The Great Hall was filled with voices and laughter. Hundreds of candles floated beneath the enchanted ceiling that reflected a starry sky, as Hogwarts itself celebrated the arrival of summer. The house tables overflowed with food, and students crowded eagerly around them, all talking at once about exam results, adventures, and plans for the holidays.
Aurelian walked through the doors with a calm stride. No one would have guessed that, just a few hours earlier, he had been face to face with Nicolas Flamel, testing his strength against one of the most powerful wizards in history.
He made his way to the Slytherin table, where Hestia and Flora were waiting for him, beaming. As soon as they saw him, they greeted him with smiles and a discreet hug.
"You're late," Flora whispered, with a slight tone of reproach.
"I'm sorry, I wouldn't miss this for anything," Aurelian replied, settling between them, his eyes fixed on the festive decorations.
The murmur in the dining hall rose when Harry Potter entered, escorted by his friends. Some looked at him with admiration, others with curiosity, as if they still couldn't believe the stories circulating, that he had confronted Quirrell, that he had stopped someone trying to steal something from the castle.
Aurelian barely glanced at them out of the corner of his eye. His mind kept replaying Flamel's words, engraved within him.
"My last pupil was Dumbledore. And you will be the next."
He felt a chill down his spine, but he hid it by taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.
At that moment, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Albus Dumbledore appeared, advancing in his dark blue robe. His gaze swept over the students one by one.
The conversations died down when Albus Dumbledore rose from the teachers' table. The murmur of the Great Hall faded into expectant silence. The headmaster's upright figure radiated authority. His blue eyes shone brightly, his clear, deep voice resonating in every corner of the hall.
"Before we begin the banquet, there is something I must share with you."
The air grew tense. The students looked at each other, some with anxiety, others with fear.
"Our colleague, Professor Quirrell," Dumbledore continued in a grave tone, "has passed away. His death is the result of... poor decisions, of having placed himself at the service of forces he should never have invoked."
A murmur rippled through the tables. Several first-year students turned pale, while the older ones exchanged glances.
Dumbledore raised a hand, and silence returned.
"I know this event may cause fear, but I want you to know that the castle is still a safe place. Darkness will always try to infiltrate, but as long as we remain united, light will always prevail."
His words, firm and solemn, seemed to be engraved on the very walls of the hall.
He paused, allowing each student to breathe in the calm he was trying to convey.
"Beyond this tragedy," he added, softening his tone, "this year has been full of learning, discoveries, and yes, some difficult trials. To each of you I say, no matter how small you feel, no matter how uncertain the future may be, what matters is that you have shown the courage to face it."
The headmaster smiled slightly, though his eyes retained the gleam of an unquenchable fire.
"Let us celebrate, then, what we have experienced and what is yet to come. For this is only the beginning of your journeys."
With a final wave of his hand, fireworks exploded throughout the great hall. The students burst into cheers and applause, the atmosphere shifting from tension to joy.
At the Slytherin table, Aurelian watched everything in silence, hiding a cold smile behind a sip of his drink.
"The beginning of our paths... how ironic, Dumbledore."
"What are you thinking about?" Flora whispered in his ear, concerned.
Aurelian looked away toward her, Hestia watching him just as anxiously.
"Nothing important," he replied softly, reassuring them.
They both nodded, though their hands sought his under the table.
The meal had progressed amid laughter, bad songs, and endless chatter. When the plates began to empty, Dumbledore rose again. Silence fell once more, everyone attentive to his words.
"Now," he said solemnly, "as is tradition, we must award the House Cup."
An expectant murmur ran through the Great Hall. The hourglasses, shining in the background, clearly marked the situation. Slytherin was in first place, with a considerable lead.
At the green and silver table, the students were already smiling at each other, some raising their glasses, confident of their victory.
Dumbledore raised his voice.
"In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and ten points. In third place, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and seventy-one points. In second place, Ravenclaw, with four hundred points. And in first place, Slytherin, with four hundred and fifty-five points."
The Slytherin table erupted in cheers. Flora and Hestia hugged Aurelian tightly, happy, while the Gryffindor students sank into a silence of resignation.
But Dumbledore did not sit down.
"However," he added, his voice cutting through the Slytherin joy like a knife, "there are still some points to be awarded."
The whispers returned, everyone was restless.
"For outstanding use of logic in times of great danger, fifty points to Hermione Granger."
The Gryffindors began to cheer again.
"For his composure and skill under pressure, I award fifty points to Ronald Weasley."
The tables stirred, the murmurs grew.
"For his courage and determination in the face of dark forces, fifty points to Harry Potter."
The Gryffindor cheers erupted in the Great Hall. The advantage was shifting.
Aurelian watched silently, arms crossed, as the euphoria at the red and gold table only grew.
Finally, Dumbledore was silent for a few seconds. Then, with a subtle gleam in his eyes.
"And for demonstrating a discipline that reminds us that true courage lies in facing ourselves... ten points to Neville Longbottom."
The Gryffindor table roared like an erupting volcano. The hourglasses turned, their positions were redistributed, and the result was clear: Gryffindor surpassed Slytherin by a few points.
The enchanted ceiling glowed red and gold, and a scarlet flag with a lion waved majestically in the air.
The Slytherin students, incredulous, fell silent. Gryffindor's celebration was deafening.
Aurelian leaned back, watching the scene coldly. He did not join in the complaints or indignation of his classmates. He just looked at the headmaster, who was sitting at the head table, laughing softly at the Gryffindors' celebrations.
"Politics... a reminder of who controls the board."
The Hogwarts Express rumbled along the tracks with its characteristic roar, passing through green hills and sun-drenched fields. The train was buzzing with laughter, farewells, and promises of letters during the holidays.
Aurelian, sitting next to Hestia and Flora, remained silent, enjoying the tranquility of the journey. The murmur of the students was distant to him, his mind far removed from that childish world.
Finally, the train stopped at King's Cross station with a metallic screech. Smoke spread across the platform, covering the crowd of parents and relatives who waited anxiously.
Aurelian descended accompanied by the twins, each discreetly clinging to one of his arms.
Alaric and Selene Carrow made their way through the crowd. Unlike the previous year,'when they had looked at him with caution and a certain condescension', this time their faces showed genuine, almost proud smiles.
Alaric stepped forward, shaking his hand with great energy.
"Aurelian!" he exclaimed in a deep voice. "How good it is to see you."
The patriarch's eyes shone with a respect that had not been there before. Aurelian was truly baffled by such a drastic change in attitude.
"Likewise, Mr. Carrow," Aurelian replied politely.
Selene greeted him with a warm expression, and soon the twins were hugging their parents.
"We await your owl, Aurelian," said Alaric, adjusting his robe slightly. "We want you to visit us soon at Carrow Manor. It is time to formalize the commitments... the contracts must be signed without delay."
Aurelian nodded calmly, though inside he was pondering every word.
"Don't worry. You'll hear from me very soon."
Alaric smiled broadly, satisfied with his answer.
After a final exchange of words, the Carrows took their leave, taking their daughters with them. Hestia and Flora looked at him one last time before walking away, with the silent promise that they would soon be together again.
Aurelian stood on the platform, watching the crowd come and go. While everyone else celebrated the start of the holidays, he could only see the wheels of fate turning faster than ever.
The smoke from the train still lingered on the platform when a couple of familiar voices burst out beside him.
"Well, well!" exclaimed Fred, with a mocking smile. "If it isn't our favorite Slytherin."
"Have you congratulated the House Cup champions yet?" added George, puffing out his chest exaggeratedly.
Aurelian raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms.
"I don't think I can. After all, points aren't always awarded at the last minute," he said jokingly.
The twins burst out laughing, patting him on the shoulders.
"Oh, he's just jealous," said Fred.
"Of course I am," George finished. "But don't worry, you can try again next year."
"Or better yet," Fred added, winking, "you can join us and get up to mischief to secure the fun cup."
Aurelian smiled, shaking his head.
"We'll see."
The twins said goodbye with an exaggerated gesture, disappearing into the crowd and joining the other redheads who were waiting for them.
A little further on, a calmer voice called out to him.
"Aurelian."
It was Cedric Diggory, approaching accompanied by a sturdy man with a friendly face. The boy smiled sincerely.
"I just wanted to wish you a good summer."
"Thank you, Cedric," Aurelian replied with a slight nod.
Cedric turned to his companion.
"Father, this is Aurelian Gaunt. The friend I told you about."
The man extended his hand energetically.
"Amos Diggory!" he said in a warm, firm voice. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, lad. Cedric has spoken very highly of you."
Aurelian shook his hand politely, responding with a calm gesture.
"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Diggory."
Amos smiled broadly, patting him on the shoulder.
"I hope to see you at our house someday. Cedric's friends are always welcome at Ottery St. Catchpole."
Cedric nodded, confirming his father's invitation.
Aurelian took those words to heart and watched as father and son walked away.
The platform gradually began to empty, and he remained there, surrounded by smoke and the few remaining voices. His expression was serene, but inside, everything he had experienced that year continued to spiral around in his mind: Flamel, Voldemort, the engagement to the Carrows...
It was definitely not going to be a quiet summer.
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