McGonagall's sharp gaze remained fixed on Dumbledore, her mind racing with the implications of his words.
The idea that Voldemort, through his growing network of influence, might begin sowing seeds of darkness among Hogwarts' students was deeply unsettling.
"Albus,"
she said firmly, her voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere,
"if we know this is a possibility, we cannot simply watch and wait. We must act preemptively. Stronger oversight, perhaps—an eye on certain students and families. Something to ensure that his influence is kept far away from these halls."
Dumbledore nodded, his usual calm demeanor tinged with an unspoken urgency.
"You are correct, Minerva. Preventative measures are essential. I have already begun implementing certain safeguards—additional enchantments, discreet surveillance, and, of course, trusted staff like yourself to be ever vigilant. But there is only so much we can do without causing undue alarm among the students."
McGonagall leaned back slightly in her chair, her brow furrowed.
"Alarm or not, Albus, the safety of the students must come first. If we allow complacency, Voldemort's reach will only extend further."
"I understand your concerns,"
Dumbledore replied, his tone measured,
"but we must tread carefully. Fear and suspicion can breed division, which would play directly into Tom's hands. What we need, Minerva, is unity and resilience. The students must feel safe, even as we work behind the scenes to protect them."
McGonagall's eyes softened slightly, though her resolve remained.
"Then tell me what we can do to strengthen that unity. Surely there must be more than vigilance and enchantments."
Dumbledore smiled faintly, the warmth returning to his expression.
"Minerva, I have always admired your fierce determination. There are things we can do—encouraging house cooperation, fostering friendships that cross the traditional boundaries of blood and upbringing. And...there is one particular young man I am keeping an eye on. Someone I believe could be pivotal in inspiring others."
McGonagall raised an eyebrow.
"A student? Or someone outside Hogwarts?"
"Someone outside, for now,"
Dumbledore said enigmatically.
"But I have hope he may play a role in the future. For now, we focus on what we can control within these walls."
McGonagall's lips thinned, but she nodded in agreement.
"Very well. But if I see even the slightest sign of trouble—"
"You will have my full support to act as necessary,"
Dumbledore assured her, his voice carrying the weight of his conviction.
"We are on the same side, Minerva. And together, we will do everything in our power to ensure Hogwarts remains a sanctuary for all who enter its gates."
The heavy atmosphere in the room seemed to lighten slightly as the two shared a brief moment of understanding.
But beneath it, both knew the battles ahead would demand vigilance, courage, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the next generation from the encroaching darkness.
Dumbledore's brow furrowed, his expression shifting from curiosity to contemplation as the name Morningstar lingered in the air.
The silence in the room grew heavy as he considered Minerva's words, his fingers steepled thoughtfully.
"The Morningstar family..."
he repeated slowly, his voice tinged with both recognition and caution.
"It has been many years since that name has crossed my path. They were once prominent, though shrouded in mystery even in their prime. I take it you met someone connected to them today?"
Minerva nodded, her earlier composure returning as she recounted her encounter.
"Yes, a young man—Leo Morningstar. I first noticed him at Ollivander's while guiding a Muggle family. Later, I met him again at the Cauldron and Charm Apothecary. He claims to own the shop, though he's quite young for such a role. He...stood out."
she began.
"At first, I thought he was just another student preparing for Hogwarts, but something about him caught my attention."
Dumbledore listened intently, his hands steepled under his chin.
"Mr. Ollivander himself seemed unusually enthusiastic,"
McGonagall continued.
"He brought out an antique wand—an heirloom, he said, crafted by his grandfather. It was as though the wand had been waiting for Leo all these years."
"An antique wand, you say?"
Dumbledore's blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Not a usual occurrence at Mr. Ollivander's shop."
"Indeed,"
McGonagall nodded.
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, his expression growing pensive. "Stood out, you say? In what way, Minerva?"
McGonagall hesitated, searching for the right words.
"He had a confidence about him, Albus. Not arrogance, but...a calm authority. He spoke to the Muggle family with such understanding and reassurance that it was almost as though he knew exactly what they needed to hear. And yet, there was something...enigmatic about him. It felt as though he was holding back much of himself."
Dumbledore's gaze sharpened, though he kept his tone neutral.
"Did he mention his family or their history?"
Minerva shook her head.
"Not directly. He mentioned being homeschooled due to his obligations as the sole heir of his family, but he offered little else about his background. I suspect he is deliberately cautious with what he reveals."
Dumbledore stroked his beard, his mind clearly working through layers of thought.
"The Morningstar family has long been a topic of intrigue. They withdrew from the public eye generations ago, operating in the shadows while maintaining significant influence. If this young man is indeed their heir, his presence in the wizarding world could have far-reaching implications."
McGonagall's gaze narrowed.
"Implications, Albus? Are you suggesting he might pose a danger?"
Dumbledore offered a small, reassuring smile.
"Not necessarily, Minerva. But those with powerful legacies often carry burdens we cannot immediately see. I merely suggest we remain observant. Did you notice anything unusual about him—anything magical or otherwise that caught your attention?"
Minerva's thoughts flickered to Leo's easy demeanor, his perceptive eyes, and the faint air of power that seemed to surround him.
"Nothing overt, but his presence...it felt significant. I don't know how else to describe it."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully.
"I understand. Keep an eye on him, Minerva. And should you encounter him again, do not hesitate to learn more about him. For now, let us approach this with curiosity rather than suspicion."
As the conversation turned back to lighter matters, Dumbledore's thoughts lingered on the name Morningstar.
The mysterious light in the Forbidden Forest three weeks ago returned to his mind, an event he had yet to fully unravel.
With a deep sigh, he resolved to investigate further.
For now, the presence of Leo Morningstar was an enigma he could not afford to ignore.
Flashback...
Dumbledore's mind lingered on the cryptic words of the centaur leader, Theon.
The prophecy echoed in his thoughts like a haunting melody:
"The one who bears the name of the brightest star, even visible in the morning sky, has graced the forest with his presence. He will save the magical world."
The weight of such a declaration was not lost on him.
Prophecies often held truths shrouded in riddles, but this one seemed to tie directly to the strange light pillar he had witnessed in the Forbidden Forest.
He leaned back in his chair, the faint glow of Fawkes' plumage reflecting off the polished wood of his desk.
The name Morningstar now carried even more significance.
Could Leo Morningstar be connected to this mysterious event? If so, what role would he play in the turbulent times that lay ahead?
Dumbledore sighed deeply, his fingers idly tracing the edge of a lemon drop on his desk.
Though he had faced countless challenges in his long life, this was yet another enigma demanding his patience and discernment.
The centaur leader's words, coupled with the powerful display of magic in the forest, were clear signs that something—or someone—of great importance had entered their world.
Flashback ends...
He resolved to keep a close watch on Leo Morningstar, not out of suspicion, but from a place of cautious curiosity.
If the young man truly bore the weight of such a prophecy, then he would need guidance, protection, and perhaps even mentorship.
"Fawkes,"
Dumbledore said softly, glancing at his phoenix companion.
"It seems the winds of destiny are shifting again. Let us hope they blow us toward brighter days."
Fawkes cooed gently in response, his golden feathers shimmering like sunlight on water.
The office grew quiet once more, though the air was thick with unspoken thoughts and the lingering shadows of the past.
McGonagall's voice softened as she described her encounter with Leo Morningstar, the memory still vivid in her mind.
Cauldron and Charms Apothecary...
When the sky started to turn darker, the crowd in the shop began to decrease, indicating that they were nearing closing time.
While Leo was at the counter, waiting for the mission named Guide Mother and Son to be completed, he looked over the business.
Eileen was inside her potion-making room, where she was currently brewing a new batch of potions.
Except for Kejoro, the others had gone back to the Morningstar mansion, which is currently located in the Cokeworth town.
They were interested in learning the magic of this world from the basic books Leo had purchased for them, especially Mavis and Kitsune, who were very eager to learn the magic they had read about and watched in the Harry Potter movies and books.
Setsura and Wakana had joined them and left half an hour after McGonagall had left.
Chime~
With a chime, a middle-aged man followed by another entered the shop and started wandering among the shelves before Kejoro could welcome them.
Frown~
Seeing this, Leo frowned, looking at the two men's backs, and signaled Kejoro to keep an eye on them.
The two men roamed around, looking at every potion placed on the shelves of the shop, and left through the door without buying anything.
"Leo... did you notice?"
After the two men left, Kejoro, with narrowed eyes, approached Leo and asked him if he had noticed.
Nod~
"Yeah... it was their fifth time returning and buying nothing."
With a nod and a serious expression, Leo spoke while tapping his fingers on the desk.
Just like that, another three men entered the shop and, same as the previous two, looked around, bought nothing, and left.
[ Ding... ]
[ Task being generated... ]
[ Task 4 --> Defeat the Death Eaters.
Task description: Due to your shop attracting a huge amount of crowd and selling many varieties of potions, this shop has caught the attention of a group of Death Eaters. They want to kill everyone in the shop, steal all the potions, and kidnap Eileen Prince for one of their sinister plans. Give the first hit publicly to the Death Eaters and become a beacon of hope for shop owners who fear them...
Task completion: Incomplete (0% completion).
Task reward: Beautification Potion (Premium), Basic Mastery of First-Year Knowledge. ]
Sigh~
"It seems like we will have visitors soon. Kejoro, take Snape inside."
With his red eyes gleaming menacingly, Leo instructed Kejoro to take Snape to the room where Eileen was brewing potions.
Nod~
With a nod, she took Severus and led him to the room where Eileen was brewing potions. She instructed Eileen not to come out and then returned to where Leo was sitting.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N):
I hope you guys enjoying the story.
Thanks for reading the chapter!
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