Chapter 23
DEPARTURE
My exam grades offered no surprises: there was the usual row of Outstandings, even in History, Astronomy, and Magical Creatures even though I had not attended any classes. It was Snape who gave each Slytherin their results on a parchment, and his expression was frighteningly bitter when he faced me.
"Outstanding in Potions," I pointed out merrily. "You have taught me well, Professor!"
He did not answer, probably because all he could think about at the moment were the incantations of illegal curses.
Enjoy your stay while you can, I thought. I'll see you out one way or another.
Slytherins in general had done quite well in their exams, and many of them thanked me of the change to an academically more ambitious direction. The proud House of Salazar had found a new purpose in taking over Britain with subtlety, and it had become a new custom that older students helped the younger ones. Only with a unified House of skilled witches and wizards could we succeed in making me the ruler of Britain and, of course, in the less important things too.
After lunch I met with my Gryffindor friends who wanted to share their exam grades with me.
"Look here, Tom," Harry said and handed me his parchment. "I did pretty well in my exams, and I think it's you I have to thank for it."
Indeed, over the course of the year, I had met with Harry in the Room of Requirement over a hundred times. Only in the beginning we had focused solely on Battle Magic and fighting skills, and eventually the lessons had replaced Harry's independent study hours. Harry was a smarter boy than most, and he would have become a powerful wizard and successful in his career on his own, but his talents were nothing unusual. He lacked the natural affinity to magic that very special individuals like I, Dumbledore, and Grindelwald had, and thus he could not become a legend with just his magical skills.
And so, his just slightly better than average talents had been a cause of frustration to me. The obvious shortcut had been to use Legilimency on him and simply plant the understanding of magical theories, methods, and techniques in his mind, bypassing the phase were the teacher translated his thoughts into words and the student translated them back into thoughts. It was a superbly effective way of teaching, but it could be done to just one person at a time, and very few wizards were adept enough at Legilimency to be able to do so.
Harry himself did not know how exactly I had taught him, but he had been awed by the progress he had made under my tutelage. I took the parchment and smiled: Harry's performance in Charms and Transfiguration was absolutely brilliant, even Hermione had not performed as well. In fact, even my third year exam performance back in 1941 had not earned as many points, and (I had checked it immediately) I had reached the exact same points as Dumbledore in his third year.
"Nicely done, Harry," I said and grinned. Behind Harry, Ron and Hermione looked quite sour. "I'm happy you think I've been of help to you. We'll continue this arrangement. As you've noticed, Divination is quite useless. I suggest you drop it like Hermione did, and take Runes and Arithmancy instead. I'll help you with the third year coursework during the holidays."
"Yes, that's what I'd like to do. I want to be able to create my own magical items like the Marauder's Map."
"That's the spirit," I said, but made a mental note to myself: I needed to be careful not to make Harry too adept at magic. He had to remain dependent on my expertise and ingenuity.
When we Slytherins stepped into the Great Hall for the End-of-Term Feast, we were welcomed by the massive green flags with a silver snake. After two years of Gryffindor victories due to Harry's foolhardiness and Dumbledore's favouritism, Slytherin had again won the House Cup. Everyone in the Hall knew it was my influence that had tipped the scales in Slytherin's favour. Students of the other Houses clapped politely, and Snape looked visibly annoyed. I smirked at him, wanting to rub the fact to his face that we had won because I had taught the Slytherins not to follow his example.
"Well done, Slytherin," Dumbledore said happily. "I am happy to announce that the Ministry of Magic has decided to remove the Dementors from around Hogwarts. Clearly Minister Fudge realized the danger in dealing with such creatures when the Dementors were all too happy to attack anyone on the night Professor Lupin had the misfortune to become moonstruck. However, the Ministry is not going to leave us defenceless as long as Sirius Black is still out there. The Dementors will be replaced by dragons."
Many students gasped in shock, others were unable to utter even that much, and most seventh-year students were clearly happy to leave Hogwarts for good.
"The Minister seemed to consider the arrangement economical," Dumbledore continued, his eyes twinkling intensively. "I wonder if he thinks Hogwarts will have some other use for dragons besides guarding in the near future."
Hagrid was weeping openly and noisily.
"I'm dropping Magical Creatures," Draco muttered in dismay.
"For our graduating students I wish the best of luck for your future endeavours," Dumbledore said after the terrified muttering had died out. "You are now witches and wizards ready to hone your skills without supervision. For the younger students I wish a very relaxing summer. These are always things worth celebrating. Tuck in!"
The plates and bowls on the House Tables were filled with the best dishes the house elves were able to cook, and the End-of-Term Feast began.
Returning to the Slytherin common room for the last night at Hogwarts was a bit melancholic. With Dobby as my assistant, I had put much effort to imitating the same atmosphere in my bedroom and drawing room in my house in Diagon Alley, but there were things about Hogwarts that simply could not be replicated anywhere else. I would miss the castle.
The Marauder's Map showed me that Snape had retired to his quarters; he was not coming to speak to his House like Professor Slughorn had done. Good, one more opportunity for me to play the part of the leader of Slytherins. I began to speak ex tempore, because written speeches were easy to recognize as memorized, and I did not want the other Slytherins to realize that I had carefully planned my rise to power. It was better if they thought it all just happened organically.
"It seems our Head of House is not going to celebrate our victory with us, so I'd like to say a few words in his stead," I said and immediately got the attention of my housemates. "I wasn't very happy when I saw what Snape and Dumbledore had done to our House. As I explained in September, we had lost our way and become just a shadow of what we should be. However, these past months have proven that we had not forsaken our most important qualities: adaptability and flexibility. The day of our ascension is coming, and I thank you for your effort in making it possible. We will continue our journey after summer, here at Hogwarts, and beyond with our graduating members. Thank you, carry on with the celebration. I'd like to speak with our senior members about the future."
The Slytherins saluted and toasted.
Ethan Jugson had assembled all of the seventh-years near the fireplace. I stepped in the centre of their crowd and grinned briefly. They were all older than I was, but I still had authority over them. Might makes right was a rule in Slytherin, and I liked it.
Among them there were proud and respected pure-bloods like Ethan Jugson and Carrie Runcorn who were talented and diligent, but the majority of them were much like Marcus Flint. It was actually quite tragic how many of the less powerful Slytherin families were trapped in a life of meaninglessness. Every generation learned the family pride even though the reasons of the pride had vanished usually centuries ago. People like Flint came to Hogwarts, graduated, and then had almost nothing to do. They did not continue their magical studies; they had no motivation to serve the Ministry or to run a business. Usually it was Quidditch in which they sought their sense of purpose. When a Dark Lord rose, they quickly gathered around him, not because of whatever the Dark Lord justified his conquest with, but to get some excitement. Like me, they were ready to do what it took to flee the apathy.
Understanding this was important. I knew exactly how to turn their craving for purpose into devotion for me.
"Some of you are pursuing a career in the Ministry," I said. "But am I correct, many of you have no particular plans for your future?"
Many of them nodded.
"As Slytherins, you should use any time you have to advance your goals. Our confrontation with the Muggle world is inevitable, and you know what is at stake. I have a suggestion I hope some of you consider earnestly. It is not difficult to infiltrate the part of the Muggle society which controls the raw power of science and technology. I suggest you join the British Army. Familiarize yourselves with Muggle weaponry and tactics. Use magic here and there, but subtly, and you will earn promotions with ease. It will be your shortcut to important positions in the wizarding world later."
I had procured a batch of recruitment brochures and distributed them among the seventh-years. Over the course of the year, I had made sure they felt appropriate fear and interest towards Muggle weapons, and many of them leafed through the brochures with an open mind.
"For you," I whispered to Flint, "this is not a suggestion, but an order. Choose the artillery arm. Derrick and Bole will follow you in a year. Make me proud."
"Yes, my lord," Flint muttered and inclined his head. He was quite sure he had not failed in his NEWTs this second time; he had actually done quite well, because I had forced him to study diligently.
Ethan came closer and said,
"So, this is why you asked me to assemble the older Slytherins. You want to suggest this military thing for them too."
"Quite right. This is something the Dark Lord Dumbledore does not expect from us Slytherins."
"I'm actually quite intrigued myself. However, my internship in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes has already been arranged."
"Don't worry about it. Anyone can learn to use Muggle weapons, it's not just for those in the military. I learned it quickly enough. What's the most important thing in the military training is how to adapt to the chaotic situation of a battle."
It was a clear summer morning when we students boarded the carriages in front of the mighty doors. As I was accustomed to do, I spent a good while looking at the turrets, the towers, the greenhouses, the lake, the grounds, and the surrounding mountains, wanting to imprint them all to my retinas. Next to me, Harry was doing the same thing; it was our common end-of-term ceremony. Then I grinned, because this time I was not going back to the orphanage. The journey to Hogsmeade railway station and the train ride southward had been the depressing transition from the exciting world of magic and Scottish mountains to the dull world of Muggles, smog, dreariness, food shortages, and the fear of air raids – the world of apathy.
No more. This summer was going to be like the previous one, immersed in magic, learning, and fun things to do.
"Well, this time I'm not walking into the house of the old, tyrannical Dursleys," Harry said. "But what if Uncle Vernon has changed jobs?"
"You sell Grunnings and buy the company that has employed him," I said. "Let's hope that's what has happened. It would be so funny."
"All right, hurry up!" Percy shouted, clinging to his final hours as the Head Boy. Harry and I boarded our carriage, and all too soon we were out of the gate. The Dementors were gone, but since the dragons were not there yet, a team of Aurors had been dispatched to keep us safe from Sirius Black.
I could have Apparated to London and skipped the long train ride, but once again my prefect's duties demanded me to waste my time. Peregrine Derrick actually smirked at me when I passed him on my way to Percy, and I grimaced at him in mock fury.
In the prefects' carriage Percy and Penelope Clearwater gave us farewell speeches. I did not register much at all; instead I wondered if there was something about boring speeches in Introduction to Public Management. Percy had certainly learned a thing or two from it. He ended his speech with something that seemed quite ceremonial, and suddenly I realized he was probably trying to take his first steps on his campaign to the position of the Minister for Magic. After all, former prefects usually did well in public careers, and we could possibly be important supporters to him.
"I've heard from a reliable source that you will be the Head Boy next year," Percy told me after the other prefects had left the carriage. "Apparently, Professor Snape was the only Head of House who argued against it, but for some reason it did not sway the other professors in the slightest. Congratulations, it will be a great asset for you in the future."
It was downright hilarious that Percy thought I actually cared for such things as being the Head Boy. Of course, most Head Boys and Girls had become esteemed figures in wizarding Britain; Dumbledore, Bartemius Crouch, Amelia Bones, Abraxas and Lucius Malfoy – and yes, Voldemort too. I had checked the list of Head Boys back in September, and it had been odd to read my name on it. However, ever since rising so high above my peers, all formal positions of power among students had lost their glamour. Grindelwald's rogue path felt much more tempting and more glorious. The path to greatness was made easier for those who proved their responsibility at school; they did not need to forge their own path like Grindelwald had done.
After a very brief patrol I went to the compartment where Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were sitting. Hermione was still prattling about her exam performance. She seemed to be adept at coming up with excuses why Harry had beaten her in the two subjects that required the most skill and intellect.
"Clearly it wasn't such a good idea to take all the elective subjects. I was overworked for the entire year. I should've prioritized more…"
"How was the prefects' meeting?" Ron asked. He had to be desperate to change the topic if Percy's speech was his preferred issue.
"Dull. Your brother all but admitted he wants to become the Minister."
"That's no news."
"Hey, Hermione," Harry said suddenly. "Can you now tell us how you were able to attend all of the classes?"
"I promised Professor McGonagall that I wouldn't tell anyone," Hermione said.
"Oh, please," I said. "Are you trying to make us suspect something top secret? It can't be that hard to admit that you covered some classes with independent coursework. That's what I did before my first OWLs."
Hermione seemed to be debating with herself. I was just about to decide I would use Legilimency on her when she spoke again.
"Well, all right. It's actually no longer that important, because I can't continue doing it."
"Doing what?" Ron asked with some difficulty, because he had stuffed his mouth full of chocolate.
"When we arrived at Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall gave me a Time-Turner. It's a magical item that the Ministry's Department of Mysteries had created last summer and needed to test."
My mouth hung open.
"They wanted someone to test a prototype and decided to give one to a Hogwarts student known of responsibility," she continued proudly. "With it I was able to travel back in time for an hour at a time so that I was able to attend all classes."
"What happened to it?" I demanded.
"I had to give it back," she said. "Apparently the Department of Mysteries realized how dangerous such an item could be. I have to say that I agree. Twisting time can be… well, disconcerting. And no, it can't actually change the past. It just lets you relive an hour. And it can be used only six times a day."
I stared out of the window, angry with myself. If I had paid enough attention to Hermione's timetable, I would have figured out the mystery with Legilimency. Then I would have stolen the Time-Turner with minimal difficulty, and then… literally unlimited possibilities would have been waiting for me.
Note to self: never overlook even the smallest and most mundane of mysteries.
But the Department of Mysteries was working with things like that? Time magic, something I had always thought existed only in the fairy tales about Atlantis! Did the Unspeakables have vast collections of relics that they used to rediscover forgotten magical knowledge of civilizations that were lost or, as some speculated about Atlantis, were made to have never existed?
One thing was certain. Once I graduated, I would pursue a job in the Department of Mysteries. Its secrets would be mine!
Perhaps it was for the best, after all, that I was going to be the Head Boy. The boring responsibilities would last only for a year, but then I would forever be remembered as one of the two most responsible students of my year. A rogue like Grindelwald would never be accepted into the Department of Mysteries. I would, and then I would gain power over time! It was the second best thing after immortality. I would not even need to manipulate the lottery drawings anymore! Not to mention the foresight to the stock market! And all of the delicious alibis!
With such pleasant thoughts in my mind, the train ride did not feel as boring as usual.
After levitating the trunks of my young friends out of the Hogwarts Express to Platform Nine and Three Quarters, I asked to speak with Harry.
"Remember that Remus will come to meet me and – well, let's say Scabbers – tomorrow. I'm sure you would find the meeting interesting as well, so you're invited. I'll send Dobby to get you."
"Thank you, I'm happy to be anywhere but Privet Drive," Harry said.
"Otherwise we'll have the same arrangements as last summer. Dobby follows your orders and he can transport you between Privet Drive and Diagon Alley. For the month you need to be with the Dursleys to refresh the blood wards, you're welcome to use my house as a waypoint to the wizarding world. In July I'll have the guest room available for you. Of course, maybe you would like to visit the Weasleys too."
"Yes, Ron invited me. There's the Quidditch World Cup in August, and Mr Weasley probably gets tickets from work!"
"Sounds fun," I said dryly. "But one more thing. As you know, you're not supposed to use magic during the holidays, but there's an exception in the law used by many pure-blood families. Underage wizards are not to use magic without supervision and the permission of their guardian. However, it's completely legal to have a private teacher. We'll have to do a little bit of paperwork and get a form signed by your uncle, and then Remus and I will have the right to teach you magic outside of Hogwarts."
"Great!" Harry said. "Getting the signature won't be difficult. And I think we should tell about this to Hermione so she can join me. I don't want her to get mad at me because of my improved skills."
"We will do that," I promised. "See you tomorrow."
I waved my hand in farewell and then Disapparated, almost instantly arriving in the library of my home away from home.
Published on the 29th of February, 2020.
