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She sighed, sounding genuinely disappointed.
"I Think We Can Change Our Approach."
Ian leaned against the stone banister, mulling over the situation. "Even if you don't believe Dumbledore will help you, that doesn't mean you can't take matters into your own hands. You just need to fully embrace the confidence that comes with being a Seer."
Aurora raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Create a prophecy, one that can be foreseen, one that seems inevitable. But hide your true intent beneath it. If Grindelwald thinks he's already predicted your moves, he won't see the real trick coming. I'd say that gives you a fair chance of success."
Ian swore he was only doing this to prevent a potential disaster for the other students at Hogwarts.
It was almost ironic, Grindelwald had once shared insights about the nature of prophecies with Ian, and now Ian was using that very knowledge to help Aurora deceive him.
"Misleading my grandfather with a prophecy?" Aurora's interest was piqued.
As they walked, Ian animatedly laid out various scenarios, offering potential strategies. Aurora listened closely, occasionally nodding and adding her own ideas.
By the time they reached their destination, Aurora had gained a new perspective on her plan, and Ian had developed a deeper understanding of a Seer's potential vulnerabilities.
Everyone, it seemed, had something to be pleased about.
"We've arrived," Aurora announced.
Ian blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. He looked around in mild confusion, somehow, he had been led all the way to the entrance of the Ravenclaw common room, which sat atop one of Hogwarts' many towers. He had been so caught up in the discussion that he hadn't questioned why they were heading upstairs.
"Wait… you were walking me back to my dorm?" He asked, slightly bewildered.
Aurora merely smiled. "Thank you for your advice."
Then, to his surprise, she gave him a quick hug before turning on her heel and leaving.
Ian stood there, feeling strangely off-balance.
Wasn't it usually the other way around? Weren't boys the ones who walked girls back to their dorms?
Before he could make sense of it, a smooth, knowing voice echoed from the door.
"So… you were out on a date, then?"
Ian froze.
His gaze snapped to the bronze eagle knocker on the common room door, his blood running cold.
Oh no.
Sure enough, the enchanted door continued, "Let's see… prove the Goldbach Conjecture."
Ian groaned. He knew that tone all too well.
The door wasn't letting him in anytime soon.
Realizing that debating mathematics with a sentient knocker was an utterly lost cause, Ian made a snap decision, he turned on his heel and bolted, sprinting towards the Room of Requirement. He knew better than to overestimate his mathematical abilities.
Hesitate for even a second, and he'd be stuck outside until sunrise.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, Aurora walked down a quiet, dimly lit corridor, stopping before the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office. The glow of candlelight flickered from within.
She raised her hand to knock, but the door swung open before she could touch it.
"Grandfather," She said, hesitating briefly. "Did you know I was coming?"
Without waiting for an answer, she stepped inside.
Gilderoy Grindelwald sat behind his desk, quill scratching against parchment as he wrote furiously. He didn't look up.
"I think you should seriously consider Ian's suggestion," He said smoothly. "It has a far higher chance of success than any of your own… whimsical ideas."
Aurora's eyes narrowed.
"You were spying on us?"
Grindelwald chuckled lightly, his Lockhart-like features stretched into a smirk.
"Spying? That would imply I'm breaking the rules. No, no, my dear, I simply… observe."
Aurora didn't look convinced.
Grindelwald gestured idly to a small, enchanted mirror sitting beside him on the desk. In its polished surface, the flickering image of Quirinus Quirrell could be seen moving about somewhere within the castle.
"Dumbledore asked me to keep an eye on that little mouse," Grindelwald continued, his expression one of mild amusement. "And, in doing so, I happened to stumble upon the little secret you uncovered about him."
His quill never stopped moving, even as he spoke. His other hand idly tapped the mirror's surface, shifting the view to another part of the castle.
"This place truly is remarkable," He murmured, almost to himself.
Aurora ignored his musings and focused on the real issue.
"Grandfather… you already know he's planning to make a move against you, don't you?"
She instinctively took a seat across from him, her eyes flickering back to the mirror.
Much like Ian, Aurora loved to learn. After all, even the most gifted witches and wizards needed knowledge to make the most of their talents.
Grindelwald let out a deep, almost theatrical sigh. "Yes, well, that is entirely Dumbledore's fault, isn't it? He's robbed me of a rather interesting surprise." His tone was regretful, though it was hard to tell how much of it was genuine.
Aurora studied him carefully. "What do you plan to do?"
Grindelwald finally set down his quill, lacing his fingers together as he regarded her.
"That," he said, lips curving into a slow smile, "is a question for our dear headmaster to answer. I believe he intends to use this little mouse to lure his favorite pupil back to Hogwarts."
Aurora's eyes widened slightly.
Now that was an interesting piece of news.
Gilderoy Grindelwald finally set down his quill. "You didn't come here just to ask about the fate of our dear Muggle Studies professor, did you?"
The parchment before him remained untouched at the point where two figures had crossed paths. It wasn't that he had grown tired of writing, rather, there were certain stories he would have preferred not to see unfold.
Aurora, seated across from him, hesitated before speaking. "I almost hit Ian with a curse today." Her small face was troubled, brows knitted in regret. "He acted as though it didn't matter, but… it unsettled me."
Grindelwald watched her carefully. "Not being able to foresee that moment has left you uneasy, hasn't it?"
The young witch hesitated before giving a small nod.
"I remember you telling me that as long as an event affects our lives, I should always be able to see it coming." Her voice carried a rare flicker of doubt in her own abilities.
A quiet chuckle escaped Grindelwald's lips. "You underestimate both your gift and the power your friend already wields."
He leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement. "I have always told you, your prophetic abilities surpass mine. Your talent does not falter or fail; it merely refuses to reveal that which cannot happen to you."
Aurora blinked, caught entirely off guard. "...Ah?"
She hadn't expected that answer.
Before she could fully absorb the implications, Grindelwald reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a book.
"I cannot teach you how to master your potential, but I do know why you came to see me tonight." He tapped the book against his palm before handing it to her. "You're looking for a way to prevent such things from happening again."
There was something almost bemused in his expression as he added, "It seems that particular trait runs in our family."
Aurora accepted the book, her curiosity piqued. She lowered her gaze,
The Blood Pact
The book's cover shimmered under the dim candlelight, the title spelled out in writhing, blood-red letters.
(To Be Continued…)