One Thing After Another

Dante's return to Hogwarts was as silent as his departure. He moved through the halls with purpose, ignoring the whispers and pointed fingers of the students who spotted him. His destination was clear: Ravenclaw Tower. When he reached the eagle statue guarding the entrance, he bypassed the puzzle with ease, stepping into the Ravenclaw common room as if he belonged there.

The Ravenclaw students inside were stunned. Some opened their mouths to protest, but Dante raised his wand to his neck and said simply, "I'm back." Before anyone could react, the Grey Lady appeared faster than anyone had ever seen her move. Her ghostly form shimmered with urgency as she floated toward Dante.

"I know where to look," Dante said, his voice calm but firm. "But I need you to pinpoint the exact location."

Helena nodded, her expression a mix of hope and determination. The two left the common room, leaving the Ravenclaw students in stunned silence. Whispers erupted as they wondered why their house ghost was following Dante Malfoy.

Dante and Helena descended the stairs, their movements swift and purposeful. When they reached a quiet corridor, Dante turned to Helena. "Think of the diadem and your mother. Focus all your thoughts on it."

Helena closed her eyes, her ghostly form glowing faintly as she concentrated. Dante raised his wand and incanted, "Animabus deprehendere." A ghostly light erupted from the tip of his wand, spreading in all directions like ripples across water. The light engulfed the entirety of Hogwarts, and faint threads began to appear, branching out in countless directions.

The entire school was thrown into confusion. Students and professors alike stared at the strange light, unsure of what was happening. Even Dumbledore who was sitting tiredly in his office, paused mid-sentence as the light passed his office followed by dozens of threads appearing out of nowhere.

Dante observed the threads carefully. Three emanated from him, and one from Helena. He reached out and touched the thread connected to Helena. Instantly, all other threads disappeared, leaving only the one leading to the diadem.

"We need to follow this," Dante said, his voice steady.

Helena followed Dante, her excitement palpable. For centuries, she had carried the burden of her mistake. Now, she finally had a chance to make things right. The two moved through the castle, following the thread of light. Students who saw them stared in confusion, but Dante paid them no mind.

The thread led them to an empty hallway with a blank wall. Dante's lips curved into a faint smile. "The Room of Requirement, of course."

They walked back and forth three times, and a door appeared. Inside, they found a vast room filled with junk. The thread led them to an old, worn-out closet. Dante opened it and found the diadem, its once-gleaming surface now dull and tarnished.

Helena's ghostly form shimmered with joy. "You found it!"

But Dante's expression darkened. "This fool turned it into a Horcrux."

Helena's joy turned to fury. "How could he do that? He destroyed the diadem!"

Dante shook his head. "No, he didn't. Do you forget who I am? I am the creator of Horcrux." He raised his wand and incanted, "Expecto Electrunom." A red light erupted from his wand, transforming into a menacing red bird that engulfed the diadem. When the light subsided, the diadem remained, but the soul fragment within it was gone.

"The diadem is okay," Dante said, holding it out to Helena.

Helena began to cry, her ghostly tears shimmering in the dim light. Dante let her have her moment, knowing the weight of the burden she had carried for centuries.

Once Helena had calmed down, Dante asked, "What do you want to do with the diadem?"

Helena's voice was firm. "I want it to be in the Ravenclaw common room, safe and protected, where all students can see it."

Dante nodded. "Very well."

The two returned to the Ravenclaw common room, where the students and Professor Flitwick were still discussing the strange light that had engulfed the school and the strange threads. When Dante entered, carrying the diadem with Helena giving her widest smile beside him, the room fell silent.

Professor Flitwick stepped forward, his voice laced with surprise. "Dante Malfoy, what is going on? Where have you been?"

Dante's tone was calm but commanding. "I was searching for Ravenclaw's diadem. Now, I need to place it in the common room. Please, step aside."

The students and Flitwick eyes moved to the diadem and stared, their eyes wide with awe. When no one moved, Dante's eyes glowed faintly, and his voice took on an edge of malice. "Step aside."

The room cleared immediately. Dante raised his wand, and a pedestal appeared in the center of the room. He placed the diadem on it and began casting a series of complex spells. The Ravenclaws watched as the pedestal and diadem were encased in layers of protective enchantments.

When he was done, Dante turned to Helena. "Even if your mother wanted to break this, she would need months of work and focus."

Helena nodded, her smile radiant. "Thank you, a lot. I knew I could trust you. No one will trick me again."

Dante's expression softened. "I hope one day you'll forgive yourself and find peace."

Dante turned to the silent Ravenclaws. "I apologize for the disturbance. Have a good day." With that, he left the common room.

Professor Flitwick stared after him, then at the diadem. The lost heirloom of Ravenclaw was back, but how had Dante found something lost for over a thousand years? The question lingered, unanswered.

__________

Dante stepped into the Slytherin common room. The room fell silent as the students noticed his arrival. Among them stood Professor Snape, his dark eyes narrowing as he approached Dante.

"Where have you been?" Snape asked, his voice low and measured.

Dante met his gaze without flinching. "I was searching for Ravenclaw's diadem. It's now placed in the Ravenclaw common room."

The nearby students gasped, their eyes widening in disbelief. Even Snape was momentarily speechless. The lost heirloom of Ravenclaw, missing for over a thousand years, had been found? And by Dante, no less?

Snape recovered quickly, his tone sharp. "Where did you go, and how did you find it?"

Dante's expression remained impassive. "I received a personal request to search for it, and I did. The details and process are not for sharing."

The students exchanged glances. Snape, however, wasn't satisfied. He crossed his arms, his black eyes boring into Dante's. "You can't just disappear without informing anyone. You're still a student here, regardless of your… talents."

Dante tilted his head slightly, his tone calm but firm. "I'll let the staff know next time."

Snape sighed, clearly frustrated but unsure how to handle him. Dante was arguably more skilled than most of the staff, and his actions, while rule-breaking, benefited the school. Finally, Snape decided to let it go—for now. "Fine. But don't make a habit of this."

As Snape turned to leave, he paused, as if remembering something. "Wait."

Dante raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

Snape's expression darkened. "Come with me to St. Mungo's."

Dante's eyes narrowed. "What happened while I was away?"

Snape's face grew even grimmer. "Lockhart. He's been tricking female students into drinking a potion and then using Memory Charms to make them forget what he did. Hermione Granger was his latest target. She tried to escape, but in his panic, Lockhart cast a powerful Memory Charm that left her mentally disabled."

Dante's eyes glowed faintly, a sign of his rising anger. His voice was low, filled with malice. "Where is Lockhart now?"

"Captured," Snape replied. "He's in the Ministry, awaiting trial."

Dante's lips curled into a cold smile. "If they don't execute him, I'll do it myself."

Snape didn't comment on the threat. Instead, he continued, "Dumbledore and the best healers at St. Mungo's couldn't help ms Granger. I thought… perhaps you could figure something out. You're the smartest person I've ever seen."

Dante nodded, his expression unreadable. "I'll see what I can do. But first, I want to meet the useless headmaster."

Snape's eyes narrowed, a flicker of unease crossing his face. He had a bad feeling about this, but he nodded. "Very well. Follow me."

___________

Dante and Snape made their way to Dumbledore's office. The headmaster was seated behind his desk, he looked tired but still said. "Ah, Dante. Severus. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Dante didn't waste time with pleasantries. His silver eyes glowed as he stepped forward, his voice cold and cutting. "You let a predator like Lockhart roam freely in this school. You knew he was incompetent, yet you did nothing. And now, because of your negligence, students have been harmed."

Dumbledore's expression faltered, his usual calm demeanor cracking under Dante's accusations. "I assure you, Dante, I had no idea—"

"Don't," Dante interrupted, his voice like ice. "You're the headmaster. It's your job to know. Your job is to protect the students. And you failed."

The room fell silent, the weight of Dante's words hanging heavily in the air. Even Snape looked uncomfortable, though he didn't intervene.

Dumbledore sighed, his shoulders slumping. "You're right. I failed. And I will do everything in my power to make amends."

Dante's eyes narrowed. "Your power isn't enough. I'll try to fix the child, but if I fail, I will make you share her fate"

With that, Dante turned and left the office, Snape following close behind. Dumbledore sat in silence, his usual twinkle gone, replaced by a deep, unshakable guilt.

As they left the castle, Snape glanced at Dante. "If you fail, are you..."

Dante didn't look at Snape or wait for him to finish, he replied, "Yes."