Passing a Torch

As the weeks passed in Hogwarts and the new term fully went underway, the recent daily prophet articles from Rita had started to spread rapidly throughout the school.

Oz continued his schedule all the while, letting all the rumours spread. Lessons with Dumbledore still continued however whenever he would visit the old man now, he would be a lot quieter. Oz sensed that due to these rumours he was being backed into a corner on many accounts.

After all, he had just tried to clear his name after the Harry situation, now however there was more information against him showing that he is not the kind headmaster everyone deems him to be. As a matter of fact Oz also seemed to sense that some of the teachers had lost their faith in him even though they were in his circle.

Seeing all this, Oz again noted how powerful the media could be. Although power can lead you to the peak of the world, if the public isn't on your side you would be seen as an overlord whose evil rather than a saint whose leading the magical community. Even with Dumbledore's past achievements, people in the public were beginning to lose trust in him.

As for the Malfoy family they had been put under constant pressure in the past weeks. Interviews constantly being released about their dealings with the goblins. When Oz thought of how mad Lucius probably was at this point in time it brought a smile to his face.

These dealings with goblins also started to lead into the direction of the ministry. Rita was probably the one that swayed it that way due to what she was doing when Oz first saw her. To Oz it seemed as though she was initially trying to get information on Lucius's and Fudge's personal dealings before he of course swooped in and gave her a far better story.

As for Oz personally, he was sent letters about participating in interviews however he didn't reply to any, not even sending a reply back. This in turn led some reporters to believe that Dumbledore was now withholding letters directed to Oz so that he couldn't speak out. Honestly Oz at first didn't reply as he couldn't be asked and it wasn't the time to come out with information however seeing this effect he laughed at how the public can spin their own story.

While all this happened, each night Oz would either be in his room or go to the RoR to read and train a bit. As he trained duelling however he found that wandless magic was better than having a second wand. Noting this, he realised now Merlin's wand synthesis ritual was probably created due to Merlin realising the same thing. Although two wands at first seemed incredible, wandless magic was enough to cover you especially when you reached a certain level with it. However having two wands was more of a crutch than having one as they both wanted to be used as their egos clashed. So in response to this, Merlin fused his together in the end. Oz saw himself having to do the same very soon.

Whenever Oz was in his room he would keep his eye trained on the marauders map he created, waiting for the Old Snake to return to his nest. Besides that one night on new years eve, it didn't seem as though Quirrell and Salazar met up after that. Oz wondered if there could have been a disagreement or something that night.

.

One night in the new term, Oz was sat in the Slytherin common room again staring down at the marauders map waiting for the snake to go to his portrait.

While staring down at the map, Oz was approached by both Harry and Daphne.

"Hey Oz! Before Christmas you promised us that after giving you the cure to heal that ginger you'd let us borrow the item that you got off those twins. Why haven't you paid up yet?".

The person talking right now was Daphne who must have remembered the deal with Oz recently on that Halloween night.

"Right, right I hear you... Here you two take this".

Harry and Daphne received a heavily folded piece of paper that they both looked at in confusion. Harry looked at the map with a slight scowl on his face.

"What's this rubbish?".

Oz chuckled at the cliché line.

"That is something I've created... How about you both tap it with your wands while chanting 'I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good'".

After hearing Oz's instruction both Daphne and Harry proceeded to activate their own marauders map. As the map sprung to life both of them looked at it in wonder. Daphne was the first to speak.

"This map! It has all the secret entrances and tunnels around the school! It also tracks everyone as well!? This is awesome!".

Oz looked at the excited Daphne with a grin on his face. It was obvious to Oz that she was looking forward to causing more mischief with this now on hand.

"Wait a minute Oz... How come you're not on here?".

Oz let out a little cough as he stated.

"Well... I'm the creator of the map after all... this version at least. Why would I want you two stalking me around? I have my own privacy too you know!".

Both Harry and Daphne rolled their eyes at Oz as they brushed aside his thick-skinned comment. Looking at the two who were enamoured with the map, Oz smiled.

"Well? Are you happy now you gave me that cure? This map will serve you well throughout all of Hogwarts I assure you!"

The version of the map that Oz had given to Harry and Daphne was one that was better than the original, however still had some areas and things left out. Of course he didn't include the tracking of Salazar on there and in addition he also didn't add certain rooms like the fireplace study and the Chamber of secrets for instance. Oz didn't want to have to deal with Harry and Daphne getting eating by the basilisk and also letting it out after all.

After a while the duo put the map away. As they were about to walk away Harry remembered something.

"Thats right! Hagrid wanted me to come down to his hut tonight to see something interesting. Do you two want to come as well? I'm sure he wont mind!".

Hearing this Oz tried to piece together the events. He realised quickly that this event must be the birth of Norbert (Norberta). As Oz thought about the little dragon he felt inclined to go witness its birth. After all his connection to dragons has been fully revealed to him especially after the Animagus ritual and his Patronus's corporeal forms reveal so maybe witnessing and seeing a real dragon and its birth would help him in some ways.

After confirming that he wanted to join. The trio of Harry, Daphne and Oz all headed towards Hagrid's. On the way they also ran into Hermione who tried to talk them out of going down their so late but after Harry mentioned that Hagrid wanted to show them something interesting her curiosity got the better of her as she joined as well.