As the conversation around Ancient Magic deepened, a plan began to form in my mind—one that involved acquiring a Horcrux and shifting Dumbledore's attention away from me. I closed my eyes, adopting a meditative posture, letting the weight of the moment wash over me. After a few minutes, I opened my eyes, meeting the curious gaze of Dumbledore.
"Are you alright, Shiro?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
I nodded, letting the act unfold. "I was using my connection to magic," I began, "and I sensed traces of Ancient Magic in the castle—two of them, actually."
Dumbledore raised his brow, clearly intrigued, while Rose's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You can do that?" she asked, leaning closer.
"Yes," I replied, a hint of confidence in my voice. "I can show you where I sensed them."
"Lead the way," Dumbledore encouraged, his interest palpable.
We made our way toward the Room of Requirement. I guided them with vague directions, purposely making it seem like we were almost there but a floor below, adding an air of mystery to the journey. After what felt like an eternity of pacing back and forth in front of the blank wall, a door materialized, and everyone's surprise was evident—everyone except me, of course.
Sirius broke the silence, his excitement bubbling over. "I never knew there was a room here when we went to Hogwarts! This is incredible!"
"Come on, let's see what we can find," I said, pushing the door open and stepping inside.
The Room of Lost Things unfolded before us, a chaotic assortment of forgotten items scattered across the floor. "We should split up and search for anything useful," I suggested, watching as they nodded and began to disperse.
Once alone, I closed my eyes and spread out my Reiatsu, reaching out to sense the Horcrux. In mere seconds, I felt its presence—a dark yet alluring pull. I moved swiftly toward it, finding the Diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw carelessly tossed aside on a pile of dusty old books. From a glance, no one would suspect it was a Horcrux, but I knew better.
With a swift motion, I stored it in my inventory, a sense of triumph coursing through me.
"Alright, time to shift the room," I murmured, willing the space to transform. The Room of Requirement began to swirl and shift, and in seconds, we were standing in a grand hall filled with several potion stations and potted plants that looked like they hadn't been tended to in years. In the center of the room lay a journal, its pages slightly yellowed with age.
After everyone reunited.
Rose stepped forward, picking the book up and flipping through its pages. "This looks like it belonged to a student," she said, her brow furrowing as she examined the text. "And It seems they had connections to Ancient Magic."
Dumbledore nodded, his expression contemplative. "This is likely what Mr. Emiya sensed," he said, turning his gaze toward me. "We should move to the other location you sensed traces of Ancient Magic."
"Right," I replied, my heart racing. I gave them directions once more, leading them toward what I hoped would be the final step in my plan. As we approached the wall, Rose reached out and touched it, causing it to magically open, revealing a spiral staircase that descended into darkness.
"This is incredible," Sirius remarked, following closely behind as we descended into the depths of Hogwarts.
The Map Chamber awaited us, filled with the history of the castle and its surroundings. As we stepped inside, the glass-like floor revealed an intricate map that captured every corner of Hogwarts.
"Look at this place," Rose breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
But our attention was quickly drawn to the portraits hanging on the wall. One stirred to life as it saw us, a look of curiosity crossing its painted face.
"Another one like us," the portrait remarked, its tone surprisingly lively.
Dumbledore stepped forward, offering a warm smile. "Greetings, I am Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts."
"Percival Rackham," the portrait replied, bowing slightly. "I used to be a professor here."
"We're trying to learn about Ancient Magic," Rose said, with clear enthusiasm in her voice. "Can you tell us what this place is?"
"This is the Map Chamber," Percival replied, his voice smooth and knowledgeable. "It serves as a repository for the history of Hogwarts and the magical world beyond."
"What can you tell us about Ancient Magic?" Rose pressed, her curiosity insatiable.
Percival's eyes gleamed with knowledge as he began to explain. "Ancient Magic is a powerful force, predating even the founders of Hogwarts. It is intricately woven into the fabric of the magical world. Those who wield it possess abilities that are incredibly rare."
"Do you know who the last wielder of Ancient Magic was?" Dumbledore asked, leaning in, his expression serious.
"Ah, yes. A powerful wizard whose name has been lost to time," Percival replied thoughtfully. "He was known for his mastery over various forms of magic, including Ancient Magic itself."
"Could there be a way to learn from his or find his legacy?" I interjected, hoping to steer the conversation toward my ulterior motive.
"There are always remnants of the past, hidden away," Percival said. "But to uncover them requires dedication and an open mind."
I felt a flicker of hope at his words. This could provide a distraction while I figured out my next steps.
The conversation flowed for an hour, each question revealing more about the intricacies of Ancient Magic. Rose was in her element, asking insightful questions, while Dumbledore absorbed the information with keen interest. Sirius occasionally chimed in with his thoughts, his excitement palpable as he learned more about the hidden history of the magical world.
Eventually, as the discussion began to wind down, I felt a sense of urgency. It was time to steer things back toward my own interests. "If Ancient Magic is so powerful, wouldn't it attract unwanted attention?" I asked casually, gauging their reactions.
Dumbledore nodded gravely. "Indeed, and that's why we must be cautious in our explorations. There are those who would exploit such power for their own gain."
"Do you think we should be worried about anyone targeting Rose because of her connection?" Sirius asked, concern etched on his face.
"It's a possibility," Dumbledore replied, his gaze thoughtful. "We must ensure her safety while we investigate further. But I believe that with the right precautions, we can proceed without undue risk."
I watched them as they considered the implications, a small smirk creeping onto my face. Everything was going according to plan.
As the conversation continued, I felt the weight of the Diadem pressing down on me, the knowledge of what I had acquired simmering just beneath the surface. It was a potent reminder of my true intentions and the lengths I would need go to secure my place in this world.
The hours slipped by, filled with the exchange of knowledge and stories. The portrait of Percival Rackham became more animated, sharing tales of past students and their adventures, igniting the room with laughter and intrigue.
As the conversation reached a lull, Dumbledore looked around at us, a soft smile gracing his lips. "It seems we have much to explore and learn. Let us proceed with caution but with eager hearts."
"Agreed," Rose said, her eyes shining with determination. "There's so much more to discover."