Chapter 156: Successor
Dumbledore nodded, not hiding the truth.
Unlike in the original timeline, where Voldemort had already resurrected, making it impossible for Dumbledore to solve the curse and forcing him to keep it a secret (known only to Snape), the current situation was different. Voldemort was missing, and there was a healing magic like the Aria of Light available. Dumbledore saw no need for secrecy.
"I found some things left by Voldemort in the old Gaunt house. I was accidentally cursed, but it doesn't matter; using the Aria of Light should be able to completely resolve it."
He didn't mention the Resurrection Stone, but Snape and McGonagall were relieved to hear Dumbledore's confidence.
In addition to Dumbledore, Snape also knew the Aria of Light. Although he couldn't use it immediately due to just having fought, a couple of potions would restore him to normal in a few days.
Snape observed the curse on Dumbledore and stood up to leave. "I'm going to prepare some medicine for you."
Dumbledore's current state couldn't wait for a few days, so Snape needed to prepare potions to suppress the curse immediately.
Dumbledore didn't refuse; he had returned in such a hurry precisely because Voldemort's curse was potent. Without the Aria of Light, he might have needed to arrange his funeral.
"Tell me, who killed the basilisk? You look like... it's not one of the professors... is it Harry?"
McGonagall shook her head with a small smile. "No, it wasn't Harry. It was Artel, a first-year Slytherin. He drew the Sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat and killed the basilisk."
Dumbledore's eyes widened in surprise. "Artel? Remarkable. I must speak with him. His bravery and quick thinking have saved many lives."
Snape nodded in agreement, though he still looked slightly miffed about the Gryffindor sword being wielded by a Slytherin. "Indeed. The boy shows great promise."
Dumbledore smiled. "Artel has done a great service to Hogwarts. We must ensure he receives the recognition and support he needs. His actions today have proven him to be an extraordinary young wizard."
As Snape left to prepare the potions, Dumbledore and McGonagall continued to discuss the events, knowing that the repercussions of the night's battle would ripple through the school for some time. The immediate threat had been dealt with, but they had to remain vigilant for the challenges ahead.
Dumbledore's thoughts turned to Harry upon seeing Professor McGonagall's unusual joy, assuming Harry might have been involved, especially since it involved the Gryffindor Sword, traditionally linked to Harry's use.
"You guessed wrong," Professor McGonagall interjected, surprising Dumbledore, who rarely found himself mistaken.
"Guessed wrong?" Dumbledore echoed, genuinely taken aback.
Professor McGonagall, with a hint of amusement, continued, "There are other students who can wield the Sword of Gryffindor, you know. You underestimate our Hogwarts students."
"He's a genius!" she declared emphatically, leaving no room for further speculation.
"Artel?" Dumbledore deduced, processing the information. It made sense that Artel, with his unique abilities and courage, could draw the Sword of Gryffindor, despite being a Slytherin.
Dumbledore pondered the implications. While it was unusual for a Slytherin to wield Gryffindor's sword, Artel possessed qualities that Gryffindors valued deeply.
"No wonder there was a brawl between the houses in the Great Hall. It must have been connected to Artel," Dumbledore remarked wryly, connecting the dots.
"Gryffindor and Slytherin?" Professor McGonagall's surprise was evident, having been occupied in the infirmary and unaware of the auditorium incident.
"Yes, points have been deducted already," Dumbledore assured her, before prompting, "Tell me what happened last night. I'm quite curious about Artel's involvement."
"I was just about to inform you... Artel not only possesses remarkable talent in Transfiguration but also demonstrates a unique understanding of Transfiguration in combat situations..."
Professor McGonagall began recounting the events of the previous night to Dumbledore. As she described how Artel had used a polymorph spell to conjure a black cloth to blind the basilisk, Dumbledore's expression mirrored astonishment.
Artel's approach to Transfiguration was undeniably imaginative. It reminded Dumbledore of Newt Scamander, who also had a somewhat unconventional style in using Transfiguration that proved unexpectedly effective in critical moments.
When McGonagall mentioned Artel's summoning of the Sorting Hat and his drawing of the Sword of Gryffindor, Dumbledore fell into deep thought.
"It appears I haven't truly understood Artel's capabilities. I had seen him as a talented boy, but perhaps I underestimated him..." Dumbledore admitted to himself.
Unlike Harry, who was the son of James and Lily Potter, and destined by prophecy to confront Voldemort, Artel's background as a Muggle-born from a non-wizarding family had shaped Dumbledore's perceptions differently. While Dumbledore had never viewed Artel as a potential malevolent force, he hadn't envisioned Artel's potential impact to be as significant as Harry's.
Now, learning of Artel's feat with the Sword of Gryffindor, Dumbledore's perspective on Artel shifted dramatically, almost equating him with Harry in importance.
"Perhaps I could mentor Artel..." Dumbledore mused, considering the possibility of grooming Artel as a successor in Transfiguration. He envisioned Artel staying on as a professor at Hogwarts after graduating, potentially even succeeding him as headmaster decades down the line.
Once McGonagall finished her account, Dumbledore smiled wryly.
"Artel is proving to be quite the challenge... Slytherin's house points in this year's House Cup might surpass 1,000," Dumbledore remarked.
McGonagall's expression faltered slightly at Dumbledore's words. Gryffindor's house points were still in the negative after Dumbledore docked them a hundred points for the earlier altercation.
With Gryffindor's standing unlikely to improve anytime soon, this year's house points total could set a record for the lowest in Hogwarts history.
After a brief discussion with Dumbledore in his office, McGonagall departed to oversee the school in Dumbledore's absence due to his curse. With no classes scheduled for the day due to the circumstances, the students were left to their own devices.
Later that afternoon, Snape arrived at Dumbledore's office looking weary. The potion he had been refining had taken a toll on his spirits, leaving him looking even more fatigued.
Fortunately, the potion had been effective. After Dumbledore consumed it, although faint traces of dark mist still lingered around his hands, both his physical pain and mental anguish had eased considerably.
With the curse temporarily under control, Dumbledore visited the school infirmary to check on the other professors before leaving satisfied that all was well.
Normally, the school would have held a celebratory banquet after resolving such a major crisis as the basilisk. However, with the professors still recovering from their injuries, the banquet was postponed.
Artel's anticipated bonus points did not materialize until five days later, once all the professors had fully recuperated and Dumbledore's curse had been completely lifted.
In class that day, the students were informed of a grand celebration scheduled for that evening to honor their bravery and achievements.
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