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Dumbledore's smile disappeared the second he saw Ariana's arms still wrapped in black mist. His face went hard. Worry flooded his eyes, and his grip on the sack tightened.
He stepped forward, voice low and urgent. "Your arms—what happened? Tom already removed that power, didn't he?"
"Professor, it's okay," Harry said quickly. "It was an accident. Ariana can control it now. Please don't expel her."
Dumbledore's expression softened when he heard them defend her. These kids had become real friends to his sister. Still, her closeness to Harry made him uneasy. The Boy Who Lived always pulled danger with him.
For one sharp moment, a cold thought crossed his mind: maybe he should find a way to remove Tom Riddle from the picture. Break the prophecy if it kept Ariana safe.
Tom stood off to the side, arms crossed, watching the headmaster's face with open interest. He hadn't expected Dumbledore to actually consider killing him.
Ariana smiled and shifted her arms back to normal. She held up her pale hands. "See? I've got it under control."
"But why did it return?" Dumbledore asked, still tense.
Ariana kept it simple. The stress of facing Voldemort had triggered it again. She didn't give details.
Dumbledore sighed. Obscuri weren't supposed to be controllable. He regretted never studying them properly when he had the chance.
"Tom," he said, turning to the cat. "Can you—"
"I don't know," Tom signed. "Maybe. Maybe not. I'd have to try."
Ariana cut in before Dumbledore could push further. "I'm keeping it. It helps me protect everyone. I used it to hold Voldemort back earlier."
Hermione nodded. "She really did save us."
Dumbledore hesitated, then gave in with a tired smile. "All right. For now. But I'll find you a teacher who understands this power. Until then, be careful. Don't use it unless you have to."
Ariana lit up. "Thanks, big brother!"
The word slipped out before she could stop it.
Everyone stared.
"Brother?!" Ron and Draco said at the same time.
Hannah and Hermione already knew Ariana was a ghost, but this was new information.
Ariana clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oops. Can you just pretend you didn't hear that?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "It's fine. Tell your friends. I trust them."
Draco couldn't help himself. "But the age difference—"
Ariana floated behind Tom, embarrassed. "I'm actually a ghost now."
Ron and Draco's brains stalled.
Dumbledore gently warned her again to stay careful with the Obscurus until help arrived.
Tom finally lost patience and stepped between them.
[All right, Headmaster. You can catch up with your sister later. Right now, explain why you stole my sack.]
He pointed at the bag holding Voldemort's soul.
Dumbledore shook his head. "You left it behind last time. I borrowed it. I'll return it after I deal with what's inside. And I'll compensate you."
Tom rolled his eyes.
[I'm not just talking about money. What are you planning to do with the soul?]
Dumbledore's face turned serious. He no longer wanted to give Voldemort any opening—not when his sister was involved.
"I'm going to speak with an old friend. See if he can destroy it for good. If not, I'll keep it sealed until Harry is ready."
Tom nodded.
[If your friend fails, come find me. I know a thing or two about souls.]
He was mostly bluffing. Worst case, he'd just beat the soul while in spirit form.
Dumbledore smiled faintly. "I'll keep that in mind. Now, children—if you don't want detention, it's time to go back."
The group bolted for the door like they'd been set on fire.
Tom grabbed them all and teleported away.
Dumbledore watched them vanish, shaking his head with fond exasperation. "That cat really is something. Best decision I ever made, letting him enroll. Greedy little thing, though. I wonder if he'll like the gift I have for him."
Fawkes appeared and carried him off.
The room went quiet. The Mirror of Erised stood alone, the Philosopher's Stone still sitting inside it.
Tom reappeared in front of the mirror. He reached in and pulled out the red stone.
(This is it?)
He turned it over in his paw. It didn't look special, but if it could actually turn things to gold…
His translation shop might not need to stay open much longer.
He tucked the stone away and disappeared again.
Out in the corridor, Ron was still complaining. "I should've stayed behind. I didn't get to do anything! I was ready to show off my wizard chess skills!"
Tom gave him a flat look.
[So you're mad I didn't let you play hero?]
Ron shivered, suddenly feeling like someone was plotting against him.
Draco spoke up, hand resting on Norberta's head. "No matter what happens, no matter what my father chooses, I won't betray any of you."
Ariana smiled warmly. Even Tom looked satisfied.
The little dragon boy was finally starting to learn.