Harry Potter: Shadow Eminence

Chapter 26.

"Minister of Magic Fudge is visiting Gringotts? Honestly, those greedy goblins deserve to be caught and burned..."

"A colony of trolls has been found in the south? I fail to see how such trivial news makes it to the Daily Prophet. If someone had eaten a troll, now that would be worthy of attention..."

"An Auror apprehended a dark wizard who was secretly conducting experiments on Muggles? What a foolish dark wizard! There are plenty of Muggles around; capturing a few would be too easy for an Auror to uncover. He must have really flopped in his previous life..."

"..."

Brian sat quietly eating his breakfast while listening to Malfoy casually critiquing the day's news from the Daily Prophet.

Malfoy was always so animated, his comments filled with absurdity and fanciful ideas. Even though some of his musings were rather dark, they somehow brightened Brian's mood.

Just then, an unusual owl with two fiery red feathers on its head swooped down, dropping a note in front of Brian before casting him a disdainful glance and speeding away.

This owl flew much faster than a typical owl—or rather, it was too quick for an owl.

Intrigued, Brian unfolded the note but fell silent upon reading it.

"Mr. Walker, will you join me for dinner at seven tonight? I trust you know where my office is."

"PS: I have a fondness for fizzing whizbees."

"Dumbledore."

Brian squeezed the note tightly, a frown forming on his brow.

He had just engaged in something dubious the night before, and now his mind was racing.

Could he have inadvertently revealed something?

"Am I overthinking this? Is Dumbledore keeping a personal watch on Quirrell?" Brian pondered.

Yet, he doubted that was the case.

Clearly, Dumbledore only needed to maintain control over the Philosopher's Stone to have power over Voldemort's existence.

If Dumbledore became overly focused on Quirrell or resorted to any magic against him, Voldemort would surely catch wind of it, prompting him to shift his strategy to a more stealthy approach, possibly even abandoning the Philosopher's Stone altogether.

After all, despite Voldemort's distorted mind, his might and knowledge remained formidable. Even in his weakened state, he still possessed bizarre abilities and wisdom.

"Dumbledore doesn't need to risk it," Brian thought, closing his eyes. "He just needs to oversee the Philosopher's Stone, and everything will unfold as he wishes."

From the original story, he could also deduce a few things. Dumbledore merely directed Snape to monitor Quirrell but did not intervene with Quirrell's various actions. Even the final events involving Harry and others beneath the trapdoor likely weren't within his expectations; there were just too many variables in that situation.

"Dumbledore's plan ensured that Voldemort would never acquire the Sorcerer's Stone during his lifetime. He won't succeed in passing the Mirror of Erised's test."

"Since Dumbledore doesn't need to devise any tricks, there's no necessity for him to oversee everything personally; he can just wait until the net finally closes."

With this perspective, Brian felt emboldened enough to take the risk of contacting Quirrell, hoping to seize some advantage.

But what does Dumbledore's invitation mean?

Is he merely asking me to dinner? Only a fool would believe that.

If that were true, why not invite Malfoy too?

"Whatever the case, I'll just adapt as it unfolds," Brian thought, his gaze becoming more profound.

What is a blessing cannot be a curse, and what is a curse cannot be avoided.

Naturally, just to be cautious, he might also sever ties.

His regular interactions with Quirrell, the potions he provided, could pass as typical teacher-student exchanges.

As for last night's events in the Forbidden Forest, Brian could argue he was coerced and threatened.

Those Death Eaters who never faced justice, including his own father, set a fine example for him, didn't they?

But that was just a worst-case scenario; as long as Quirrell didn't get caught and questioned, Brian should be fine.

"If it truly comes to that, I'll have to distance myself from Quirrell."

Brian tightened his grip on the note, rubbing his forehead.

"Brian, what's bothering you? Your expression has been off since you got that note." Malfoy leaned in, concern flickering in his gray eyes.

"It's nothing, just a little anxious," Brian replied with a shake of his head.

"What's going on?" Malfoy clearly wasn't one to let it go, his expression indicating he would keep probing until he uncovered the truth.

"I might have been caught by the professor for some mischief; he wants to talk to me," Brian said with a smile.

"Could it be that Professor Snape found out you were trying to hatch that silver serpent egg?" Malfoy's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Ah, something like that," Brian sighed.

"...Good luck with that," Malfoy offered a pat on Brian's shoulder, suggesting he take care.

"Don't worry, your dad is on the Hogwarts Board; Professor Snape won't expel you," Malfoy attempted a clumsy reassurance.

"Okay, I appreciate it," Brian said, feeling both amused and exasperated.

...

The classes that day dragged on. Dumbledore's invitation loomed in Brian's mind, making him feel rather uneasy.

Once afternoon classes concluded, Brian worked on some homework in the common room before packing up and heading to Dumbledore's office at the appointed time.

He ascended the marble staircase to the eighth floor of the castle, pausing before a grotesque, gigantic stone monster.

"Password," rumbled the stone creature.

"Fizzing whizbees," Brian responded.

The monster leapt aside, revealing a wall that split apart, leading to a spiraling staircase that slowly ascended.

Stepping onto the staircase, Brian watched as the wall closed behind him. It twisted upward, creating a dizzying sensation.

At the top, he arrived at a gleaming oak door. Knocking on the brass knocker shaped like a griffin, he awaited entry.

The door swung open effortlessly, unveiling a spacious circular chamber within.

Dumbledore, donned in a long purple robe, tinkered with some peculiar silverware at a long table with slender legs, making them spin while releasing tiny puffs of smoke.

The walls boasted portraits of former headmasters, all with closed eyes, softly snoring. However, Brian noticed a few headmasters whose eyelids twitched, indicating their feigned slumber was lacking authenticity.

"Professor Dumbledore," Brian greeted with respect.

Dumbledore glanced at the clock, which had just struck seven. He smiled at Brian and said, "Ah, you're quite punctual, Brian. May I call you that?"

"Of course, sir," Brian nodded, noting that Dumbledore had always referred to him as Mr. Walker.

"Dinner with me must seem rather dull?" Dumbledore's bright blue gaze scrutinized Brian's serious demeanor for a moment. Observing his focused expression, he added with a smile, "There's no need for formality; it's just dinner."

"Think of it as an old man seeking some company to chat with," he said, gesturing for Brian to take a seat.

"What would you like to eat, Brian?"

"Honey steak and lemonade, please."

With a tap of his uniquely shaped wand on the table, a lavish spread of steaks, roasted chicken, desserts, and lemon honey water appeared seemingly from thin air.

Brian caught a glimpse of the wand; it had to be the old wand.

Just a brief look was enough to pull his gaze away to notice the filthy Sorting Hat resting on a shelf behind the table, prompting an urge to whip out his wand and cast a cleaning spell on it.

A melodious bird call interrupted his thoughts, and a large golden-red bird appeared in a burst of flames upon a gilded perch behind the door, tilting its head to observe him.

The familiar mix of pride and disdain in its gaze, along with the two distinct red feathers atop its head, made Brian's eyelid twitch.

"Oh, that's Fawkes; he's a phoenix," Dumbledore said casually, noting Brian's fascination with Fawkes and speaking with a playful tone, as if showing off a prized possession. "Phoenixes are truly marvelous beings; they can carry heavy loads, their tears possess healing properties, and they make particularly loyal companions."

"That..." Brian's calm black eyes met Dumbledore's.

"That's correct, I transformed it into that shape, though it obviously dislikes it," Dumbledore added, winking playfully. "Fawkes is rather conspicuous; I figured you wouldn't want to be the center of attention."

"Ah, I realized I didn't even have an owl when I needed one."

Dumbledore shrugged, maintaining a light-hearted demeanor.

*****

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