Chapter 102: Talk

"You know, I'm still glad you came."

Hermione said shyly as we landed in the center of the Hall.

"Oh, I'm flattered." 

I looked into her brown eyes, and she immediately looked away. 

"Shinoa wanted to come too, but she had other things to do."

The chat notified me, and I saw a message from Shinoa saying she wanted to give us "our time."

"Who is he?"

One student asked another.

"I don't know, maybe he's from another school?" 

They guessed.

At that moment, Dumbledore approached us. 

Surprisingly, he wasn't some kind of villain plotting against everyone... just a side effect of thoughts from my first life. 

He was a rather "soft" old man and willing to sacrifice himself to protect the students. 

He would have attacked with all his might long ago if he had felt even a hint of aggression from me after ensuring the student's safety. 

Fawkes felt I had no malicious intentions, but he was still scared. 

The phoenix's instincts were just horrified by my presence, but he didn't abandon Albus... this deserved respect.

"Miss Granger, may I speak with your partner? His arrival was... impressive."

He said it with an elderly smile, but I could clearly see that the old man was on edge with his entire body tense. 

Professors were standing a bit away while watching us. 

"Oh, where are my manners. I am Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, but you can call me Albus." 

He addressed me and was tall about one hundred and ninety-five centimeters.

"So, you're the headmaster of Hogwarts... My name is Anthony Luthor, and I'm sorry for such an entrance. I didn't expect it to turn out this way."

I said it quite sincerely. 

"I hope I didn't scare everyone too much?"

My words seemed to resonate with him, and he didn't completely relax, but he clearly felt better.

"Oh, you made the old man nervous." 

Fawkes landed on his shoulder and bowed his head toward me as Dumbledore spoke. 

It was like he was greeting me and showing respect at the same time.

"Fawkes also greets you."

"A phoenix, huh?"

I analyzed the bird. 

"An interesting creature. The ability to be reborn from his ashes is quite fascinating, but even it has its limits. Fawkes, am I right? "

I asked him, and he nodded while allowing himself to be petted.

"Phoenixes are truly pure beings. They wouldn't allow themselves to be touched by a Dark Wizard."

Albus' voice held a deep affection for the bird. 

"And yes, that's his name given by me. We've known each other for a long time."

"I... I suppose I'll leave you to it then."

Hermione said this while feeling a bit uncomfortable between us possibly due to some tension. 

"I'll go to my friends...

"Of course, of course." 

Dumbledore nodded. 

"Don't worry, Miss Granger, this won't take long."

She nodded, and Dumbledore leaned slightly and made a welcoming gesture towards the hall exit.

"Take care." 

I couldn't help but say. 

"After all, I can see that you felt my arrival."

I said as we exited the hall full of partying students who were already drunk... students are the same in the magical world as well.

"It was hard not to feel..." 

A silence hung in the air, with Albus likely considering how to steer the conversation.

"You are surprisingly honest. I've met the powerful of the world who always see everyone as puppets... as those who are easy to manipulate and lead in the desired direction."

"Truth is a beautiful yet dangerous thing. Therefore, it must be approached with great caution."

Albus said. 

"So... how do you know Miss Granger? And, if you don't mind my asking, who exactly are you?"

"Oh, Hermione and I have known each other for about half a year."

I smiled. 

"Let's just say... fate brought us together."

"Yes, fate has its own elusive paths that mortal minds cannot comprehend."

He smiled at something known only to him.

"First and foremost, I am her friend and hope to be something more for her." 

I said it honestly.

"Oh, love, what a wonderful and bright feeling. It is love that most often drives people to great achievements..."

"...or creates great tragedy."

I added.

"The power of love is huge, but you are right, Anthony. Love can be very tragic and sorrowful. The world is not perfect as much as I wish it were otherwise. However, I am glad that such a feeling binds you and Miss Granger." 

Throughout the conversation, he did not attempt to use Legilimency to probe my mind, which I honestly somewhat expected.

"Don't worry, my... bold entrance was mostly due to a coincidence. My friend invited me, and we often don't see each other in person due to... certain circumstances."

"It's nice to hear that. It's astonishing that there is someone like you in the world..."

Dumbledore's gaze fell upon me. 

"This power... may I know who you truly are? Oh, my eternal curiosity. Do you want a lemon drop?"

He offered a lemon sherbet.

"I'll pass, but thank you... I don't mind telling you. I see no problem in that." 

I shrugged and... revealed all twelve wings behind my back. 

I created a barrier around us to prevent all of Britain from dying of fright at my will. 

Then, a black halo appeared above my head with crackling energy.

"I am... a Seraph or an Angel." 

I said this while adding a dramatic voice. 

However, that was a mistake, judging by how the old man clutched his heart and collapsed to the ground with a heart attack... 

I hadn't even exerted my aura or anything else on him, and it was simply my usual presence without restraint. 

The magic inside him went out of control, and all his senses were on edge from being in such close contact with something that could instantly wipe out all of Britain.

"Old man, don't you dare die on me." 

I retracted my wings and halo while healing Dumbledore, and he opened his eyes while lying on the floor.

"If you die, Hermione will give me hell... How are you feeling?"

For a moment, I had a sense of déjà vu... hmm.

"... I've read the records of the founders of the Hogwarts... they sought ways to appease various divine spirits. Are you one of them?"

"Not exactly, but I am also a god."

I said, somewhat unsure. 

I didn't truly feel like a god because a god can do anything impossible... The gods of DC are more like "ordinary deities." 

They are powerful, but I perceive them as very strong aliens. 

That's why I don't consider myself a god... but I understand that from a human perspective, and that's exactly what I am. 

"I've fixed your heart so you won't die of a heart attack again. You're still capable of quite a lot with magic doing its work." 

I helped him up, and he thanked me.

"Yes, this is not what I expected from the ball, not at all."

At that moment, the phoenix teleported in and started checking on Albus when sensing something was wrong with their bond. 

"I'm too old for this."

The corner of Albus's mouth twitched nervously. 

He then waved his hand and turned the candy that had fallen on the floor into a chair with wandless magic and sat on it. 

"Tell me... is Hermione in any danger?"

"Why do you think that?"

"Such beings... are unlikely to do something without a reason. She is one of my students, and I won't let anything happen to her even if I die."

He said it confidently, and his eyes seemed to glint with magic. He knew he was nothing against me. 

He knew his chances were zero, but he couldn't give up because Hogwarts and its students stood behind him. 

It wasn't just stubborn pride; it was... an attachment to all the students.

"Don't worry, I told you, we have a rather close relationship. I came to the ball for a friend."

"Then, on behalf of Hogwarts, I invite you to this event to make it official."

He said that and stood up. 

"And... please, could you keep your identity a secret? The professors are already very worried about it, and poor Severus even broke his wand... was that your doing?" 

He added it with a sly smile.

"Let's just say that sometimes fate has a way of making someone fall... unexpectedly." 

I replied with a smile.

"However, I can repair it if you wish. It's no trouble for me." 

I shrugged. 

It really wasn't difficult for me, and he hadn't done anything wrong. 

He was just trying to protect everyone from the stranger, and he cast the spell. 

"I would be grateful. Severus is not a bad person, but he has made mistakes for which he is still paying." 

He said it with sadness. 

"But who is without sin?"

Our journey back didn't take long, and as soon as we entered the hall, I felt several pairs of eyes burning holes into me. 

Of course, these were the professors and the other two school headmasters, and some students. 

Severus Snape was staring at me intently while holding his wand... which suddenly vibrated and repaired itself and became as good as new.

Ignoring the stunned Severus, I approached Hermione who was currently standing with other Gryffindor girls. 

They surrounded her while asking curious questions. 

A few steps away from Hermione, a silver-haired girl appeared with a basket of flowers and fruits. 

She formed a circle with her thumb and index finger of her left hand while bringing it to her eye and looking through the "hole."

"I've never seen such huge wrackspurts... they seem out of this world."

She said. 

"Have you come to help us in troubled times?"

"I came to see a friend." 

I replied to her.

"Oh, a Crumple-Horned Snorkack told me that."

 She nodded thoughtfully. 

"It also told me to come to this ball... so here I am. It's interesting."

"Indeed." 

I nodded to her. 

"May I know your name? I'm Anthony Luthor."

"Luna Lovegood." 

She said it with a very innocent and kind smile. 

"But sometimes people call me Loony or just odd... whichever you prefer. Oh." 

She exclaimed as if she had seen something.

"I think I need to go otherwise I might run into a Nargle. Bye."

She waved and headed out of the hall.

"Well." 

I shook my head and finally approached Hermione. 

"How are you doing?"

"Oh."

She exclaimed with one of the Patil twins standing next to her.

"Tony, how did your conversation go?" 

Hermione immediately asked the most important question.

"It went fine." 

I said. 

"I explained to him that I came to see my dear friend, and he said that love is very important, so he officially allowed me to stay here." 

I gave a brief summary of our conversation without unnecessary details.

"I-I see..." 

Hermione bit her lip, and her cheeks turned pink when I mentioned love. 

The other girls noticed this and giggled into their hands.

"Alright, ladies, let me take my friend for another dance." 

I extended my hand to Hermione, and she quickly took it.

A few minutes of slow dancing passed quickly, and then louder and more energetic music began. 

"The Weird Sisters" were a magical rock band that was loud and surprisingly enjoyable. 

The students had already forgotten about my dramatic entrance and were fully enjoying the ball.

"This is Harry and Ron." 

Hermione introduced me to her friends after we stepped out from the crowd. 

The two of them were sitting and watching the crowd with a look that clearly showed they wanted to join in but had no one to do it with. 

It seemed their partners had left them...

"Anthony, but you can call him Tony." 

She introduced me.

"You know, I can introduce myself." 

I smiled at her.

"I helped. Why aren't you having fun?" 

She asked.

"It's boring..." 

Ron said gloomily while looking at us. 

"Which school are you from? Are you the headmaster's student?" 

He asked me quite familiarly.

"A student?" 

I raised an eyebrow.

"Well... there are rumors that you're Professor Dumbledore's student." 

Harry explained. 

"Is that true? You could fly, and I didn't see a broom..."

"You don't need a broom to fly, Harry." 

Hermione shook her head. 

"We studied a spell together that could allow us to levitate."

"Um, I must have forgotten." 

Harry said this while rubbing his neck in embarrassment. 

Ron looked at Hermione and me intently, and I could feel his growing displeasure. 

Of course, that didn't mean he was bad, it's just the circumstances that led to this, and he was in a bad mood.

"Hermione, you didn't mention that you're acquainted with him..."

"I don't have to report to you about my friends, Ron since you haven't met him anyway." 

She explained it to him.

"We're your friends too... You could have said that you know Dumbledore's student." 

Ron's dissatisfaction in his voice was genuine. 

"Or is he a student from our rival schools? I've never seen him before... and he looks a couple of years older than us."

"Hey, I'm here." 

I smirked at him and pulled Hermione close to me while wrapping my arm around her waist. 

"And why did that sound like jealousy? Mate, it's not very nice to be rude to people you've just met... At least we could have been introduced first." 

I spoke quite politely.

"He's just in a bad mood, don't hold it against him." 

Harry said that and then went after him.

"Well... your friends are a bit off. This dark-haired one with a piece of soul in his forehead seems alright, but the redhead..."

I didn't finish my sentence, but I heard a beep and a message from Shinoa, and Hermione saw it too.

Shinoa Hiragi: And to think, this redhead became your husband... Tsk, you definitely have no taste in the movie.

"I'm not her!" 

Hermione exclaimed while clenching her fists and looking straight at the floating message board.

...

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