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11 November 1942
Rubeus Hagrid's point of view
When I got out of the car and looked at Hogsmeade, I couldn't help but rejoice. It hadn't been easy getting here. At first, because of the attack, the trip had been postponed until the professors were satisfied that it was completely safe. Then I had to convince Professor Dumbledore.
Albus Dumbledore, I honestly didn't know what to think of the man. The man in the books and films was, to put it mildly, a strategist who was a master at manipulating people. A secret manipulator, a dark lord, to put it mildly. Hell, even after he was dead, he played with Voldemort, Snape and Harry like a cat with a mouse.
So I don't know if the persona he's showing people now is real or not. I hope it is. I would rather Dumbledore be a pacifist archmage who cares for his students than a manipulative dark lord. I'm sure everyone agrees with me on this.
As I got out of the car with my thoughts in my head, I saw the Testals in front of the car. As I waved goodbye to them, I was thinking about how I had seen the Testals. Hagrid hadn't technically seen his father die. I hadn't seen anyone die in my previous life either. Maybe it was something to do with voxnaturae, or maybe it was something to do with my rebirth. Who knows?
Just then I heard a voice behind me and I turned round.
"Hey, Hagrid, there's nobody there, who are you waving at?"
I turned round and saw Alexandra Crouch looking at me.
"Testrals, they're towing the car. I thought it would be a good idea to say goodbye to them."
Crouch said, "Testrals? Is it true they tow cars?"
"Apparently so."
Crouch "Spooky. I mean, horse-like winged magical beasts that only people who've seen someone die can see. Why would they make them pull student cars?"
Because magicians lack something called common sense. As much as I wanted to answer like that, I answered in a more polite way.
"I don't know, maybe it's tradition or something, but from what I've read, testrals are quite docile, contrary to popular belief."
Crouch said, "Well, maybe they are. Who knows? By the way, did John call you to the three brooms?"
"I've got a few plans. If I can make it in time, I will."
Crouch "I'll see you there then."
I couldn't help but be surprised when he turned and walked away. A Crouch and breaking the law, what's the world coming to? You learn something new every day.
While thinking about my conversation with Crouch, I started walking towards the village. To be honest, I didn't have a very important plan today. I wanted to visit the second-hand book and furniture shops in Hogsmeade and see if I could buy anything cheap. I admit that I have developed a certain passion for treasure hunting since that little trip down Diagon Alley.
As for attending the meeting to which John had invited me; well, that depended on the situation. Would it be more fun to be among a group of drunken twelve or thirteen year olds, or would it be more fun to watch the chaos they caused? I haven't decided yet.
I couldn't help sighing as I left the second and last second-hand shop in Hogsmeade.
For Merlin, this was a disappointment. Although I should have known that not everything would go as well as it did in that shop on Diagon Alley. The problem wasn't that there was nothing good in the shops. It was that the shopkeepers were aware of the good things they had. Naturally, these products were too expensive for my current budget.
I had to find a way to make money as soon as possible. For now, my only idea was to produce and sell potions. Thanks to Voxnaturae, by this summer I should be able to make some, if not all, potions good enough to sell in the pharmacies in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
I wonder what to do now, should I join John and the others or should I wander around Hogsmeade some more.
"Tempus"
When the spell told me the time, I realised that the meeting was still an hour away. It would be best to walk around the village until then.
The village was truly mesmerising. 16th and 17th century architecture and a utopia blended with the reality bending and imagination of wizards. Buildings that clearly defy the laws of physics. Colourful houses, shops and lively streets. Aurors wandering among the ordinary people shopping every now and then made it all seem like an imaginary place that I had no chance of finding in the current muggle world.
Of course, as everywhere, there were more deserted parts of this place. One or two wrong turns and there I was, a completely deserted street, the kind of deserted street that no sane person in a big city wants to go down, usually with huge piles of rubbish. If the rest of Hogsmeade was a utopia, this was a dystopia. In my defence, I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I wasn't really aware of my surroundings.
It all started with the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. All my instincts were shouting for me to duck at the same time. As soon as I threw myself to the ground, a stun spell passed over my head. I heard a cry of surprise coming from behind me. It was clear that the attacker had not expected me to survive the first attack and was surprised. These few seconds gave me the opportunity to hide behind the pile of barrels beside me and retrieve my staff from the sheath on my forearm. As soon as I turned to face the figure attacking me, I immediately threw a
I attacked with 'Flipendo' but unfortunately that was the end of my luck. After defending himself with a wordless 'Protego', with a flick of his wand he turned the barrels next to me into rope and tied me up. He then knocked me unconscious with another stunning spell.
Honestly, my first fight in my new life was quite disappointing.
I woke up with a terrible headache. My eyelids refused to open as if there was a mountain above them. As I tried to come to my senses, I suddenly remembered what had happened before I fainted and my eyes widened. As I frantically looked around in a panic, I realised three things. Firstly, I was in a Victorian-style living room.
Secondly, my hands were tied to the chair I was sitting on with handcuffs. Thirdly, the chair I was sitting in was quite comfortable. After looking around for a while, I tried my luck by pulling the handcuffs and the chair hard. Unfortunately, the chair didn't even shake, it was clear that it was enchanted. Then I tried to cast an unlocking spell, but to my horror I realised that I had been caught with anti-magic handcuffs. Such handcuffs and wards prevented the use of magic by preventing magical energy from leaking from the body of the person they were used on. Only internal spells such as animagus and, if I was lucky, wild rage could be used.
Before I had a chance to use wild rage, I heard the door behind me that I couldn't see open, and then a voice interrupted my thoughts.
"So you've finally sobered up. I apologise for the handcuffs. I couldn't risk you escaping."
With the familiar voice I heard, my eyes could not help widening and involuntarily his name spilled from my lips.
"Professor Raskalov?"
My guess was confirmed when he walked in front of me.
"Hello, Mr Hagrid."
"Professor, what are you doing here? What does that mean?"
I was quite panicked and not thinking straight. Why had Professor Raskalov kidnapped me? It didn't make any sense. Had she somehow found out that I knew she was a maledictus, but even then she didn't need to kidnap me. Damn it. I'll find out why she kidnapped me later, I've got to get out of here first. I immediately focused my mind and started to do the 'wild rage'.
Raskalov began to speak in a soft and friendly voice. "First of all, there is no need to panic. I have no intention of harming you. If I could, we would be having this conversation in a very different place and in a different way. Unfortunately, recent events have forced me to speed up the process."
As he spoke, I finally managed to cast the wild rage spell. I quickly tore off the handcuffs and tried to jump on Raskalov to prevent him from reacting, but I failed. The damn handcuffs and the chair didn't even budge. Realising what I was trying to do, Raskalov spoke with a tone of amusement in his voice.
"Don't bother, I know you can cast a body strengthening spell without a wand, the cuffs and chair have been enchanted to match your power."
I was stunned, how did he know about my wandless body strengthening spell?
"Oh don't look so surprised, Professor Kettleburn mentioned that you used this spell in his class. You're like his favourite student or something."
I never thought I would regret Professor Kettleburn's interest in me.
"What do you want from me?"
Raskalov said, "There is no need to be rude now. As I said before, if I had my way, we would be having this conversation in a very different way."
She paused for a moment and then continued. "I would like to buy something you got your hands on last summer, if possible."
Something I got my hands on last summer? What could it be, I had only acquired a few things of value, the greenhouse tree, some alchemy books and Radagian's diary, wait a minute, the diary, I wondered if this had anything to do with inheritance. According to Radagian, the pocket dimension is a priceless treasure. There's nothing to do. I'll just have to stall him for a bit and try to buy some time.
"I don't know what you mean."
Raskalov said, "Think about it. A book, a trinket, a bracelet, anything."
"Like I said, I don't know what you want."
Raskalov took a small transparent bottle out of his robe pocket and held it up so that I could see it clearly. "Do you know what this is, Hagrid?" After letting me think for a moment, she continued. "It's a veritaserum, a truth potion, and if I make you drink it you'll tell me how many times you went to the loo last summer. So I'm only giving you five minutes, think it over and try to remember. Like I said, I don't want to hurt you. I'd rather buy it from you if I can."
What should I do if the pocket dimension is even half as valuable as Radagian says it is, I must hide its existence no matter what. If I drink veritaserum, I absolutely cannot hide its existence.
In that case I definitely need to stall him, maybe if I tell him I know she's a maledictus and some other druid traits I can surprise him and buy some time. I don't know how long I've been here, but if I can buy enough time, someone at the school might realise I'm missing and take action. It's a long shot, but I have no choice.
Just at this moment, he must have thought that he had given me enough time, he interrupted my thoughts by speaking.
Raskalov "Have you thought enough? I'm running out of patience." She was approaching me, waving the vial of veritaserum in the air.
"Does this have anything to do with you being a maledictus?"
She was stunned for a moment and tried to stammer. "How can you...?" But before she could finish her sentence, the wall next to us shattered and a very angry Albus Dumbledore entered the room.
By Merlin, I could see why people didn't want to anger the archmage. Dumbledore's magical power radiated from his body in waves, pressing down on my shoulders like a mountain. If I'd been standing, I probably would have been weak in the knees, and I wasn't even the target of his rage. I felt a little sorry for Raskalov, a sadness that quickly faded.
"Veronica Raskalov" Dumbledore's voice wasn't loud, but there was something in his tone that made me feel his anger to the fullest. Just then, a few more figures came in behind Dumbledore. They were ready for a fight with their wands drawn.
Armando Dippet said, "Drop your wand and step away from my student, Raskalov, this is your first and last warning."
Professor Steffonson and Professor Merrythought, standing behind the headmaster, were also pointing their wands at Raskalov and looked ready to attack at any moment.
Raskalov threw up his hands with a disappointed look on his face and took a few steps away from me. "As you wish, headmaster. You may not believe me, but I had no intention of harming Mr Hagrid."
Dumbledore said, "Tell the boys you petrified him that with today's attack there were three of them."
Raskalov "I swear I had nothing to do with the attacks and the stonings. In fact, the person behind the attacks is partly to blame for our being in this situation. I want to catch him as much as you do."
Merrythought "Don't lie for nothing."
Raskalov said, "I am telling the truth. I am cursed. The reason I kidnapped Hagrid was that there was something in him that would break my curse, something that convinced me even more before you arrived. He knew I was a maledictus before I told him."
If the professors were surprised, they did not show it. Only Headmaster Dippet turned to me and spoke.
"Hagrid, are you all right? Is Raskalov telling the truth?"
"I'm fine, Headmaster. Yes, she is telling the truth. She is a maledictus."
After a moment's thought, Dippet said, "Albus, disarm Raskalov and tie him up. Steffonson, untie Hagrid and we'll continue this conversation in my room."
11 November 1942
He was sitting in the headmaster's office. I was waiting for my turn to speak. I learnt on the way in that there'd been another attack today. As soon as it was discovered. he ordered all pupils from Hogsmeade to be brought back to school. That's how my absence was discovered. After a while they realised Professor Raskalov was missing. Then they started looking for us. Luckily they found us in a house just outside Hogsmeade. I was thinking how lucky I was when the headmaster's voice interrupted my thoughts.
Armando Dippet said, "So you are a maledictus, you performed a divination ritual during the summer holidays and the ritual said that the solution to the curse is at Hogwarts. So you applied for one of the open professor positions and entered Hogwarts. Later, through various divination spells, you discovered that Hagrid had the solution. Your initial intention was to befriend him and buy whatever the solution was, but you panicked that Hagrid might be attacked because he was a half-blood and decided to kidnap him because you had less than a year and a half and you were afraid that if Hagrid was petrified, you wouldn't have time to wait for him to recover. Do I understand you correctly?"
Raskalov looked devastated. He could only nod in agreement.
Dumbledore said, "It's hard to believe. I've known a maledictus before, and you seem remarkably stable for someone so close to the final transformation."
Radkalov said, "My family has carried the curse for generations. While we cannot cure the curse, we have found ways to slow it down. Rituals, Potions, Alchemy, Spells, even the dark arts, we used every method we could. Especially the ritual I used to enter Hogwarts prevented me from transforming into animal form until the end of the school year, but in the long run it actually shortens the time I can stay sane, if I wasn't desperate I wouldn't use it."
Merrythought said, "Generations? Don't take this the wrong way, but people with this curse usually avoid having children because they know their children will be affected."
Raskalov said: "For the black sorcerer who cursed my family, it was not enough for the person he cursed to suffer. So he added something else to the curse. Another curse that will force us to have children. Please, Professor, I have a daughter. She has done nothing wrong. I just want to buy the cure."
Steffonson "If I may give my opinion, I know a Russian noble family, the Raskalovs. Unlike most magical families, it is a matriarchal family. It is known that all the heads of the family tend to disappear after their thirties. It is also known that they are usually all experts in more than one field of magic."
Dippet sat there in silence for a while, thinking. Then he turned to me and began to speak. "One of the things I don't understand is how Mr Hagrid knew that Raskalov was a maledictus, Mr Hagrid."
Dippet must have realised that I was hesitating, for he continued before I could speak. "Of course you don't have to talk. You are not guilty here and I understand if you don't want to talk about it."
I glanced around the room and realised that Dumbledore and Raskalov were looking at me expectantly, even hopefully. I understood Raskalov, but I wondered if Dumbledore was thinking about Nagini.
The other three professors were looking curiously. After hesitating for a moment, I started to speak. I was going to tell them a story about the legacy outside the pocket dimension that Radagian and I had discussed and agreed on.
"Professor, I'm a druid."
Merrythought "Druid? What does that have to do with anything?"
"Druids are not just a school of thought as written in history books. They are people with a talent called voxnaturae. This ability allows druids to communicate with animals and plants, as well as access an energy called nature energy, which allows us to use certain types of magic that normal magicians cannot use."
Steffonson "I knew that ancient druids could use some spells that we cannot use today. I interpreted the issue as the loss of knowledge."
Merrythought "But what do druids have to do with the solution of the maledictus curse."
I didn't like being interrupted, but I continued.
"Last summer the voxnaturae suddenly became stronger. It was there before, but it only worked on magical animals. Now it also worked on normal animals and plants. Then, thanks to voxnaturae, I found a diary in a second-hand shop on Diagon Alley. The diary belonged to a grand druid named Radagian, and it almost called me to him."
Just then a voice came from one of the portraits behind the headmaster's desk.
"Hey, kid, did you inherit Radagian's fortune?"
Dippet said, " Headmaster Carrow, do you know anything about this?"
"Radagian was a grand druid who lived in my time. He was the equivalent of today's archmages, unfortunately at that time the number of those with voxnaturae was dwindling. Radagian could not find an apprentice to pass on his legacy and knowledge. So he came to me and said he wanted to leave a legacy to Hogwarts. I hesitated at first, but then I gave my permission."
Dumbledore "Headmaster Carrow, why did you allow an outsider to leave a legacy at Hogwarts? It could cause a security breach in the wards."
Headmaster Carrow "There is more than one reason for this.
Firstly, the founders have made some adjustments to the wards so that there is no security breach. Secondly, the purpose of Hogwarts was to be a place where magical knowledge was taught and passed on to future generations. I didn't like the possibility of losing the magical knowledge that Druids had accumulated for generations, and Radagian assured me that the legacy he would leave to Hogwarts would be only knowledge. The Druids' knowledge was almost useless to other wizards, so it was almost certain that the school would not be attacked for treasures. Radagian even swore an unbreakable oath to this effect. The third reason is that it will raise the prestige of the school."
Steffonson "Prestige?"
Headmaster Carrow "Yes, Hogwarts wasn't so prestigious back then. Most powerful families preferred to educate their children themselves or apprentice them to a powerful wizard rather than sending them to Hogwarts. Even the rumour that a powerful druid like Radagian left his knowledge at Hogwarts increased the prestige and prestige of the school. Use the legacy well, son."
Rubeus said, "The diary mentioned the legacy that Headmaster Carrow told me about. After I arrived at the school, the diary helped me find a secret room in the school. There was a portrait of Radagian and a magical bag containing a huge library."
After a moment's pause, I continued.
"With Voxnaturae, I cannot normally feel the emotions of creatures like humans and goblins, but Professor Raskalov was different. I could feel an animal in the back of his mind, and after I told Radagian about it, I learnt that he was a maledictus."
At this point Raskalov hastily interrupted me. The hope in his voice almost made me forgive him. Almost.
Raskalov "And did the portrait tell you about a cure?"
Rubeus "According to Radagian, there is no definitive cure, especially for those born with this curse. The curse sticks to the soul of the person cursed. Naturally, a person skilled in souls can cure the curse without harming the soul of the cursed person shortly after the curse is applied. But the bond between the soul of a person born cursed and the curse would be so strong that it would be impossible to cure that person."
Raskalov "But the prophecy told me there was a solution."
The despair and sadness in his voice would soften even the hardest hearted man.
Rubeus "There is no cure, but there is a solution that will prevent you from turning completely into an animal." I then told them about the druid circles and the bonding ritual.
Raskalov "So the only solution is to become a druid's house elf?" Anger, disappointment, hatred and sadness came together in his voice.
I couldn't help but flinch for a moment, but I continued to speak to correct the misunderstanding. "It's not a house elf type of bond."
Merrythought "How is it not? Don't take this the wrong way, Mr Hagrid, but the bond you describe resembles the bond between house elves and their masters."
Rubeus "I know, that's why I argued with Radagian, there are a few differences. Firstly, house elves cannot break their master's orders. Even if they are told to kill themselves, they must do so without resistance. This is not the case with the druid circle bond. I can not order a bound maledictus to harm himself or deliberately risk his life. I can not even harm her. She can even refuse my normal requests if she wishes, but if she refuses too many, the bond is broken and the curse recurs. This bond actually acts as a trade between us. While the druid suppresses the curse with voxnaturae, the maledictus must help the druid with nature conservation and magical research."
Steffonson "However, this situation is very open to abuse, since you could threaten to break the bond."
Rubeus "Then the voxnaturae would be weakened."
Dumbledore " Voxnaturae weakens?"
Rubeus "Voxnaturae can get weaker and stronger. The stronger it is, the more natural energy I can use. Certain actions strengthen the voxnaturae, while certain spells and behaviours weaken it. We can liken the druid circle to a pack of wolves in nature, I am the alpha wolf and the leader of the pack, but I also have responsibilities towards the pack."
Dippet " That's enough. Rubeus, if it is possible, could you give Mrs Raskalov a book on the properties of the vineyard? You don't have to if you don't want to."
Rubeus "No problem."
Dippet "It is up to Raskalov and Hagrid whether the ritual is performed or not. It's none of our business. Albus, you take Hagrid to Gryffindor tower. It's been a tiring day for him. We will decide on Raskalov's punishment when he returns."
Dumbledore nodded his head in agreement, then remained silent until he led me out of the Headmaster's office. He looked thoughtful the whole way. Finally, as we approached Gryffindor tower, he spoke.
Dumbledore said, "Rubeus, I have a friend who is under the maledictus curse. Is there any chance I could copy the book you're going to give to Raskalov?"
Rubeus "No problem, professor, I'll be happy to help."
When we arrived at Gryffindor tower, there was no one in the common room. This was normal though. It was quite late. I went straight to my room and went to sleep.