Sudden Request

After a week of absence, Dante Malfoy returned to Hogwarts as quietly as he had left. One morning, the students in the Great Hall were shocked to find him sitting at the Slytherin table, calmly enjoying his breakfast as if nothing had happened. The whispers began almost immediately.

"Where were you?" one of the Slytherins asked, unable to contain their curiosity.

Dante looked up from his plate, his silver eyes calm and unbothered. "I went home to focus on my work. Once I was done, I came back."

The Slytherins exchanged incredulous glances. The audacity of skipping school for days and then returning as if it were nothing was beyond anything they had ever seen. Even the other houses stared at Dante, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief. But Dante seemed unfazed, continuing his meal as if the entire school wasn't buzzing about his return.

That evening, Dante sat in his usual spot in the courtyard, a book in hand. The peaceful moment was interrupted by the arrival of an unlikely guest: Helena Ravenclaw, the Grey Lady. The ghost floated silently toward him, her translucent form glowing faintly in the dim light.

Students nearby stopped to stare. The Grey Lady was known for her aloofness, rarely interacting with anyone. Yet here she was, standing before Dante, her expression unreadable.

Dante looked up from his book and, without a word, waved his wand. A shimmering barrier formed around them, blocking all sound. The students watched as Dante smiled and spoke. "It has been 400 years, little Helen."

The Grey Lady's lips curved into a rare smile. "When I heard the news of Dante Malfoy, I knew instantly it was you, Grandpa Armand. No one can match your brilliance. Why didn't you come to visit me?"

Dante's expression softened. "I was hoping you would find your peace and forget your past. I didn't want to disrupt that by showing up again."

Helena sighed, her ghostly form shimmering. "I will remain in Hogwarts for all eternity. But I am glad I found you." Her expression turned sorrowful. "I made a grave mistake, Grandpa. I was tricked by an evil student. He flattered me and tricked me to think he is someone who seeks knowledge, and I revealed the location of my mother's diadem. He became Voldemort later on."

The Grey Lady dropped to her knees, her voice trembling with regret. "Please, help me find the diadem. I cannot rest knowing it is in the hands of someone so evil."

Dante sighed and lowered himself to her level, his voice gentle. "Stand, Helena. Rowena was my favorite student, and you are like a granddaughter to me. If the diadem is in this world, we will find it."

Helena's ghostly eyes shimmered with gratitude as she rose. She began to tell Dante everything she knew about Tom Marvolo Riddle, his cunning, and his obsession with power. Dante listened intently, his expression thoughtful.

The entire school had witnessed the interaction. They had seen the aloof Grey Lady kneel before Dante, but no one of them knew what they talked about. When the barrier dissolved and Dante left the courtyard, the Grey Lady floated away, ignoring the questions and stares of the students and professors alike.

The rumors spread like wildfire. How did Dante Malfoy know the Grey Lady? And why had she come to seek him? Even the professors were baffled. Dumbledore, McGonagall and Filtwick tried to question the Grey Lady, but she refused to speak to them, her usual aloofness returning.

The same day, Dante met with Draco in the Slytherin common room. 

"I'll be away for a while," he said

Draco frowned. "Where are you going?"

Dante didn't answer. He simply turned and left, disappearing from the school once again. No one knew where he had gone or when he would return. The strange meeting with the Grey Lady and her kneeling before him only added to the mystery surrounding Dante Malfoy.

In the days that followed, the school was abuzz with theories. Some believed Dante was a descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw, while others speculated he was a time traveler or even an immortal wizard. The professors, though reluctant to admit it, were just as curious as the students.

Dumbledore sat in his office, staring out the window with a troubled expression. "What is going on with you, Dante Malfoy?" he murmured. "And where did you go?"

__________

After his meeting with Helena Ravenclaw, Dante wasted no time. He made his way to the Forbidden Forest, where the centaur tribe resided. He moved with purpose, his silver eyes gleaming in the dim light.

When he reached the centaur encampment, he was greeted warmly by Magorian, the tribe's chief. The towering centaur stepped forward, his expression one of respect and familiarity. "Dante Malfoy," Magorian said, his deep voice carrying a note of warmth. "It has been some time since you last visited us."

Dante smiled, a rare expression of genuine fondness. "It has, Magorian. I come seeking your help."

The centaurs gathered around as Dante shared Helena Ravenclaw's story. He spoke of her regret, her betrayal by Tom Riddle, and the loss of Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem. The centaurs listened intently, their stoic expressions betraying little emotion.

When Dante finished, he looked at Magorian. "I need your help to read the stars and find the approximate location of the diadem. In return, I owe you a favor. I will do all in my power to grant whatever you ask."

Magorian's brow furrowed, and he shook his head. "You are our benefactor and a friend of our tribe. There is no need for favors between us."

Dante's smile faded, replaced by a look of determination. "Precisely because we are friends, I cannot ask you to do something so troubling and taxing without offering something in return. I hope you won't turn me down."

Magorian fell silent, his gaze shifting to the stars above. After a long moment, he nodded. "As you wish, my friend. You will owe us a favor in return."

For the next month, Dante lived among the centaurs. While they studied the stars and performed ancient rituals to locate the diadem, Dante made himself useful. He helped with the hunt, using his magic to track game and ensure the tribe had enough food. He also improved their huts, reinforcing them with enchantments to withstand the rain and cold.

In the evenings, Dante gathered the centaur children and adults around the fire. He told them stories of a time long past, of their first ancestor and the great talent he possessed when he became the first centaur. The centaurs listened with rapt attention, their eyes wide with wonder. To them, Dante was not just a friend but a keeper of ancient knowledge.

An entire month passed before Magorian approached Dante with the results of their efforts. The centaur's expression was strange as he spoke. "The stars say the diadem is in Hogwarts."

Dante's eyes widened in shock. "Hogwarts? Why is every important item taken to the school?"

Magorian shook his head, his expression equally perplexed. "I do not know what wizards were thinking. But the stars do not lie."

Dante sighed, feeling a strange sense of irony. "Very well. Thank you, Magorian. Your help has been invaluable."

Before leaving, Dante handed Magorian a mirror. "This is a two-way mirror, the other mirror is with me. Whenever you need help, use the mirror to call me. I will come as fast as I can."

Magorian accepted the mirror with a nod. "You are always welcome here, Dante. You are a true friend to our kind."

The other centaurs echoed Magorian's sentiments, their respect for Dante evident in their eyes. To them, Dante was more than a wizard—he was a protector and a keeper of their history.