Blake took Nagini to his convenience store, where he introduced her to the house-elf, Beck. Beck, being the diligent and efficient elf that he was, quickly began showing Nagini around the store, familiarizing her with the daily operations. Blake stood back, watching as the two got acquainted. It wasn't long before another visitor arrived at the store.
Argus Filch, the castle's caretaker, shuffled in, his usual grumpy expression softened as he approached Blake. "The Headmaster asked me to find living quarters for the lady," Filch said, his voice unusually polite. "The dormitory has been cleaned. I'll take you there now."
Blake smiled at Filch's unusual deference. It wasn't common for the grumpy caretaker to act this way toward students, but Blake had always treated him with respect, and in return, Filch had shown him a level of kindness that few students ever saw.
"Thank you, Mr. Filch," Blake said. He then turned to Nagini and gestured for her to follow. "Come on, Nagini. We'll get you settled into your new living quarters."
Before they left, Blake turned to Bob, who had remained behind during the exchange. "I'll catch up with you later, Bob," he said, giving his friend a wave. Bob nodded and watched them leave the shop, his eyes lingering on Nagini.
Just as Bob was about to leave, a familiar voice called out to him. "Bob."
Turning around, Bob saw Cassandra walking toward him. She had a curious expression on her face, her eyes flicking between him and the retreating figures of Blake and Nagini. "Are you looking for Blake? He just left with someone," Bob said.
Cassandra's gaze remained fixed on Nagini's figure as she walked away. "Who's the woman with Blake?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"Oh... that's Nagini," Bob replied, his voice hesitant. He scratched his head nervously, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Didn't Blake tell you about her?"
Cassandra's brow furrowed slightly. "Nagini? No, he didn't mention anything about her."
Bob's heart skipped a beat. He had assumed that Blake had told Cassandra everything, especially since she and Blake were so close. But now it seemed that Blake had kept this information to himself. Bob could already feel the tension rising. Cassandra was known for her competitive nature, and the idea that Blake had told someone else something he hadn't told her was sure to sting.
Bob prepared himself for Cassandra's usual reaction—frustration, maybe even anger. But to his surprise, Cassandra simply shrugged and said, "Oh." She gave Bob a polite goodbye and walked away, leaving him standing there in shock.
Watching Cassandra's retreating form, Bob shook his head in disbelief. "Blake, you've really managed to tame a wild one," he muttered to himself, half in awe.
Meanwhile, Nagini settled into her new role at Hogwarts without much fuss. The students, who were accustomed to Blake's eccentricities, weren't too surprised when a new and beautiful clerk appeared at his store. Blake was well-known for attracting attention, especially from the opposite sex, and this just seemed like another one of his many quirks.
It wasn't long before rumors started swirling around about Blake's relationship with Nagini. Some students speculated that she was just another admirer, while others whispered about her mysterious past. But for the most part, people accepted her presence without question. After all, this was Blake's shop, and nothing about it—or him—was ever ordinary.
As the days passed, the weather grew warmer, signaling the approach of spring. Blake spent most of his time either attending classes or practicing with Dumbledore in the Shrieking Shack. However, the lessons Dumbledore was imparting weren't the usual spells or magical theory. Instead, the Headmaster was teaching Blake how to wield the mysterious power of "love" in the context of dark magic.
It was a curious and difficult endeavor. Dumbledore believed that love, one of the strongest emotions a person could feel, could be harnessed to safely unleash even the most dangerous black magic. The very idea seemed paradoxical—using love to fuel spells designed for harm.
"Avada Kedavra!" Blake shouted, pointing his wand at a wooden target.
A burst of green light shot from his wand, obliterating the target in an instant. Blake stared at the smoldering remains, his mind racing. The power he'd just unleashed felt foreign yet familiar.
"It's not easy, is it?" Dumbledore remarked from behind him, his voice filled with a knowing tone.
Blake frowned, lowering his wand. "Professor, I've been thinking," he began, his voice tentative. "If I can use love to cast black magic, what's stopping me from using that same power to cast other types of magic? Magic that's not destructive?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, a smile playing on his lips. "Tell me more, Blake."
Blake continued, his mind churning with ideas. "Love is a powerful force. But using it to cast dark magic... it feels wrong. The spells work, but they're not any stronger. In fact, they almost feel weaker because love and dark magic are so incompatible. But when I use love to fuel other types of spells—spells that aren't rooted in harm—the power is amplified."
To demonstrate, Blake raised his wand and cast a simple Stunning Spell. "Stupefy!"
The force of the spell was immense, shattering several wooden targets in a single hit. Blake stared at the wreckage, his heart pounding with the realization of what he'd just done. Without even tapping into any dark magic, he had unleashed a spell with far more power than he ever thought possible.
Dumbledore nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It seems you've finally begun to understand, Blake."
Blake turned to face his mentor, a sense of clarity washing over him. "I get it now, Professor. I don't need black magic. Love itself is stronger than any dark spell."
Dumbledore's smile widened, and he placed a hand on Blake's shoulder. "Precisely. You see, Blake, dark magic is seductive, but it is nothing compared to the power of love. Tom Riddle—Voldemort—has spent his life chasing power, but he will never know the true strength of love because he has never understood it."
Blake finally saw the bigger picture. All of Dumbledore's lessons, all of his careful guidance, had been leading to this moment. Dumbledore hadn't been teaching Blake how to master dark magic—he'd been showing him a way to surpass it.
"Dark magic is nothing," Blake muttered, still processing everything. He looked up at Dumbledore. "You've been teaching me something stronger this whole time."
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "Yes, Blake. The magic of love is the most powerful force in the world. It is a power that Voldemort will never possess. And it is this power that will allow you to stand against him when the time comes."
Blake's eyes narrowed in determination. He finally understood why Dumbledore rarely used dark magic himself. It wasn't because he was incapable—it was because he didn't need to.
"So, when Voldemort tries to tempt me with dark magic, I'll use the power of love to turn the tables on him," Blake said confidently.
"Exactly," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Remember, Blake, magic—whether it's dark or light—is just a tool. It's up to us to decide how we use it. Never let any one type of magic control you."
Blake nodded, his resolve solidifying. He had learned a valuable lesson—one that would shape his future. And as the days continued to pass at Hogwarts, Blake knew that he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.