The Aftermath

The halls of Hogwarts buzzed with excitement and disbelief. Thanks to Draco's enthusiastic storytelling, every student in the school now knew about Dante's slaying of the basilisk. The tale spread like wildfire, each retelling more dramatic than the last. Dante Malfoy, once again, was the talk of the school.

Students huddled in groups, their voices filled with awe as they discussed how Dante had deduced the Chamber's location, transfigured their eyes to protect them from the basilisk's gaze, and single-handedly defeated the monstrous creature. Even the professors couldn't help but overhear the whispers, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.

But the student of the hour was nowhere to be found. After the basilisk hunt, Dante had vanished. He didn't appear in the Great Hall for meals, didn't return to the Slytherin common room, and didn't attend any classes. His sudden disappearance left the students confused and the teachers worried. Where had Dante gone?

Two days after the basilisk's death, the news reached The Daily Prophet. Dante's face was plastered on the front page, the headline bold and attention-grabbing:

'Hogwarts Prodigy Slays Chamber of Secrets Monster!'

The article detailed how Dante Malfoy had killed the basilisk, a fearsome creature that had grown to over thirty meters in length, all by himself. It recounted how Dante had pieced together clues about the Chamber's location, found the entrance, and ventured inside to face the monster. The article didn't shy away from pointing out the failures of the Ministry and Hogwarts staff, who had been unable to locate the Chamber for over fifty years, while Dante had accomplished it in mere months after returning to Hogwarts.

At the end of the article, the Prophet included a mention of Dante's earlier confrontation with Gilderoy Lockhart, noting how the prodigy had sent the professor to the hospital after Lockhart failed to meet Dante's standards for teaching. The implication was clear: Dante Malfoy was not only a genius but also someone who demanded excellence from those around him.

The school erupted into a frenzy as students and staff alike read the article. Many were in awe of Dante's achievements, while others felt a simmering resentment. Gryffindor, in particular, was divided. Some admired Dante's bravery and skill, while others, like Ron Weasley, seethed with anger and humiliation.

Ron sat at the Gryffindor table, his face red as he glared at the newspaper. Dante had not only knocked him out and called him a liability, but Draco had also made sure the entire school knew about it. Ron had become the laughingstock of Gryffindor, while Harry and Hermione's bravery was overshadowed by Dante's—and even Draco's—actions. Even Luna Lovegood, a first-year Ravenclaw, had shown more courage than the two of them.

When Ron tried to confront Draco, Harry and Hermione stopped him. The fear in their eyes was unmistakable. They had witnessed Dante's overwhelming power firsthand and knew that picking a fight with him or his brother was a losing battle. Hermione, ever the voice of reason, explained, "Only Dumbledore could take on a basilisk of that size. And Dante's transfiguration skills might even rival Professor McGonagall"

Another red haired girl clenched her hands reading and hearing the news, the death of the basilisk had pained her a lot. That monster was her pet as the heir of Slytherin.

At the Ravenclaw table, Luna Lovegood found herself the center of attention. The rumors that Dante liked her had only grown stronger, and no one wanted to be on the bad side of someone as powerful as Dante. Ravenclaws who had once dismissed Luna as odd now treated her with newfound respect.

"Who goes looking for a monster because they need materials for their research?" one Ravenclaw whispered. "That's not just power—that's arrogance and fearlessness."

Even Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs couldn't help but wonder how the Sorting Hat had placed Dante in Slytherin. He didn't seem to fit the typical Slytherin mold. Meanwhile, the Slytherins themselves were basking in the glory, flaunting their house's superiority at every opportunity.

A week after the basilisk's death, The Daily Prophet published another headline about Dante:

"Prodigy Creates Two New Magic Circuits: 'Reparo Maxima' and 'Crucio Protego'!"

The article explained that Dante had designed two groundbreaking Magic Circuits. The first, 'Reparo Maxima', was a highly advanced repair spell that only a handful of wizards could perform. The second, 'Crucio Protego', was a revolutionary shield spell designed specifically to counter one of the Cruciatus curse. Both spells were hailed as monumental contributions to the wizarding world.

The school erupted into another wave of discussion. Students and professors alike marveled at Dante's ingenuity. Even those who disliked him couldn't deny the significance of his achievements.

___________

In the headmaster's office, Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his half-moon spectacles perched low on his nose as he listened intently. Across from him, Professors McGonagall and Snape stood.

Snape broke the silence, his voice as dry as ever. "I contacted Lucius. It seems Dante returned to Malfoy Manor immediately after slaying the basilisk. Apparently, he wanted to focus on his work—something you have no doubt already read about in the news."

McGonagall frowned, her lips pressed into a thin line. "His behavior is completely unacceptable. He is still a student here and cannot come and go as he pleases. There are rules, Severus."

Snape snorted, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "He's only here because his mother, Narcissa, insisted. But let's be honest, Minerva, there's little for him to learn here. He apparently knows the school better than we do. He entered the headmaster's office without a password, bypassed Ravenclaw's puzzle without answering, and moved about the castle at night without a care. He's not even trying to hide it. As for the Chamber of Secrets, he only needed a few hints to figure out its location and the monster within. I'd wager the only reason it took him this long was because he wasn't interested in rumors or news. Otherwise, he'd have skinned that poor snake far earlier in the year."

McGonagall fell silent, her stern expression faltering. She knew Snape was right. Dante's knowledge of the castle was unnerving, and his ability to leave Hogwarts undetected—even by Dumbledore—was deeply concerning. She had no idea how he had managed it. One moment, he was heading to the Slytherin common room; the next, he was gone.

Dumbledore sighed, leaning back in his chair and steepling his fingers. "What worries me most is the boy's strength and skill. I don't understand how he's reached this level. Transfiguring eyes to specifically counter a basilisk's gaze is no small feat. Minerva, could you do such a thing?"

McGonagall hesitated, her brow furrowed. "I would need to study roosters first and conduct tests before even attempting it on others. But Dante did it on the fly, as if it were nothing."

Snape smirked, though there was no humor in his eyes. "He also knew how to undo the cat's petrification when you didn't, Headmaster. If you hadn't improved Lockhart's classes, we might not be having this conversation right now."

McGonagall shot Snape a sharp look. "Severus, do you find this amusing? This is a serious matter."

Snape's smirk widened. "I assure you, Minerva, I am thoroughly amused."

Dumbledore ignored the exchange, his gaze distant. "The boy's detachment is what concerns me most. If he were to turn his talents to darker pursuits, who could stop him? What could stop him?"

Snape's expression sobered. "There's no punishment you can give that Dante would care about. House points? He doesn't care. School rules? He's here to pass the time and leave. He doesn't care about anyone or anything in this place. The only thing that matters to him is consuming knowledge. I'm beginning to understand Lucius now. He wasn't not getting mad—his son is simply too abnormal and he knew it."

Dumbledore's eyes flickered with worry. "And his relationship with his family? How does he interact with them?"

Snape shrugged. "When he's not working or studying, he teaches Draco. That's why the boy is ahead of everyone else in his year. Aside from that, there's the… peculiar dynamic between Dante and his father. And, as I mentioned, he's only here because his mother insisted. Overall, his family relations aren't bad."

Dumbledore nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "That's something, at least." He paused, then added, "What about his relationship with Luna Lovegood?"

Both Snape and McGonagall stared at Dumbledore, their expressions a mix of confusion and mild disbelief. Snape raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care about the boy's personal relationships, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore ignored the question, his calm gaze unwavering. "Humor me, Severus."

Snape sighed. "It's just a rumor. Dante has never shown any particular interest in Luna, nor has he sought her out. Their encounters have been coincidental. Her tagging along during the basilisk hunt was due to her own curiosity. Dante even allowed Potter and Granger to follow as well—he didn't seem to care who joined him."

Dumbledore nodded, though his expression remained unreadable. "Thank you, Severus. That will be all for now."

As Snape and McGonagall left the office, Dumbledore sat back in his chair, his mind racing. Dante Malfoy was —a prodigy with unparalleled skill and knowledge, yet utterly detached from the world around him. One wrong turn and the boy can go down a spiraling dark path.