The Obscurus is a very powerful magical force that often develops in young wizards who try to hide their magic.
Dumbledore noticed that Ivan was not abused, which surprised him. "Your talent is rare, Ivan."
Ivan's magic is very strong, which might be why he has an Obscurus. For other young wizards, the magical outbursts can be disastrous for him. However, over the years, Dumbledore has never heard of Ivan causing any trouble. This shows that Ivan has a strong control over the Obscurus and that it must be challenging for him to keep a good heart with such power.
"My nephew and sister were like you," Dumbledore eventually shared, revealing a painful part of his past. He hoped this would ease Ivan's doubts and help the boy trust him more.
"I won't hurt you. I promise," Dumbledore said sincerely, seeing his sister and nephew in Ivan.
"I believe you," Ivan replied, but he didn't fully trust Dumbledore yet. He felt safe because he had seen glimpses of the future.
Being an Obscurial was like a nemesis for Dumbledore, who had faced the strongest wizard in the world without a chance to fight back.
"Thank you for trusting me, Ivan," Dumbledore said, taking off his glasses with trembling hands. He might have seen Ivan's response as a kind of forgiveness for his sister and nephew.
"Professor, the book says that Obscurials usually don't live past the age of ten," Ivan pointed out. "But I'm already eleven."
"Some young wizards with exceptional talent might live longer than that," Dumbledore explained. Still, the longest-living Obscurial, Dumbledore's nephew, had died at twenty-five.
"You mean..." Ivan asked, "Is there no way to stop it?"
"I'm sorry, kid," Dumbledore sighed. "I don't know how to help." Since the Statute of Secrecy was put in place, Obscurus has nearly vanished from the wizarding world because most young wizards attend magical schools.
"But if you want, Ivan, you can always come to me," Dumbledore offered. He promised to answer any questions Ivan had about magic and help him grow. Dumbledore believed in Ivan's potential, even if he felt powerless against the Obscurus.
"Thank you for your help, professor," Ivan said gratefully. With Dumbledore's guidance, his magical abilities would surely improve.
Dumbledore hoped Ivan would not give up and would continue to be brave. "Yes," he said. "If you can, try not to reveal this power too easily."
The Obscurus is like a ticking time bomb. Though it has become a legend, it remains more dangerous than werewolves. If other students' parents learned about Ivan's identity, it could create serious issues.
Dumbledore had managed to protect Lupin and keep his werewolf identity a secret so he could study at Hogwarts. He would ensure Ivan's safety as well.
"I understand, professor," Ivan replied. He knew the risks involved. An Obscurial is a disgrace to the wizarding world because it highlights the Ministry of Magic's failures in guiding young wizards. This would lead to severe criticism from the International Confederation of Wizards.
Moreover, young wizards might see Ivan as a monster, and their parents would worry for their safety. If an Obscurus were to break out, the results could be catastrophic.
"I'll try not to use this power," Ivan promised.
"Just don't hurt anyone," Dumbledore advised. He reassured Ivan that this wasn't a restriction. If Ivan needed to use the Obscurus, Dumbledore would protect him, just like he did with Lupin.
"Okay," Ivan agreed.
Dumbledore smiled. "Get some rest."
"By the way, Professor," Ivan said as he was about to leave. He suddenly remembered something. "I saw something strange at the banquet."
"What was it?" Dumbledore asked.
"The professor at the teacher's table—the one with the cloth on his head," Ivan said.
"Professor Quirrell? What about him?" Dumbledore inquired.
"I noticed a black mist surrounding him."
Ivan's ability to see things that others couldn't impressed Dumbledore, who realized how perceptive Ivan was.
Ivan brought this up because of Dumbledore's earlier hint. Parents worry about the Silent Ones, but what about Voldemort? Letting Voldemort work at Hogwarts as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is a serious matter.
"I understand," Dumbledore said after thinking for a moment. "I will handle it."
"Good night, professor," Ivan said, sensing Dumbledore didn't want to discuss it further. He felt a mix of wariness and trust towards Dumbledore. He knew Dumbledore was clever and that he could get caught up in his plans if he wasn't careful.
As for trust, there's a saying in the wizarding world: you can always trust Dumbledore.
Reflecting on Dumbledore's life, Ivan wondered if he had ever truly harmed anyone. Aside from the unclear circumstances with Ariana, Dumbledore had always seemed to care for others. Ivan thought it best not to judge him too harshly or too kindly.
One thing was certain: Dumbledore would never harm him. But Ivan questioned why.
Dumbledore's first impression left Ivan pondering whether Dumbledore was motivated by greater interests. He didn't believe Dumbledore was unaware of Quirrell's issues. Perhaps Dumbledore didn't realize Quirrell was possessed by Voldemort. But even if Quirrell had merely turned to dark magic, allowing him to teach at Hogwarts was still reckless.
Then there were the protections around the Philosopher's Stone, which seemed more like a trap for Voldemort and a test for Harry than real protection. Regardless of the reasoning, Dumbledore's actions, whether to lure Voldemort or to hide the dangerous Philosopher's Stone on the fourth floor, put young wizards' lives at risk.
"This is Dumbledore," Ivan thought. He couldn't fully grasp Dumbledore's intentions but was sure that when it came to the teachers and students of Hogwarts and his plans, Dumbledore always prioritized his agenda.
The entire "Harry Potter" series seemed like preparation for a specific moment. Every character, every crisis, was part of that plan. Harry was the hero, the center of the story, but what about everyone else—Sirius, Lupin, the Longbottoms, the Weasleys? They had chosen to follow Dumbledore, but at what cost?
"For the greater good," Ivan thought. Some might be sacrificed, even Dumbledore himself.
Contemplating this, Ivan smiled. "If I'm in this world, I might as well fight against the strongest wizard of our time."
Was this dangerous? Ivan found it intriguing. After all, Voldemort had killed many, and Dumbledore had not taken direct action back then. This showed that Dumbledore's stance had always been contradictory.
It seemed that whether Voldemort could usher in a new era affected Dumbledore more than the number of deaths. If the Death Eaters hadn't become so unhinged, Dumbledore might never have formed the Order of the Phoenix or led his followers against Voldemort.
"It's just like his duel with Grindelwald," Ivan thought. "In the end, he chose to be the enemy of the one he loved."
In other words, as long as Ivan didn't cross Dumbledore's boundaries, he would never have to fear Dumbledore acting against him.
"Let's set a small goal," Ivan decided. He felt a slight restlessness within him. "I'll create my own lion group at Hogwarts, and then..."
"Become the next White Devil!"
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