64. Thanks.

It was thirty minutes later that I entered Dumbledore's office. Though his eyes were slightly puffy, he looked younger than he had in years. It was as if a weight he'd carried for a lifetime had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Ryan, I have to thank you for helping reunite me with my sister, even if it was only for a short time," Dumbledore said, his voice filled with a sincerity that I could hear but not always feel. Internally, he vowed to do whatever he could to help the boy in front of him, whether it was securing a house elf or something else.

I nodded casually, trying to brush it off. "No problem."

I didn't view Dumbledore as some great figure of authority or wisdom. I didn't see him as a benevolent leader who could do no wrong. In my eyes, he was simply an old man who, like all humans, often made mistakes. But he was still human—just like the rest of us.

Dumbledore gestured for me to sit, and the soft creak of the chair added a small, comfortable note to the otherwise solemn atmosphere in the room. His office, filled with trinkets, strange devices, and dusty books, had always felt like a place of mystery. But today, the air seemed a little lighter, almost as if the reunion with his sister had eased something in his spirit.

"I know you may not believe it, but you've done more for me than you might realize," Dumbledore continued, his voice soft but full of warmth. "That small act of kindness gave me more peace than I've had in years. I believe I owe you more than just words."

I shrugged, unsure how to respond. "It was just a small thing. Nothing to thank me for."

Dumbledore chuckled lightly, his eyes gleaming with that familiar twinkle. "You underestimate the power of small gestures, Ryan. Sometimes, it's the simplest acts that carry the most weight."

A brief silence passed between us. Dumbledore seemed to be lost in thought, but then his expression shifted to something more serious. "On a different note, I've been meaning to ask—are you settling in well here at Hogwarts? Is there anything you need?"

I considered it for a moment, the weight of the question lingering in the air. "Everything's fine. The school's... interesting. But there is something I might need help with later, not now, but perhaps at some point."

Dumbledore's eyes sharpened slightly, his interest piqued. "And what might that be?"

I leaned back in my chair, gathering my thoughts. "There's a certain matter that I might need some help with. I'll let you know when the time comes."

It never hurts to have a favor from Dumbledore in times of need.

Dumbledore's expression softened, a knowing look passing over his face. "I will assist if I can, Ryan. If not directly, I'll find someone who can."

"Thanks," I said, genuinely grateful for his offer. "I'll keep that in mind."

Dumbledore smiled, sitting back in his chair. "You've shown great compassion, Ryan. You're not just helping me, but so many others in ways you may not even realize."

Before I could respond, he added, "And remember, my door is always open if you ever need to talk."

I nodded and stood up, ready to leave. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again, Professor."

He waved a hand dismissively, his smile growing more mischievous. "No need for formality, Ryan. Just Albus will do."

I left the office, the echo of his words following me as I made my way back to the common room. It felt good to know that even in a world of politics and secrets, there were still those who genuinely wanted to make things right.

---

A week later.

The Daily Prophet had never been a source of comforting news, but today's headline left me with a smile.

"Crouch's Crimes Exposed: Dark Secrets Unveiled"

The front page was covered with a story detailing the shocking revelations about Barty Crouch Sr.'s actions. Crouch, a once-high-ranking Ministry official, had smuggled his son, Barty Crouch Jr., out of Azkaban, hiding him for years in a desperate attempt to shield him from justice.

It was revealed that Crouch Sr.'s motivation was driven by the final wishes of his wife before she passed away. Her dying request had been for Crouch to protect their son, regardless of his dark past, which led to Crouch smuggling his son out of Azkaban and concealing him from the authorities. The act was framed as a father's desperate attempt to honor his wife's last wish, but the consequences of his actions were devastating.

Barty Crouch Jr., however, was revealed to be an unrepentant Death Eater who had committed unspeakable crimes in the service of You-Know-Who. The article emphasized that, despite Crouch Sr.'s motivation, his actions had enabled his son to continue his path of violence and dark magic, leading to even more pain and suffering for the Wizarding World.

The article ended with a call for greater transparency and investigation into the Ministry's involvement in the cover-up, though it was clear that there was still a long way to go before the truth was fully revealed.

I folded up the paper with a smile and continued to pile bacon onto my sandwich as Luna cheekily stole a few slices.

Well that eliminated another piece off the board for Tom to utilize in the future. I don't like chaotic pieces on the board and prefer to see them eliminated. Not for me but for the peace of mind for my little wives and new friends I've made so far and so I can enjoy my time at Hogwarts.

Once more I would be invited back to Dumbledore's office this time with another little guest waiting to meet me.

A nervous little female house elf by the name of Winky who had once belonged to the Crouch family. Seeing as both of them were going to Azkaban permanently, Dumbledore had called in some favors to get the little elf under his protections.