In the dungeon, illuminated by the dim light of magic lanterns, Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Flitwick stood around the bulky container containing the defeated troll. A faint odor of dampness and earth spread around. The air, electrified with tension, vibrated with latent suspicion.
"Unbelievable," Professor Flitwick muttered, rubbing his glasses.
Snape was silently studying the container, keeping his gaze on it as always. He remembered Harry Potter describing what had happened, but he found it hard to believe the words of an immature student, especially when it came to such incredible agility and strength. Mere physical strength, even enhanced by magic, could not explain the effectiveness of Itachi's actions.
"Are you sure you couldn't explain their sudden appearance?" - McGonagall asked, turning to Flitwick. - "The troll was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If it was a random visit, the likelihood of the troll being there would be extremely slim."
Flitwick nodded, but his voice sounded uncertain: "No, Professor. We've checked all the records, but... there is no indication that the troll was supposed to be there."
"And Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger?" - Flitwick reminded, "they were also off their schedule. Their absence while Itachi and Theodore were in the dungeons is very significant."
Snape finally spoke up, his voice harsh and riddled with disbelief, "Potter, in all likelihood, simply could not convey exactly what happened. He's apparently impressed that he was rescued. He is too young and immature to perceive and adequately describe such a thing. Nevertheless, what he says makes one wonder how deeply hidden this situation is."
"Agreed," Flitwick said. - "We need to analyze all the options. And perhaps talk to Itachi and Theodore to get more information."
Suddenly, McGonagall frowned. "But... what if this isn't an ordinary troll? What if there's something more behind all this?" Her tone became alarmed.
At that moment, the door to the dungeon opened quietly and Albus Dumbledore entered the room, his eyes glowing behind his crescent glasses. He gave everyone present a long look, then his gaze stopped on the troll container.
"Professors," Dumbledore said, his voice soft but with an unwavering strength in it, "could you please clarify the situation? I have heard that something unusual has happened."
McGonagall, collected as ever, stepped forward. "Headmaster, we are investigating the circumstances of the troll's appearance in the dungeon. Students Potter, Weasley, and Granger were also there, in violation of all the rules, and were rescued by Slytherin freshmen Itachi Uchiha and Theodore Nott."
"That's exactly what worries me," Snape muttered, a bit of acrimony in his voice. - "Itachi Uchiha has shown... unusual abilities. I doubt a first-year could defeat a troll so quickly and effectively."
Dumbledore looked at Snape, as if assessing his words. "I understand your concern, Severus. But perhaps there is something more important here than the talent of a single student."
"Talent beyond that of a freshman," Snape hissed. - "Perhaps there is something more here."
Dumbledore shifted his gaze to Flitwick. "Professor Flitwick, what do you have to say about this?"
Flitwick, adjusting his glasses, said: "We have discovered that the troll was here for a reason. Its appearance seems to have been planned. As for that student's actions... his mastery of magic is questionable, but right now, the safety of our students comes first."
Dumbledore nodded. "Then we're dealing with more than just an accident. We need to get to the bottom of all this, and do it discreetly. At this point, it's important that the Ministry doesn't find out that the troll was defeated by a freshman. Imagine what they'll start saying and checking if they find out that students ran into a troll at Hogwarts, the safest place on earth."
"But, Headmaster," McGonagall objected, "the truth is the truth. Itachi Uchiha showed incredible skill, and his feat should be recognized."
"Of course, Minerva," Dumbledore replied, "however, now, in such an unstable time, we must think of the safety of our students. If we reveal the truth, the Ministry will pry into every little detail, and then they will dig into Hogwarts, calling into question its very safety, and how we will protect our children."
Snape, with a chuckle, added: "And they'll probably accuse us of incompetence, and remove us from our posts if they see such a thing. And they're notoriously fond of picking on the smallest details."
McGonagall, sighing, nodded. "All right, Headmaster, I understand your concerns. But we mustn't forget that this child was a true hero."
Dumbledore looked at the troll container and said slowly: "This incident raises questions to which we must find answers. All of them. How the troll ended up in the castle, who sent it there, and how do we keep our students safe without giving in to provocation. We'll have to keep a close eye on what's going on. For the moment, all laurels in victory will be given to us, but the investigation will continue in silence."
The tension in the dungeon increased.
Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, and Flitwick stood around the troll container in the dungeon, flooded by the dim light of the magic lanterns. A tense silence, broken only by the rustle of robes, pressed down on them. The Headmaster squinted his eyes and studied the contents of the container.
"This troll... it's like he's frozen," Flitwick said, running a finger over the troll's pale, marble-like skin. - "His bones... it's like they're... missing."
Snape, with obvious disbelief himself took the initiative. He pulled a small vial of shimmering, golden liquid from his pocket. Muttering an incantation, he applied a few drops to the troll's skin. The liquid, slowly absorbed, left thin glowing lines like veins on the skin. "Unusual magic," he muttered, his voice strained. - "This liquid shows that the troll has been affected by some sort of magic, but it's... it's atypical. It's not direct violence, but... it's as if something has been altered inside."
McGonagall, watching the results closely, stepped closer to the container. She swung her wand and cast the Revealo Corporis spell, a spell designed to detect internal structures. Through the translucent magical shroud enveloping the troll, its internal organs became visible. "Look," she said, pointing her wand at the troll's legs. - "His bones... it's like they've... disappeared. It feels like someone removed them."
Flitwick, lifting his glasses, scrutinized the image. He ran his own spells to get a more detailed view of the troll's bone structure. After a few seconds, he recoiled, his face expressing horror. "I'm afraid this is it," he muttered. - "The Brahiam Emendo spell is a spell that can remove bones, but without causing external damage. But such a spell requires just incredible knowledge of anatomy, It's... it's horrible."
Dumbledore stepped closer to the container, his gaze filled with concern. He swept his wand over the troll's body again, this time casting a more complex spell designed to read the history of magical effects. "Yes, this is it," he confirmed, his voice filled with heavy contemplation. - "The Brahiam Emendo spell... But... how? It's a spell that's practically inaccessible to freshmen."
A tense silence reignited in the dungeon, full of lurking suspicions and unspoken questions.
Dumbledore picked up the magic book and began to look through it, searching for information on the spell. Snape continued to scrutinize the troll incredulously, as if expecting to find hidden traces of magical interference or some clue there.
"Finding such information may take some time," Flitwick noted, pausing. - "We must determine how the troll was immobilized and under what conditions. This has implications for the safety of Hogwarts students as well."
McGonagall tapped the table. "It is important to make sure that such a spell does not fall into the wrong hands, but of course it is also important that the child who was able to perform it is clearly not a mere freshman."
Flitwick pointed to a barely visible spot on the troll's body. "Perhaps some special method not known to us was used to disarm the troll. It may be a clue."
Dumbledore bowed his head. "This is not a simple case. We need to determine exactly what was done to the troll, and how... Perhaps a spell we don't know about. We need to check its magical imprint."
Dumbledore, moving away from the container, summoned a magical glowing disk that hovered in the air. He placed his hands over it, and the disk began to shimmer with different colors, as if there were thousands of fireflies dancing in it. Then, he directed the light from the disk at the troll, and thin lines, not normally visible, began to appear on the surface of his skin.
"It's his magical imprint," Dumbledore explained, his voice sounding thoughtful. - "It shows the flow of magic surrounding him, as if he were a fingerprint unique to every magical being. But here... Something is clearly wrong. It's... weak and distorted. It's as if it's torn, as if it's been violently ripped out, but there's no sign of outside interference."
McGonagall stepped closer, her eyes scrutinizing the glowing lines. "Could this spell have left traces? Let's try another spell to see if there are any signs of manipulation."
She raised her wand and cast a more complex spell - "Analisys Magica" - designed to analyze the magical imprint in detail. A translucent sphere composed of many glowing threads appeared around the troll. These threads, like snakes, moved and intertwined, mapping the troll's energy field.
Snape looked at what was happening. "Looks like magical exhaustion," he hissed. - "But there's something else here... it's as if his magic has been rearranged. It's not just a suppression of power, but something... more complex." He pulled out his small vial of shimmering liquid and again applied a few drops to the troll. "This liquid is sensitive to anomalies in magical fields," he explained as he watched the liquid soak into the skin. "It will show us if there has been magical interference."
The liquid, as it absorbed, began to shimmer and change color, in some places it became darker, as if it had been poisoned, while in others it became lighter, as if it had been enhanced. Snape, scrutinizing the changes, muttered: "It was as if something was drawing out his power, but selectively, not affecting everything, but only certain areas. This isn't ordinary magical exhaustion. It's like... interfering with the very core of his magic."
Suddenly, Snape pulled away from the troll, his gaze focused. "Wait," he said, and it sounded like an order, breaking the tense silence. All eyes turned to him. - "Perhaps we are looking where there is no need. That freshman, Uchiha... I've seen him disappear into the library almost every day. And not just reading, but scrutinizing ancient books."
McGonagall looked at Snape in surprise. "Are you saying he could have learned that spell from books?"
"That would explain how he knows about Brahiam Emendo," Snape replied, his voice calm and judicious. - "He obviously has a desire for knowledge, and I do not rule out that he may have found it in one of the library archives."
Flitwick nodded thoughtfully. "It is quite possible that the library could hold such information, especially in a locked section. But such a spell... it's not for beginners."
"Exactly," Dumbledore said, his gaze fixed on the troll container. - "Even if he learned this spell from a book, it doesn't explain how he was able to use it with such precision and control."
McGonagall, frowning, said: "Then we must consider all the possibilities. Maybe his not only knowledge but his use of it is based on some sort of magical artifact? Either..." She fell silent, her gaze becoming thoughtful.
"Either?" - Dumbledore asked, looking at her carefully.
McGonagall looked around at everyone present. "Either, we missed another important detail. When I asked Potter how Itachi defeated the troll, he mentioned two spells. He said Itachi first used a spell that damaged his limbs, and then some kind of genjutsu that confused him before he finally felled him."
Snape frowned. "Genjutsu? That's some not-typical spell. And besides, we found no trace of such a spell during our diagnostics. The troll showed no signs of being affected by illusions or controlling magic. There are only traces of Brahiam Emendo on it."
"Exactly," McGonagall agreed. - "That's very strange. Potter was sure of what he was saying, and he didn't look like he was making anything up."
Flitwick adjusted his glasses. "It is strange indeed. If he used any kind of genjutsu, it should have left some kind of mark on the troll's magical field, or at least in his mind, but it doesn't seem to have. It feels like someone tricked him into showing only the first part, but not the second. "
Dumbledore, deep in thought, nodded slowly. "This all just complicates things. Why did Potter see two spells and we only detected one?
Snape folded his arms across his chest. "We have to analyze everything. Either Potter is wrong or Itachi is hiding something else.
McGonagall sighed. "So we need to revisit Potter's statement and interrogate Itachi again, but more thoroughly?"
Dumbledore nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "In the meantime, I ask that you keep a close eye on Itachi Uchiha. I want to be aware of his actions, and, if possible, observe him to better understand his motives. But without too much fuss or pressure, of course. Our job is to understand the situation, not to frighten him."
And, Professor McGonagall, I would ask you to give the same assignment to the living paintings and ghosts. Have them watch him as well, but discreetly, so that he doesn't suspect a thing.
The professors nodded, realizing the gravity of the situation.
Dumbledore, after a pause, decided to change the subject. "Let's leave Itachi alone for now, until we know more. Now, let's get back to the matter of the troll. How the hell did he get to Hogwarts? That's a serious question, and it needs to be found out as soon as possible."
Flitwick, adjusting his glasses, said: "We've checked all of the troll's movement reports, but there is no sign that he entered the castle through the usual passages. That means he may have used some other method, possibly magical."
Snape crossed his arms over his chest. "Or he was deliberately brought here. Someone could have guided him into Hogwarts with a portal key or some other method of travel."
Dumbledore nodded. "We must consider all possible options. This is not just a troll, it is a challenge to our security. Check all the ways the troll could have gotten to Hogwarts, examine every possible magical trail, and be vigilant." He looked at everyone present. "We cannot allow something like this to happen again."
The professors nodded, realizing that this incident was jeopardizing the safety of the entire Hogwarts. They were determined to find out the full circumstances and prevent future threats.
There was an unaccustomed silence in the Gryffindor drawing room. Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting by the fireplace, reflecting on the events of the previous night. They were feeling a little depressed and confused about what had happened and the loss of points for Gryffindor.
"I can't believe we lost so many points," Ron muttered, looking at the fire. "All we wanted to do was find Hermione and it ended up going so badly."
"We shouldn't have broken the rules," Hermione said, fixing her glasses. "It was stupid and irresponsible of us. We let our faculty down."
Harry, immersed in his own thoughts, sat silent. It wasn't the fine that bothered him the most, but what had happened in the dungeon. He couldn't get the image of Itachi Uchiha defeating the troll with such calmness and strength out of his head. "I still can't believe what I saw," he muttered, breaking the silence. "It was... unbelievable. How was he able to do it so quickly and easily?".
"Maybe he scared the troll somehow," Ron suggested. "Maybe he was so scary that the troll just gave up."
Hermione shook her head. "No, Ron, that's not it. I saw Itachi use spells. But those spells were very complicated, not like the ones we learned in class."
"He used two spells," Harry said, remembering the events of that night. "First he did something to his legs and then it was like he hypnotized him. It was kind of creepy."
"That genjutsu," Ron muttered.
"That's really weird," Hermione said, frowning her eyebrows. "And yet... I have to admit that I'm very grateful to him for saving us. If it hadn't been for him, who knows what might have happened. But... still... it doesn't change the fact that he's Slytherin, and that's why I don't trust him. All those Slytherins are always up to something."
"But why would he want to trick us?" - Harry asked. "After all, he saved us. If it wasn't for him, we probably wouldn't be alive anymore."
Ron thought for a moment. "Maybe he just wanted to impress? So everyone could see how cool he was? I mean, after all, who is he? We don't know anything about him. He's so mysterious, and his abilities give me goosebumps. Especially the fact that he's from Slytherin, and we know what they can be like."
Harry looked at them, frowning. "I don't think he's as bad as you think he is. But I confess I don't know what to think of him either."
The silence in the living room resumed. Harry, Ron and Hermione stared at the fire, each immersed in their own thoughts. The events of Halloween had turned their familiar world upside down, making them question what they thought was true. And now, they knew that there was more lurking at Hogwarts than they could have ever imagined.
"You know," Ron said suddenly, breaking the silence, "Itachi wasn't alone, was he? Theodore Nott was with him.
"Theodore Nott," Hermione repeated thoughtfully. "He always keeps a low profile. I don't remember him ever showing himself as brightly as Itachi. But that doesn't mean he's not dangerous."
"Or maybe he's just scared?" - Harry suggested. "Maybe he was just following Itachi and didn't know what to do. After all, he wasn't involved in the battle."
"Maybe he was," Hermione agreed. - "But I still think we should be careful. Slytherins are always dangerous."
Hermione frowned. "You know, when Itachi used that genjutsu, I didn't feel any magic. It was just weird. It felt like the troll just suddenly blacked out and was just knocked out, rather than being affected by the spell."
Ron frowned. "But, Hermione, you saw it, the troll froze for a few seconds before collapsing. There's no way that could have happened without magic."
"Indeed," Harry agreed. - "Maybe you were just too scared to notice what was really going on in there? In the heat of the moment you could overlook little things like that, it's like when you're looking for something and then it turns out it was in front of your eyes the whole time."
Hermione thought for a moment. "Maybe you're right," she mumbled, but you could sense the doubt in her voice. "Maybe I did miss something. But things look different in my memory. But... yeah, maybe I was just too scared." Inside herself, she still felt something was wrong, but she didn't argue with her friends.
"It's possible," Hermione said, silent for a bit, as if trying to convince herself that they were right. "Maybe Itachi found information about these spells in some ancient books? Or maybe he's just really well trained? But I don't see how he could have done it so quickly. He acted like a professional, not a freshman."
"Yeah, and that's scary," Harry said, his voice becoming more serious. "After all, how could a freshman have that kind of knowledge? I mean, he's just like us. Or is he?"
Ron nodded. "That's not fair at all. We're trying to learn simple spells here, and he's already using things we've never even heard of. Is that even possible? Maybe he's not a freshman at all? ".
"Not only that, he's been using some genjutsu and something else," Harry continued, frowning. "I didn't get what he used at all. What the first one was, what the second one was. And none of the spells were like the ones we learn in class. It's all very strange."
"And it's frightening," Hermione confirmed. "If he knows such dangerous spells, what else could he possibly know? And why does he even know such things? I don't like that at all."
"But, after all, the allotment hat allocated him to Slytherin," Hermione said. "That can't be a mistake. Which means he's actually studying with us, and that's even more frightening. How could he learn something like that? Is he a genius?"
Silence once again filled the living room. Each of them was immersed in their own thoughts, their faces full of worry. Itachi, who they knew as an ordinary freshman, was suddenly a mystery to them, hiding something dangerous and incomprehensible.
"Maybe we should ask someone else," Hermione suggested, feeling her anxiety rising. "Maybe there's someone else who saw what he was doing and can explain it all to us."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Ron said. "I think the fewer people who know about it, the better. But, on the other hand, we can't just sit around doing nothing either."
"We have to be careful," Harry said. "And very careful. Otherwise we won't solve this mystery."
All three of them fell silent again, concern and uncertainty in their gazes.
There was a cool silence in the Slytherin dungeon, broken only by the quiet crackling of the fire in the fireplace. Itachi sat cross-legged on his bed, staring thoughtfully at one point. Theodore, seated on the bed next to him, was excitedly leafing through some thick folio, but occasionally cast an enthusiastic glance at his roommate.
"That was incredible!" - exclaimed Theodore, closing the book. "Did you see their faces when the troll fell? You're such a badass! How did you do it, Itachi?"
Itachi slowly turned his head in his direction, his eyes full of calm. "It doesn't matter, Theodore."
Theodore jumped up and sat up straight. "Never mind? Yes it was amazing! You saved them all! How were you able to immobilize the troll so quickly and easily? And what were those spells? Did you learn those in the library?"
Itachi furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't want to talk about it, Theodore."
Theodore was silent for a second, but immediately lit up again. "But I want to know! I saw you... like breaking his arms and legs. How do you know all this? And why did you hide it all?"
Itachi sighed heavily, his patience seemed to be coming to an end. "Theodore, please stop asking about it. It's none of your business."
Theodore, noticing the change in expression on Itachi's face, fell silent. He felt that he had crossed a line, and that it was best to back off before he angered his comrade.
"I'm sorry," Theodore muttered, averting his gaze. "I'm just really impressed. That... that was amazing." He turned the conversation to another topic, trying to hide his bewilderment.
Itachi softened a little, though his eyes still remained intense. "I don't want you to worry about what I'm doing. Just... trust me."
Theodore nodded, but he still felt puzzled. He didn't understand what was going on or why Itachi was being so secretive. But he knew it was best not to push him right now.
Itachi turned away to the window, looking out at the dark sky. He wasn't going to tell Theodore anything, at least not yet. He knew that Theodore would still ask questions, but he also knew that Theodore was smart enough to realize that he needed to wait until Itachi himself wanted to tell him everything.
Theodore picked up his book again, but this time his attention wasn't on the text, but on Itachi. He had stopped marveling at what had happened and now he was concerned. He felt that a wall had grown between him and Itachi and he didn't know how to overcome it. He realized that Itachi held a lot of secrets and it was frightening
Finally, they both decided to go to their rooms to calm down and rest for a went to their rooms in silence, and you could feel the tension in the air. Itachi didn't say a word in farewell, just nodded coldly to Theodore. Theodore felt himself shivering at this cold attitude...
Itachi walked into his bedroom, closed the door behind him, and leaned against it. He took a deep breath, letting go of the tension he had been holding back during his conversation with Theodore. But the tension didn't subside.
Itachi took a quick look around his room. It was a typical Slytherin freshman's bedroom: bed, nightstand, desk, and closet. Everything was neat and understated, nothing superfluous. But a sharp, analyzing look flashed in his eyes.
He strolled slowly across the room, pondering the events that had transpired. He knew that the professors would not let the troll incident go unnoticed. They were too experienced to simply believe that he was an ordinary freshman. They would definitely be watching him, it was only a matter of time.
"Dumbledore," Itachi whispered, his voice quiet but full of respect. "He's too perceptive to miss anything." He remembered the way the Headmaster had looked at him during the distribution, his eyes full of wisdom and understanding. He knew that the headmaster probably already saw him as more than just a mere student.
"That means the passage to the Ransom Room is closed to me for the near future," Itachi muttered, his voice sounding frustrated. He knew that this room was an important place for him to train, but now that he would be closely watched, it would become too risky.
Itachi mentally pictured what the castle looked like, and where Dumbledore's eyes and ears might be. He knew that the headmaster used living paintings and ghosts to keep an eye on the students, and that meant that any movement he made could be noticed.
"And I'll have to cut back on my training," Itachi whispered irritably. But immediately added. "Annoying, but bearable."
With those thoughts, Itachi pulled off his robe, threw it on the chair, and climbed into his bed. He closed his eyes, trying to relax. He knew that new difficulties and challenges awaited him, but he also knew that he could handle anything that came his way. He was ready for this game, and no one would stop him on his way to his goal.
Itachi turned on his side and snuggled into his blanket. Despite the mounting tension, he fell asleep almost instantly. He knew that tomorrow would be a new day, and he had to be ready for whatever it would bring.
Theodore sighed heavily, left alone in his room. An awkward silence hung in the air, even the crackling of the fireplace sounded too loud. He felt a strange heaviness, as if an invisible weight had descended on his shoulders. The usual cheerful and hopeful atmosphere between him and Itachi had melted away, leaving behind only emptiness.
Itachi. The word echoed in his head. He couldn't escape the feeling that something was wrong, something very wrong.
He remembered Itachi's troubled eyes, the cold, almost blank stare as he seemed to meet his gaze.
Theodore went over the events of that day in his mind for the umpteenth time. How Itachi had so easily and quickly immobilized the troll. Theodore hadn't seen him use any complicated spells, just quick, clearly directed actions. It was like a practiced skill, some secret, hidden from prying eyes.
Despite all his curiosity, he realized that he had overstepped his bounds when he started to inquire. Itachi had made it clear that he didn't want to discuss it. And Theodore could feel that cold wall between them.
Theodore sat down at his desk, trying to occupy himself with something, but his thoughts kept coming back to Itachi. It wasn't just mild curiosity, but a deep, irrepressible interest in the mystery that lurked behind his neighbor's mask of calm.
And then a thought slipped into his mind, sharp and cold as a blade: what if Itachi's parents were dark wizards? The thought was so unexpected that Theodore even flinched. Maybe that's why Itachi is so cold, aloof, and incredibly strong. Maybe he grew up in an environment where such dangerous spells were commonplace? Maybe he inherited dark knowledge and skills from his parents?
A cold chill ran through Theodore. He remembered how Itachi had calmly immobilized the troll, how he moved like a shadow, how his eyes went blank when he looked at something. He was beginning to fear Itachi, he was beginning to fear the man he considered his friend.
But immediately, Theodore pushed the thought away from him. It was absurd! He had spent almost six months with Itachi, sharing a room with him, talking to him, laughing with him. Itachi was serious, sure, sometimes even harsh, but he was never cruel. He helped him with his homework, protected him from bullies, supported him when Theodore was in trouble. He couldn't believe that Itachi was capable of anything evil.
Maybe Itachi was just very serious about his training? Maybe he was a born genius? Maybe he was just better at hiding his feelings? But... there was something else.
Theodore remembered how Itachi had lowered his gaze for a moment when he had asked about his spells. It was the only time he'd ever seen anything like fear or worry in his eyes. Maybe Itachi was hiding something, but not because he was bad, but because he had a good reason? Maybe he was afraid of not being understood?
"Even if..." - Theodore thought, and immediately stopped himself. He didn't want to end that assumption, he didn't want to give room for gloomy thoughts. Instead, he decided to trust Itachi. He believed that if Itachi wanted to, he would tell him everything. Until then, he would wait patiently, even if his curiosity was tearing him apart.
With that decision, Theodore felt the tension recede a little. He reached for the light switch, turned off the lamp, and went to bed. He hoped that tomorrow would bring him answers, but for now, he would have faith in his friend, even if he still had doubts.
P.s- I have finally reached the point where I am not limited by the plot due to the scarcity of events, hooray, from now on the chapters will be released more than usual, you are only required to give feedback on the work, or you can send me your ideas to add them to the main story.
ray id: php-master