"Secrets and Duty"

"Secrets and Duty"

Upon arriving at the headmaster's office, Stephen entered casually.

"Hello, Stephen. I apologize for calling you so suddenly," said Headmaster Dumbledore as he approached his desk.

"If it's about the wind magic from earlier, I was just impressing the trio of savages. Don't worry, I have everything under control," Stephen replied as he took a seat.

"Magnificent magic, I must say. Though I'd appreciate a little warning before using it—our owls tend to get quite unsettled. But it's a good way to inspire the young ones, showing them what they could achieve," the headmaster said with a knowing smile.

"Tsk, that's why you're the headmaster. If they see something to aspire to, they won't give up so easily on training. But enough of that—what do you need?" Stephen asked, unwrapping a lollipop and popping it into his mouth.

"The Ministry has approved the portals. In exchange, they will follow the same regulations as Apparition, along with additional rules," said Dumbledore, handing Stephen a letter.

"That's great. I was already considering if I'd have to start roughing people up to speed things along. You pushed this through, didn't you?" Stephen asked as he examined the Ministry's approval.

"A little. I couldn't let a form of magic with such potential to aid the wizarding world gather dust," the headmaster admitted.

"Drop the act, old man. What are you planning?" Stephen asked skeptically.

"I simply hope you train the three young ones well," Dumbledore said seriously.

"You know, Headmaster, if I didn't know you better, I'd think you were a manipulator. Harry might end up hating you, you know?" Stephen remarked.

"It's a risk I'm willing to take. After all, I want Harry's future to have as few casualties as possible, even if it means giving my life for it—because that is his destiny," the headmaster said with a hint of sorrow.

"Yeah, yeah. Someone with a prophecy that can impact the world naturally attracts fate around them, like a tree and its branches. If the tree falls, the branches wither."

"Exactly. And the only way to potentially improve that fate is by ensuring Harry is prepared to face it," Dumbledore said solemnly.

"Don't worry, old man. I'll train them well. Though I should start looking for a better training area before Professor McGonagall decides to strangle me for constantly wrecking the courtyard," Stephen said, lightening the mood.

"Alright then, old man. If that's all, I'll be on my way. And since you gave me good news, I'll be taking the chocolate cockroaches I swapped for real cockroaches without you noticing," Stephen said, grabbing the container from the desk and walking out.

"He never actually swapped the chocolate cockroaches, you know?" said one of the portraits of a former headmistress, laughing.

"It's fine. I have more hidden in the cabinet," the headmaster said, moving toward a cabinet to the left of his desk.

"He took those the moment he walked in—right before heading to your desk," another portrait chimed in, joining in on the teasing.

"You all fail to see the seriousness of the matter. That boy summoned a typhoon that triggered the school's alarms! With such power at his age, what do you think he'll be capable of as an adult?!" The comment came from the renowned headmaster Phineas Black, one of the most disliked figures.

"Relax, Phineas. Dumbledore knows what he's doing," said Dumbledore's predecessor, Headmaster Armando Dippet.

"Oh, really? Says the headmaster who personally witnessed the Dark Lord grow up?" Phineas sneered.

"Assuming a boy will turn dark just because he possesses powerful magic would be foolish. Unlike the Dark Lord, young Flamel has created a form of light magic so powerful that it can stand against darkness itself," added Professor Dilys Derwent, a former headmistress who specialized in healing magic. Her portrait was also displayed at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.

"It's just light magic. It's not like sacred magic, which only a saint could wield. At best, it won't corrupt you like dark magic does, but it can still be used just as destructively. If he ever loses control, no one will be able to stop him," Phineas countered.

"If I may, though I usually refrain from interfering, I would like to say a few words," spoke the Sorting Hat unexpectedly. It usually remained silent atop one of the cabinets unless spoken to.

"Go ahead, please," Dumbledore said, granting it the floor.

"Although I cannot reveal much, in the interest of defending the young man's honor, I will say this: To doubt him would be the same as doubting the world and magic itself—especially someone who would not hesitate to die to protect it. That is all I will say," the Sorting Hat expressed before closing its eyes again, pretending to sleep.

And after looking through Stephen's memories from his first year, the Sorting Hat was astonished by the life he had lived and earned its respect—a respect that even Godric Gryffindor himself would share, along with the other founders.

"Saving a world, huh?" Dumbledore murmured softly, his eyes gleaming with a hint of understanding.

"Well, I'm just saying to keep an eye on him, nothing more." And with that, Phineas Black fell silent once again.

Meanwhile, the young man they were discussing strolled casually through the corridors, munching on the chocolate cockroaches he had just acquired.

"Even though they taste like chocolate, it still feels weird eating a cockroach. Why the need to shape them into bugs or animals like frogs?" Stephen mused to himself as he made his way to the Great Hall.

"Boss, over here!"

"What are you eating, boss?"

When the twins saw him approaching, they made space for him. Sitting with them were Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who had just finished their training.

"Chocolate cockroaches. I stole them from Dumbledore. Want some?" Stephen asked, pulling out a bowl filled with cockroaches that wriggled as if they were alive.

"N-no thanks, boss."

"We were just eating," they quickly declined, looking pale.

"So, how did the trio of runts do?" Stephen asked as he looked at the three, who were eating their breakfast with little energy.

"Fine, but... I'd like to change instructors. Fred beat us until we couldn't stand," Ron complained, while Harry only nodded.

"I did well with Angelina! She said I have good aim for throwing weapons," Hermione said happily, though she still looked exhausted.

"As I said, Fred and George are the best sword users. It's tough at first, but in time, you'll get stronger," Stephen said with a smile.

"Yeah. Though we're only learning to fight with wooden weapons so far, we haven't learned any magic yet," Harry said, looking at Stephen.

"I'll take care of that. Don't worry—I'll teach you after today's classes," Stephen replied as he began eating the breakfast the house-elves had served him.

"Finally! We'll get to learn Eldritch magic. This is awesome!" Hermione was the most excited, though Harry and Ron weren't far behind. Hearing that seemed to restore their lost energy.

"Eat quickly. I think your first class today is with Snape, so if I were you, I'd get there early to avoid losing points," Stephen said with a schadenfreude-filled smile, making Ron and Harry lose the energy they had just regained.

"You two hurry up as well. We've got class with Professor McGonagall, and she already said that if we're late again, she'll turn us into a wall clock," Stephen told the twins, who were laughing at Ron and Harry's misfortune.

"See you later, runts. Finish all your homework so you'll be free at the end of the day, and I can teach you properly," Stephen said, finishing his drink and grabbing a toast to eat on the way.

"Won't Filch get mad if he sees Stephen eating in the hallways?" Ron asked, watching Stephen walk away.

"Only if he catches him," Harry replied.

"Stop wasting time and get moving, too. You don't want to be late," Hermione said as she stood up and left for Potions class.

Harry and Ron looked at each other, stuffed their mouths quickly, and ran out of the Great Hall...

—

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