The corridors of Hogwarts held more than moving portraits and staircases—they held secrets, and Aarav had learned to listen to the whispers between the bricks.
After his midnight duel with Snape, the air around him changed. The Slytherins were still cautious, but now they watched with interest instead of doubt. And Severus Snape? He had said nothing, but he'd begun sitting near Aarav during Potions class.
Trust was far off—but respect? That was growing.
And now, Aarav was heading somewhere even more dangerous than a duel.
Dumbledore's office.
The spiral staircase lifted him toward the ornate door shaped like a griffin. He had received a summons earlier that day—a parchment with a single line written in fine cursive:
"Truth walks a narrow path. Come walk with me. — A.D."
The system responded immediately.
▶ Main Quest Triggered: Path of Prophecy
▶ Objective: Meet Dumbledore Without Revealing World Origin
▶ Reward: +1000 EXP | Hidden Knowledge Fragment
▶ Warning: Dumbledore possesses Tier-7 Magical Perception. Caution Advised.
The door opened before he could knock.
Inside, the room was filled with ticking devices, shelves of books, and odd silver instruments. Fawkes, the phoenix, perched near the window, regarding Aarav with ancient, knowing eyes.
And behind the desk sat Albus Dumbledore, his blue robes shimmering faintly, half-moon glasses resting on his nose, and his fingers tented.
"Come in, Mr. Gaunt," he said softly.
Aarav stepped forward, eyes scanning.
No traps. No spells aimed at him.
But something in the room hummed with truth-detection magic. Aarav instinctively activated his newest skill:
Occlumency [Level 1] – Mental Barriers Engaged. Surface Thoughts Masked.
Dumbledore tilted his head. "I trust your first week has been... enlightening?"
"You could say that," Aarav replied carefully.
"Tell me... have you ever heard of a prophecy that names not a savior—but a variable?"
Aarav blinked. That was not what he expected.
"No," he said honestly.
Dumbledore rose. He walked toward a cabinet behind his desk and retrieved a silvery globe glowing faintly with magic. "This is not one of Sybill Trelawney's. This... is much older."
He tapped it with his wand. The orb hovered and began to whisper:
"When fate is fractured by blood not born,
A stranger shall walk the ancient thorn.
Neither chosen nor cursed by wand,
But shaped by gold not of this land.
He shall rise where all hope dies,
And wield the silence that defies."
The system screen flashed violently.
▶ ALERT: Unknown World Prophecy Detected
▶ Syncing Timeline…
▶ Confirmed: You Are the Subject of Prophecy #139-F
▶ New Trait: Worldwalker [Passive Impact on Local Destiny]
Dumbledore was watching him closely.
"You look surprised," he said.
"I thought all prophecies were about Potter or the Dark Lord," Aarav replied.
"Most are. But not all. Some are... edited from memory."
That made Aarav pause.
"Why call me here?" he asked.
"Because your magic... doesn't resonate like others. And yet, it obeys wand law. You carry yourself like a pureblood, yet you cast like someone... who learned from the future."
Aarav tensed.
But Dumbledore raised a hand.
"I do not ask where you're from. I simply ask—why are you here?"
The system gave Aarav three dialogue choices:
A) "To change fate."
B) "To learn everything."
C) "To stop the war."
He chose:
"To change fate."
Dumbledore studied him for a long moment. Then, slowly, he nodded.
"There are rooms in this castle older than Slytherin's Chamber. Some contain knowledge long buried for good reason. If you ever find one… remember: power without purpose is poison."
As Aarav turned to leave, the Headmaster's voice stopped him.
"One more thing, Mr. Gaunt."
He turned.
"If you ever wish to study Occlumency properly, speak to Professor Flitwick. He once taught Unspeakables before Hogwarts."
Aarav's brow rose.
"Thank you," he said.
The system chimed:
▶ Major Plot Point Passed Without Identity Leak
▶ New Questline Unlocked: Forgotten Prophecies
▶ Reward: +1000 EXP
▶ Hidden Skill Gained: Aura Perception [Level 1]
▶ Flitwick Affinity Unlocked
That night, Aarav sat on his bed in the Slytherin dorm, the Gaunt ring glowing faintly in the dark.
He opened his inventory.
He now had:
Occlumency [LVL 2]
Aura Perception [LVL 1]
Prophecy Fragment (1/5)
House of Serpents Archive Key
And a mission bigger than Voldemort.
He wasn't here to fight the Dark Lord.
He was here to reshape magic itself.