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Compensation?
What a distant word.
Gellert, dangling from the ceiling, abruptly fell silent.
He knew that the mont his sister uttered the word "compensation," it ant there was still hope for his salvation.
Gellert pricked up his ears, eager to hear what his sister and Dumbledore had in mind regarding this so-called compensation.
"Speak freely, Senior," Dumbledore said, his tone devoid of any objection.
Veratia spoke softly, "My request is simple. I wish to complete the remainder of my studies at Hogwarts."
Dumbledore blinked, montarily taken aback.
"I don’t quite understand, Senior," he said gently. "For a witch of your caliber, returning to Hogwarts to finish your education seems unnecessary."
"Professor," Harry interjected, "Veratia is a perfectionist. For her, earning an ’O’ on her N.E.W.T.s and concluding her academic journey with a flawless record is more important than anything."
Got it. Obsessive-compulsive tendencies, then.
The N.E.W.T., or Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test, was a subject-specific examination taken by seventh-year Hogwarts students. It served as a critical credential for post-graduation career applications—essentially a magical equivalent of a diploma. For instance, to beco an Auror at the Ministry of Magic, one needed at least five N.E.W.T.s with "Outstanding" or "Exceeds Expectations" grades.
Veratia, to so extent, was plagued by perfectionism. Without that diploma, she’d feel utterly adrift, regardless of whether she actually needed it. That said, she did need it—not for job prospects, but for her own peace of mind.
At Harry’s words, Veratia shot him an approving glance.
"But for a witch as exceptional as you," Dumbledore ventured, "I believe such credentials are irrelevant."
"They matter to ," Veratia replied firmly, leaving no room for further debate.
Seeing her resolve, Dumbledore decided not to play the villain. "Very well," he said briskly. "On behalf of Hogwarts’ staff and students, I welco you."
The entire staff and student body welcoming her?
Dumbledore said it, but inwardly, he wasn’t entirely convinced. He didn’t mind Veratia retaking her courses, but could the school truly remain unfazed by her surna?
"There’s one more thing," Veratia continued. "I have a dear friend, Poppy Sweating. She’s a Hufflepuff and the aunt of the Scamander brothers. Harry struck a deal with Gringotts, transferring the Lestrange family’s and Gringotts’ seats on the Hogwarts Board of Governors to himself. He then gifted those seats to Poppy. We hope you’ll support Poppy’s appointnt to the board."
From the ceiling, Gellert’s face darkened.
"Scamander. Always a Scamander," he muttered under his breath.
"I’ll support Miss Sweating’s appointnt," Dumbledore said with a nod. "Newt and I are on good terms, and since Miss Sweating is his aunt, I see no reason to object."
Inwardly, he added, She’s a Hufflepuff, after all.
It was common knowledge that Hufflepuff rarely, if ever, produced dark wizards.
Noticing Gellert’s muttering, Veratia asked, "Does Gell have so grudge against the Scamanders?"
"Decades ago," Dumbledore explained without hesitation, "when we were all younger, Newt assisted in apprehending Gellert. He also helped foil several of Grindelwald’s nefarious sches."
So that’s how it was.
Veratia now understood why the Scamanders had reacted so oddly to her surna when they first t. There was history there.
"Ha! Why don’t you ntion that Scamander was your favorite student?" Gellert shouted from above.
"Newt was indeed my favorite," Dumbledore admitted with a smile. "But... Miss Sweating. Was she also a classmate of yours?"
"Yes, from our year at Hogwarts," Veratia said. "I was in Slytherin, Poppy in Hufflepuff, and Harry in Gryffindor. Back then, the four houses were far more united."
"I know," Dumbledore said, unable to suppress a mysterious smile. "Phineas was everyone’s common enemy."
Even he, a product of that era, knew how "infamous" Headmaster Black had been. He added with a sharp critique, "In a way, Phineas was Hogwarts’ most successful headmaster. Not even the Founders could unite the four houses with such cohesion."
"One last thing," Veratia said.
"Speak freely," Dumbledore encouraged.
"I want Gell released from Nurngard," Veratia said, her hands clasped elegantly. "Not to grant him freedom, but to atone for stealing from the vault."
"Atonent?" Dumbledore asked, not imdiately dismissing her.
If Veratia had demanded Gellert’s freedom, he would’ve refused outright. But atonent? That piqued his curiosity.
"Yes," Veratia said, glancing at Gellert, who was leisurely swinging from the ceiling. "At Mr. Flal’s ho, I heard from Mr. Scamander that he’s accepted your invitation to teach at Hogwarts. Why not have Gellert serve as his assistant?"
"Gellert stole two million, seven hundred sixty-three thousand, two hundred fifteen Galleons from , along with various antique treasures," Veratia continued earnestly. "I want him to work off his debt for the rest of his life. As his sister, I won’t coddle him. Since he has a history with Mr. Scamander, working under him might be a fitting punishnt."
"No! Sister!" Gellert bellowed. "I’d rather die than work under Scamander!"
Noticing the glint in Dumbledore’s half-moon spectacles, Veratia pressed on. "If you’re concerned, I can have him swear an Unbreakable Vow with you or Mr. Scamander, vowing not to harm any innocent person."
"I doubt the Austrian Ministry would allow him to leave Nurngard," Dumbledore said softly. "A prisoner of his caliber vanishing would have unimaginable consequences."
"Polyjuice Potion would suffice," Veratia said with a light chuckle. "I refuse to believe he lacks loyal followers."
"But Theseus..." Dumbledore’s expression grew complex. "You must know, Theseus’s fiancée, Leta Lestrange, died at Gellert’s hands. And during their school days, Newt and Leta were close friends."
"Is that so?" Veratia looked up at Gellert.
"I don’t think I was wrong, Al," Gellert huffed. "That Lestrange woman, right? She attacked through my fla shield, even hitting Vinda with a curse. I offered her a chance to join , to live, but she refused!"
As he spoke, Gellert’s frustration was palpable. That Lestrange woman had been utterly incomprehensible.
"He’s not lying," Dumbledore confird with a nod.
"I believe Mr. Scamander is the best person to keep Gell in check," Veratia said.
"If you insist," Dumbledore said, raising an eyebrow. It might bring so... vitality to Hogwarts. With Senior Grindelwald present, he wasn’t too worried about Gellert causing trouble.
His gaze shifted to Harry. If Harry was indeed that senior from a century ago, many plans could change. Suddenly, Voldemort didn’t seem like such a pressing issue. Tom, no matter how powerful, couldn’t possibly rival both a senior and his sister.
An elder in the family is a treasure indeed, Dumbledore thought with a wry smile.
"Then it’s settled," Veratia said with a faint smile. "As for Gell... hmph. I hope he repays my debt in his lifeti."
"Sister! I have money!" Gellert thrashed. "Don’t send to that blasted Scamander!"
Unmoved, Veratia said, "I want you to repay through labor. This is your punishnt."
Gellert’s struggles ceased, his limbs dangling limply as he seed to accept his fate.
"One more thing," Veratia said, satisfied with Gellert’s resignation. "I ca to Nurngard for another reason. My and Harry’s friend, Cassandra Malfoy, is trapped sowhere. I need information about her, Gell. I know you have the gift of prophecy."
"Ha! I refuse to help you, Sister. Now you need —"
He convulsed as if shocked, a black smoke ring escaping his mouth. The jolt seed to clear his eyes, but helping Harry was still the last thing he wanted.
Gellert had heard of Cassandra Malfoy. His sister often ntioned her—a woman who also fancied Harry but expressed her affection in bizarre, off-putting ways. More than once, Gellert had thought that if Cassandra weren’t so peculiar, his sister wouldn’t stand a chance.
But why was his sister intent on saving her rival? Had Aunt’s so-called royal creed warped her mind? If it were him, he’d not only refuse to save a rival but gleefully dance on their grave, declaring he’d shed no tears.
Wait a second...
If Cassandra Malfoy was his sister’s rival, saving her would create a competitor. An enemy. If he fanned the flas, wouldn’t his sister be powerless as Scarhead’s Veela was snatched away by this Malfoy girl?
Perfect!
Cassandra Malfoy had to be saved. It was the key to freeing his sister from that scar-headed nace.
"Put down, Sister," Gellert said, adopting a new deanor. "I think... we should discuss Miss Cassandra Malfoy."
"What are you scheming?" Veratia narrowed her eyes, sensing mischief but lacking proof.
"Scheming? Never," Gellert said earnestly. "Sister, I swear on my honor, I genuinely want to help you rescue Miss Malfoy."
With such a declaration, they chose to trust him. What else could they do? He was the only Seer available. Veratia knew a bit about prophecy, but her skill was limited and unreliable.
With a wave of her wand, Veratia lowered Gellert, restoring his singed clothes to pristine condition.
"I hope you’re not playing tricks, Gell," she said softly.
"Tricks? My dearest sister," Gellert said with a strange grin, "rest assured, I’ll do everything in my power to help you find Miss Malfoy."
He winked at Harry. "I must say, Scarhead Veela, I’m impressed."
"So manners, Gell," Veratia said with a deceptively kind smile. "You’re not eight anymore."
"Fine, Potter," Gellert corrected, seizing the chance to needle Harry. "Basking in my sister’s affection while pining for that Malfoy woman. Has anyone told you you’re quite the heartbreaker?"
"Not like you," Harry shot back. "At least the Potter line won’t die out."
The retort silenced the room. Its impact was devastating. The four people present represented three families. The Potter line was safe, thanks to Harry’s heterosexuality. Gellert had no children, dooming the Grindelwalds. And the Dumbledores... well, Credence and Nagini had no heirs, so that line was finished too.
Veratia’s gaze sharpened, sweeping over Dumbledore and Gellert. As a Habsburg relative, the word "extinction" struck a nerve.
Gellert felt a chill at the back of his neck. He had to act.
"I see it!" he blurted. "I’ve glimpsed Miss Malfoy’s future!"
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