Slytherin finally claimed the Quidditch Cup, just as they'd hoped, turning the dormitory into a celebratory hive once more. Anne had a private talk with Malcolm afterward. He vowed he wouldn't give up, but Anne knew she couldn't force someone to like her, it wasn't her fault, and she had no easy solution.
Malfoy had returned from the hospital. The duel he'd had with Harry in the crying willow's bathroom had drawn quiet buzzes, everyone expected them to clash eventually.
But Anne knew something larger was looming, and she needed to have a final conversation.
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A Farewell in Dumbledore's Office
Office, Hogwarts – Late April
Anne sat before Dumbledore's desk, the morning sunlight filtering in.
Anne: "Is this the will, Professor?"
Dumbledore, adjusting his half-moon glasses with his usual calm: "Yes, this will do."
Anne nodded. "Shall I take Gryffindor's sword tonight?"
"Good," he answered, standing. He retrieved a wooden box from a hidden niche behind a portrait and handed it to her. She received it and stowed it in her backpack.
Anne: "And… the meeting notes from last night?"
Dumbledore: "No need. They aren't needed here."
She hesitated, biting her lip, then returned the parchments to her bag. A strange hush filled the room.
Anne exhaled slowly and downed a glass of chilled lemonade in one breath.
Anne: "Seems everything's set. I'll go now."
She stood, tugging at her bag.
Dumbledore: "Anne, "
She stopped, glancing back.
Dumbledore: "Do not be nervous. Trust yourself and trust Harry, plus that 'secret weapon' of yours. It saved many lives. You… taking down a Thestral stunned me. I bet no one else in the wizarding world could've done it."
Anne: "That was thanks to the 'Vacuum' charm."
Dumbledore: "A tool is only as good as its user. Now, one last gift."
He pulled a small crystal vial, about twenty milliliters of clear liquid, from his pocket. Fawkes landed on his shoulder and nuzzled against it.
Dumbledore, smiling: "These are Phoenix tears. For you."
Anne's grip on her lip tightened as she accepted it, then wrapped her arms around Dumbledore in a quiet embrace. For the first time, he comforted her like a proud elder, patting her back without a word.
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A Midnight Meeting
Hogwarts – Late that evening
Harry raced toward the eighth-floor corridor clutching a roll of parchment Dumbledore had sent him. Excitement and relief churned in his chest. The castle was quiet now, with midnight curfew an hour away, most students had retreated to common rooms.
Suddenly, a scream and a thud echoed from a side corridor. Harry froze, holstered his wand, and dashed toward the noise. Around a corner, he found Professor Trelawney sprawled on the floor, a scarf over her head, a few shattered bottles of sherry nearby.
Harry, helping her up: "Professor, are you all right?"
She hiccuped and smoothed her hair.
Trelawney: "Oh, yes, oh, dear me, I was just… walking and sensing an ill omen…"
Harry noticed they stood between the Troll tapestry and a smooth stone wall, right by the entrance to the Room of Requirement.
Harry: "Professor, were you trying to enter the Room of Requirement?"
Her eyes darted.
Trelawney: "Ah, well, I… I wanted to store something… personal… inside…"
Harry cast a glance at the broken sherry bottles.
Harry: "But you couldn't get in?"
Trelawney: "I could, yet someone else was already inside! I heard voices… not what I expected."
Harry: "Voices?"
Trelawney: "Celebratory voices, male, joyful."
She wrapped her scarf tighter and stared at him through enlarged glasses.
Harry: "You heard someone celebrating in there?"
Trelawney: "Yes."
Harry: "Probably Malfoy?"
She seemed startled.
Harry: "Look, I think Dumbledore should know about this. Someone, likely Malfoy, might have used the room."
Her pride rose.
Trelawney: "The Headmaster suggested I stop visiting him. I won't beg for his respect! If he ignores the warnings, "
She suddenly whipped out a Tarot card: The Tower.
Trelawney: "Disaster approaches…"
Harry, steadying himself: "Professor, yes. Let's tell Dumbledore right away."
She paused, then nodded. They walked together toward Dumbledore's office, Harry resolutely leading the way.
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A Stormy Revelation
Once Harry burst into Dumbledore's office, he saw the Headmaster at the window, wearing a travel cloak.
Dumbledore: "Harry, "
Harry took a breath. "Prof., I promise, when I got your message, I rushed. I know how urgent this is."
Dumbledore nodded calmly.
Harry: "I found one. A Horcrux. I think I know where it is."
A tense silence settled.
Dumbledore: "Fear is natural."
Harry: "I'm not afraid. Which one is it? Where?"
Dumbledore: "I'm not certain… but we can rule out Nagini. I believe it's close to a coastal cave, this was a place Tom Riddle once brought orphans to terrify them."
Harry: "I remember. What defensive enchantments are there?"
Dumbledore: "Unknown. I've only conjecture. And Harry, this mission is extremely dangerous, I needed to warn you."
Harry barely paused. "I'm going."
Dumbledore studied him intently, eyes tracing the lines of stress on his face.
Dumbledore: "Harry, "
Harry: "Professor, "
Dumbledore drew a breath. His voice was firm.
Dumbledore: "I have one condition: you must follow every order immediately. Run, hide, leave me, what I say goes."
Harry: "Of course."
Dumbledore: "You will, run. Hide. Escape if needed."
Harry swallowed.
Harry: "I, yes, sir."
Dumbledore: "Take your Invisibility Cloak. Meet me in five minutes in the entrance hall."
Harry sprinted off.
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Final Moments
Harry found Ron and Hermione in the common room.
Harry (out of breath): "I don't have much time. Dumbledore… we need to keep an eye on Malfoy… and Snape. Hermione, pass this message map…" He handed Hermione the Marauder's Map. "Bring everyone from D.A. You know the Galleons? They still work."
Hermione's eyes widened; Ron pocketed a small vial.
Harry: "That's Felix Felicis, give some to Ginny too. Tell her goodbye. I have to go."
Hermione: "What? No!"
She grabbed the vial. Ron looked at Harry with concern.
Harry: "I'll be fine, Dumbledore's with me. Bye."
He disappeared into the portrait hole.
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Night's End: The Journey Begins
Outside the Great Hall, Dumbledore waited. Harry emerged, in cloak, breathing heavily.
Dumbledore: "Ready?"
Harry: "Yes."
They walked beneath the cool night, past Hagrid's hut, through grassy paths scented of woodfire and sea air.
Harry: "Professor, if we're leaving school… how do we Apparate?"
Dumbledore: "To Hogsmeade. You know how?"
Harry: "Yes, but no license…"
Dumbledore: "I'll guide you."
At the village gate, they held hands. Dumbledore counted to three, and in a whirl of magic, they vanished.
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