Chapitre 37: 37. Reunions
As the holiday season progressed within the enchanting bounds of Hogwarts, Apollyon Seraphina found herself seeking a reprieve from the rigorous mental discipline of her Occlumency training. The opportunity presented itself in an unexpected form—assisting Rubeus Hagrid, the school's gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures professor, with his myriad of magical animals. Hagrid, with his boundless enthusiasm for all creatures great and small, welcomed her help with open arms.
The days that followed were filled with a different kind of learning, one that engaged Apollyon's sense of wonder and compassion rather than the intense focus of her Occlumency practice. Hagrid's charges were as varied as they were fascinating: from the proud hippogriffs, who required a careful approach and respect, to the mischievous nifflers, always on the hunt for anything shiny.
One crisp morning, Hagrid, with his greatcoat bundled around him against the chill, turned to Apollyon with a gleam in his eye. "Fancy a little trip into the Forbidden Forest, Apollyon? Got a few magical creatures in there could use a check-in over the holidays."
Apollyon, intrigued and eager for adventure, agreed without hesitation. The Forbidden Forest, with all its mysteries and dangers, had always held a certain allure for her.
Equipped with Hagrid's lantern and a few essentials packed by the gamekeeper himself, they set off into the forest. The dense canopy above filtered the winter light into a dim, ethereal glow, casting long shadows that danced around them as they made their way along the narrow, winding paths known only to Hagrid.
Their first stop was a clearing where a small herd of Thestrals lived. These creatures, invisible to those who had not witnessed death, were gentle with Apollyon, sensing her kindness. Under Hagrid's guidance, she helped feed them, marveling at their silent grace and the strange beauty of their bat-like wings.
Further into the forest, they came upon a small, secluded pond, home to a family of bowtruckles. These tiny, twig-like creatures were initially wary, but Hagrid's gentle demeanor and Apollyon's quiet patience soon won them over. She learned to spot the bowtruckles among the branches, their camouflage a marvel of natural magic.
The highlight of their venture, however, was the rescue of a young unicorn that had strayed too far from its mother. The creature's ethereal beauty was breathtaking, its coat shimmering in the scarce light that filtered through the forest canopy. Together, Hagrid and Apollyon managed to guide it back to the safety of its herd, the grateful nuzzle of the unicorn mother a reward beyond words.
As they made their way back to the castle, the sky tinged with the colors of dusk, Apollyon felt a profound sense of fulfillment. The experiences of the day, the connection with the magical creatures of the forest, had provided her with a much-needed balance to the introspective and solitary nature of her Occlumency training.
Hagrid, clapping her on the back with a smile that crinkled his eyes, said, "Yeh've got a real knack for this, Apollyon. Anytime yeh want to come back, help out with the creatures, yeh're more than welcome."
Apollyon smiled, her heart light with the joy of the day's adventures. "Thank you, Hagrid. I'd like that very much."
+++
In the shadowed reaches of Romania, far from the enchanting bounds of Hogwarts and the innocent adventures within the Forbidden Forest, Sirius Black, now more than ever bound to the dark path he had chosen, pressed on in his relentless search for the Dark Lord. The cold, harsh landscape of the Romanian wilderness was a stark contrast to the warmth and festivity of the holiday season he had left behind, a fitting backdrop for the grim purpose that drove him.
Black, in his Grim form, moved with a determined grace, his senses attuned to the dark energies that seemed to guide him. The Dark Mark etched into his arm had become more than a symbol of allegiance; it was a beacon, growing more alive with each passing day, pulsing with a sinister energy that promised reunion and power. It was this sensation that guided him, an unerring compass pointing towards his ultimate goal.
Romania, with its ancient forests and deep, hidden valleys, was rumored to be a haven for those who sought to escape the prying eyes of the wizarding world. It was here that Voldemort had sought refuge in the past, and it was here that Sirius believed he would find him once more.
As he traversed the rugged terrain, Sirius allowed himself to reflect on the journey that had brought him to this point. Once a beloved son of the noble House of Black, now a fugitive, a pariah branded as a traitor by those he had once called friends. But in his heart, there was no regret, only a burning loyalty to the Dark Lord and the cause he served.
The nights were long, filled with the howls of distant creatures and the whisper of the wind through the trees, a constant reminder of the isolation of his quest. Yet, Sirius was not deterred. With each step, he felt the pull of the Dark Mark stronger, a sign that he was drawing closer to his quarry.
One evening, under the cloak of darkness, Sirius felt a sudden, intense surge from the Dark Mark. It was as though a veil had been lifted, revealing a path that had previously been obscured. With renewed vigor, he pressed on, following the sensation that coursed through his veins like fire.
Though he did not find the Dark Lord that night, or even in the days that followed, the change in the Dark Mark was undeniable. It was no longer a mere symbol; it had become a living connection between him and Voldemort, a promise of their eventual reunion.
Sirius Black's journey through Romania was a testament to his unwavering dedication to the dark cause he had embraced. As he moved ever closer to his goal, the landscape around him seemed to reflect the darkness of his mission—a world away from the light and laughter of Hogwarts, a stark reminder of the battle lines that had been drawn in the wizarding world.
And so, with the mark on his arm as his guide, Sirius Black continued his search, a specter of loyalty and darkness, ever faithful to the shadow of the Dark Lord that loomed over the wizarding world.
In the shadowed depths of a secluded valley in Romania, cloaked by the ancient magic that whispered through the gnarled trees and veiled from the prying eyes of the world, Sirius Black finally came upon the being he had sought so tirelessly. It was in a dimly lit, cavernous chamber, hidden beneath the earth, that he found Lord Voldemort. Yet, the figure that awaited him bore little resemblance to the Dark Lord in his former glory.
What lay before Sirius was a homunculus, a frail and twisted semblance of life, so diminished that it was barely more than a wisp of the formidable wizard Voldemort once was. This fragile creature, Voldemort's current form, was a far cry from the powerful sorcerer who had once instilled fear into the hearts of the wizarding world. He was tethered to life only by the darkest of magics, a shadow bound to the physical realm through means most unnatural.
The chamber, lit by an eerie, greenish glow that seemed to emanate from the very stones, was suffused with an air of desperation and decay. The Dark Lord's presence, though vastly diminished, still pulsed with a malevolent force, a testament to his indomitable will and the depth of his dark ambitions.
Sirius, standing at the threshold, felt a surge of complex emotions as he beheld his master in such a state. Pity, for the pitiable form Voldemort had been reduced to; disgust, for the unnatural means by which he clung to existence; but above all, loyalty, unwavering and fervent, for the cause and the being to whom he had pledged his allegiance.
"Master," Sirius intoned, his voice a mixture of reverence and sorrow, as he approached the homunculus. "I have come, as you have summoned."
The creature that was Voldemort stirred, its form quivering with a semblance of vitality as it recognized the presence of its loyal servant. A voice, barely a whisper, yet imbued with an undeniable authority, emanated from the homunculus. "Sirius... you have served me well. My return is nigh, and your loyalty shall be rewarded."
Despite the grotesque frailty of the being before him, Sirius felt a surge of triumph. Here, in this hidden chamber, the resurgence of the Dark Lord was being whispered into the shadows, a secret promise of power and retribution.
"Tell me what you command, my Lord," Sirius said, kneeling before the homunculus, ready to serve as the instrument of Voldemort's will.
Voldemort's instructions were a hiss, a dark symphony of plans and machinations that unfolded in the dim chamber. He spoke of ancient magic and forbidden rituals, of loyal followers yet to be rallied, and of enemies that would soon tremble before his return to power.
As Sirius listened, absorbing every command, every detail, with a fervent zeal, he understood the role he was to play in the coming days. He was to be the harbinger of Voldemort's return, the architect of his resurrection.
With a final, whispered vow of allegiance, Sirius rose, his resolve hardened like steel. He would venture forth from this place, a shadow among shadows, to enact the will of his master. The Dark Lord would rise again, and Sirius Black would be at the forefront of that ascension, a loyal servant to the end.
The chamber grew silent once more as Sirius departed, leaving the homunculus of Voldemort to its dark contemplations. Outside, the night was alive with the sounds of the ancient forest, oblivious to the dark covenant that had been forged within the earth's depths.
+++
As the new term began and the students of Hogwarts returned from their holiday break, the atmosphere within the castle's ancient walls gradually shifted back to its usual rhythm of magic and learning. The heightened security measures put in place following the appearance of the Dark Mark near the school remained, though they were subtly scaled back as weeks passed without further incident. The protective spells and the presence of Aurors in Hogsmeade continued, but less conspicuously, allowing a semblance of normalcy to return.
Apollyon, having spent much of the holidays immersed in her Occlumency training and assisting Hagrid with the magical creatures of the Forbidden Forest, felt a sense of renewal as she prepared to greet the returning students. The experiences had given her a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the magical world and her place within it.
Among the throng of students flooding the halls, Apollyon's eyes searched for familiar faces—the Weasley twins, Fred and George, with their irrepressible mischief and boundless energy, and Luna Lovegood, whose serene demeanor and unique perspective on the world never failed to intrigue her.
She found the twins first, easily spotting their bright red hair in the crowd. They were in the midst of regaling a group of younger students with tales of their holiday exploits, likely exaggerated for effect. As Apollyon approached, they greeted her with wide grins.
"Apollyon! Did you miss us?" Fred asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Terribly," Apollyon replied, her tone dry but her smile genuine. "I see you've survived the holidays without causing too much trouble."
"Trouble? Us?" George feigned innocence before breaking into a grin. "Let's just say we've got a few surprises up our sleeves for this term. How about you? Anything exciting over the break?"
Apollyon shared a brief account of her time with Hagrid and the magical creatures, leaving out the more sensitive details of her Occlumency training. The twins listened with genuine interest, their penchant for pranks momentarily set aside.
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Luna Lovegood, who approached with her usual dreamy stride. "Hello, Apollyon," she said, her voice calm and slightly distant. "I've heard the Nargles were particularly mischievous this holiday. Did they trouble you?"
Apollyon chuckled, always entertained by Luna's unique take on the world. "No Nargles, but plenty of adventures with Hagrid in the Forbidden Forest. How was your break, Luna?"
Luna's eyes lit up with a soft glow. "Oh, it was lovely. I spent most of it researching Blibbering Humdingers with my father. Fascinating creatures."
As they chatted, Apollyon felt a warmth in her heart for these friends, so different from one another yet each remarkable in their own right. The Weasley twins, with their boundless creativity and zest for life, and Luna, with her gentle spirit and unwavering belief in the unseen, reminded her of the diversity and richness of the magical community.
Together, they made their way to the Great Hall for the welcome-back feast, their spirits high. The shadow of the Dark Mark and the threats it represented seemed a world away in this moment, overshadowed by the joy of reunion and the promise of a new term.
As they settled into their seats at the Great Hall, the vibrant chatter around them a backdrop to their own reunion, Apollyon, Fred, George, and Luna gathered closer, a small island of camaraderie amid the sea of students. The feast before them was a welcome sight, but it was the exchange of stories and shared experiences that truly nourished their spirits.
"So, Apollyon," began George, his eyes gleaming with the promise of mischief, "we've been busy cooking up a storm, haven't we, Fred?"
"Indeed, George," Fred replied, mirroring his brother's conspiratorial grin. "You see, the holidays gave us ample time to perfect a few... let's call them 'innovations'."
Luna, looking intrigued, leaned in. "Innovations of the magical variety, I presume?"
"Exactly, Luna!" Fred exclaimed. "One might say we've been experimenting with a new line of products for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."
George picked up the thread seamlessly, "And let's just say, our latest creations are bound to cause a bit of a... splash."
Apollyon laughed, shaking her head. "I can only imagine the chaos you two are planning. Hogwarts won't know what hit it."
The conversation then shifted as Luna, in her usual dreamlike manner, recounted her holiday research on Blibbering Humdingers. Her description of their elusive nature and the innovative methods she and her father used to track them captivated even the twins, who listened with a mix of amusement and genuine interest.
"It's fascinating, really," Luna said, her gaze distant as if picturing the creatures in her mind. "They have a way of making you see the world a little differently."
"That's what we love about you, Luna," George said with a soft smile. "You always find the magic in the most unexpected places."
Fred nodded in agreement. "Speaking of magic, Apollyon, we heard a bit about your adventures with Hagrid. Care to share any tales of daring deeds and fearsome beasts?"
Apollyon smiled, her mind casting back to the serene moments spent in the Forbidden Forest and the lessons learned there. "Well, there was a young unicorn..."
As she shared her story, detailing the gentle majesty of the creatures and the thrill of helping Hagrid, her friends listened, captivated. The tale was a reminder of the broader world of magic that existed beyond the castle walls—a world of wonder, danger, and endless discovery.
The conversation flowed freely, the bonds of friendship weaving ever tighter as they shared laughter, stories, and plans for the term ahead. In that moment, the worries of the wider world seemed distant, overshadowed by the joy of reunion and the shared love of magic that brought them all together.
The feast continued around them, the Great Hall a tapestry of light, sound, and celebration.
As the feast in the Great Hall carried on, with the clatter of dishes and the murmur of conversations filling the air, another group of friends gathered not far from where Apollyon and her company sat. Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, his sister Eleanor Potter, and Hermione Granger were deep in discussion, their heads bowed close together over plates of food that were momentarily forgotten.
Ron, ever the source of blunt observations, voiced a thought that had been nagging at him throughout the evening. "Do you reckon Black's after Harry and Eleanor again? I mean, why else show the Dark Mark near Hogwarts during the break?"
Harry and Eleanor exchanged a look, the weight of Ron's question hanging between them. It was a concern that never strayed far from their minds, the shadow of Sirius Black's betrayal and the threat he posed a constant, chilling presence.
"It's possible," Harry admitted, his expression grim. "But after so long without any sign of him, it's hard to say for sure what he's planning."
Eleanor nodded, her thoughts mirroring her brother's. "We need to stay alert, though. If he's bold enough to signal his presence like that, he might be getting desperate."
Hermione, always the voice of reason, added, "We should focus on what we can do now, which is to be cautious and support each other. Dumbledore wouldn't let us remain in danger without good reason."
Their conversation, fraught with the tension of the unknown intentions of Sirius Black, was overheard by Fred and George, who, despite their penchant for jokes, understood the gravity of the situation.
"Oi, speaking of Black," George called out, catching the attention of Harry, Eleanor, Ron, and Hermione, "we couldn't help but overhear. You're not the only ones keeping an eye out."
Fred chimed in, "Yeah, we've got a few tricks up our sleeves that could give old Black a run for his money if he tries anything around here."
The two groups merged, their conversation turning to the events of the holiday and the shared concern over Black's ominous signal. Harry and Eleanor spoke of their time with the Dursleys, which, while not as dangerous as facing a dark wizard, had its own trials and tribulations. The levity of their recounting brought smiles and laughter, lightening the mood.
As they shared their stories and concerns, the conversation naturally drifted towards strategies for staying safe. Hermione suggested revisiting some of the defensive spells they'd learned last year, while Luna, ever insightful, mentioned the importance of understanding the motivations behind Black's actions.
"Sometimes, knowing why someone chooses a dark path can help in finding a way to stop them," she said, her voice soft but confident.
The group, now a blend of the twins' daring, Hermione's intellect, Ron's loyalty, Luna's wisdom, and the Potters' bravery, found comfort in their united front. The discussion, which had started with worries and fears, evolved into a session of planning and preparation, interspersed with moments of light-hearted banter to keep the mood from becoming too somber.
As the feast drew to a close and the students began to disperse, heading towards their respective common rooms, the bond between them felt stronger. The presence of Sirius Black, while a threat that loomed large, had inadvertently brought them closer, their resolve to protect each other and the school solidified.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone