Valentines day evening...
Rodrick stared at the younger girl in the hospital bed. Dumbledore had already left with Madam Pomfrey towards the headmaster's office, no doubt to mail for Astoria's parents. It hadn't taken much to convince the medic witch of his need to stay beside the girl, the woman put the health of students above all, plus the fact Dumbledore had 'kindly' asked her to allow it helped.
He reached a hand out towards the girl's hair before flinching as he felt his arm suddenly take in the girl's curse, it took a few moments before he shook his head and removed his hand. The curse was far stronger than previously. 'Warrington best pray I manage to cure her...' The dark thought clouded his mind before he composed himself.
He knew there was only one thing he could really do, he wouldn't be able to remove it entirely but he should be capable of at the very least reducing it back to its previous state. With that thought in his head, Rodrick took his wand out and hovered it above the girl's still chest.
"Auferto," He cast off the spell quietly. He watched as the light seemed to engulf the girl, his eyes gazed at the strange red hue that seemed to emanate from the girl. His mage sight showed him the dark red chord as it slowly turned to a brighter red, reduced in its size.
He winced slightly as he felt the sudden drain increase the longer he held the spell on... The pain quickly became too much before he felt his arm drop limply, a sudden headrush attacking him. He opened one eye to take in the girls complexion before a small smile took over his face at the healthier outlook.
And then the extracted parts of the curse suddenly latched itself onto his arm. Rodrick was glad he'd set off a silencing charm in advance as he'd let off a scream in pain.
'And that wasn't even all of it...' He thought as he grasped his head in pain.
The pain lasted a few moments, each passing second sending jolts of shock throughout his body before to his relief, the cursed venom in his arm quickly started taking effect causing the sudden shocking pain to slowly disappear.
The boy's frantic pants slowly died down to a sigh before Rodrick raised his head to take in the girl in front of him, a small smile slowly setting in place. He reached his hand out once again towards the girl before sighing in relief, Astoria's condition seemed to have stabilised. Rodrick settled back into his chair.
"I was wondering when you'd be done," Luna's voice suddenly echoed out surprising the boy.
Rodrick turned towards the blonde, a surprised look on his face. "Thought you were still asleep," he remarked sheepishly before moving his chair closer towards the smiling girl.
Luna frowned slightly after taking in the state the boy was in. "You look tired," she pointed out.
Rodrick blinked before agreeing, "I could use a nap if I was honest," he chuckled.
Luna nodded, "I am sorry," she added on surprising the boy.
"Sorry?" Rodrick questioned curiously.
"I should've warned you about Warrington, I had no idea he'd try that again..."
"Again..." Rodrick repeated slowly before a dark look quickly swept into place.
Luna's eyes widened slightly before quickly clarifying nothing had happened, "Malfoy helped me," she added on with a smile.
Rodrick stared at the girl, "Seriously?" he questioned surprised, earning a nod in return.
His mood quickly shifted to the girl's apology, "I should be the one to apologise... Getting you caught up in everything,"
Luna shook her head, "It's the Wrackspurts fault, not yours, that Slytherin really was full of them," she finished nodding her head vehemently.
Rodrick couldn't help the laugh.
"My my, such bad bedside manners," Another voice joined in.
Rodrick turned to the source of the news before.
"Hello Daphne, I believe you may need to escort Mr Grindelwald back to the dungeons," Luna giggled.
Daphne raised an eyebrow at the girl before realising why. Rodrick looked completely drained.
"And leave such wonderful company, absolutely not," Rodrick crossed his arms.
Daphne shook her head before glancing at her sister, a worried expression on her face.
"It's fine, I've fixed the candy pitfall already," Rodrick remarked waving his hand dismissively. Though both girls could see the genuine concern in his eyes.
"Right, it's bedtime for you," Daphne chuckled.
Rodrick blinked, "You know, I don't think I've ever had anyone say that to me," he replied.
Luna lowered herself back into her bed, "Good night," she remarked dreamily.
Daphne quickly threw one of the boy's arms over her shoulder. "You look like you could use the help," she joked, amused to see him redden slightly.
"I am laughing inside," he deadpanned.
As the two went through the doors, Rodrick questioned how the girl had managed to get permission to enter the hospital wing.
"I took a page out of your book," she answered amused.
"Bribed the headmaster?" Rodrick questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Daphne nodded.
"I am so proud."
"What'd you bribe him with?"
"Convinced my parents to be late tomorrow, he wanted to deal with Warrington and you first apperantly."
"Great..."
As they made their way through the hallway, the two ran into Tracey Davis walking hand in hand with Theodore Nott.
The four simply stared at each other before Rodrick nudged Daphne past the others. "I have had enough fun for the day,"
"For the record, I am not at all responsible for my current predicament!" Theo shouted off at the retreating Slytherins.
...
Earlier on...
"Seriously Davis stop pulling me like that!" Nott practically yelled in protest, pulling his arm away.
Tracey merely turned on her foot, an amused smile on her face. "What's wrong?" she questioned.
Nott stared at the girl incredulity, "Why are you pulling me away from the dungeon?" he questioned.
Tracey tilted her head slightly to the side, "You heard Malfoy, Hufflepuff's shouldn't see such things," she answered knowingly.
Nott twitched, "Ok, look, just stop that!" he growled in an attempt at intimidation.
Tracey simply chuckled at the reaction, "Like you'd do anything," she fired back.
Nott stuttered slightly, "I'll have you kno-"
"Why are you so upset anyway? The others say it all the time," Tracey added on bemused.
Nott stared at the girl, "The other's do it as a joke, you look like you mean it!" he answered. His hands outstretched in an attempt to prove something.
Tracey genuinely looked confused, "Why does that matter?" she questioned.
Nott raised an eyebrow, "It's just worse if you actually believe it when you say it," he deadpanned, completely serious.
Tracey merely stared at Nott as if he were another species, "Theodore, I've known you for about 3 years, I've heard you say some pretty weird things over the years and that has got to be by far the stupidest thing you have ever come up with, and believe me that list is rather long."
Nott simply stared at the girl, "That's rather harsh..." his reply sending her into a small chuckle.
"Well, I am a Slytherin," Tracey deadpanned causing Nott to groan.
"..."
Tracey quickly broke the small silence, "Did you get my card?" she questioned innocently. Hands clasped together behind her back, a cheerful smile on her face.
'You know, I am not sure if I even want to be called a Slytherin at this point... They're all insane,' He thought to himself as he stared at the redhead cheerfully smiling at him.
...
As Rodrick slipped into his bed, he found his mind wandering over to the last time he'd accidentally used Magical extraction, accidentally draining himself in the process... If there was anything he'd learnt that night, it was the fact that nothing ever went well when it came to magical holidays. He was honestly starting to dread easter, who knew what kind of problems came out of that. He knew the dark lord was likely to be back by or even before his fifth year... He idly wondered if it would happen on a magical holiday... He also wondered whether it was possible to curse all magical holidays, provided he cured Astoria first.
'Oh crap...' He thought to himself moments before he found his vision suddenly changing. 'Maybe it won't even be a bad one... It is valentines day...' His thoughts, however, stilled themselves as he took in his surroundings. As he took in the barren field. Rodrick narrowed his eyes before finally picking up the form of a wizard. a wizard who stood in front of what looked like a gravestone...
Rodrick felt his stomach lurk as he edged closer towards the single person in view. His stomach quickly twisting itself in knots as he realised what the vision was showing him...
There five feet ahead of him, stood himself. an older version at the very least if one took height into consideration.
Rodrick felt tense as he turned towards the gravestone, fearing whose name was written on it.
Before he could even get a view of it however he heard the other form of him speak.
"I warned you didn't I?" The words came out in a snarl. Rodrick turned away from the vision, suddenly no longer wanting to find out before to his misfortune, his future-self continued.
"I warned you didn't I? Didn't I!?" The wizard screamed before to Rodrick's shock he watched as the wizard kicked the gravestone in front of him.
"You just wouldn't listen... You thought you knew everything!" His words delved into a scream.
"So smart! Always planning ahead! Well, congratulations! You managed to get everyone killed!" Future Grindelwald snarled. "I hope you're happy now Dumbledore,"
The last name sending a shiver down Rodrick's spine. However before he could react, he watched as the other version of him took his wand out. Rodrick watched as the wizard shot off what looked like a Bombarda in front of him. Demolishing the grave in front of him in pure anger.
"All those second chances... Always believing in the best of people... If you'd given that same care to the bloody innocents, the ones that actually deserved it... We wouldn't be here..." the words seeming to have lost any fight previously in them.
Rodrick glanced towards the expression adorned by his future. He looked broken. The anger simply dripping out of him.
'Thump!' the sound seemed to echo over the empty space. Rodrick simply stared at his supposed future, a grim look on his face. 'Is this my future?' Rodrick idly wondered why the vision wouldn't just end... It was almost as if it was waiting for something. He took a glance at the surroundings but nothing had changed, his future self was sat crosslegged eyes staring at what had previously been the headmaster's gravestone.
Then the third year heard a dry chuckle, a chuckle that simply grew.
"Grandfather would find this rather funny really... You practically left this country ripe for the taking..." Future Grindelwald remarked with a sigh, slowly getting up. Rodrick watched with a bemused expression as the other aimed his wand before proceeding to repair the previously broken gravestone.
The sound of footsteps quickly took over earning the youngers attention. Rodrick turned before his eyes widened at the sight of a black dog running towards his future self, seemingly ignorant of whatever had been going.
The vision slowly started to blur out after that, the last he could remember seeing was the sad expression that overtook his future's face, the single word.
"Padfoot..."
...
Rodrick blinked his eyes open, seeing nothing but the dark lit room in the Slytherin dorms. He stared at the top of his four-poster bed, a thoughtful expression in his face. What was he supposed to take out of that vision? Was that what would happen if he'd lost the people around him? What would happen if he decided to completely follow his headmaster? Or... Black's supposed fate? The vision had only ended after he'd seen the dog show up...
He simply sighed.
He groaned. He felt far too awake for his own good.
He quickly got out of his bed, unable to take it any more. Placing a disillusionment charm over himself, Rodrick wandered down towards the dungeons in his pyjamas.
'Where am I even going?' He thought to himself confused. Before his eyes saw what looked like a silvery chord almost reaching out towards him from the other side of the hallway. 'Maybe that way..' He thought to himself before watching it completely disappear. 'I am seeing things...' he thought tiredly.
He quickly lost himself as he walked throughout the castle undisturbed, oh he'd caught the occasional Gryffindor idiot wandering the halls at night, they all ignored him though... They couldn't exactly see him.
He wasn't sure how much he'd walked, or why he'd taken this particular route. Perhaps it was his need to find an empty place, there was not a soul in sight, not even a ghost. Or perhaps it was the small, almost unnoticeable hint of magic hidden behind the wall in front of him, calling out to him. He wasn't sure why. 'Maybe the castle thinks it can help,' Rodrick thought with a snort.
He stared at the empty wall, Barnabas's portrait across to the other side. When nothing happened Rodrick sighed before turning away. He'd walked only a few steps before stopping, an irritated look on his face before he turned back towards the empty wall.
He stared at the wall. Nothing change.
"Revelio," he cast off, his wand aimed at the wall. No reaction.
With a twitch, Rodrick swished his wand in an arc, "Auferto!" He cast off before dropping his wand, he could practically feel the potential damage. He definitely didn't get enough sleep.
With a resigned sigh, Rodrick pocketed his wand before turning his attention back to the seemingly insignificant wall.
He glared at the wall.
"GAH, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT!?" He suddenly yelled off.
"Nope, being a Gryffindor isn't a requirement," Rodrick added on before the reality of the situation really hit him. "I am talking to myself now..."
With another sigh, he stared up at the wall, "If there's a riddle, I don't see it." Rodrick remarked crossing his arms, "Nope, Ravenclaw ain't the answer."
"..."
"Hisssss," Rodrick tried to imitate a snake. He facepalmed himself.
"Well... It's not Slytherin..." He added on.
He stared at the wall, even he wasn't desperate enough to turn into Nott.
Rodrick took his necklace off and threw it at the wall.
"I seriously need to get some rest..." He frowned as he stared at the uncracked necklace. 'I am starting to think I might be going insane...' Seeing your future version suddenly break down in front of a gravestone really doesn't leave the mind in good shape. "Not willing to act like a Hufflepuff but willing to do something that stupid..." He shook his head as he quickly put the Hollow back on. He quickly turned around intent on returning to the dungeon. He made 5 steps before turning back around with an irritated look on his face.
He stood staring at the wall for a good five minutes before...
"I am an absolute idiot," He remarked dumbfounded before shaking his head.
"House-elves!" He suddenly yelled out. He was slightly startled at how quickly one of the elves had answered.
The house elf looked tired. Rodrick felt somewhat bad but resolved himself.
"How do I get into there?" Rodrick questioned pointing towards the wall.
The house elf blinked as it stared at the wall and the young wizard.
"Yous want to go inside wall?"
Rodrick blinked at the question before shaking his head, "I want to go inside whatever's behind it,"
The house elf nodded and gave him directions towards the other side of the building.
Rodrick took in a deep breath, "Is there a secret hidden here?" he questioned.
The house elf nodded.
Rodrick thanked Merlin. "How do I get in?" he questioned.
The house elf proceeded to pace back and forth in front of the wall three times. "You jus have ta walk like this,"
Rodrick stared at the creature before sighing. "You're dismissed, you can go back to bed or whatever you were doing..." He remarked waving his hand dismissively, the house elf bowed slightly before disappearing with a pop.
Rodrick stared at the wall. 'I am so not doing that, I've looked stupid enough already...'
It took 47 seconds before his resolution cracked and he imitated the house elf. As he was about to call it quits when he saw nothing change, his eyes widened as he saw the wall slowly transform.' Seriously... Seriously!? All I bloody had to do was walk in front of it!?'
Sometimes he really didn't like magic. However, his thoughts quickly stopped themselves as he took in the fully conjured door. With a gulp, he made to push the door open.
He saw three mirrors in the middle of the room.
Rodrick spared the room a second longer before closing the door and promptly making his way back to the dungeons. 'Nope,'
Sleep came easily for the rest of that night. Ironically, it was the Headmasters own words that really helped him move past the whole vision, after all that was all it was, a vision. Not a prophecy. Though there was one more possibility he hadn't wanted to consider earlier. The vision had shown him angry at Dumbledore, but at the end of the day, he'd repaired the grave. Which meant it wasn't entirely the old man's fault... Perhaps it was his own. He sighed wondering what the future held... He wondered what sort of decision he'd have to make.
...
It was the next day, after the whole alliance scheming had been finished that he'd finally understood what the vision had been trying to show him...
He stared at the man behind the seat in front of him. Dumbledore had asked to see him, his face looked grimmer than usual. At first, he'd considered it been over what had occurred with Warrington. However, the grim expression had quickly disappeared as the man's attention had quickly turned towards him, a grandfatherly smile in place. "I heard about what occurred earlier on today, I was quite surprised to hear about the houses suddenly working together with such unity,"
"Besides Gryffindor," Rodrick felt he had to cut in, amused to see the headmaster's expression break slightly, hints of amusement lining his face.
"I am sure they will come around..." Dumbledore remarked.
Rodrick watched as the man slipped the daily prophet clipping in front of him, "I was wondering if you received any visions regarding this or whether you knew if Malfoy was in any way involved."
As Rodrick stared down at the picture of the cackling mad woman, he turned his attention back to the headmaster. "You mean whether I had any information?"
Dumbledore nodded, "I fear with everything going on, I am rather stretched thin with time... It does not hurt to use one's potential sources."
Rodrick raised an eyebrow at that though he certainly agreed, "Even so, I haven't had any visions regarding any Lestranges," He answered passively. "I also doubt Malfoy was in any involved,"
Dumbledore had that same twinkle in his eye as he stared at the boy in front of him, "You are certain?"
Rodrick nodded, it was far too risky for Malfoy not to keep him in the loop... While he may have given Malfoy his so-called saving grace in the form of Pettigrew... He as well as Malfoy knew that if Rodrick wanted, he could simply untie that single knot and the dark lord would likely turn on Malfoy. He had no intention of doing such thing, if for the simple reason that Draco was his friend but it didn't hurt to have a precau- And then everything seemed to sit still for Rodrick. Time itself seemed to freeze for that single moment as he stared up at the headmaster.
He understood why the vision had shown him what it did. He locked eyes with the headmaster before standing.
"Headmaster." Rodrick started off, "If I did know about Bellatrix... What would you do?"
Dumbledore felt the tension suddenly tampering the air. Furrowing his brow, he decided to humor the boy and answer. "For starters, I'd notify the Ministry of magic, that would allow them to take any necessary actions to protect the civilians who may be caught up in the middle."
Rodrick nodded, He'd likely do the same. If he hadn't been born a Grindelwald in any case. In this case, he would simply tell someone else to inform the ministry.
"What about Bellatrix?" Rodrick questioned, "What would you do with her particularly?"
Dumbledore blinked once before answering, "Naturally that falls to the ministry."
"Yes, but what if they can't capture her, or say they did, she's already escaped Azkaban once, what's to stop her from escaping again."
Dumbledore simply stared ahead of him, "If needs be I would be more then willing to offer my assistance..."
Rodrick nodded, "Would you capture or kill?"
Dumbledore froze, a small frown taking over his face. "Rodrick... Killing is a very dark turn to make... It is not something most people would escape." Idly wondering what the boy was trying to accomplish. Merlin knew what the boy's intentions were, it wasn't that he was difficult to read... Well, Legilemency definitely didn't work. It was more of that, the student was tangled up in so many webs, it was hard to make out his true intentions. For all the headmaster knew the boy could be quizzing him for Sirius Black's sake, using Bellatrix as a name placement for Pettigrew. half the country knew the man was still out for Pettigrew's blood... The likely hood of anyone knowing where Bellatrix was... Rather low. The only potential suspects she would go to were either Sirius Black or her sister and the Aurors had no reason to believe that Black was willing to shelter his cousin. He knew Narcissa was likely under surveillance at the very moment in time. The ministry was certainly putting far more effort into trying to find the woman then they did Sirius Black which to be fair was not unexpected. While the man had escaped thanks to a secret ability he'd hidden from the world... Bellatrix Lestrange had simply apparated out. With her own wand. From Azkaban. Very few knew that particular fact, the Ministry was rather vehement on keeping it a secret. The uproar that would cause was unimaginable.
Rodrick again, simply nodded, quickly causing the headmaster to turn his thoughts away from the second escaped, actual death eater.
"Yes, but that doesn't answer my question,"
Dumbledore sighed, "Rodrick, no one deserves to have their life cut short, you would be surprised at the kind of changes one might go through if given that second chance, even those who may not even deserve one's trust." He couldn't see how the boy could misinterpret that for permission for Black.
Rodrick simply stared ahead before a small smile took over his face. "I agree," he answered before turning away, "If I find out anything I'll be sure to let you know," he added on as he made to leave through the headmaster's door.
"Rodrick," Dumbledore called out, causing the boy to stop halfway through. "What would you do, if the choice fell to you?"
Rodrick turned around towards the headmaster, "I am all for giving people second chances Headmaster, but I would also make sure I don't end up regretting it."
"That is not an easy thing to manage," Dumbledore sighed. There were countless moments in his life where a single dark turn could have spared hundreds... If not even thousands...
Rodrick simply shrugged, "I am not sure, an Avada here and there could do wonders for negotiations," He joked, amused to see the headmaster's frown deepen slightly before disappearing. Before the headmaster could add on, Rodrick grinned, "Besides you forgot to ask an important question..."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, "What might that be?"
"You didn't ask me for any conditions,"
"Conditions?" Dumbledore frowned.
Rodrick nodded, "Say the woman had Harry Potter at wand point, would you reckon trying to give her a second chance at that particular moment in time a good idea?" he questioned amused.
Dumbledore blinked, "That is rather unlikely to happen,"
Rodrick held back the scoff.
"What sort of conditions would affect your solution?" Dumbledore questioned.
"You mean what would stop me from straight up killing them?" Rodrick questioned.
Dumbledore frowned, "There is no need to go so far Rodrick, Murder should never be considered a solution."
Rodrick's eyes darkened, "Headmaster, do you want to know what my grandfather told me?"
Albus stiffened slightly, "In regards to?"
"Voldemort..." Rodrick answered slowly.
Albus felt some of the tension drop off.
Rodrick raised an eyebrow but didn't mention the sudden change, "He told me to play by the rules,"
Dumbledore had surprised etched into his at the words, "That is rather surprising of Gellert... Though I could hardly disagree, those who foll-"
"Forgive me, headmaster," Rodrick spoke up, one hand up. "But he meant to play by my enemies rules,"
Dumbledore frowned for a split second before it dawned on him.
"While you would never consider murder to be a viable solution, just remember it's Voldemort's favourite method. You can't fight cursed fire by sprinkling water over it."
The words sending the room into a small silence.
"Are you disappointed about that?" Rodrick questioned looking down.
Dumbledore had a thoughtful expression on his face before shaking his head, "I've made my own share of mistakes in the past, as your grandfather did. I see more of him in you every day, I am not disappointed Rodrick, I am simply worried."
"That I'll end up in my Grandfather's luxuries Prison cell?" Rodrick questioned with an amused expression.
Dumbledore blinked before a smile seemed to light up his features, "Something like that,"
"Funny, professor McGonagall and Snape warned me about something else," Rodrick remarked with a wink.
Dumbledore had a passive expression on his face. "Did they now?"
Rodrick nodded, "Something about you thinking I was the next whatshisface Riddle."
Dumbledore simply stared at Rodrick, "I see." 'I believe a word with those two is necessary...' He made to cough before changing the subject, "What sort of conditions would stop you from-"
"Killing my enemies," Rodrick finished with a nod before grinning and turning towards the office door. "Oh, you knew the usual reasons."
"Usual?" Dumbledore questioned watching as the boy slowly moved towards the staircase.
"Yea, I wouldn't bother if they had a Horcrux," he heard the boy remark before disappearing.
"Screech,"
"Not now Fawkes,"
...
As Rodrick stared ahead just outside the headmaster's office, he let out a sigh before turning to face towards the open hallway. He had a girl to cure... A house to thrash and a dark lord to survive. Two of those were occurring in the next coming months... The last one... Well, whenever it was... He knew what he couldn't risk. Dumbledore meant well. But he firmly understood something. Something that meant, if he survived, if the people he cared about were to survive, he couldn't simply rely on the headmaster's power.
For while Dumbledore was certainly without a doubt one of the greatest wizards alive, he was not perfect.
For a man who could plan so far ahead into the future, he was surprisingly short-sighted...
And Voldermort knew that.
The headmaster was likely one of the only wizards who could look on towards the light at the end of a dark tunnel without wondering why the path towards it was made of blood.