-𝕏𝕍-
The grand wooden doors of Hogwarts swung open, revealing the magnificent entrance hall. A group of stern-faced parents, members of the Hogwarts School Board, entered with determined strides. They had come with pressing questions, spurred by the alarming words of danger lurking within the walls of the ancient school. Their primary concern: the mysterious third-floor corridor, which had been declared off-limits by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore himself.
As they approached the grand staircase, Professor McGonagall greeted them with her usual air of authority, leading them to the Headmaster's office. They ascended the spiral staircase and stood before the impressive oak door adorned with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin. With a swift knock, the door creaked open, and they entered to find Dumbledore seated behind his cluttered desk, a serene smile on his face.
"Welcome, esteemed members of the School Board," Dumbledore began, rising to greet them. "I understand you have concerns regarding the third-floor corridor."
The parents exchanged glances before the chairman, a stern-looking man with silver hair, stepped forward. Mr. Smythe.
"Headmaster Dumbledore," he began, "we've heard troubling tell about the third-floor corridor being off-limits. Parents are worried about the safety of their children. What exactly is the danger there, and why has it been restricted?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles as he gestured for them to sit. "Ah, yes. The third-floor corridor," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "You see, we have some rather... delicate renovations taking place. As you can imagine, Hogwarts is an old castle, and certain areas require extensive work to ensure they remain safe and secure."
Mr. Corner with a worried expression spoke up, "But why was it necessary to make it so ominous, saying that entering the corridor would result in 'a most painful death'?"
Dumbledore chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the office. "I must admit, that may have been a tad dramatic on my part. However, it was crucial to impress upon the students the seriousness of the situation. The renovations involve some hazardous magical elements, and I wanted to ensure they stayed far away until it is safe again."
Mrs. Chang, a woman with a keen gaze, inquired further, "And what exactly are these hazardous magical elements?"
Dumbledore's expression remained placid. "Certain enchanted objects that are being re-calibrated. They pose no threat under normal circumstances, but in their current state, they could be unpredictable. Our expert staff is working diligently to resolve this, and I can assure you, no harm will come to the students."
Mr. Selwyn, skeptical but slightly eased, asked, "Can we inspect the corridor ourselves, just to be certain?"
Dumbledore nodded, his demeanor open and accommodating. "Of course, I understand your concern. However, I must insist that you allow our experts to finish their work first. For your safety and that of the students, I recommend we postpone the inspection for a few weeks. In the meantime, I would be more than happy to provide regular updates on the progress."
His response was met with murmurs of agreement. Mr. Smythe, sensing the other parents' growing trust, decided to press on with one last question. "How can we be sure that the students are safe in other parts of the castle while these 'renovations' are taking place?"
Dumbledore clasped his hands together, leaning slightly forward. "The safety of our students is my utmost priority. I have placed additional protective enchantments around the third-floor corridor to contain any potential risks. Furthermore, I have instructed the staff to be extra vigilant. Rest assured, every precaution is being taken."
The parents seemed to relax, their initial worries eased by Dumbledore's confident reassurances. The chairman stood, signaling the end of the meeting.
"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore. We appreciate your transparency and dedication to the students' safety."
Dumbledore stood as well, offering a warm smile. "It is my pleasure. Hogwarts has always been a place of learning and safety, and I intend to keep it that way. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions."
As the parents filed out of the office, Dumbledore's serene smile never wavered. Once the door closed behind them, he dropped his smile and glared at the door. Lupin was behind this, he was certain of it.
ϟϟϟ
The Great Hall buzzed with the usual lunch chatter, but Leo, Adhara, and Neville had finished their meals early. Leo, with his trademark mischievous grin, leaned in closer and threw an arm around Adhara's shoulder.
"Fancy a bit of an adventure?" he whispered, eyes sparkling with excitement. "I heard there's a secret room behind one of the grand clocks."
Adhara's curiosity piqued immediately. "A secret room? Where did you hear that?"
"Just a rumor," Leo said nonchalantly, as if he didn't already know almost every nook and cranny of this place. "Come on, let's check it out before the next class."
Neville looked hesitant but nodded. "Alright, but let's not get into trouble."
The trio slipped out of the Great Hall, navigating through the maze of Hogwarts corridors. Leo led the way confidently. They finally reached the Grand Staircase, where one of the immense clocks stood, its pendulum swinging rhythmically.
"There it is," Leo said, pointing to the ancient timepiece. "Help me look for a way to open it."
Adhara and Neville inspected the clock closely. Adhara found a small, almost invisible latch on the side. She looked at Leo, who nodded encouragingly. She pressed the latch, and with a soft click, the clock face swung open, revealing a hidden passage.
"Wow," Neville and Adhara echoed, eyes wide with amazement.
"Come on, let's see where it leads," Leo said, stepping into the dark passageway.
The passage was narrow, barely wide enough for them to walk single file. The walls were lined with cobwebs, and the air was thick with dust. They walked in silence, their footsteps echoing eerily. After a few minutes, they emerged into a dimly lit room filled with ancient, forgotten artifacts.
"This is incredible," Adhara whispered, her eyes scanning the room. "Look at all this."
Leo nodded, picking up and fiddling with one of the objects. "Cool, don't you think?"
"Ooh! Look! It's a remembrall like your Gran sent you, Neville. At least, I think it is," Adhara mumbled, inspecting the item closely.
As they explored the room, they heard a noise from the passageway they had come through. Leo's eyes narrowed, and he motioned for them to be quiet. They hid behind a large, dusty bookshelf just as Professor Quirrell entered the room.
Quirrell's eyes darted around nervously, and he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible. "Must find it... must find it for him..."
Adhara shivered. There was something unnervingly wrong about Quirrell, something she couldn't quite place. She exchanged a worried glance with Leo, who looked more alert than ever.
Quirrell moved closer to their hiding spot, his mutterings growing louder. "The girl... she knows something..."
Neville anxiously backed up a little, and accidentally knocked over a box behind them.
"Who's there!?" Quirrell hissed, his eyes looking all around.
Leo stepped out from behind the bookshelf, placing himself between Quirrell and Adhara. "Professor Quirrell," he said, his voice steady. "What are you doing here?"
Quirrell jumped, startled. His eyes flickered with a mix of fear and anger. "I could ask you the same, young Mr. Black," he stammered, his eyes locking onto Adhara with a disturbing intensity. "Exploring where you shouldn't be, perhaps?"
"We were just curious," Leo said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "We'll be leaving now."
Quirrell's gaze lingered on Adhara, a creepy smile forming on his lips. "Be careful, Miss Potter. Curiosity can be dangerous."
Adhara felt a chill run down her spine, she tried her best to keep composed, but she couldn't keep from anxiously moving closer to Leo and clutching his sleeve.
"Come on," Leo said, taking Adhara's hand, leading them out of the room.
Once they were back in the corridor, Adhara let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "What was that about?"
"Nothing good," Leo said grimly. "We need to stay away from him."
Neville nodded vigorously. "I agree. That was... creepy."
Leo forced a smile. "How about we find something more fun to do? Fancy a trip to the Black Lake to see the giant squid?"
Adhara's face lit up. "Yes, let's do that. Maybe we can finally invite him to tea!" She jested, smirking at Neville.
"Do giant squids even like tea?" Neville mumbled, in thought.
Adhara shrugged, "He loves toast. Why not tea as well?"
The trio made their way to the Black Lake, the unnerving encounter with Quirrell already fading from their minds as the excitement of seeing the giant squid took over. They reached the lake's edge, where the giant squid often surfaced, especially for curious students who brought treats.
"Look!" Neville pointed nervous but excitedly, as a massive tentacle broke the water's surface, waving lazily at them.
Adhara laughed, the sound light and carefree. She pulled out a biscuit she had saved for later and tossed a piece of it into the water, and the squid's tentacle gently took it.
"See? Much better than dusty old rooms and creepy professors," Leo said, grinning.
ϟϟϟ
Draco Malfoy sat in the dimly lit Slytherin common room, his thoughts tangled in a web of confusion and conflict. The flickering flames in the hearth cast long shadows, dancing on the walls, mirroring the turmoil within him. Beside him, Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe lounged in the plush chairs, their faces etched with similar uncertainty.
Draco glanced around, ensuring they were alone. The Slytherin "King," a seventh year who was appointed leader among the Slytherin students, had made his decree clear on the first night: Adhara Potter was to be shown nothing but disdain or indifference. Anyone who disobeyed would face severe consequences. But the problem was... Draco liked Potter, and not just her, but also Black and, surprisingly, even Longbottom.
He sighed, running a hand through his pale blond hair. "I don't know what to do," he admitted quietly, breaking the silence.
Gregory shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I know what you mean. They're... not so bad."
"Not so bad?" Vincent echoed, his brow furrowed. "They're actually pretty fun to be around."
Draco nodded, staring into the fire. He remembered meeting Leo and Adhara for the first time in Diagon Alley. They had been different than expected. Draco had planned to bully Leo and Adhara on the train to Hogwarts, but instead, they ended up sitting together. They got along well, to his surprise. And she still tries to stay friends with him, despite him being a Slytherin.
"Remember what he said," Draco muttered, thinking of the Slytherin "King." "Anyone who shows Potter anything but disdain will be disciplined."
Gregory frowned. "Yeah, but it's stupid. Adhara hasn't done anything to us. And Leo... he's your family."
"Family," Draco repeated, the word heavy with meaning. He thought of his own family, of his father's expectations and the dark legacy that loomed over them all. Lucius Malfoy had instilled in him the importance of their bloodline and loyalty to the Dark Lord. But here he was, conflicted over the simple act of choosing his friends.
Vincent leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Draco, what if we just... ignore the decree? We don't have to be best friends with them in front of everyone, but we don't have to be cruel, either."
Draco's mind raced. It was a dangerous game they were considering. Defying the Slytherin "King" could bring serious repercussions, not just from their peers but from their families as well. But the thought of hurting Adhara, Leo, and Neville felt equally wrong and he didn't want to ignore them.
"I don't want to hurt them," Draco admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Leo's... he could be like... the brother I never had. And Adhara, she's... well, she's been through enough. We've all heard about the Wizengamot trial."
Gregory and Vincent exchanged glances. It was rare for Draco to speak so candidly, but they understood. They had seen Adhara's resilience and the way Leo looked out for her, even as first years. Neville, too, despite his clumsiness, had shown a kind heart and unwavering loyalty.
"We could try," Gregory said slowly. "We could be friends with them... secretly."
Draco considered this. It wasn't ideal, but it was a start. "We'll have to be careful," he warned. "If anyone finds out..."
"They won't," Vincent said firmly. "We'll make sure of it."
Draco felt a weight lift slightly off his shoulders. It was a risk, but it felt right. "Alright," he agreed. "We stick together, no matter what. And if anyone asks... we're just playing along."
The three of them sat in silence for a while, the fire crackling softly in the background.
"We should go to bed," Draco finally said, standing up. "Tomorrow's another day."
As they headed to their dormitories, Draco couldn't help but feel a spark of hope.
ϟϟϟ
He approached the office of Amelia Bones, now acting as Interim Chief Warlock after Dumbledore's removal. The guards nodded in recognition and allowed him entry. Amelia's office was a stark contrast to the chaos outside, a haven of order and calm. She looked up from her paperwork as Remus entered.
"Remus," she greeted, her expression serious. "Please, have a seat."
"Thank you, Amelia," he replied, taking the offered chair. "I appreciate you meeting with me on such short notice."
"Not at all. I understand the urgency. How is Adhara?"
"She's adjusting well, all things considered," Remus said, a flicker of warmth softening his features. "She's resilient. But that's part of why I'm here. I need to know if there's been any progress on the Dursleys' case."
Amelia leaned back, her gaze steady. "The warrant for Vernon and Petunia Dursley was issued during the trial, as you know. Our team coordinated with Muggle authorities, and Aurors were dispatched immediately to apprehend them. Both Vernon and Petunia Dursley were apprehended and taken into custody."
"And the boy, Dudley?" Remus inquired, concern in his voice.
Amelia's expression softened slightly. "Dudley Dursley has been placed in the care of Muggle Child Services. Given his age and the circumstances, they're investigating suitable long-term guardians for him. He will be going through a program to help with his ... unstructured upbringing."
Remus nodded, a mixture of relief crossing his features. "It's a small comfort, knowing he's safe now. But what of Dumbledore? Have there been any developments in the investigation?"
Amelia's expression hardened. "Dumbledore has always been adept at covering his tracks. The investigation is proving to be... challenging. Every lead we follow seems to dissipate into thin air. He's left very few traces."
"I figured as much," Remus murmured. "He's had decades to perfect his methods. However, I do have something that might be of interest. Adhara sent me a letter from Hogwarts. In it, she mentioned that Dumbledore made an announcement to the school about the third-floor corridor being off-limits. He claimed it was dangerous."
Amelia's brows furrowed. "The third-floor corridor? Do you have any idea why?"
Remus shook his head. "No, but it struck me as suspicious. I informed the school board of his warning, and they said they'd speak with him about it. Given everything we've uncovered so far, I thought it worth mentioning."
Amelia tapped her quill against the desk, lost in thought. "This could be significant. Perhaps he's hiding something there, or it's connected to whatever he's trying to keep concealed. I'll have a team investigate it immediately."
"Good," Remus said, a note of relief in his voice. "We need to uncover whatever he's hiding. For the kid's sake, and for everyone else he might have wronged."
Amelia nodded. "Agreed. We'll proceed with caution. The safety of the students is paramount. I'll also see to it that our investigation into Dumbledore's past actions is intensified. He won't evade justice forever."
"Thank you, Amelia," Remus said, standing up. "I can't tell you how much it means to have someone like you in charge. Someone who genuinely cares about the truth."
"Thank you, Remus. And for what it's worth, I believe we're on the right path. It might take time, but we will get to the bottom of this."
ϟϟϟ
Later that night, the Gryffindor common room was filled with the quiet sounds of crackling embers in the fireplace. The dormitory above was silent, save for the occasional soft snore. Leo lay in bed, feigning sleep, his senses hyper-aware of every breath and movement around him. Finally, when he was sure his dormmates were deep in slumber, he quietly slipped out of bed.
He didn't have the luxury of the Invisibility Cloak he used to share with James. It now belonged to Adhara, and borrowing it would require explanations he wasn't ready to give. Instead, he relied on a Disillusionment Charm. With a whispered incantation, he felt the familiar cold trickle down his spine as the charm took effect, rendering him nearly invisible.
Silently, he grabbed the ornate box he had acquired with Kreacher's help. The old house-elf had been an unexpected ally, he could now sort of see why Regulus was so attached to him. The box was plain on the outside, but he knew its true value lay in its potential to be transformed.
He slipped out of the dormitory and down the spiral staircase, moving as quietly as a shadow. The common room was deserted, the only light coming from the dying fire. He navigated through the portrait hole and into the silent corridors of Hogwarts. His destination was the Room of Requirement, a place he knew well from Adhara's memories. He still couldn't believe that him and the Marauders had never found this ...
Reaching the seventh floor, Leo paced back and forth three times in front of the blank stretch of wall, focusing on his need. "I need a place to create something powerful, a place where I won't be disturbed," he thought fervently. The door slowly carved and formed into the wall, and Leo slipped inside.
The room was exactly as he envisioned: a quiet, well-lit workshop equipped with everything he needed. Ancient tomes on enchanting and protective spells lined the shelves, and a sturdy workbench stood in the center, covered in tools and materials.
Leo placed the box on the bench and began his work. He had spent countless hours studying the runes and enchantments required to craft a containment strong enough to hold Horcruxes. The box had to be more than just a container; it had to be a fortress against the darkest of magics.
He opened one of the tomes to a marked page, revealing intricate diagrams of protective runes. Taking a deep breath, he picked up a fine carving tool and began etching the first rune into the wood. Each stroke was precise, each symbol meticulously crafted. He worked in silence, the only sound the faint scraping of the tool against the wood.
After several hours, the runes were complete. They glowed faintly, a sign that the initial enchantments had taken hold. Leo then moved on to the next stage: imbuing the box with protective charms. He raised his wand and began casting a series of complex spells, each one layering additional protection onto the box.
"Protego Totalum," he whispered, circling the box with his wand. A shimmering barrier enveloped it. "Repello Inimicum," he continued, adding a repelling charm. The process was slow and meticulous, each spell requiring intense concentration and precise wand movements.
As dawn approached, Leo felt the exhaustion creeping in, but he pushed through. The final enchantment was the most critical: a containment charm specifically designed to trap and neutralize the dark magic of Horcruxes.
"Custodia Tenebris," he intoned, his voice steady despite his fatigue. A powerful, shimmering light enveloped the box, sealing the runes and spells into a cohesive protective barrier.
Leo slumped back in his chair, breathing heavily. The box now pulsed with a faint, steady glow, a testament to the powerful magic within. He knew this was only the beginning, but it was a crucial step in their fight against Voldemort.
He took a moment to catch his breath, then carefully placed the box in a secure corner of the room. It would remain hidden here, waiting for the time when it would be needed to contain the Horcruxes.
With one last glance at his handiwork, Leo exited the Room of Requirement, the door vanishing behind him. He made his way back to the Gryffindor common room, and removing the Disillusionment Charm. As he climbed back into bed, he couldn't help but feel a sense of grim satisfaction. He was one step closer to changing the future, to ensuring Adhara's safety, and to ultimately defeating Voldemort.
For now, though, he needed rest.