Chapter 385: Period of Turmoil
Chapter 385: Period of Turmoil
In Dumbledore's office.
Harry's mood had calmed down considerably, but he still sat in the chair with a tense and uneasy expression.
Directly across from him was Dumbledore, while Sherlock sat on a stool by the wall, fiddling with the Pendant Box and listening to Harry recount his dream.
"Wormtail and the others were all kneeling on the ground. After a short while, a group of people appeared using Shadow Step. There were so many of them, I couldn't even count. Among them, I saw Barty Crouch Jr. and Karkaroff!"
Dumbledore's face visibly darkened. He stared at Harry, his azure eyes filled with a sense of helplessness and anger that Harry had never seen before.
"Can you describe the layout of the room you saw from your perspective?"
"Sorry, Professor, it was very dark, and I couldn't control my viewpoint. I didn't see what the room looked like."
Dumbledore didn't show any disappointment in front of Harry. He nodded and spoke reassuringly.
"It's not your fault, Harry. The information you've shared is very useful. It's late, and you have classes tomorrow. Go back and get some sleep."
But Harry didn't leave immediately. He hesitated, looking at Dumbledore, and after a few seconds of contemplation, he decided to ask the question on his mind.
"Professor, I really want to know why I keep dreaming about what Voldemort is doing."
Dumbledore's gaze became profound, as if Harry's words had triggered his thoughts. However, he didn't give Harry a definitive answer.
"You are the first person to survive the Killing Curse, Harry. This is very unique, as there has never been a similar case in history. I can only speculate that the Killing Curse Voldemort used on you, although it failed, might have created some kind of connection between you and Voldemort."
He looked at Harry seriously.
"From what we can see, this connection hasn't affected you in any other way yet. However, no one can guarantee that if you can see what Voldemort is doing, Voldemort won't discover this and see you as well."
Hearing Dumbledore's speculation, Harry's body couldn't help but tremble.
Just imagining such a scenario was enough to make him feel uneasy. If it were true, Voldemort would have more opportunities to manipulate the situation than they would.
Noticing Harry's unease, Dumbledore spoke in a soothing tone.
"You don't need to worry too much. This is just a hypothesis. I have made some preparations. That's why I didn't agree with Minerva's suggestion to appoint you as a male Prefect. This semester will be very busy for you, Harry. You shouldn't be distracted by other things."
Dumbledore's words helped to ease Harry's anxiety. Before Harry left, Sherlock shook the Pendant Box.
"I'll take care of this. I should have mentioned in class that in the wizarding world, you should never touch unknown notes, Pendant Boxes, rings, or cups. It seems you weren't paying much attention that day."
Harry's face showed a hint of shame. On the way there, he had already learned that the Pendant Box he had taken from 12 Grimmauld Place was a Dark Magic item.
Neither Dumbledore nor Sherlock had informed anyone else about the Horcrux. The fewer people who knew about it, the better.
"Of course, it's not entirely your fault. Sirius Black himself was too careless, giving you something he knew nothing about. Fortunately, nothing went wrong. Go back to sleep now."
After Harry left, Dumbledore's expression gradually became more serene.
His eyes, dim in the firelight, were lost in thought.
"Is there something wrong with Harry?"
Sherlock naturally picked up on the unease. Harry's dreams of Voldemort were nothing new, and while the Pendant Box might have exacerbated his nightmares, the real issue lay with Harry himself.
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, looking somewhat weary.
"I have some suspicions about Harry, but they remain just that—suspicions. For now, I must keep this from you, Sherlock. I need more time to verify it, and I will tell you everything once I am certain."
Sherlock had no objections. Dumbledore had the right to withhold information, just as he did.
"Let's set this aside for now. The most pressing matter is to determine whether Harry's dream was real."
As Dumbledore spoke, he pulled a parchment from his desk and picked up a quill to write. Just as he was about to start, the fireplace in the Headmaster's Office flickered with green flames.
A face emerged from the green fire, and despite the lack of visible skin, Sherlock recognized the features of Kingsley.
"Sir, there's an emergency at Azkaban."
Kingsley's tone was urgent as he spoke rapidly.
"The Dementors have allied with the Death Eaters. The Aurors stationed on the island have all been captured, and all the prisoners have been released!"
Before Dumbledore could even write a letter to inquire, Kingsley had already informed them through the Floo Powder.
Dumbledore's brow furrowed.
"What is Scrimgeour's response?"
"He is gathering all the Aurors from the Ministry, trying to use the Apparition detection magic left at Azkaban to find the Death Eaters' escape location. He has already dispatched a reconnaissance team."
Dumbledore shook his head and sighed.
"It's too late for that. If he had heeded my advice and prepared earlier, we might have had a chance to turn things around."
"I'm heading back to the Ministry, sir. Please inform Mad-Eye Moody and the others as soon as possible. The Death Eaters under their surveillance will likely make their move soon."
"I will."
Kingsley's face disappeared from the fireplace, and Dumbledore stood up from his chair.
"Go back to your room and rest, Sherlock. I need to go to 12 Grimmauld Place to gather Mad-Eye Moody and the others to discuss some matters."
Sherlock also stood up from his chair.
"Should I come with you?"
"You have classes tomorrow. It's best if you get some sleep tonight." Dumbledore put on his outer robe. "There's nothing too important I need to do there. I just need to advise them to pull back for now. Voldemort's activities are likely to increase, and the wizarding world will soon enter a period of turmoil."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
