Fear And Greed
Hogwarts settled into a serene rhythm over the next fortnight, undisturbed save for one notable event: Harry reclaiming his invisibility cloak from Snape, thus igniting the legend of his night tours.
With Dumbledore entrusting him with the Mirror of Erised, Harry found himself embarking on nightly tours. Having learned from past misadventures, Harry adopted a bold new approach. Rather than tiptoeing cautiously, he embraced recklessness, leaving a haphazard trail of footprints through the deserted corridors—a defiant retaliation against Snape.
Rumor had it that Filch nearly suffered a heart attack one night, startled by the phantom footsteps echoing through empty hallways. Though initially baffled by the inexplicable sounds, Filch eventually deduced Harry's antics, albeit too late. Harry, of course, vehemently denied any involvement.
Yet, Harry remained elusive, evading capture at every turn. Even Filch, despite hearing the telltale footfalls, resigned himself to the futility of apprehending an invisible foe.
Consequently, Harry earned the distinction of being the first Gryffindor to never get caught again. The once-revered Weasley Twins, who had reigned supreme, now found themselves relegated to obscurity. Their nightly adventures, facilitated by the marauders hp, had been thwarted by Artel's cunning ploy, leading to their capture by Snape not once, but twice. With their enthusiasm dampened, the Weasley Twins relinquished their reign.
The professors diligently carried out their duties despite the relentless onslaught of the cold wave, maintaining their composure in front of the students.
Quirrell wasted no time in securing the dragon eggs from Lucius, working tirelessly and flawlessly during the two-week period.
Following a fortnight of rest and recuperation, Dumbledore's complexion visibly improved upon his return to Hogwarts.
On that particular day, Dumbledore convened a discreet meeting with Snape and Professor McGonagall to discuss the matter of the Balrog, divulging the startling revelation to them. Both Snape and Professor McGonagall were taken aback by the news, unaware of its significance.
The reappearance of ancient creatures weighed heavily on Dumbledore's mind, hinting at the dawn of a new era and the potential revival of dark forces.
After much contemplation, Dumbledore convened a full assembly of the Order of the Phoenix, disclosing recent peculiar events while omitting the specifics of the Lord of the Rings.
Following the meeting, the Order's mission shifted from combating Voldemort to orchestrating the resurgence of the Dark Lord Sauron. At Dumbledore's behest, members utilized their personal networks to gather intelligence on Gandalf, the Hobbit, and the Holy White Council within the wizarding community.
With operations proceeding smoothly, two weeks later, on a Saturday, marked the scheduled meeting for Professor Quirrell and Lucius to retrieve the dragon's egg.
After lunch, Artel clandestinely entered the Room of Requirement, armed with the Isil spar and two automated stirring cauldrons.
While keeping a watchful eye on Quirrell, Artel delved into refining the potent orc potion.
...
Around two in the afternoon, Quirrell departed Hogwarts, making his way to Hogsmeade Village. In a secluded corner, he donned a voluminous robe and Apparated to Knockturn Alley.
Artel gathered the newly crafted potions, stashing the crucible and Isil spar in the system space. With the ring of air, a change of appearance and a swift Apparition, he followed in pursuit.
Knockturn Alley, adjacent to Diagon Alley, was a sinister street filled with dark magic commerce. Wizards frequenting this place had undisclosed motives, making it a perilous and perplexing locale.
It wasn't Artel's first visit; the previous time, he had combed through the alley with the Power Ring, looting every shop in its wake. The aftermath led dark wizards to hunt for him, but their efforts were in vain. Rumors circulated about two dark wizard organizations heavily invested in Knockturn Alley, blaming each other for the heavy losses incurred during the looting.
Returning to Knockturn Alley for the second time, Artel experienced a peculiar mood. Surveying the revived black magic shops lining the alley, he contemplated seizing another opportunity. After all, the refinement of the potent orc potion required a substantial amount of materials, and there was no need for courtesy.
As Artel inspected the shops, he became aware of numerous dark wizards casting curious glances his way. Their expressions ranged from fear to temptation, unmistakably recognizing his presence.
"Saruman! That's definitely Saruman!"
"His image is on the Ministry of Magic's wanted list. Capture him, and you can exchange it for a thousand gold Galleons..."
Whispers among the dark wizards filled the air, yet none dared to approach. The formidable wizard who dared to single-handedly challenge the Ministry of Magic was not someone to be trifled with, dissuading anyone from being the first to act.
.....
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