Chapter 204: The Temptation of Immortality

When Wentworth saw the figure of his past life reflected in the Mirror of Erised, his first instinct was that his deepest secret had been exposed. Without thinking, he instinctively drew his wand, ready to destroy the mirror before him.

However, Wentworth quickly realized that the visions within the Mirror of Erised were visible only to the one standing before it. This understanding made him hesitate.

Yet, there was no doubt that in this extraordinary magical world, methods existed to unearth one's greatest secrets — even those safeguarded by Occlumency.

After a long deliberation, Wentworth decided to leave the Mirror of Erised untouched. Destroying it without reason would only arouse suspicion.

Still, the sudden revelation of a secret he had buried so deeply unsettled him. He remained silent on the way back.

Cedric and Kirk, noticing Wentworth's mood, wisely refrained from speaking. The three returned to the Hufflepuff common room and went their separate ways.

That night, as Kirk lay down after a long day, ready to rest on the second night of Halloween, he suddenly felt a burning sensation on his chest. Startled, Kirk sat up and reached into his shirt, pulling out the Stars card Cassandra had given him.

The card's back shimmered as the stars shifted, forming letters that conveyed a message:

"Room of Requirement. Tonight. Nine o'clock."

Kirk studied the card, muttering to himself, "You really do get what you pay for."

The next morning, as Cedric dressed, he too noticed the message from the Stars card.

When Kirk and Cedric met in the common room, they exchanged glances, seizing the moment before Wentworth arrived.

"Did you get the message?" Kirk asked in a low voice.

Cedric nodded, his eyes wide. "This deck is incredible."

Before they could say more, Wentworth approached. Without waiting for them to speak, he declared, "I'm busy today — I won't be joining you for breakfast."

Both boys were taken aback but refrained from asking further questions, merely nodding before heading off.

Once the common room had mostly emptied, Wentworth slipped out and made his way toward the Forbidden Forest. However, he didn't enter the forest. Instead, he stopped at the Whomping Willow, accessing the hidden passage beneath it that led to the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade.

Following a narrow, winding path through the village, Wentworth stopped at a modest house and knocked on the wooden door. After a moment, Rosier opened it.

"Grandma Rosier!" Wentworth beamed, embracing her.

Abernathy appeared behind her, smiling. "Wentworth, you've grown again!"

They led him inside, where Abernathy poured tea while Rosier's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Wentworth, we received your owl at dawn and came immediately. What was so urgent that you had to write to me in the dead of night?"

Wentworth sipped his tea, then reached into his robes, producing a small box.

"GrandmaRosier, I've brought something out of Hogwarts."

Rosier took the box, carefully opening it to reveal what appeared to be an ordinary stone. But Rosier's sharp gaze knew better.

"What is this stone?" she asked.

Wentworth grinned. "The Philosopher's Stone."

Rosier's hands trembled, and Abernathy's eyes widened in disbelief.

"The very one made by Nicolas Flamel," Wentworth added.

Abernathy's breath caught. "Merlin's beard... how did you steal this from under Dumbledore's nose?"

Wentworth frowned. "Steal? Wizards don't steal. I simply couldn't bear to see such a treasure used as bait in Dumbledore's little game."

Abernathy looked bewildered, but Rosier's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Wentworth, did you take this risk because you intend..."

Wentworth nodded. "Yes, Grandma Rosier. Find a way to deliver this to my grandfather. He needs it. The Pureblood Party needs it."

Abernathy's face lit up. "With the Philosopher's Stone, we can brew the Elixir of Life! If our master and our wizards have enough of it, then..."

He trailed off. The rest was understood.

Rosier's smile grew. "More than that — the Elixir's allure will draw even more wizards to our cause. No one can resist the temptation of immortality."

They spent the rest of the day discussing recent activities within the Pureblood Party. By evening, Wentworth returned to Hogwarts.

As soon as he was gone, Abernathy asked eagerly, "When will we see the old master?"

Rosier's smile deepened.

"Not yet."

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