Chapter 188 "The Final Truth"

Over a month has elapsed since the conclusion of the Easter holiday.

During this time, Professor Slughorn, met a mysterious and untimely death.

The official explanation is that he accidentally ingested poison, but this story stretches credulity given Professor Slughorn's expertise in potions, raising doubts among those with any common sense.

The students, of course, are not buying into this official version of events.

However, their skepticism has little impact, as Professor Slughorn was a solitary figure with no immediate family or close confidants to advocate for him.

Despite his many proud disciples and good relationships with several pure-blood wizarding families, his death did not prompt a strong response.

There may have been voices raised in defense of Professor Slughorn, but if so, they went unnoticed.

In the weeks following the Easter holiday, various unusual events occurred at Hogwarts.

For instance, a first-year Slytherin student, Elaine Shafiq, was abruptly removed from the school by Aurors, and the Daily Prophet temporarily ceased publication, leaving students without external sources of information.

Even the highly anticipated Hogsmeade trip scheduled for the end of May was canceled.

The castle and grounds of Hogwarts seemed to be isolated from the outside world.

The students, cut off from external information, began to grow anxious.

"Something must be happening beyond these walls!" Neville whispered.

Neville's father also left Hogwarts at the end of the Easter holiday and was reportedly subjected to some form of "scrutiny" alongside his Auror comrades.

Neville confessed to not having heard from his father for a considerable time.

The new Aurors, whom Neville described as cold and unfamiliar, had replaced those he once knew.

With final exams looming, Hogwarts should have been a beehive of activity, with students frantically reviewing their lessons.

However, this year was different; apprehension hung in the air, stifling any academic ambition.

Even Hermione, known for her studious nature, shared her concerns. "Who knows what awaits us beyond these walls when summer vacation finally arrives?" she pondered aloud. "We might not even have a summer vacation this year, just like the canceled Hogsmeade trip."

"By the way, have you seen Matthew?" Hermione asked in a hushed tone. "I can't help but notice he's been acting oddly recently."

"I don't know," Neville replied. "Today's Sunday; he might be at the library, studying."

...

However, Matthew was not in the library; instead, he was in the Potions classroom.

At that moment, he was the sole occupant of the room.

Even on a Sunday, and despite the impending exams, students avoided this secluded classroom. It had belonged to the now-deceased Professor Slughorn.

Before Matthew lay a crumpled letter and a withered flower.

Matthew's mood wasn't as troubled as that of his friends, perhaps because he was more privy to the intricacies of the situation.

This knowledge could be attributed to a letter he had found wedged in a crevice—

In a way, it could no longer be considered "faith."

When Matthew had read it countless times a month ago, the contents of the letter had all but vanished from the paper.

However, Matthew had committed its contents to memory long ago.

The letter bore the signature "Horace Slughorn."

Hence, Floo hadn't randomly started guiding him that noon; he could understand why.

It was because Professor Slughorn had concealed the petals alongside the envelope using a Disillusionment Charm.

Under this charm, the Floo's rhizome couldn't sense its petals, rendering it ineffective.

Only at noon, with Professor Slughorn's demise, did the charm fade, allowing Matthew to discover its guidance.

Matthew now recalled that after secretly plucking Floo flowers in the garden, he had swiftly encountered Professor Slughorn.

At the time, he had been relieved that the "theft" had gone unnoticed by the dean.

In reality, Slughorn had seen it all.

Not only had he observed, but after Matthew had left, he'd picked up a few petals that Matthew had accidentally dropped.

These petals would have rotted and crumbled into dust if left unattended.

However, Professor Slughorn had meticulously preserved them so they could serve as a means to "communicate with Matthew" posthumously.

Thinking back on this moved Matthew deeply.

...

Deciphering the old script on the wrinkled sheet of paper was no small feat.

Nonetheless, as Matthew read it once more, the words leaped off the page:

"Dear Matthew,

By the time you read this letter, I will have passed away. Thus, I earnestly hope that you will never have to read these words.

Of course, in the unfortunate event that you do, please don't grieve. I've spent 97 years in this world (although I must say, I've maintained myself quite well and don't feel that old). That's quite a long time, and it's about time I reunite with old friends who've already left this world!

Frankly, Matthew, I see a glimmer of my youth in you—ambitious, clever, resourceful, composed. In all honesty, you embody the ideal traits of a Slytherin student, save for your lineage. Even in the rarest of circumstances, the Sorting Hat doesn't err, even when it sorted a Muggle-born like you into Slytherin House.

Moreover, you possess a talent that I, despite my age, must acknowledge.

Even the shrewdest of individuals should harbor some fundamental tenacity deep within. I've always believed in this.

I hope you'll follow the same path. I originally intended to nurture you slowly over five years or more, but alas, time waits for no one...

Gellert Grindelwald is a madman. If the term doesn't fit, 'paranoid' certainly does.

For his grand plan, he's willing to sacrifice his life and countless others. He's been on this path for an extensive duration, one he can't turn back from now (you're a clever young one; I'm sure you've unraveled Grindelwald's true identity, so I won't elaborate further).

Thus, we must stop him!

For my part, my grandmother was a Muggle. She passed away many years ago, but I can still vividly recall her warmth when I was a young boy. Thanks to her, I've never harbored animosity towards Muggles, or Muggle-born wizards, for that matter...

Muggles aren't fundamentally different from us, except they lack magic. Our world and theirs are deeply intertwined; consider my grandmother, Minerva's father, and your own parents...

Muggles, they're our kin.

There's no need for wizards to subjugate Muggles. Magic is the best service we can offer, far better than enslavement!

Grindelwald's claims are but the musings of a paranoid mind.

But let's return to the matter at hand, Matthew.

To be frank, the reason I've penned this letter is that I understand the odds of success in our endeavor are exceedingly slim... Even with the power of Hogwarts behind us, we still wouldn't match up to Grindelwald.

His power is overwhelming, suffocating, and enigmatic. It's as if he has no vulnerabilities.

Pandora's Box is about to be opened, and we all know that his ultimate plan is nearing fruition...

Our efforts thus far haven't even slowed him down. To describe it as despair would be an understatement...

All we can do now is leave our last hope within a magical tome.

The heart of that hope is a book, a book that could potentially defeat Grindelwald!

I suspect this might surprise you, Matthew, but through your few inquiries, it's likely the book has found its way into your hands...

It's a twist of fate!

That book isn't some esoteric magical artifact; the magical properties on its surface are but a façade, an illusion, as I initially mentioned.

The reason for this facade was because I needed my student Tom Riddle to help me procure it from abroad... I deceived Tom, as he had connections for smuggling once he was released from Azkaban. You must be aware of the challenges of smuggling contraband into the UK nowadays!

Before Tom's associate, Lucius Malfoy, could obtain the books, our people had infiltrated the Flourish and Blotts Bookstore to hijack their shipment...

But something unexpected happened—the book vanished!

It wasn't until you appeared that I started suspecting you had obtained it! Or rather, the book chose you!

Therefore, please don't concern yourself with Tom. He sensed the book was on your person and attacked you twice in Hogsmeade, but both times, you were shielded by the Order of the Phoenix...

During the first encounter, a member of the Order of the Phoenix shadowed you. Even if Tom had attempted to harm you, she would've revealed her identity to protect you...

And during the second incident in Hogsmeade, we had Tom's movements monitored from start to finish.

Returning to the point, the book chose you!

Frankly, it's a good thing...

Only when Hope selects its keeper can one glimpse the light.

At the time, we were elated!

However, you're still quite young. I didn't want you to become too enamored with it or disclose its existence to anyone...

Hence, I adopted a harsh tone when we first met to "intimidate" you...

I had hoped to reveal the truth to you once you'd matured further and was able to handle it. I couldn't grow too close to you either, as there were many of Grindelwald's minions within Hogwarts.

Any misstep could expose you...

Regrettably, time waits for no one...

Grindelwald easily vanquished an ancient intruder who infiltrated Hogwarts, bolstering his self-assurance. His minions are poised to make moves across Europe...

We all know that the day is approaching. Consequently, we must begin taking risks and initiate a series of actions...

These actions are, in reality, nothing more than desperate attempts.

Their true objective is to ascertain whether the book truly rests in your possession. Simultaneously, with the demise of the Order of the Phoenix, Grindelwald has lowered his guard against Hogwarts, increasing your safety...

This is all we can do.

Don't worry about James, Sirius, or Minerva. Even if they're apprehended, Grindelwald isn't a cruel man. At most, they'd be incarcerated in Azkaban...

I, on the other hand, am different, for I alone possess full knowledge of the situation.

Should I survive, I'll continue to mentor you to the best of my abilities...

But if I'm ever exposed due to an unfortunate turn of events, my only choice will be death...

My Occlumency skills are indeed formidable, and I possess the antidote to Veritaserum. All memories concerning that book have been purged by me...

Yet, in the face of Grindelwald's mighty power, I still tremble with fear...

Should he so desire, he could extract the truth from me in countless ways.

The only safeguard is death... He can't extract the truth from the deceased!

I bid you farewell, Matthew. The Order of the Phoenix has disbanded...

Should you genuinely seek to confront Grindelwald, make your way to the Hog's Head Inn in Hogsmeade and seek out the bartender. He will guide you...

If, however, you decide to relinquish this burden, prepare a potion using dried nettles, live roots, sinister bloodweed, and leeches.

Soak the book in this mixture for two and a half hours, and the soul within will naturally dissipate... You can return to your peaceful life as it was before.

So, make your choice, Matthew...

You and I are the sole keepers of this knowledge; now that I'm gone, the responsibility is yours alone.

No matter what decision you make, you won't be judged.

Yours truly,

Horace Slughorn"