Ch. 42 Blackmail

I laid alone in my bed, watching the light of the sunrise slowly climb up my wall. Last night was an utter disaster.

By the time I linked up with the other Hogwarts professors, the search was nearly complete. Other than a few XX rated beasts roaming outside, there were no threats found.

I was a bit curious why Lockhart seemed so chastised, but I put that thought aside. Most likely, he either failed at capturing a beast or someone got tired of listening to his baseless boasting.

It only took a few questions and a bit of running to find Aurora. It was well worth the run when I finally did track her down. I have to admit, her determined stare and graceful pose made her look hot as hell. The fact she was ready for a fight only added to the allure.

Unfortunately, it didn't take long after meeting up with her for things to take a turn for the worse. Oh, she was happy to see me safe and sound. But that happiness quickly changed to anger when she found out where I was at.

Aurora wasn't upset that I captured Pettigrew. She thought rather highly of that, especially once she learned he was a Death Eater.

No. Aurora became upset when she figured out Pettigrew was the big secret I've been keeping from her. She became angry when she found out I suspected Pettigrew was in the castle for over a week. She became furious when I didn't have a decent excuse for why I didn't share my suspicions with her. And worst of all, she began to cry when she thought I excluded her due to lack of trust.

I was completely thrown for a loop at seeing her reaction. I had no idea how to handle the situation. I didn't intend to hurt her. I didn't mean for it to come across as if I didn't trust her.

Although, now that I'm looking back at it, I see the truth for what it is. I didn't tell anyone about Pettigrew because I wasn't ready to answer difficult questions. At least not until I had an alibi in place. Which can be taken as another way of saying I didn't trust her.

It took me most of the night, or early morning, to convince her it wasn't a lack of trust, but an abundance of paranoia. It wasn't easy, but I eventually lead her to believe I was afraid to come across as Chicken Little after my recent battle with the basilisk.

On a surprising note, she understood that reference.

On another surprising note, I realized why I was trying so hard to console her. I cared for her. I cared for her a lot. Ultimately, I ended up confessing to her. Not about my origins or plans, but the fact that I sincerely love her.

As happy as that made her, it didn't fix everything. She made it clear she was still angry at me and wanted to be alone for the rest of the night. She did kiss me, hard, before departing to her apartment. I take that as a good sign.

The only saving grace to this whole situation is that Dumbledore canceled classes for today. A side bonus, the old man should be out of the castle for most of the day.

As long as I don't physically walk out of my apartment door, I should be able to get to the Room of Requirement without being seen. Then again, Dumbledore still has my map!

I can make a new one quick enough or just demand mine back from Dumbledore, but that crafty old goat might be able to figure out how to create his own version.

Guess I have a reason to get out of bed now.

A few hygiene spells and a quick change of clothes, and I was on my way to the Headmaster's Office. Hopefully, Dumbledore wasn't able to study the map with everything that was going on. I really don't want him to be able to track my movements, now that I've decided to increase my training.

In a surprising turn of events, the Gargoyle is standing to the side, and the way to the Headmaster's Office is wide open. I didn't hear anything, so it must have been like this all night. That would make sense. Having the way to him open for the staff to quickly reach him would be best for all.

Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, I step into the stairway and quickly bound up the stairs. Stepping into the office proper, I spot Dumbledore sitting at his desk, surrounded by a large pile of books.

"Ah, Professor Dovahkiin. I wasn't expecting you this morning. I don't mean to be brash, but I must be leaving soon, and I have much left to prepare." Dumbledore said after looking up from the book he was reading.

"I'll make this quick then. I'm just here to retrieve my map," I state.

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair at stared at me a moment. "Oh, yes. A marvelous piece of magic." He opens a drawer on his desk and removed my map. "I was hoping to be able to study it a bit," Dumbledore said while holding the enchanted parchment in both his hands.

"Perhaps another time," I reply as I reach a hand out for my map. That time will never come, so long as I must be in Hogwarts.

"Perhaps," Dumbledore repeats as he reluctantly hands the map over to me. I'll give him credit, he didn't try to waste his time bargaining for it.

Once I have the map in my hand, I don't hesitate to send it to my subspace. I catch a glint of regret on Dumbledore's face as he watched the map disappear.

As I'm turning to leave, Dumbledore speaks up. "I appreciate what you did last night, with how you captured Peter."

At the mention of how I 'captured' Pettigrew last night, I suddenly get a wicked idea. I turn to fully face the old man.

Giving Dumbledore a cordial smile, "You can show your appreciation by stop having me watched."

Dumbledore's face becomes a blank mask. "That is something..."

"That is easily done. Especially for what you gain from it." I interrupt the bullshit he was about to spill. The warm smile fades away, and my face matches his own blank look.

At Dumbledore's continued expressionless face, I decided to spell it out for him. "You had a reason to lie about how I captured Pettigrew. I did not. It's not hard to see the truth. You don't want people asking where Pettigrew has been hiding these past ten years."

My calm tone of voice has a subtle hint of annoyance in it. I take no pleasure in doing this, but I'm tired of dealing with Dumbledore's shit.

"That information could ruin a family," Dumbledore quietly said.

"A family I have never met and have zero affiliation with." I quickly counter. "I have nothing against the Weasleys, but I take great offense to being spied on like some common criminal. I find it loathsome and disrespectful." Even if it's warranted.

Dumbledore stares at me for a long moment with a stern gaze. I see no point in backing down. I have him, and he knows it.

I really need to get back to improving myself. I've put my training off long enough.

"Very well," Dumbledore says with a stiff nod of his head.

"Good," I said as I turn to leave. There's no point in staying any longer. As I'm walking away, I call over my shoulder, "You will find, I make a much better friend than enemy."

Thanks to my enhanced hearing, I catch Dumbledore's whispered words, "Time will tell."

I'm halfway to my apartment when the feeling of being watched disappears. I can't help the relieved sigh that escapes me.

I dislike using an innocent family to finally get Dumbledore to back off. But I've delayed things for far too long for my liking. I have no idea what the future holds for me in five years, but I wish to be powerful enough by then to have some control over it.

With the prying eyes no longer watching my every move, I change directions. The climb to the seventh-floor is rather uneventful. That was expected, with the sun barely over the horizon, most are still in bed.

Standing in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy's troll ballet, I begin pacing back and forth while concentrating on what I need.

On my third pass, a door emerges from the stone wall. I don't hesitate to step inside and close the door behind me. I soon find myself in an enormous room, with huge mounds of furniture scattered about.

With an image of my target firmly in mind, I cast Clairvoyance. The silvery mist weaves a path between the tall mounds of discarded items. I don't hesitate to follow the magical trail.

I swiftly move through the room, ignoring the hidden treasures. I make out piles of old books, chests of jewels and clothing, even weapons are scattered about. I especially liked the stuffed mountain troll, standing at roughly the same height as Hagrid.

This place is an absolute treasure trove of goodies!

But I'll have to come back another time for them. I already have something else on my mind.

After a couple minutes of traversing the piles of lost things, I finally reach the end of the magical trail. Canceling the spell, I take a good look at my target.

It didn't look that impressive. It appeared to be an old, discolored tiara with a jeweled eagle as the centerpiece. But appearances can be deceiving.

This was Rowena Ravenclaws' lost Diadem and a Horcrux for Tom Riddle. If I'm not mistaken, this should also be the anchor for the curse on the D.A.D.A. position.

I would love to see how my Biological Manipulation would react with a brain boost from an enchanted artifact. Hell, I would just enjoy studying the enchantment after I removed the soul piece. Unfortunately, I have other plans for this artifact.

After blackmailing Dumbledore, I think a peace offering would help smooth things over. The man does have the authority to fire me, and that would not bode well for my future.

Dumbledore may be too busy to concentrate on me right now, but that won't be the case in a few weeks. It would be best to make amends with him before he starts making plans to make my life difficult.

Reaching out a bare hand, I pick up the Horcrux. I can feel the magic enchantment coursing through the metal, but I'm surprised I don't feel a compulsion to wear the artifact.

That's actually pretty clever. Any decent witch or wizard would be extremely cautious of an item that suddenly felt an unexplained urge to use. Most likely, the compulsion won't take effect until after someone wears the tiara.

After a brief inspection, I dump the Founder's Artifact into my subspace. I quickly make my way out of the Room of Lost Things. I still plan to take advantage of the Room of Requirement today.