In addition to serving as Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore held prestigious roles such as President of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. When he returned from Africa, a flood of official duties awaited him.
Dumbledore was swamped during that time, much like a student scrambling to finish holiday homework on the first day back. Only after wrapping up those obligations did the copy of the ancient mural he'd brought from Africa resurface in his mind—prompted during a casual chat with Vizette in the school hospital wing.
"What do those murals reveal?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.
He was genuinely intrigued by the faded images on the parchment. Better safe than sorry: if they unlocked methods to counter an Obscurial, they could prevent future tragedies.
"Mr. Scamander once explained that African wizards call the Obscurus a 'curse of hatred,' with the Obscurial as its host," Vizette replied. "It's straightforward: a young witch or wizard who can perform magic but resents it draws the Obscurus by suppressing their abilities."
"Hatred is a destructive force, and the mural depicts an ancient ritual using a Memory Charm to purge it. Unlike a standard Memory Charm, this ritual amplifies the spell's power to strip away the hatred entirely."
"A fascinating concept," Dumbledore said approvingly. "The ingenuity of ancient magic never ceases to amaze."
"Ritual magic is captivating," Vizette agreed. "To cleanse hatred, it requires a specific magical plant. Care to guess, Headmaster?"
From Vizette's eager expression, Dumbledore steepled his fingers thoughtfully. "Something I've encountered before... The root of a Mandrake?"
"Exactly, Headmaster." Vizette nodded. "The Mandrake's cry acts as a catalyst, boosting the ritual's effect to sever the Obscurus. But there are downsides. The murals note that the Obscurial loses their magical talent afterward, becoming like a Squib."
"And the older the Obscurial, the riskier it becomes," Vizette added. "Like those Sudanese children Mr. Scamander described..."
Dumbledore sighed, popping a lemon drop into his mouth. "A tragic outcome, indeed."
Vizette continued, "The murals also describe a second method: using 'love' to awaken the Obscurial and free them from the Obscurus's grip."
"Though it carries similar limitations," Dumbledore murmured. "Age introduces too many uncertainties."
Vizette nodded, his voice softening. "That's why I'm grateful for your guidance and the professors' support. I've been fortunate."
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Dumbledore offered Vizette a box of Chocolate Frogs. "This progress is all thanks to your efforts. I suspect your approach draws from that 'love'-based method, doesn't it?"
Vizette let out a steady breath, his tone evening out. "Yes. It involves the Patronus Charm—Professor Snape taught me the basics."
Dumbledore nodded sagely. "Severus? His Patronus is... unique."
"Expecto Patronum!" Vizette raised his wand, tracing a precise circle. He reined in the spell, conjuring a compact silver glow no larger than a fist.
A soothing warmth emanated from the light, thawing the chill in the office. Dumbledore exhaled deeply, a rare calm washing over him. Even Fawkes perked up, trilling a clear, resonant note as his feathers gleamed brighter.
With a flick, Vizette sent the silver orb drifting upward before it vanished into his chest. "'Love' is a potent force, but my Obscurus is milder—more amenable to the Patronus Charm's guidance."
A fist-sized silver light bloomed from his torso, mingling with a swirl of inky black mist. The silver and shadow intertwined like yin and yang, coiling playfully before retreating into his wand.
"The ritual's Memory Charm inspired me further," Vizette explained. "If it can separate an Obscurial from their Obscurus, a counter-spell could preserve the bond."
He adjusted his wand motion, intoning the reversal: "Finite Incantatem!"
A tendril of black mist peeled away. Channeling Ancient Magic: Accio, Vizette drew it forth with raw power, sealing it into an amethyst crystal. The mist swirled joyfully inside, like a nocturnal creature basking in moonlight.
"Anchored by the counter-spell?" Dumbledore leaned forward, intrigued. "What's the underlying principle?"
"A trick I picked up from Professor Lockhart," Vizette admitted. "You know what a seesaw is, right, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "A childhood delight I've sampled myself."
Vizette's eyes widened briefly—suddenly, a passage from A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration clicked into place. He cleared his throat. "Think of the Memory Charm and its counter as a seesaw. The key is the 'fulcrum'—an emotion that resonates deeply."
He gestured to the mist in the crystal. "With the counter-spell, I use that emotion as a fulcrum to pry at suppressed memories without fully dislodging them. It keeps the Obscurus linked, bound by the feeling rather than severed."
"Lockhart's lessons have clearly sparked something in you," Dumbledore said, stroking his beard with evident approval.
Vizette shrugged noncommittally. "He's... an unconventional teacher."
"Quite," Dumbledore replied, his eyes twinkling. "Extracting genuine insight from him is no small feat."
"I know a few friends plagued by amnesia," Dumbledore added. "Vizette, could you help them reclaim their lost memories?"
"Reclaim memories?" Vizette blinked. "From a Memory Charm?"
…
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