Chapter 138: The Story
Chapter 138: The Story
On the black marble, white inscriptions were more visible in the dim light, seemingly glowing in the darkness—
Locke Evens
Born on December 12, 1966, Died on May 3, 1980
He cared for 12 companions during the flu and unfortunately died from the illness.
"Locke Evens..." Felix murmured, recalling the time when he was nine and lying in a hospital bed, at his weakest, with someone constantly by his side.
Three days before his recovery, Avin's figure disappeared. He had begged the Head of House for answers but received only a heavy sigh in response.
That was the first time he truly understood death.
Felix stood silently in front of the tombstone, like a silent statue. After nearly an hour, his figure vanished.
At eight o'clock in the evening, Felix returned to his office. Earlier, he had used a Patronus to notify his Assistant to cancel his weekend Runic Script tutoring session.
After a brief preparation, he knocked on the Headmaster's Office door.
The room was quite dim. Dumbledore looked up from his desk, peering through his half-moon glasses, "Felix... please come in and take a seat. Wait a moment, the office is a bit dark."
He raised a device that looked like a silver lighter, pressed a few times, and several light orbs flew out, instantly brightening the room.
"What is that?" Felix asked with interest.
"A little gadget I made. I call it a Deluminator. It can absorb and release light sources", Dumbledore explained.
Felix sat across from him and took out his diary and a new diadem.
Dumbledore's eyes immediately fell on the diadem. He stood up, bent down, and examined it closely, "This is... if I'm not mistaken..."
"That's right, it's Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem."
Dumbledore looked at Felix, noticing his use of the term 'lady,' which was uncommon.
He quickly thought about the brief borrowing of his Headmaster's privileges. The speculation that arose in his mind was alarming, but he quickly dismissed it.
His gaze then turned to the diary, which was less eye-catching, looking worn and tattered with a hole in the middle.
Dumbledore stared at it for a longer time, his fingers tracing the tear, "A powerful Fiendfyre Curse", he frowned, but did not rush to comment. For a moment, his bright blue eyes widened, "I see, yes, that's it..."
After a long while, he finally looked away. Dumbledore softly exclaimed, "Truly surprising. I thought nothing could surprise this old man anymore, but it seems your story will open my eyes."
Felix began recounting his 'experience,' starting from a long time ago, "On the night the Chamber adventure ended, Draco Malfoy found me. He was visibly distressed but very cleverly brought an evil dark magic item..." He nodded toward the diary on the table.
He explained that he suspected the diary was connected to the opening of the Chamber and tried to communicate with it, but received no response.
"This doesn't quite align with Mr. Malfoy's account. I planned to observe it for a while and set up a strict magical protection."
Dumbledore folded his hands under his chin and listened quietly.
"During the Dueling Class, I discovered that the wards I had set were broken. I rushed back and found a House-elf, Dobby, unconscious. After using a potion on it, I unexpectedly learned the truth about the Chamber incident", Felix said.
"So—"
"The diary is one of Voldemort's relics. For some unknown reason, he gave his diary to Lucius Malfoy, who, during the conflict at Flourish and Blotts, hid the diary in the book of the Weasley family's youngest daughter, Ginny Weasley."
Dumbledore sighed, "This aligns with some of my suspicions. As far as I know, the Ministry of Magic searched several Pureblood Families during that time, ostensibly to investigate dark magic items. Lucius must have been desperate, eager to get rid of this trouble."
"Dobby harbors immense gratitude towards Potter. He defied his master's orders, using any means he could to protect Potter, though..." Felix smiled slightly, "it might have caused some inconvenience for Potter himself."
"Ah, such pure emotions often surpass our expectations", Dumbledore mused.
"In any case, I realized the danger and prepared to destroy the diary, but conventional magic was ineffective. So, I used fiery blaze", Felix said straightforwardly, not shying away from the fact of dark magic.
Dumbledore didn't say much more, "Perhaps... this was indeed a good method."
Next, Felix explained how he had accidentally discovered a mysterious room while investigating the Chamber. "I find its magic intriguing and plan to study it in my free time."
"On the eighth floor, by the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy?" Dumbledore repeated, a thoughtful expression on his face. He smiled, "Your words have resolved a long-standing mystery for me."
"You know about it?" Felix asked, feigning ignorance. He couldn't very well say he had used your name for various peculiar tests, could he?
"Oh, it was a delightful experience, though I may have underestimated its potential at the time..."
Felix didn't press further. He nodded and then talked about the two ghosts, mentioning how he and Barrow had known each other since their school days and had overheard their conversations by chance.
He said with some regret, "Initially, I had ulterior motives—after reading Rowena Ravenclaw's manuscripts in the Library, I became fascinated with that era a thousand years ago. I deliberately befriended Helena."
Dumbledore consoled him, "I, too, had ulterior motives in my youth, deliberately befriending many famous wizards. We need not feel ashamed about it."
"You always know how to be considerate, Dumbledore", Felix said. "At the time, I also hoped to help ease Helena's resentment towards Barrow as his friend."
"But as I got to know her better, I found Helena to be a truly remarkable woman. Conversations with her were very enjoyable, and I genuinely relished the experience", Felix's voice softened.
Felix then reduced his descriptions of Helena, not wanting to mention her name in a web of lies.
"... I realized the Room of Requirement might be a Chamber left by Ravenclaw. I brought her in, and we saw the memories left by Rowena Ravenclaw from a thousand years ago."
Dumbledore's hand, which had been stroking his silver beard, paused. He listened intently, not wanting to miss a single word.
"... Rowena Ravenclaw discovered the diadem, which she said contained a piece of an evil soul. This magic, it is said, originated from a famous Dark Wizard of ancient Greece—Herpo the Foul."
Dumbledore's face grew serious, and he uttered a single word, "Horcrux."
"That's right, it's this magic. I thought of the diary and showed it to Rowena Ravenclaw. She confirmed that the diary was also a Horcrux."
"Very astute, Felix", Dumbledore said.
"Later, Rowena Ravenclaw used the vast magic of Hogwarts to destroy it. Before her mission was complete, she recreated the diadem."
Felix finished his story.
(End of Chapter)
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