the soul speaks louder than words -27

As the December chill came the younger students could be seen fantasizing about winter break while the older students who had important exams like N.E.W.T.S., and O.W.L.S were panicking wondering when the time passed by.

The curse of being an older student was truly the heavy exams that would determine where they could get jobs in the future. Well, the pure-blood students mainly tried hard so they didn't bring shame to their families. After all with their connections getting a nice job was easy.

They really didn't even have to work, their family wealth could support their ventures.

As the professors and students were ready for the soon-to-be midterm exams which were mainly used to benchmark the student's progress.

Nothing bad would happen for failing except a loss of house points. This Is usually where Ravenclaw pulls into the lead, as they were a house that excels in testing environments.

While the students prepared one Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, he locked the portraits so he could have some privacy.

Albus has been contemplating Morpheus's offer ever since he received it, "what do you think Fawkes?" he asked his trusty companion

"Screeel" Fawkes sang with splendor seeming to say 'do the deal'

"But what if something in the future forces me to break it?" He replied as if he understood the bird

"Scre scrooo," Fawkes replied rubbing into Albus's beard

"I agree let's have another talk with our mysterious professor," Albus then wrote a quick letter and handed it to Fawkes

"Deliver this for me?" He asked while softly petting Fawkes's head

In a flash of fire, Fawkes disappeared.

*shhhoom* in another burst of flames Morpheus appeared with Fawkes

"Albus I'm glad you wanted to talk more, I would have been worried if you agreed without a more clear understanding," Morpheus said calmly his signature smile absent from his face

Albus nodded, "I have some questions, and then I will decide," his tone was heavy

Morpheus leaned back into his chair, "Ask away,"

"This soul oath, I'm worried what will happen if in the future I'm forced to break it," Albus said while calmly staring into Morpheus's eyes

The hidden message being 'What would happen if we became enemies in the future'

A thin smile spread across Morphues's face he liked it when people could meet his eyes, "Two things, we can add a simple clause into the contract stating if in the future we become enemies we will meet in person and dissolve the oath. The second option is dying,"

A flash of surprise crossed Albus's face, "I thought it was impossible to dissolve the oath!" he hurriedly said

Morpheus chuckled, "Difficult but not impossible, it will require a lengthy ritual but, the method is safe I can assure you,"

"I see," a look of contemplation appeared on the aged Headmaster's face

"Your second question?" Morpheus prompted

"Who will bear witness to the oath?" Albus immediately asked

"I would suggest our familiars, many people forget familiars are sentient magical beings not just companions to a wizard. This way the news of the oath has no way of spreading," Morpheus said while a raven-dark as night peaked his head from Morpheus's robes

Albus brightened, "Ingenious, yes if we do this that would be the best method. My final question is rather simple. Why? I feel as if you're pushing for this oath more than you should be,"

Morpheus narrowed his eyes slightly then sighed whilst shaking his head, "Why? It's simple really my true goal in life is something no one could understand but one person. Unfortunately, that person isn't around right now,"

A look of reminiscing appeared on the pale professor's face, "Anyways, to reach my goal I first needed a foundation sturdier than the strongest material on earth. I have that, now I need pillars to uphold my foundation. I already have many but for some reason, everything is telling me you Albus Dumbledore will help me more than I think,"

Albus sat silently for a while, "I suppose you won't share your goal?"

"No, maybe in the far future," Morpheus replied bluntly

Albus was silent once more, "You sound like a Dark Lord rising to achieve his goals,"

Morpheus laughed loudly, "A Dark Lord? Albus, I'm much worse,"

Albus took his wand and casually pointed it at Morpheus, "And why shouldn't I stop you right now?"

"You're curious, you want to know what I'm withholding, and above all you know I haven't done anything. If you attack me right now I will get away and then… well I guess you'll just have to see!" Morpheus worse his trademark bright smile that unnerved Albus

Albus frowned, he has lived a long life and deems himself a good judge of character. But the man before him was impossible to get a grasp on. He says he's worse than a dark lord but Fawkes who's never led him astray has never reacted badly to his presence.

Albus thought for a moment, a plan slowly forming in his mind "The oath will only concern information and nothing else?" he asked not lowering his wand

"Yes, the oath will only concern me telling you information you can never speak of," The way Morphues said that sounded as if the information would take a toll on the headmaster's mind

"I see, well then I have to agree. Just know if what you tell me leads me to think as will be at odds in the future I will enact the clause," Albus said dangerously

"Of course," Morpheus nodded amicably

"Before we continue, have you ever done a soul oath before?" Morpheus added

Albus shook his head to signal no.

Morpheus chuckled then took out a piece of parchment, "Well then let us start writing the terms,"

Albus blinked, "huh? Why is it called an oath and not a contract if we need to do this,"

Morpheus wryly shook his head, "It's simple really originally the name was Soul Contract but it was translated from its original source poorly. By the time the mistake was caught the term Oath was already popular,"

Albus didn't know how Morpheus knew that. Albus has been researching the soul contract ever since Morpheus brought it up and that fact was never mentioned in any texts he found.

Soon a lengthy debate ensued over the proper terms. Finally when both parties were happy Morpheus said, "Are you ready to finish the process?"

Albus nodded, "Just tell me what I need to do," Albus already knew the ritual section of the Soul Contract he was just asking to see if Morphues tried to mislead him

Although he couldn't find out that the Soul 'Oath' was really more of a contract Albus did figure out the method in which you perform the spell. Just instead of a contract the method he found was with words.

"Cut your finger," Morpheus said while cutting his own

Albus soon cut his finger.

Morpheus nodded, "I'll go first," he said while standing up and motioning for Albus to do the same

They both faced each other, Morpheus slowly raised his hand and started drawing symbols on Albus's face.

"Be careful not to mess up your symbols," Morpheus said to Albus breaking the silence

Once they were both marked in each other's blood, they each held an end of the contract.

"I agree to the terms, my soul is now bare for you to judge," Morpheus said in Latin

"I agree to the terms, my soul is now bare for you to judge," Albus parroted

"I judge, your soul is truthful,"

"I judge your soul is truthful,"

Suddenly they both tore the contract, and two dark green ethereal images appeared between them. They were in the image of the contract.

One shot into Albus while the other into Morpheus.

"See that wasn't too bad," Morpheus said with a small chuckle

"The information," Albus replied coldly his eyes flashing with an underlying tint of darkness as if he was ready to strike Morpheus down as soon as he got the information he wanted

Morphues's face became blank, "I didn't come to Britain just to teach. A war will break out soon Albus and I'm not just talking about another Dark Lord. No, this war will be bigger than anything you've ever seen. It will take every witch and wizard in the world to fight it. And that war starts here in Britain with the rise of a dark lord,"

Albus could have sworn his heart stopped, "And what is your part in this?" He asked softly still in shock

"To end it," Morpheus said calmly while walking to the door

"Wait! You need to tell me everything you know!" Albus demanded

The information Morpheus just uttered made Albus's heart drop. If another dark lord rises in Britain so soon after Grindelwald he feared Britain would lose many great witches and wizards.

Morpheus laughed coldly, "We never specified I needed to tell you everything in one sitting if you want to know more you will have to wait. Or you can always call in your annulment clause?"

Albus realized right then and there he messed up, he was so focused on being able to end the deal he didn't realize what Morpheus wanted was different. Albus, now cannot break the deal if he wants to know more about the disaster coming to his country.

"I taught the students synchronized casting for a reason, they will need it. Albus, will you continue to say it's unfit material?" Morpheus added lightly

"I will think about it," Albus said forcing out his words

This day marked something truly special. The start of a game of who can win more mini-battles between each other.

An alliance built on mistrust.

An alliance that will change the world.

-end-

A/N: Patre on: patreon.com/Boogie324