Hogwarts: Third Dark Lord

Xenophilius Lovegood froze in place at his daughter Luna's words. After a moment of silence, he nodded and said,

"You're right. Perhaps I should learn more about this young man. Who knows, this might indeed turn into a big story."

With that, Xenophilius walked over to his desk and began writing a letter. Meanwhile, Luna picked up the photograph on the table again, carefully studying it.

Before long, an owl flew out of the Lovegood household, carrying Xenophilius's letter toward Hogwarts.

In the headmaster's office at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore was enjoying a piece of Fizzing Whizzbee, while Professor McGonagall looked on, her expression stern.

"Minerva, are you sure you won't have one?" Dumbledore offered, holding out the candy.

McGonagall kept her gaze fixed on Dumbledore, her tone serious as she said,

"Albus, I hope you know what you're doing! You've assigned Lupin to teach Wentworth spells? Merlin's beard, that boy has already demonstrated his gift for persuasion, quick thinking, and the prophetic abilities tied to Grindelwald's bloodline."

She paused, leaning slightly forward for emphasis.

"With his mastery of magic far exceeding his peers, are you certain you'll still be able to control him in the future?"

Dumbledore, noticing McGonagall's lack of interest in the candy, sighed in mock regret and popped the Whizzbee into his mouth. Only after savoring it did he reply, his tone measured.

"Minerva, we don't need to control him. Control students? No, no, we're at Hogwarts. As professors, our responsibility is to help every student reach their full potential."

McGonagall's expression hardened as she tilted her chin upward.

"Albus, do you remember what you told me when you first admitted Wentworth? That was the reason I agreed to support you. Don't forget your original intention!"

Unperturbed, Dumbledore responded calmly,

"Indeed, Minerva, I haven't forgotten. That's precisely why I've arranged for him to study spells under Lupin. Only magic can counter magic."

McGonagall looked as though she had more to say, but Dumbledore preempted her.

"Minerva, how is the investigation I asked you to conduct?"

Caught off guard by the question, McGonagall hesitated, then sighed deeply.

"I've thoroughly investigated. Thirteen students either didn't attend the Halloween feast or left early, all of whom had access to Wentworth's dormitory during that time."

"Of the thirteen, twelve have alibis, as most were paired together. Only one remains unaccounted for."

She paused before uttering the name.

"Cassandra."

Still, McGonagall added with a frown,

"Albus, do you really believe a Hogwarts student could have done this? A Portkey like that couldn't have been crafted by any student here."

Dumbledore's expression grew serious as he countered,

"And yet, Minerva, no outside wizard could have entered Hogwarts, could they?"

Reluctantly, McGonagall conceded his point, though she didn't like it.

"What do you plan to do, Albus?" she asked, exhaling slowly.

Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively, his expression enigmatic.

"Nothing at all. Fear, Minerva, has the power to unlock potential."

After a few more exchanges, McGonagall left, only to encounter Hagrid hurrying toward the headmaster's office as she reached the hallway.

"Professor McGonagall, I've got a letter for Professor Dumbledore," Hagrid said breathlessly.

Sighing, McGonagall turned back, escorting Hagrid into the office. When Hagrid handed the letter to Dumbledore, the headmaster's eyebrows lifted in surprise at the sender's name.

Opening the letter, Dumbledore read it carefully. After a brief pause, he pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, quickly scribbled a reply, and sealed it in an envelope. Handing it back to Hagrid, he instructed,

"Please send this out immediately."

As Hagrid left, McGonagall also moved toward the door, but Dumbledore stopped her.

"Minerva, can you guess who sent that letter?" he asked, a glimmer of amusement in his voice.

McGonagall hesitated before shaking her head.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he revealed,

"Do you remember Xenophilius Lovegood?"

McGonagall's face lit up with recognition.

"Yes, I think he was a Ravenclaw student, wasn't he?"

Dumbledore nodded.

"Correct. He now runs a newspaper called The Quibbler. That letter was from him. He wanted to know if a student named Wentworth is among this year's new admissions."

"He even listed several of Wentworth's deeds and asked if the boy is one of my prized students."

McGonagall looked utterly bewildered.

"How does he know these things? And why is he asking about them? What did you tell him?"

Dumbledore chuckled softly.

"My reply? Of course!"

Later that afternoon, Xenophilius Lovegood received Dumbledore's response at home. Seeing the headmaster's unequivocal confirmation, Xenophilius felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

At that moment, Luna approached him.

"Father, what did the headmaster of Hogwarts say?"

Xenophilius handed her the letter and casually remarked,

"Looks like I'll be working late tonight to finish my article!"

Luna read the letter, her lips curling into a curious smile as she noted its singular word.

Meanwhile, Wentworth had just finished another day of spell practice. Dragging his tired body back to the Hufflepuff common room with Cedric, they were immediately greeted by Kirk.

Kirk rushed over, eager to learn what they'd been studying. But before he could say a word, Wentworth brushed past him, exclaiming,

"Don't say anything, don't ask anything. I'm exhausted. Sleep!"

With that, Wentworth headed straight for his dormitory and collapsed into bed.

Little did he know that by morning, his name would be on everyone's lips.

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