Chapter 122: Chapter 122: "Forest Alliances"
After his encounter with his younger brother Charles, Harry was relieved to leave the castle's commotion behind and enter the serene, shadowy embrace of the Forbidden Forest.
The antics of his brother didn't bother him too much.
Charles was just behaving like the young kid he was, but that didn't mean Harry was ready to deal with him on any level. Rather than engage in pointless arguments, Harry chose to simply ignore him. He decided he'd only pay attention to Charles once he was mature enough to hold a meaningful conversation.
Once inside the forest, Harry quickly donned what he specially labeled his "Gryffindor disguise." With his disguise in place, he moved stealthily towards the area known to be inhabited by the acromantula colony.
However only a few minutes into his walk, his path was unexpectedly blocked—not by spiders, but by a group of centaurs. Some faces were familiar, like Bane and Dorran, while others were new to him.
Harry couldn't help but joke when he encountered the centaurs waiting for him. "All this to welcome me back? You shouldn't have. I didn't think you'd miss me that much," he said with a light laugh.
He was genuinely surprised by their presence; the previous year, the centaurs had largely ignored him and his presence in the forest.
"Don't think too highly of yourself, human. We're here on urgent business, not for pleasantries," Bane retorted sharply, his tone as prickly as ever.
Harry remained calm and responded with a smile, "Understood, but I'm honored by this reception. Maybe this can start a new chapter in our relationship."
Dorran, the leader of the group, tried to smooth things over. "Bane, can you control your temper? This human is not our enemy."
"Please, call me Arthur. I prefer it to 'human,'" Harry requested, hoping to really build closer relations with the centaurs.
He chose the name 'Arthur' because it resonated with the nobility and bravery of the legendary King Arthur, a figure of great importance in the wizarding world. Harry had tried to learn more about the real King Arthur and Merlin but found only myths and legends, no concrete historical texts that could tell him about the true events of that era.
Dorran stepped forward. "I'm Dorran, the leader of this tribe. We've come to seek your help, Knight Arthur, in protecting the forest and its creatures. Firenze here will explain more about our situation."
Harry shifted his attention to Firenze, the centaur who would eventually become a professor of Divination at Hogwarts.
Firenze greeted him with a formal tone, "Good evening, Knight. We are in need of your assistance to safeguard this forest. The stars have revealed to me that a grave danger looms over us this year. A dangerous wizard plans to hunt the unicorn herd living in our forest, and we centaurs lack the strength to protect them adequately from such a powerful foe."
Harry, feigning ignorance, responded, "A dangerous wizard? Who might that be? Have you considered taking this issue to Dumbledore? And is this wizard hunting unicorns for their blood?"
Though Harry knew the answers, he enjoyed playing the part of the uninformed, partly to lighten the mood and partly to practice his acting. Anticipating future situations where he might need to disguise his true knowledge, he saw these interactions as perfect opportunities to refine his skills.
Dorran's voice carried a hint of urgency as he spoke, "The stars have revealed that a dark presence is returning, intent on using the blood of unicorns to achieve cursed immortality. We've informed Dumbledore, but he's preoccupied with safeguarding the students from this same threat. Unfortunately, he can't extend his protection to the forest."
Harry raised an eyebrow, "So, Voldemort is making a comeback, huh? But would he really risk using unicorn blood, knowing the curse that comes with it? Unless, of course, he has a plan to counteract that curse."
Firenze nodded gravely, "Indeed, he is returning. Drinking unicorn blood is a desperate act, done only to sustain life long enough to find a more permanent solution — a solution that restores full strength and grants eternal life."
Harry mused aloud, "So Dumbledore has the Philosopher's Stone hidden at Hogwarts, huh? I'm surprised the Flamels agreed to lend him such a powerful object."
Firenze looked at Harry with a mixture of respect and curiosity, "Your understanding is keen, human. The stars were correct in their prophecy. You possess the insight and ability needed to assist us in our plight."
Harry expressed his concerns, "I genuinely want to help protect the unicorns, but you must understand my limitations. I have classes and other responsibilities. It's not feasible for me to patrol the forest constantly."
Dorran nodded, understanding Harry's predicament. "Knight Arthur, we appreciate your honesty. Fortunately, we don't need your assistance in patrolling the forest. The centaurs are prepared to handle that task. We'll confront the wizard and do our utmost to safeguard the unicorns. However, we could use your expertise in a different area."
Firenze elaborated on their request, "According to the celestial signs, you possess notable healing abilities, and that's where we need your help. While we centaurs will combat the dark forces, we can't guarantee that there won't be casualties. When injured unicorns are found, your skills in healing will be invaluable. The threat we face is focused on their blood, not direct conflict, so your role would not involve fighting."
Harry felt relieved and capable in this role. "If it's a matter of healing the wounded, then yes, I'm able to assist. Healing is something I can manage alongside my other commitments."
Over the holidays, Harry had advanced significantly in his healing techniques, thanks largely to his time spent with Cordelia and Emma, who had provided him with practical experience and guidance.
Harry was taken aback by the centaurs' remarkable skills in divination. They seemed to know not just future events but also details about Harry's personal abilities, like his skill in healing magic—a fact not widely known among others. It appeared the centaurs might even be aware of his true identity but chose to play along, possibly to maintain his goodwill.
Their ability to foresee the future and understand deep secrets was impressive, especially compared to Professor Trelawney's sporadic and often vague prophecies. Harry found himself seriously considering the idea of helping Firenze join Hogwarts as a divination teacher. Such a move could greatly benefit the students, but he was aware of the delicate relationship between humans and centaurs. Any effort to integrate Firenze into the school would have to be handled with sensitivity to avoid stirring historical tensions.
With these thoughts in mind, Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a specially crafted coin. "Press the center of this coin when you need my help," he explained to Dorran, handing him the coin. "If I'm free, I'll come as quickly as I can."
This coin, designed similarly to the ones canon Hermione had created for the Dumbledore's Army, allowed for discreet communication. Harry had originally made one for Susan to ensure he could be alerted if she ever found herself in danger. The coin he gave to Dorran was an extra, meant for emergency use.
Dorran caught the coin and examined it briefly. "Thank you for helping the forest, Knight Arthur," he said with a nod of appreciation.
Before departing, Harry asked "Before I leave, I wanted to check on the acromantula colony. Have they been causing any more trouble lately?"
Dorran responded with a reassuring tone, "Your efforts last year significantly weakened them. They're still recovering from those setbacks. Additionally, they seem to sense the tension in the air and have been unusually quiet this year. You shouldn't have any problems with them for now."
"That's excellent to hear!" Harry exclaimed. "I certainly didn't want to juggle both these problems at once. That's all I needed to know for today. I have other matters to attend to, but don't hesitate to use the coin if you need my help."
Dorran nodded in agreement, "Yes, Knight Arthur. On behalf of all the unicorns, we're truly grateful for your willingness to assist us."
"It's no trouble at all. This wizard threatens us all, and disrupting his plans is a priority for me," Harry assured him. "Farewell, everyone. And Bane," Harry added with a light tone, trying to ease the tension, "try to relax a little, will you?"
Bane bristled slightly at the comment. "Who are you to tell me what to do, human? Don't assume that because you're helping, I'll start treating you kindly."
Harry, with a half-smile, replied, "I wouldn't dream of it, Bane. Good night."
With his visit to the Forbidden Forest concluded Harry turned his steps back toward Hogwarts Castle. There were pressing tasks waiting for him, especially with the new responsibility he had just accepted.
Although Harry was good at healing magic for wizards, he recognized that healing unicorns would be a different challenge altogether.
Unicorns were magical creatures with unique needs, and he wasn't fully prepared for that. Determined to acquire the necessary knowledge, Harry planned to visit the Room of Requirement next. He needed to find books and scrolls about magical creature healthcare, particularly those focused on unicorns.
As he walked back, Harry reflected on the positive outcomes of his forest encounter. Helping the unicorns and potentially strengthening his ties with the centaurs felt rewarding. It was an unexpected benefit of Voldemort's return. In a way, he was grateful for the opportunity Voldemort had unwittingly provided, giving him a chance to build good relations with another magical community.
Chapter 123: Chapter 123: "Dumbledore's Plans"
While Harry was having serious conversations with the Centaur tribe, a different kind of activity was unfolding in the Hogwarts headmaster's office.
Seated behind his grand desk, Dumbledore was immersed in deep thought. He had cleverly set in motion a series of events aimed at confirming his suspicions about Voldemort's continued existence.
He had always known that Voldemort, or Tom as he knew him, had somehow survived, and now he needed to reveal this truth not just to himself, but also to calm the restless suspicions of his followers.
To achieve this, Dumbledore had taken advantage of Professor Quirrel's known vulnerabilities and ambitions.
He had subtly manipulated Quirrel, guiding the insecure man on a dangerous journey that Dumbledore hoped would lead him to Voldemort.
Utilizing Snape's dark mark, Dumbledore had been able to make an educated guess about where Voldemort might be hiding. He then strategically leaked potential locations to Quirrel, wrapped in layers of rumors and half-truths.
Dumbledore wasn't completely certain that Quirrel would manage to find Voldemort, but he felt it was a risk worth taking. In his heart, Dumbledore sensed that it was time for Voldemort to resurface.
When Dumbledore received confirmation that Quirrel had indeed encountered Voldemort, his reaction was a mix of relief and satisfaction. He had cleverly placed tracking spells on Quirrel, which allowed him to gather all the necessary information remotely.
Dumbledore learned that Voldemort was now residing within Quirrel, effectively possessing him. Although he was aware of the grim fate that awaited Quirrel, Dumbledore accepted that some sacrifices were necessary for the greater good.
He felt a profound sadness for the young professor's doomed fate, but he was resolute in his belief that such sacrifices were essential to overcome great evil.
Recognizing the imminent threat, Dumbledore reached out to his longtime friend, Nicholas Flamel. He explained the dire situation and the risk Voldemort posed to the Philosopher's Stone. Dumbledore assured Flamel that he would take every precaution to protect the stone. Moved by years of trust and respect, Flamel agreed to lend the stone to Dumbledore.
However, Dumbledore's intentions extended beyond merely safeguarding the stone. He planned to use the Philosopher's Stone as a lure to draw Voldemort back to Britain.
With this strategy in mind, he placed the stone in a specific vault at Gringotts and then deliberately leaked information about its location, ensuring that the news would eventually reach Voldemort.
Originally, Dumbledore had a plan to capture Voldemort during an attempt to steal the Philosopher's Stone from the Gringotts vault. He knew it would be a temporary capture but hoped it would be enough to show everyone that Voldemort was indeed still alive.
Dumbledore didn't attempt to destroy Voldemort, as he believed that effort would be futile. According to prophecy, only Charles could truly defeat him.
As the plan unfolded, Dumbledore realized an adjustment was necessary. When he first encountered Quirrel that year, he saw that Voldemort was exceedingly weak, so much so that he couldn't use much of his powerful dark magic. This unexpected turn made Dumbledore rethink his strategy.
Seeing how feeble Voldemort had become, Dumbledore recognized a chance for Charles, his young protégé, to face a real challenge. Although Charles had been trained by both his parents and Dumbledore, he still lacked a serious understanding of the threats they faced. He was somewhat naive and hadn't fully committed to his training sessions, still behaving like a typical young boy.
Dumbledore therefore decided to shift his plan to include a direct confrontation between Charles and Voldemort. This encounter would take place in a controlled setting within Hogwarts, where he could keep a close eye on things and step in if things got out of hand.
If Charles managed to defeat Voldemort during their encounter, possibly by some lucky chance with the "power the Dark Lord knows not" mentioned in the prophecy, it would be the perfect result for everyone involved. If things didn't go as planned, Dumbledore was ready to intervene and rescue Charles.
This setup wasn't just about the confrontation; it was also a test to uncover more about the mysterious "power" mentioned in the prophecy.
Additionally, Dumbledore needed to make sure Voldemort was aware that the stone was hidden within Hogwarts. This part of the plan was straightforward to implement.
Dumbledore's updated strategy consisted of several carefully planned actions. He intended to subtly inform Charles about the significance of the Philosopher's Stone and invoke Charles's innate Gryffindor courage to protect the stone and the school from Voldemort. This challenge would not only test Charles's mettle but also encourage his personal growth.
To safeguard the stone and set the stage for the final showdown between Charles and Voldemort, Dumbledore had equipped the third-floor corridor with various obstacles.
While these obstacles were designed to be challenging, they were designed keeping Charles in mind. Obstacles Charles could cross with some help from friends. Those obstacles would never stop someone like Voldemort.
The ultimate safeguard of the stone was the Mirror of Erised, which Dumbledore was confident Voldemort could not manipulate to obtain the stone.
Everything had gone according to plan so far. Voldemort was now inside Hogwarts, and all Dumbledore needed to do was delay him until the right moment for Charles to step in.
As Dumbledore thought through the details of his plan, an alert caught his attention. He glanced at his magical instruments, which showed him that Charles and Ron were on their way to his office.
Dumbledore prepared himself to greet the duo, intrigued by what could have brought them to visit him so soon.
Considering it was only the first day of the new school term, it seemed the young boy was already finding himself in some kind of trouble.
This reminded Dumbledore of Charles's father, James, and his group called the marauders, who were known for their mischievous exploits during their own school days.
Despite the dark times that loomed outside the school walls during those years, their group managed to bring some light-heartedness and joy to Hogwarts.
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