Chapter 12
AN: I'm so sorry for this super long delay. I had exams and everything….and my inspiration was somewhat lacking. I had to rewrite this chapter several times before having something acceptable. I also had to set several things clear in my story…Hope you enjoy this chapter….
A tall hooded figure slowly entered the shop, his left hand resting on the glass door as it creaked open. The shop was as dark and dusty as usual, it's walls covered by tall shelves filled with dark artefacts. Some objects, including a beautifully intriguing opal necklace were exposed. The wooden floor slightly cracked under each of his steps as he stopped for a while, examinating it before reaching out to a wooden cabinet at the corner. His long pale fingers traced the carvings, mildly interested when his observation was halted by a short pudgy man with oily hair appearing behind the counter. The old man parted his mouth to question when the air froze ; he shivered, the hair at the back of his neck rised as despair overwhelmed him. He had no trouble identifying the newcommer then and he bowed. The room's temperature became normal again
"Welcome,…L-Lor-d Me-mephysto…H-how may I help yo-you?" Borgin sputtered out, his face still pale. Ajas inwardly smirked ; he had spent some time training his new abilities and needed to experiment it. Now he could have the same effect than any dementor at will. The hooded figure abruptly turned towards the shopkeeper, his cloak swirling.
"A Book. Secrets of the Darkest Arts, by Owle Bullock ; Do you have it?" Ajas asked. The man coiled back slightly before shaking his head.
"No…I don't have it. This book is very rare, it had been forbidden by the ministry for a very long time now. I think the only copy left is at Hogwarts. In the Headmaster's office – rumors says it had been removed from the restricted sections by Dumbledore in the fifties" Borgin answered fastly, his body still trembling. Ajas nodded before simply leaving the place in a calm demeanour.
It means that I must somehow break in Dumbledore's office…but he's always there. How can I do this? He mused, before covering himself with his invisibility cloak. Bloody snake. Can't he just tell me what a horcrux is to make things easier? No, ofcourse not - He thought sarcastically. He confronted Balthazar with it
:Insufferable boy. I was created before my first horcrux. I do not know much of it, just the basics – I only started to design the ritual back then. Upon my creation it wasn't completed yet ; the reason why I am not telling you what a horcrux is is because I want to know the full ritual myself. Plus, I don't want to make things too easy for you – some things must be learnt on your own. : Balthazar spat out angrily.
Ajas shook his head in disappointment before continueing his track. He walked swiftly through the crowds of Knockturn Alley when he saw two familiar figures taking a turn to Diagon Alley ; Dedalus Diggle and Kingsley decided to follow them ; he needed some news about the Order. They spoke to each other in hushed tones, glancing suspiciously around to make sure no one overheard them.
"…well yes, our forces had diminished due to the previous attack. We need new people….that's why we've been trying to get foreign ministries to our cause…" Kingsley whispered.
"Is that why Dumbledore's abroad?" Diggle asked
"Yeah….He's having a hard time convincing them. He will probably be back next week"
"Not so loud!" Diggle reprimanded, before casting a silencing spell. Their conversation became muffled but Ajas did not care. His insides boiled of excitement as he moved back, soundlessly. The opportunity was perfect so while he walked home, he thought of a plan.
He would break into Dumbledore's office tonight, to get the book.
He went back to his appartment, passing by some giggling prostitutes and some drunken man. The girls winked at him before intensifying their giggles but Ajas did not mind them. He had more important matters to think off. He needed something perfect so that no one would ever suspect him ; first, he needs to get there and since he couldn't apparate, there was only one solution left ; floo. But floo had it's flaws because it is controlled by the ministry therefore traceable. Unless…
He'd walk from the brothel to the Leaky Cauldron. Then take the floo there and go to the Three Broomsticks and then go to Hogwarts. As for the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office, the passwords had always something to do with sweets. He couldn't risk to floo travel directly to the headmaster's office by fear to set the wards off.
The plan was perfect. No one would ever be able to trace it back to him, seeing that both pubs are extremely frequented locations. And he stayed in none…
Evening approached and Ajas's anxiety increased ; He paced nervously throughout his appartment.
:Master your emotions, child. You won't be able to succceed anything in such state.: the silver snake advised. Ajas halted abruptly before ungraciously falling on his bed. He sat up, crossing his legs and started practicing his occlumency. The old snake was right ; he couldn't think clearly when he was stressed. Ajas chose to sit down, his back up straight and his leg crossed. The Lotus position, perfect for daily occlumency practices.
He shutted his eyes, trying to shove his thoughts away while remaining alert to the environment. As hard as he tried, he couldn't help feeling the overwhelming apprehension ; each seconds passing by felt like an eternity for him. He waited and waited, waited until the sun sat. Waited until Night's realm took over the lands. Because Night, Dark is where he belonged : it is his hunting terrain.
Ajas stood up, pulling his dragon hide boots out. He was about to leave his appartment when, on a second thought, he decided to bring along his invisibility cloak. It was nighttime, but Hogwart's corridors are brightly lit, so are the pubs. He slipped into the shadows unbeknowingly to others as he ran through Basilius, Knockturn and finally Diagon Alley. The wizarding shopping streets in these times gave an eery feeling to any passerbys ; the few remaining were on alert, afraid to see a Death Eater jumping out of nowhere to assault them.
Ajas shook his head as he continued his race to the Leaky Cauldron. It was empty ; only a few customers sitting sparsely, cloaked and hooded. Tom the barman was standing at a corner, picking up dishes and cups. Ajas waited behind a wooden post, making sure that no one paid attention to the fireplace before approaching it, glancing left and right. He grabbed floo powder and threw it, murmuring "The Three Broomstick!" before disappearing…The flammes turned green for a second.
He landed in the very lively and crowded pub. Crowded and noisy enough so that no one noticed him ; it was so contrasting with the Leaky Cauldron! He exited the place, making sure he didn't bump in anyone, before walking towards Honeydukes. He then went through the tunnel and pulled out the Marauder's Map, checking that no one was around.
The castle was empty of both students and professors because of the holidays ; It was all too ideal…
Which is the reason why I shouldn't lure myself into a false sense of security.
Ajas strolled through the dimly lit corridors with his featherlight steps. Never had the castle been this silent ; the only audible sounds were the soft snorings of the portraits. He almost reached the Gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's tower before halting abruptly, his chest heaving.
The Gargoyle can speak…If Dumbledore ever realised that the book went missing and asked it, it would answer that it was me…it knows my voice. It might not remember at all but I shouldn't take any chances….
On these thoughts, he casted a spell on himself, rendering his voice unrecognisable. He then stood faceing the stone bird
"Acid Pops"
Nothing
"Cockroach Clusters"
Nothing
"Fizzing Whisbee…Sherbet Lemon….chocolate frogs….Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans"He recited all the wizarding sweets he knew, his temper boiling up. Ajas dropped his arms alongside his body, his fists clenching. He was starting to loose patience and almost wanted to hex the door guard
"…Jelly Belly Candies…" The platform started to slide, much to Ajas's surprise, freeing the passage. Ajas walked forward before standing in front of the office's entrance ; he knew the way all too well.
"Alohomora!"…Nothing. Ajas fisted his hands so tightly that his knuckles became white. He glared at the door before a detail came up in his mind.
Phineas Nigellus once said that the door was somewhat sentient, which is why Umbridge couldn't access the Headmaster's office because she wasn't a rightful one.
I must fetch this book, I need to help Dumbledore…..
Click! The door unlocked itself and Ajas couldn't hide his smirk as he pushed it open, leading to the spacious circle that was the office. The mahogany desk towered in the middle, to which led two flights of stairs. It was covered with diverse silver objects, some emitting colourful fumes while others made curious noises. But most were broken from Ajas's last visit and his heart ached at the sight. The walls were covered by tall bookshelves except the one behind the desk, on which was hanged the portraits of the previous headmasters.
Ajas sighed ; now he has to go through the whole library in order to find the book he wanted. He started to determine the classifying order when Balthazar interrupted him with an angry hiss
:Are you a wizard or what?:
Ajas gaped for awhile, unable to answer the snake's query before he facepalmed himself.
"Accio Secrets of the Darkest Arts"
He waited for a second, a second that seemed to be an eternity. He almost started to loose hope when an old leatherbound book flew toward him. He caught it midway before examining it, weighing it with his hand. He carressed the book's spine almost passionately, his eyes tracing the golden letters…
Secrets of the Darkest Arts
A wild grin graced Ajas features ; once home, he will uncover the secrets of the locket. Why it was made, how it was made….whom it belonged to. He shrank the old tome before putting it into his pocket and turned towards the exit when a silverish light caught his eye.
Dumbledore's pensieve. At the far left corner.
Curiosity drowned Ajas as he approached it. He always knew that curiosity will be his downfall, but he couldn't help it.
Let's see what the old man's hiding
Without any further thoughts, Ajas plunged into the pensieve, letting the silvery liquid embalm him. The memory played before his eyes
He stood in a small cottage with simple furnitures. A small red brick fireplace at his left lit the entire room, being the only source of light. Facing it was a large round shaped wooden table where four persons sat, enjoying their dinner ; three male teenagers and a younger girl. Ajas almost choked on his own tongue when he recognised one of them ; red long hair, half moon spectacles and twinkling blue eyes… Dumbledore. A teenager Dumbledore. His nose wasn't broken yet and his traits were refined ; long aquiline nose, large eyes, full lips and a aritocratically pointed face.. Next to him sat another redhead that Ajas identified as Aberforth ; same electric blue eyes, same nose and a goatee. In front of Aberforth was a handsome young man with golden hair, blue eyes, a roman nose, high cheekbones and a squared jaw. On his right was a young girl, perhaps 11 or 12 years old. She had strawberry blond hair, large blue eyes and reminded Ajas of Luna…the same lunatic , dreamy glint with a hint of sadness. She paid no heed to the surrounding conversation
"Imagine what we could do, Albus. Travelling throughout the world, discovering all the hidden knowledges!" The blonde teenager spoke,excitedly in a heavy german accent. Thirst for knowledge, greed…thirst for power could be seen in the depth of his eyes. Albus stared at him almost lovingly, smiling softly.
"I would follow you anywhere, Gellert…" He spoke out, his words filled with tenderness.
Wait…Gellert?What? As in Grindelwald? Ajas coughed out. Talk about dropping a bomb
"What about Ariana?" Aberforth interjected, killing the lively conversation. Albus looked down, almost shamefully while Gellert glared annoyedly at Aberforth. A heavy silence followed ; it seemed like none of them thought of Ariana.
"Well, I can always bring her with me…" Albus mumbled.
"Bring her with you? In this health state?" Aberforth raised his voice, pointing towards the young girl. "You think she can travel? Mother made you responsible for her wellbeing, Albus Percival Wulfric Bryan Dumbledore! You think you can just drag her along? Just like that? She's ILL!"
Albus seemed to be at loss of words. Gellert stood up, his face contorted in an expression of pure anger
"What can you understand, you goat-lover, about knowledge? You may have none, that doesn't mean that you can stop your older brother from getting it!" He almost screamed.
"HOW DARE YOU? UNLIKE YOU, I ACTUALLY HAVE A SENSE OF RESPONSABILITIES AND I SUGGEST YOU TO GET SOME YOURSELF!" Aberforth stood up, pulling his wand out. Albus's eyes grew wide as both man started cursing themselves, before he entered the duel himself. Dishes flew throughout the room as rays of multicolored lights were exchanged. Furniture fell and broke, sometimes transfigured into stone shields, sometimes threw around.
Ariana fell helplessly on the stone floor as she watched her siblings fight. Tears filled her eyes, her lips quivering before she stood up again. This time, her expression became fierce as she ran in the fight, trying to stop it but her efforts were vain. The discord doubled in intensity, deadly spells being pronounced ; no one paid attention to her.
When suddenly a purple light rushed towards her feeble body.
Ajas wanted to scream but he couldn't do anything. He wanted to shield her ; So beautiful, so innocent…so fragile. Yet so brave
And she lifelessly fell.
The battle immediately halted. The three teenagers forgot within a second their previous quarell as Aberforth rushed towards her, screaming as if he himself was in agony. Albus stood still, shell shocked and horror stricken as his eyes slowly moved towards his baby sister's body ; his brain had still to process what just happened.
Gellert's face sported an expression of utter disbelief before he rushed out of the door
"GELLERT GRINDELWALD!" A scream echoed behind him.
The memory ended, leaving Ajas breathless. Breathless because it was a lot to take in. Breathless because he couldn't help feeling sorrowful. It was strange ; Dumbledore never spoke of his childhood and Ajas could see why. Ariana seemed to be such a sweet innocent child and Ajas already felt a wave of sympathy when he first looked at her. Her death was a tragic event ; if he was Dumbledore he would've blamed himself for the rest of his life.
To have your sister die because you wanted to follow your lover.
Ajas wasn't blind, far from it. He saw how Dumbledore stared at Grindelwald. A surge of pity awoke in the depths of his heart as he sat against the desk, thoughtful.
It takes a lot of bravery to face your own friend…your own lover. Yet Dumbledore defeated him.
Among all of the old man's wrongdoings in Ajas's life, he couldn't help praising the headmaster. Ajas waited for his emotions to still before he started examining the shelves above the stone recipient. They were covered by hundreds of flasks, each classified and labelled. Ajas's glance skimmed over each sections before he fell on a piece of parchment indicating:
TMR