Chương 41: The Horcruxes
After the grand feast, the students dispersed to their respective common rooms.
"Anderson, you'll have to catch up later," the Prefect said apologetically. "Professor McGonagall asked me to inform you that Professor Dumbledore wishes to speak with you."
"That's alright, please lead the way," Alex replied.
Alex followed the Ravenclaw Prefect, who guided him through the winding corridors of the castle.
Soon, they spotted the towering forms of Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore waiting for him in the corridor.
Alex nodded at the Prefect, his expression calm as ever. "Thank you."
As he approached, he addressed Dumbledore with a casual smile. "Need something to talk to me about, Professor?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his half-moon glasses. "Ah, Alex. We were headed to the headmaster's office, but there's a matter that requires my immediate attention."
Alex smiled, his tone almost teasing. "That's alright, Professor. I actually know of this matter. I'm sure you do too, if you've watched the prophecy crystal I gave you."
Dumbledore's only response was a knowing look, leaving Professor McGonagall glancing between the two with a furrowed brow, clearly perplexed by the unspoken exchange.
Before she could inquire further, Dumbledore began leading the way, and the group descended into the dungeons.
As they neared a familiar door, Alex slowed his pace. He knew precisely what scene awaited them on the other side. Sure enough, when the door opened, they found Professor Snape standing with arms crossed, his face twisted into a sneer as he lectured two sheepish boys: Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
"Breaking the rules before the term even starts," Snape drawled, his voice dripping with disdain. "Flying an enchanted car into the school grounds. How utterly reckless."
Harry and Ron winced under the weight of Snape's glare, their worried looks plainly across their faces. Alex leaned casually against the doorway, watching the scene unfold with amusement.
"Severus," Dumbledore said mildly as he stepped into the room. "Perhaps it would be best if Professor McGonagall discussed their punishment."
Snape's eyes flicked to Alex, and his sneer deepened. "Ah, and here is the prodigious transfer student," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Another rule-breaker, no doubt?"
Alex met Snape's glare with a smile, unfazed.
Snape let out a disdainful snort and swept past Alex, his black robes billowing like bat wings. Alex watched him leave with a faint chuckle before turning back to the others.
Dumbledore gave Harry and Ron a stern yet understanding look before instructing Professor McGonagall to escort them to their common room.
The boys nodded hurriedly and followed McGonagall out, casting curious glances at Alex as they passed. Harry's eyes lingered on him for a moment, a flicker of recognition in his gaze.
Alex gave the two a faint smile as they passed by him. He was about to speak to them, but before he could, Professor McGonagall urged them on.
Once they were gone, Dumbledore gestured for Alex to follow him. "Shall we?"
The Headmaster's office, despite its old look, still interested Alex. It was filled with portraits of past headmasters adorning the walls, their inhabitants watching Alex with interest. Alex's eyes swept over the room, noting the intricately crafted trinkets, the towering shelves of books, and Fawkes, the phoenix, perched serenely by Dumbledore's desk.
"It's dying," Alex remarked as he approached Fawkes. As he did so, the portraits openly scrutinized him.
"He's not just any student," one of the older headmasters remarked, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "There's something peculiar about him."
"Indeed," a witch in a high-collared robe agreed, her painted eyes narrowing. "Why would Albus call a student here on their first day?"
Alex ignored their murmurs, his attention shifting back to Dumbledore, who had settled into his chair. The Headmaster's expression was one of patient curiosity as he gestured for Alex to take a seat.
"Now, Alex," Dumbledore began, folding his hands on the desk. "I'm sure you're aware that your arrival at Hogwarts has raised many questions."
Alex leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed. "I expected as much. I'm sure the students have already started speculating."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Quite right. However, it is not their curiosity that concerns me. Let's talk about the prophecy crystal you gave me."
Alex met Dumbledore's gaze evenly, his tone calm. "Haven't you already confirmed it, Professor? Which Horcrux it is at the hands of a Gryffindor first year?"
The principal's office went silent as the portraits gaped in attention.
Dumbledore studied him for a moment before nodding. "To be honest, Alex, I became conflicted as soon as I recovered the crown from the Room of Requirement." He paused before saying, "Should I let things unfold as they are supposed to, or should I make a move and put an end to Voldemort once and for all?"
Alex's lips quirked into a faint smile. "Why think so much, Professor? You gather the Horcruxes, and I will help you deal with Voldemort. Tell me which Horcrux gives you trouble, Professor; I will help you recover them."
Dumbledore gave Alex a nod while taking out several items: a diadem, a ring with a black gem faceted on its band, and a locket emitting an ominous aura.
"Since Voldemort has yet to create the snake as his Horcrux, what's missing in the pile would be the cup in Lestrange's Vault and the diary in the Gryffindor dormitory," Alex remarked, "and oh, don't forget about Harry."
"The diary is no trouble for now. I would like Harry to destroy it as prophesized. The only troublesome parts would be the piece of his soul attached to Harry and the cup in Lestrange's Vault," Dumbledore expressed.
"How about this, Professor? You let Harry fight the basilisk. I will take care of the cup. At the end of the year, I will help you extract the split soul from Harry," Alex suggested.
"It's not that I'm doubting you, Alex, but can you really remove the part of Voldemort's soul without hurting the child?" Dumbledore asked doubtfully.
Alex nodded with affirmation. "Of course, Professor. Let me demonstrate. He wouldn't notice." He took out a small crystal bottle from his robe.
Alex then opened the lid of the bottle. He took out his silver wand, crafted from the silver tree of Valinor, from the ring and poured primordial energy into it.
Aiming the wand at Marvolo Gaunt's ring, the energy seeped and enveloped it. After a while, Alex drew the energy back from the ring, and with it came a mass of black mist confined by the energy Alex released. He then guided the extracted split soul to the crystal bottle's mouth and sealed it inside.
Looking inside the bottle, a wriggling mass of tar-like substance was suspended, looking ominous and disgusting.
"I didn't know a soul could be so dark and disgusting," Alex commented as he handed the small bottle to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore reached for the bottle with trembling fingers and examined it carefully.
"Thank you, Alex. I didn't know such magic existed in the world," he sincerely commented.
"No such magic exists, Professor. Only I can do it," Alex corrected.
Dumbledore gave Alex a nod of acknowledgment and pushed the rest of the cursed items toward him. Alex repeated the same process he had earlier on Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem and Slytherin's locket.
Afterward, Alex shared some snacks with Dumbledore as they discussed the series of events in the prophecy crystal. Alex included all the Harry Potter series events, from his first year up to Voldemort's defeat, in his so-called prophecy crystal. It gave Dumbledore a profound realization. Facing all those events, he might have repeated the same process.
But now that he knew all he needed to know, it gave him a different perspective in understanding the situation.
The conversation then shifted to lighter topics, with Dumbledore offering insights into the school's traditions and expectations.
As the hour grew late, Dumbledore stood, signaling the end of their meeting. "Welcome to Hogwarts, Alex."
Alex nodded as he stood up. "Thank you, Professor."
With that, Dumbledore escorted him out of the office, and Alex made his way to the Ravenclaw Tower.
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