of candidates for their Lord. Their task was simple, gather as many recruits as possible, the Lord needed his army after all.
Some of the Slytherin students could tell this year was different, the atmosphere in the dungeons was constricted as if a snake was tangled around their throats.
The students who knew what was happening had one of two thoughts. Showing their worth to the Dark Lord or trying to find a way to escape his grasp.
*Morpheus pov*
I stood in front of my class It had been around two days since I last talked with Albus and now it was time for me to get to the fun stuff with my teaching.
Last year I noticed for some reason many of my students were able to perform this particular practice rather well which is why I taught the students teacup or tea leaf divination as some say rather early this time.
Granted it is one of the easier methods of divination but the students seemed to pick it up rather fast. But I digress, currently, I stand in front of my fourth-year students who already have a solid foundation of the method.
I started today's class with them practicing the method once again to regain the feel of it, "Alright, you can all stop now. I've had you practice this particular type of divination for two reasons. One it is rather easy to pick up and understand and secondly, it will be much easier to see the difference between the herbs," I announced
Taking a bundle of Artemisia vulgaris in my hand I asked, "What is this class?"
""Artemisia vulgaris,"" most answered in unison
Nodding I smiled, "Good, I will now burn this and then have you perform your divination again,"
Taking the bundle I created a spark lighting the top on fire and producing smoke, "Te oro, ut attentio augeatur." I chanted softly
The smoke seemed to thin as I waved it around in small circles, seeing the students were entranced with what I was doing I smiled, "Please begin,"
The students began once more and I walked around the classroom with the bundle still burning.
I smiled seeing some of the students struggling were now able to form some shapes in the tea.
I walked around the classroom a couple of times before standing in the front, "What do you notice?" I asked
A student raised his hand, "Yes," I beckoned
"I feel more focused my mind wasn't wondering as much," He replied with a proud look in his eyes
"Did you all feel the same effect?" I asked the room
They all either nodded or voiced their agreement.
"Good, that was the effect of a simple herb not even an old one, imagine the possibilities with other divination spells,"
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