Chapter 255: Ariana

Edward was momentarily stunned—this was…quite the surprise.

"Either something unexpected happened and the Time-Turner that was originally supposed to be there was taken away," he said slowly, "or the Time-Turner was never found there in the first place, and my future self made it up."

Grindelwald spoke up at that moment. "Actually, those two things are one and the same. As long as you find another Time-Turner before you meet Albus on the 25th, there won't be any problem at all."

Edward immediately understood what he meant—still the same principle:

The past, as long as it's unknown, is equal to never having happened. And even if it's known, it might not be true.

All you have to do is make the outcome match what the future you remembers.

"I think I get it."

Edward took out the Time-Turner and sat down on the sofa, pulling out a quill and a piece of parchment. He began to write the divination prompt:

"The origin of this Time-Turner."

"The origin of this Time-Turner."

"The origin of this Time-Turner."

He repeated it seven times in a murmur, then leaned back—and slipped into the dream.

As always, darkness came first. Then a faint light appeared, and the dream slowly formed into a blurry image. The view zoomed in gradually—it was a lavish manor: the Malfoy estate.

The scene shattered and shifted. Edward entered the Malfoy manor and spoke to Lucius, who looked visibly surprised by something he said.

The image shifted again. A woman in a white dress appeared. She walked toward him slowly, smiling as she spoke a few words and pulled out a golden hourglass-shaped device.

Snap!

The vision shattered completely.

Edward jolted awake, eyes wide with shock and disbelief. That woman in the dream—she looked exactly like the woman who called herself Cecilia, the one he'd met in Godric's Hollow, who resembled a grown-up version of Ariana Dumbledore!

How could it be her?!

She's the one behind Lucius?

Is that her true appearance now?

If it is, what does it mean?

And if it isn't…what is she trying to do?

Question after question flooded Edward's mind, making it impossible to keep a calm expression.

"What did you see?" Grindelwald asked, eyes narrowed with curiosity. Though he'd already heard from Dumbledore about Edward's divination talent, this was his first time witnessing it in action. Compared to his own vague prophecies, this method—usable anytime, anywhere—was fascinating.

"I…I know where to get the Time-Turner now."

"Where?"

Edward glanced at Dumbledore, hesitating. Should he tell the truth? Then it struck him—on the 25th, Dumbledore had claimed he found the Time-Turner in the Minister's office, not the Malfoy estate. Didn't that mean his future self had chosen to hide the truth from Dumbledore and made up a story?

"Professor, why do you think, on December 25th, you told me the Time-Turner was found in the Minister's office?"

Dumbledore immediately caught on. "That must've been something we agreed on today—because…you weren't supposed to tell me where it was really found."

"My thoughts exactly."

Edward nodded. "But I won't know the full picture until I get there myself."

"You didn't tell Audrey about going back in time?" Dumbledore suddenly asked.

"Not yet."

Grindelwald scoffed and muttered, "Hmph, you're the kind of cold-blooded brat who can lie even to those closest to him!"

Dumbledore: Why does it feel like you're throwing shade at me?

Edward sighed inwardly. One of them constantly warned him, "Those who meddle with time will be undone by it," while the other stood on the sidelines making snide remarks. This couple really was something else.

"Well then, I'll head out now to retrieve the Time-Turner."

He decisively chose to make his exit. He would go to the Malfoy estate and see that "Cecilia" again—then decide what to do next.

———

[Wiltshire—Malfoy Manor]

Edward had barely stepped through the gate when Dobby appeared. The house-elf looked just the same as before, his large eyes filled with surprise and delight.

"Mr. Edward, sir—you've come!"

"Yeah, did Lucius send you to meet me?"

"Yes, sir. Master is preparing for bed—he's changing clothes right now."

"Alright. Take me in."

Edward handed Dobby a few Knuts. The elf hesitated for a few seconds before giving in and accepting them—money wasn't the point. What mattered was the gesture, the feeling that his value was being recognised.

His steps instantly became livelier. When they arrived at the massive front doors of the manor, Dobby raised his hands and pushed them open with great effort.

"Please come in, sir."

"Thank you."

As soon as Edward stepped inside, he saw Lucius descending the grand staircase, dressed in his usual black suit and wearing a smile.

"Welcome, Mr. Edward."

"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy."

Edward gave him a slight nod. "Where are Mrs. Malfoy and Draco?"

"They've already gone to bed."

Lucius stepped forward and gestured for Edward to sit. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"A glass of milk, please."

Lucius snapped his fingers at Dobby. "So, what brings you to us so late tonight?"

His tone was mild and courteous, as though he'd entirely forgotten the humiliation of being questioned under the Imperius Curse not long ago.

"First of all, I want to thank you, Mr. Malfoy. Thanks to your information, Hogwarts was able to prepare in advance and fend off the attack from the Death Eaters and goblins."

At those words, Lucius's expression shifted slightly. "But I heard…the Dark Lord still escaped, didn't he?"

"Regretting it now, are you?"

Lucius's expression shifted uncertainly. After a brief pause, he said coolly, "Regret won't help anymore. Since I chose to betray the Dark Lord, I can only keep walking this path to the end." He paused again. "At least I'm better off than those who were either killed or captured at Hogwarts yesterday."

According to Dumbledore, no fewer than six or seven pure-blood families were likely to be purged. These families didn't just have one or two Death Eaters—they could almost be called Voldemort's "martyrs with their entire clans."

What pained Lucius most was that among them were even some Hogwarts students.

He continued, "Now that Fudge has fallen, and Dumbledore is all but guaranteed to become the new Minister for Magic, the Malfoy family will give him our full support. Our only hope…is that he shows some mercy to the Malfoys."

"I'll pass along that request to the professor."

At that moment, Dobby came over with a steaming glass of milk for Edward and poured Lucius half a glass of red wine before silently retreating.

Lifting his wine glass, Lucius asked, "So, what else brings you here tonight, Mr. Edward?"

"The second reason is that I'd like to borrow something from you, Mr. Malfoy."

"Oh? What is it?"

"A Time-Turner."

Lucius froze. "A Time-Turner? Isn't that something that's always been under the Ministry's control? Why would I have one?" His response seemed genuinely surprised. Edward gave him a thoughtful look and said, "You could have one."

"???"

What does that even mean? If I don't have one, I just don't. What do you mean I could have one?

Was Edward deliberately provoking him?

But logic told Lucius there was no reason for that. He furrowed his brow and replied, "I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're implying."

Edward wrapped his hands around the milk glass and took a small sip. "How about…you ask your new backer?"

Lucius's heart gave a jolt, though his face remained a mask of confusion. "What new backer? I've already pledged myself to Dumbledore. If anyone's my backer now, it's him."

"No. I'm talking about a woman in a white dress."

"…"

Lucius's pupils shrank visibly, and beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. His tension was clear. "I…I don't know what you're talking about."

Click. Click. Click.

Soft footsteps rang out as a slender figure appeared.

It was a woman in her twenties, clad in a flowing white robe. Her golden curls cascaded down her back. She wasn't especially beautiful, but her skin was so pale it was almost paper white.

It really was her.

The woman who had appeared in Godric's Hollow—the one who claimed to be Cecilia, and looked like an adult version of Ariana Dumbledore.

The moment she appeared, Lucius sprang to his feet as if burned, then stepped aside and bowed his head respectfully.

As she walked past, Lucius bowed even lower. "Mistress."

"We meet again, Mr. Edward."

She sat gracefully in the seat Lucius had vacated. "Your friend didn't come with you?"

"No."

Edward eyed her cautiously, quietly raising his guard. "Should I call you Cecilia, or…something else?"

"A name is just a label," she said with a soft smile. "But if you really must ask…I suppose you can use the first name I ever had—"

"Ariana Dumbledore."

"!!!"

Edward's expression changed. It really is her? And she's admitting it so easily?

But…how was this even possible?

Just like he had told Audrey before—even if Ariana hadn't died, she'd be well over a hundred years old by now. How could she look like she was only in her twenties?

Could it be like Nicolas Flamel—had she used the Philosopher's Stone?

No…the Stone grants immortality, but not eternal youth.

Or maybe…maybe he was overthinking it. Perhaps her current appearance was due to Polyjuice Potion or advanced Transfiguration?

"You really are Ariana…Professor Dumbledore's sister?"

The smile disappeared from her face. "What do you think?"

Edward didn't want to guess. He didn't want riddles either. He took out a Galleon and flicked it into the air: "The woman in front of me is Ariana Dumbledore."

Clink. The coin landed in his palm—heads up.

Confirmed.

He flicked the coin again: "Ariana's current appearance is her true form."

Heads up again.

So, not only was Dumbledore's sister alive—she had also found a way to remain young forever?

"No wonder you knew I was here."

The woman claiming to be Ariana smiled. "Looks like even without the Malfoys sending word, you'd still have known about the Death Eater and goblin attack ahead of time."

Her words reminded Edward of something. "Then why did you have Lucius Malfoy send a warning to Hogwarts? From the way you spoke before, and how you talked about the Dumbledore brothers…it seemed like you hated them deeply."

"That was for your sake."

"For me?"

She held his gaze for a moment, then smiled faintly. "In fact, I should've said this to you back in Godric's Hollow."

???

"It's been a long time."

Edward was stunned, then realised what she meant. "You're saying we met…before Godric's Hollow?"

"Of course."

She nodded gently and spoke the words that sent a tremor through Edward's mind—

"Sixteen years ago, I was the one who personally delivered you to Grindelwald."

———

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