บท 70: The meeting of the old and new director
Ahem. I was privileged to be commissioned by the House of Badoer as a healer, whereupon I assumed the role of an apprentice, nurturing her into a virtuous and respectable wife. Alas… We had a delightful time together on the beach, indeed we did.
In my own domain, I felt no hesitation in revealing my aura in its full splendour, and even in the intimacy of our passion, I saw no need to suppress my mental impulses or control every surge of power emanating from my spiritual core. Naturally, my wife likewise refused to submit to masochistic control during the height of our intimate moments.
Consequently, due to our playful interactions, one of the island's beaches now bears the imprint of a volcanic plain, smooth and crystalline, spanning a radius of five hundred meters, currently submerged beneath the sea's surface.
As Mary and I cavorted and gamboled about, the air not only burned, but so did the sand upon which our intimate act was taking place. The heat of our bodies melted it, and the surging sea water began to evaporate in the form of waves long before the shoreline even before we could fully appreciate the full extent of the phenomenon. The morning was particularly hazy on the island, to say the least.
It was only after we had released some of our pent-up energy and let go of the initial excitement that I realised that the seashore might not have been the best location for our display. We were too charged with energy, and it was perhaps best not to indulge in such passion in such unprepared spaces (as we might have done before). Thus, I lifted my blonde and voracious Venetian companion from the pool of liquid, now boiling and bubbling like glass, into which the sand had melted, and moved her towards the part of the realm where the serpent tree now stood, having grown to a height of just over a kilometre from base to crown.
The very essence of this place was imbued with the vitality of the cosmos; every inch, even the humblest pebble beneath my feet, possessed a degree of reality that could rival that of deities, rendering it impenetrable and resilient. I sought a sanctuary less susceptible to the explosive manifestations of my own and Maria's power.
Thus, I harnessed my dominion over the tree and its radiant energies to transmute a massive stone bed from the local rock, where I intended to continue my endeavors, having commenced them on the shore.
********
"Are you heading to the Blacks'?" The question echoed in my mind as, after a full seven hours of undisturbed lovemaking with my soul mate, I left Maria to rest beneath the serpentine tree, for she had expended herself and deemed it time to pay a visit to Nigelus, where she would perform the promised rite of omatation to the Black clan.
"Yes, my dear. And then I shall depart for Hogwarts," I replied. Without a word of farewell, I stepped through the portal that opened before me, leading to the study of Lord Black, where I sensed Phineas' presence. There was no need to inquire about Maria's plans or share details of my own affairs. I felt that if she had any interest in knowing, she would ask me directly.
When you are bound by spiritual and marital ties, allowing you to instantly perceive your beloved's emotions and whereabouts, mental communication becomes more efficient and swift than verbal exchanges. The need for intimate discussions fades away. Sometimes, I allow myself the pleasure of verbalizing my feelings, as it helps maintain my linguistic skills, but such instances are rare.. Why should I speak of my feelings for my beloved and air them in vain, when she is aware of them every moment, hears them in her mind, and responds to them with her very presence?
In this moment, with barely a thought of my beloved in my mind, I find myself before an agitated and excited Nigelus. He had been perusing some family records moments before, the parchments he holds and those scattered across his desk exuding an aura of magic, clearly serving as the bearers and magical guarantors of agreements between the Black family and external individuals and households.
"Is it time?"
"Yes… In his mind, today was not just a significant step for him: it was the rite of passage of the Black Clan under his hand, the ceremony of Nigelus's becoming my vassal and that of all his kin and future descendants. It was an event of universal significance, neither Salazar nor I took any deliberate action to make it known, but it was.
I knew that two centuries after Slytherin's death, he had become a cult figure for almost all pure-blood wizards in England and the surrounding countries on the continent. Nigelus now regarded his contribution to his family's well-being as equal to that of the founder of the Black line, who started the history of their name.
"It's time. Do you trust everything, are all prepared for the upcoming event?"
"Yes, my lord," he said. "Hmm. Even before he became my vassal, he addressed me no other way than 'my lord' from the very first day we met. And this is quite revealing of his character, the unyielding and proud bearer of the name Black."
"It is all in order. I will notify all family members to gather at the altar in the ancestral hall. In five minutes' time, all my kin shall be present." After that, Phineas summoned Kreacher, who was instructed to convey his orders to all Blacks gathered under the same roof that day, and who, so far as he could tell, were not even aware they would become vassals that day. Their task was to descend to the hall bearing the family stone. "Now we may proceed."
After a few moments of leisurely strolling through the concealed passage that connected the head of the household to the most secure chamber of the manor — the altar room — we found ourselves in a dim, oval-shaped chamber, the walls of which were constructed from ill-crafted sandstone that had long since transcended its status as mere stone. In the heart of the room lay a basalt boulder measuring five metres in diameter, as level and smooth as a tabletop, serving as both an altar and a venerable family heirloom.
We were the first to arrive, and Lord Black greeted his kin at the entrance to the hall. He ushered them inside, as the Blacks could not enter without the permission and assistance of the head of the family. I stood before the stone, examining it with my divine perception. It was not difficult for me to establish contact with the soul of the fearsome Grimm, the guardian spirit of the Blacks, which had been voluntarily imprisoned within the stone.
When I touched the consciousness of this loyal dog, who refused to abandon his pack and considered them the descendants of his master, he attempted to growl menacingly at me. He crushed me with the magical power of the ancestral source at his command. However, how could a powerful spirit with a vital source of magic compare to a god with a multi-billion-strong flock of followers?? Thus, metaphorically caressing the dog by its withers, I clawed at it with my serpentine essence (all of this took place in the astral plane reflection of the altar chamber of Black), I waited until the canine creature whimpered in recognition of me as its alpha, and released the poor being, who had realized that someone far more dangerous and powerful had entered its domain.
Standing with my back to the assembled members of the Black family, who had arrived at Nigelus's command, I simultaneously engaged with Grimm's spirit in one of the astral dimensions, scratching it with my third shell of soul. Only when I sensed Lord Black closing the doors to the altar chamber, signaling that everyone had assembled, did I turn to my future followers. And the first words I heard after they had taken in the presence of who was with them in their holiest of holy places were...
"Who is that person here?" I do not need to explain who uttered such an absurd or foolish statement. It was Walburga herself, who was so astonished by my presence in this room, a complete stranger to her illustrious family, that she temporarily lost her grip on reality and adopted the persona of Lady Black, as if to assert her superiority over those who did not belong to her esteemed family.
In Walburga's mind, anyone who does not share her family's blessed status is deemed beneath her dignity. Nigelus, I suggest you confine her in some manner, ensuring she remains isolated from respectable company. The last time someone was subjected to such disrespect, the Malfoy line was cursed with the loss of their sole heir, a curse that continues to haunt them to this day and cannot be broken.
"So, so, so," hissed Nigelus like a serpent, and a lash of pure darkness appeared in his hand. With it, he began to strike the fool in front of all. He would have killed her, had Orion not rushed to shield her with his body at the eighth stroke. Orion's wife's husband did not dare to ask the Lord of their kind to spare her from another fatal misadventure, but he could not simply watch her being dismembered by a magical lash. So, he did the only thing that came to his mind that might prevent her from perishing.
"That will do, Nigelus," I said. "Let them live. I have no wish to tarnish this day with the death of any member of the Black family."
I restrained Phineas, who had already struck Orion for the fifth time. The unfortunate man had not even attempted to defend himself, instead choosing to position himself so as to shield his wife from further injury.
"But bear in mind," I continued, "I will not accept any of this fool's progeny or their descendants as my own. Now, let us turn to the matter at hand. But first, I would like to be introduced to your kin."
"Thank you, my lord," I said, and in a gesture that was almost a remnant of traditional Japanese etiquette, I made a shallow bow, approaching the angle of ninety degrees, in an expression of apology. After I straightened, I turned to address the group of relatives who had gathered against the walls.
"You have the honor of meeting the wizard, now known as Ormarr Drake, formerly known as Svyatozar Zmiev," I continued, and at the mention of this name and surname, everyone flinched, especially Orion, still conscious and shielding his bleeding wife with his own body. "Before that, he was known as Salazar Slytherin!"
The impact of these revelations was profound, and I had used my magic to enhance their effect. The Blacks were now without the protection of their family's magic, and we stood at the center of power. Of course, they all drifted away, losing their connection to the altar, which in the light of my sunlike gift appeared like a candle in a cloudless sky!
And just when I had thought that the ordeal was over and I had regained my composure, folding my aura once again, there came a heart-wrenching cry of anguish:
"Noooooo!!! Khaaa... I implore you... I am sorry... I beg you!" These were the words of Walburga, filled with the bitterness of remorse, the pain of her actions, and the horror she felt at what she had done. Despite the terrible wounds that had exposed the bones of her ribcage and spine where she had been whipped, she tried to crawl towards me.
Of course, I did not hold her in high regard as a person. However, it was repugnant to me to witness the suffering of another human being. Thus, I healed Walburga and her husband, but I said the following:
Nigelus approached me in a state of emotional distress, her hands trembling with anguish, her countenance beset by a palpable sense of despair. She appeared to be seized by some uncontrollable force, and I could not help but notice the repulsive nature of her appearance. With the assistance of her spouse, she managed to regain her composure and find solace among her kin.
It was time for me to assume control over one of the most prominent families in Foggy Albion. As Phineas stood before me, I sat upon the imposing throne that had magically appeared behind me.
I, Phineas Nigelus Black, Lord of the House of Black, in the name of myself and my family, dedicate my life, my honour, and the fate and magic of the Black name to Salazar and the House of Slytherin.
Phineas spoke these words, kneeling before me and extending his palms towards me in a ritual gesture. I, in turn, accepted his offering, standing up to complete the ritual. Having ritually accepted the responsibility on behalf of Lord Black and his family for their well-being, I leaned towards Phineus and embraced him, grasping his forearms.
In this moment, a portion of my consciousness was also focused on the astral projection of this room, where I imprinted a seal of service upon Grimm's spiritual form, irrevocably binding the Black family to my service as long as Grimm remains their guardian.. The seal shall serve as a contingency plan for a subordinate agreement between myself and the Black lineage, ensuring that should any future head of the House of Black successfully liberate their kin from their oath of fealty to me, over time, perhaps in a generation or two, the seal shall be revived and reinstated on the altar, replicated from the essence of the Grimm to the birthstone with which they are bound.
Following Nigelus, a series of repetitive rituals ensued, during which each individual member of the Black clan took an oath before me, albeit independently.
Of course, it was feasible to proceed with Nigelus's oath alone, in which he pledged fealty to me both on his own behalf and on behalf of the entire Black family. However, this oath would have taken some time to fully affect his kin. I had to journey a considerable distance from the family's ancestral stone, where the pledge of allegiance to the Slytherin clan, bestowed upon me by the head of the clan, was enshrined.
The speed at which this oath permeated the magical consciousness of each clan member depended on several factors. These included the presence of clan artifacts, the degree of alignment with Black magic, and the frequency of magical practice in general. Once the seventh layer of the mind was activated, it facilitated the assimilation and solidification of the portents conveyed to me by Phineas on behalf of the clan.
I circumvented this juncture with the requisite time for the incursion, consolidation, and assimilation of the vow into the magical essence of each clan member through their individual oaths to me.
As for the minors of the clan — the daughters of Cygnus and the son of Orion — until the moment of their magical coming of age, the vows will unfold and establish themselves during their seventh initiation, for until that point, the children of the clan share one of the strongest connections with the birthstone, in comparison to other kin, save for the Lord and Lady of the clan.
*******
"Cee, please help me," Bella gasped, struggling to tighten the corset on her own. "There's no way I can do it by myself!"
"What on earth are you trying to accomplish?" Sylvia Greengrass asked, reluctantly putting down the fascinating book on magical theory that her teacher had assigned her. "You already have a striking figure! You're starting to lose your childish angles and becoming a beautiful young woman. Why are you subjecting yourself to this torture?"
"When I grow up, can I achieve the same grace and allure as Maria or Koneko?" Bella ignored Sylvia's question, focused on a more pressing concern.
— You and I have both listened to a discourse on this matter. It follows from it that the more powerful we are, the closer our appearance will be to our ideal, which resides in our subconscious. To achieve beauty, one must be diligent, study, and exercise! Ha! That is how our instructor knows how to inspire. Had I been presented with this discourse in my early years, I would have devoted all my leisure time thereafter to self-improvement!
— Indeed. And we are fortunate, for according to the same instructor, our parents were nearly perfect matches, which enabled them to conceive and bring forth such «wonderful us». Thus, you and I possess the best opportunity to achieve all that we could ever desire or imagine. — Bella's demeanour swiftly shifted, and she regained her vivacity, no longer plagued by self-doubt or tension as she had been earlier.
"Does it not concern you that our instructor has already been married twice, and, as I understand it, his spouses will soon be augmented by a raven-haired nine-tailed vixen? You have always been averse to sharing, so how will you reconcile with such a situation?" Sylvia posed the question bluntly.
"What's the big deal?" Bella asked her closest friend. "That's not the point. The fact is that I never felt compelled to share, and this was only true of those I did not deem worthy of such honour, those who were not included in my inner circle. My possessive instincts have never reared their head, and I've always been happy to share my toys with others. I never cared about sharing the cake! So it doesn't bother me, and that's not my main concern. My focus is on working hard and doing my best to rise to the top, where I'll catch Salazar's eye as a young woman and become of interest to him. When that happens, I'll have to work even harder to become one of his wives' sisters!"
Bella spoke as plainly as possible to her friend.
"I like Mr Brance," Sylvia confided for some reason, then blushing at her own unexpected revelation, even to herself.
"What?! But he's insane, is he not? You and I both witnessed him delighting in the torment of the nine-tailed maiden he subjected to in the tower. How could you possibly like him?"
"And she, the very one who deemed herself peculiar and feared to confess to her cousin her affection for her mentor, Salazar Slytherin?"
He was not insane, merely a tad eccentric. He is a demonologist and a highly enthusiastic individual.
Moreover, he bears a striking resemblance to Adam's great-grandfather. Thus, he is no less eccentric and deranged.
It was difficult for Bella to articulate her thoughts, as her breath was stolen from her lungs by the sudden tightness of her cousin's corset, constricting her chest to its limit.
"My great-great-grandfather was a typical man! A typical man!" — and now we are talking about Adam Green-grass, a master of floristry and biomagic, in accordance with the modern terminology and classification of abilities. The ancient Sumerian was a powerful sorcerer at the height of his power, a master of blood magic, rituals, and dark magick. However, only his family and a select few close friends were aware of his three latter titles and his accomplishments in these fields of magical art, all under an oath of secrecy. Intelligent individuals tend to avoid boasting about their achievements.
Sylvia disregarded the inquiry and, once more, cast a glance at her reflection in the mirror, ensuring that her appearance was impeccable, before hastily departing the bedroom and finding herself in the drawing room, awaiting her cousin's departure. She was reluctant to engage in discussion on this topic, as it would inevitably lead to further revelations and speculations.
The truth of the matter was that Sylvia had harbored feelings for her great-grandfather for quite some time. Only when she fully comprehended the futility and peril associated with such sentiments towards a blood relative, did she endeavor to expel from her adolescent thoughts the dignified and charming Adam Greengrass, who bore a striking resemblance to Sean Connery's portrayal of Ramiras in the film "Highlander". His attire in burgundy hues, reminiscent of medieval garb, adorned with a hat that would have done honor to the heroes of Dumas, accompanied by a battle-ready sword, a neat beard, and noble grey locks, all contributed to his regal appearance.. And so, just when she had thought she had come to terms with her adolescent infatuation, she encountered Alfonso Bruns. He was like a twin brother to her grandfather, sharing the same idiosyncratic and peculiar temperament. However, when faced with serious matters, he transformed into a formidable predator, reveling in his strength and power without hesitation. Her heart quivered at the enigmatic counterpart to their mentor.
But she would ponder this later. She was soon to turn twelve, and the wise man she admired was not destined to pass away in the coming years. Now, she had to focus on her studies with her mentor and prepare for the day ahead.
Since it was a Saturday and there were no classes scheduled for the day, they permitted themselves to linger in bed a bit, rising later than usual. As a result, they began their meditation and spiritual exercises at ten o'clock instead of their usual six in the morning.
By the time they completed the mandatory meditation and exercises prescribed by their instructor, took a shower, and had breakfast in their rooms, it was already half past one in the afternoon.
The teacher had in vain advised us that we were entitled to request the school attendant to bring food to our apartments. Apparently, something intriguing occurred today, either involving the instructor or ourselves, as everyone is casting furtive glances at us, and there is an air of uniqueness about the atmosphere. Sylvia gestured with her hand, seeking an apt analogy to describe the emotions she was experiencing in the emoticon.
"I fail to see the point," she pondered in response to her mentor's suggestion. "Why would arriving early to the Great Hall for breakfast be of any benefit to us?"
She was perplexed by the notion that requesting food to be brought to one's room was a privilege reserved solely for teachers at school. Yet here they were being granted such a royal treatment, and she found it displeasing.
"We might have missed an opportunity had we not been present in the Great Hall this morning," Sylvia responded to Bella's complaint. "That's a foolish argument, but I cannot resist the temptation of ordering dessert now that we have our own menus to choose from."
Bella was puzzled by Sylvia's response. "What are you talking about?" she asked. "You yourself recently lectured me about the value of gifts, emphasizing that their beauty is proportional to the effort and time invested in their creation. So now you can eat anything you want, as long as you don't become lazy!"
And, setting an example for her sister, Bella ladled into her plate sizzling and sputtering hot fat lamb chops, garnishing them with potatoes roasted with cheese and herbs in cream.
It was already past noon, but having just departed the chamber half an hour earlier and having only a mere morsel of dessert and coffee for their morning meal, the young ladies decided to proceed directly from their sitting chamber to the Great Hall for luncheon.
"Really, what is the matter with everyone staring at us?" Bella could not resist hurling a gnawed lamb chop bone at one of the individuals at their table. "It is most disconcerting, you know, eating with people who are practically staring at you."
"Bella, do not be so foolish. There was a soirée held at your residence in Grimmauld Place yesterday. Something must have transpired there for all the commotion we are experiencing. By the by, what was the reason for this gathering?"
Sylvia had arrived at the only logical conclusion regarding the cause of today's altered circumstances, but she was unaware of the magnitude of yesterday's event — not only for the Blacks, represented by Nigelus who had emerged from nowhere, but for England and Europe at large.
«I was never informed about it. I wasn't the first on the faculty to learn about the celebration. However, when the news reached me, I didn't attach any particular significance to it. I had no idea what my aunt, who runs everything in our family, might have in mind. And apparently, I was mistaken not to ask my mother about this event. Look at the way they sometimes glance back at us when they think we won't notice. How do they feel about us? Can you make it out?» Bella addressed her cousin, possessing a remarkable empathic talent.
The girls spoke freely, unburdened by any concerns about secrecy, for they possessed an artifact that their tutor had crafted for them. This artifact, a conceptual device, enabled them to converse with one another in public, regardless of any nearby strangers. Its activation provided a sense of security, assuring the participants of the conversation that their words remained confidential.
"Where on earth is William?" Bellatrix asked with a tone of displeasure, and at that very moment, Avery, the cousin mentioned earlier, appeared in the doorway of the grand hall. They recognized the Greengrass family, followed by their tutors and an unknown wizard, but what immediately caught Bella's attention was the fact that the wizard was wearing the robes of Lord Black, complete with all the trappings and symbols of a lord.
The most significant symbol of power for the Black family was not a ring, but a massive chain forged from smoky, ethereal steel, once serving as the collar of a Grim, a member of the family in ancient times. Following the Grim's death and voluntary sacrifice on the family altar, the subsequent Lord Black endeavored to unite the ring of the Head with the collar of the Guardian Grim, transforming it into an elemental artifact. And, by all accounts, he succeeded.! Nigelus had devoted seventy years to the pursuit of his craft, mastering the realms of artifacting, astral sorcery, blood magick, and mentalism. Now, each Lord Black can briefly transform into a Grimm, depending on their power and mental fortitude. Only a virtuoso of mental magick can withstand the onslaught of the Grimm spirit, temporarily transforming them into a totemic were-wolf. To fully harness the capabilities of the Grimm during this transformation, one must be a master of power — a feat that Nigelus has achieved.
"So, your parents have requested me to inform you that you are to assemble in the faculty lounge within the hour. Once they and Lord Black conclude their discussions with the Headmaster and the Board of Trustees regarding school affairs and requirements, you will be called upon. By the by, this also applies to you, Bella. Lord Black was eager to meet you."
William beamed with satisfaction, like a well-polished galleon pleased to have finally outshone his sisters in some aspect. Judging by their expressions, it was clear that they were unaware of what had transpired the previous day.
Upon the completion of the procession, during which both the relatives and the tutor examined the table occupied by the school staff, the girls directed their attention towards William, awaiting his response.
"Well, as for us, we are completely in the dark. Do enlighten us!" Bella, the most impatient among them, could not bear the suspense.
And when he was positioned between the sisters, the cloak of secrecy enveloping him and encompassing him within its sphere of influence and protection, he became the recipient of probing questions, to which he responded with alacrity.
*********
Good morning, Director. I was on my way to the Great Hall for breakfast, when I unexpectedly encountered a distinguished delegation, which included Lord and Lady Greengrass, both of whom I knew well, as well as Lord Black. I was in high spirits, for there was no cause for me to be otherwise. My wife had been granted pardon, and I had gained new vassals; therefore, there was no reason for sorrow.
Upon seeing the Director's disgruntled expression, I took a closer look at his aura, discerning the recent lacerations, indicating that he had received a reprimand from the castle in response to his misstep. This revelation elated me, for it serves as a reminder of the importance of doing good deeds with foresight. The Director had not anticipated that his actions would no longer be met with impunity, and this realization appeared to have taken a toll on his demeanor and disposition.
"Lord Black, who?" Albus addressed me, disregarding both the Lord and Lady Greengrass. He did not even glance in Nigelus' direction, only giving him a brief look. Naturally, my companions were displeased.
"Have you been trained in proper etiquette in high society?" Ormarr, now the Headmaster, was clearly incensed. "How have the standards fallen so low, that they are recruiting staff for our alma mater from the back alleys? There was none of this chaos when I was here!"
Minerva McGonagall once again rose to her feet, as she had done with me, but she did not have time to speak.
"Silence!" It seemed to be spoken quietly, but Nigelus's magic was enough to conjure hellfire, sending it racing towards Inferno. It was no surprise then that all sentient beings within the immediate vicinity, who were fortunate enough to witness the confrontation, were covered in a cold sweat.
"No one has given you permission to speak, young lady," the young man addressed the woman, who appeared to be in her forties, with a tone that was both audible and visible to all in the room. His words, delivered with an air of authority, seemed to mock the age difference between them. However, his words were silenced by the weight of the atmosphere in the room, which was dominated by the presence of the director. Once the speaker had captured the attention of the audience, he turned his attention to Albus.
"Why are you silent?" Albus remained silent, for he had nearly lost the position of Headmaster, and he was mentally struggling to remain conscious and prevent himself from screaming in pain throughout the Great Hall.
When Phineas unveiled his aura, the altar of the school recognized him as the last Headmaster who had fulfilled all the obligations of the contract with the school. It began to sever its ties with the unknown Headmaster Dumbledore, transferring the Headmaster's connection with the altar to the Lord Black. Phineas had already taken the necessary oaths, leaving traces of the agreement, with a clause about its termination due to death in his present aura.
I could not allow this to occur, so I intervened to restore the status quo.
"Phineas, it appears that Albus is unwell and requires assistance, and it would be prudent for us to continue our discussion in the Headmaster's office," said one of the wizards.
It was only after I had spoken to Lord Black that he ceased his display of power, and Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor House, noticed that the hall had fallen silent, with no clinking of forks against dishes or whispers. She also became aware of the state of her mentor and idol.
"Hmm..." she murmured, as she attempted to assist the Headmaster through the service entrance beyond the teachers' dining table and guide Albus to his office.
Meanwhile, Phineas observed Argus Filch, a squib seated next to the equally unflustered Filius Flitwick, who continued to eat in a calm manner. He instantly sensed a potential threat in them, which was not imaginary but real, and he immediately became alert, but reassured by the situation.
"They are mine, and they are also my vassals," he replied, addressing his wariness towards the two magisters. The first was almost as powerful as Lord Black himself, while the second had goblin blood running through his veins, making him even more formidable.
"My lord, what interesting subjects you keep!"
Indeed, he did not know that I am a mundane lord, a god to an entire race of young witches, whose newborns already possess the strength of Hogwarts' first-year students.
You have much to learn, my dear, but that is for another time. For now, let us proceed to the Headmaster's office, towards the Headmaster's Tower. It is imperative that you make your intentions clear and inform Albus that the rules of engagement have shifted, and that he is now obliged to act within the confines of the school, mindful of the newly renegotiated contract he forged on the altar of Hogwarts, and that the Board of Trustees shall commence its true work from this point forward, no longer shirking their responsibilities.
Thus, prepare him for the possibility that he may face stern questioning at the conclusion of the academic year, accountable for every coin of the budget, and every grave incident within the realm entrusted to his care. I have been reiterating to Nigelus the message that must be conveyed to Albus today.. And, of course, I conducted my actions under the guise of inattention, thus sparing myself the concern that Slughorn, Lord Slughorn, and Lady Greengrass, following behind us, or Albus, waddling ahead with Minerva's support, might overhear anything unintended.
I will endeavor to the best of my abilities, my lord. I am appalled by the school's walls wailing against the current headmaster. Thus, I will not offer him my pity, and I shall make him aware of the harsh realities with unrelenting clarity!
Heh. Nigelus was literally climbing the walls in his eagerness to demonstrate his competence and utility, all because of something Walburga had said, when, at such a crucial and critical moment, she had almost put the entire family in danger of losing my favour, with the consequent loss of their vassal status. However, I was well aware of her nature, so I paid little heed to her theatrics. It was akin to being offended by the fact that the rain was wet or that the fire was hot. Her personality was a constant in this universe, akin to the four founders — Albus, Tom, the Deathly Hallows — and a few other pivotal characters. I simply accepted it as a given in this realm.
The next time you display your power, consider its consequences. Dumbledore is in a state of unease at present. Not only does he face retribution for breaching one of the stipulations of the magical pact with the school, but his position as headmaster was nearly forcibly removed when you arrived at the school and unveiled your aura.
I had to step in and exert my own power to restore equilibrium. We were already standing before the gargoyle blocking the path to the final staircase leading to Dumbledore's office, anticipating the impending confrontation between the two wizards.
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