Dumbledore arrived so quickly that even Robert was surprised.
He appeared mere minutes after the house-elf Disapparated, showing just how anxious he was. Robert welcomed him into the room.
"Wade... where is the thing you were talking about?" Dumbledore asked as soon as he entered.
Robert had never seen Dumbledore so desperate before. But it wasn't surprising. In the original timeline, Dumbledore had been so eager upon seeing the Resurrection Stone that he forgot it was a Horcrux, put it on without precautions, and was cursed, reducing his lifespan to just one year.
"Here." Robert pointed to the Resurrection Stone resting on the table.
Dumbledore recognized it immediately. It was the gemstone from the Gaunt family heirloom ring—the one Tom had won.
"Tom and I wanted to see if there was any special magic on this ring, and then... I found the inscription. I had read about it in The Tales of Beedle the Bard, so we decided to try it..."
"Peverell..."
Dumbledore traced the inscription with his fingers, his expression deeply conflicted.
When he had first seen the ring at the Gaunt house, he had sensed that the stone was unusual. However, since it was something Tom had risked his life to win, he hadn't asked to borrow it. And now, the two boys had discovered its secret on their own.
"Where's Tom?" Dumbledore asked, suddenly realizing that Tom, who was always with Robert, was absent.
Robert gestured toward Tom's room. "He's trying to calm down. He... he used the Resurrection Stone once and saw his mother."
"He should be happy then," Dumbledore said hesitantly. "Finally getting to see his mother..."
"No... he was devastated," Robert corrected. "He asked his mother why she didn't live for him, why she gave birth to him only to abandon him at an orphanage. In the end, he gave me the stone and said he never wanted to see her again."
Dumbledore was stunned. "Tom... Alas, I should have recognized his inner pain earlier. I once thought he didn't understand love, but now I see... I misunderstood him. He simply hid his emotions."
"I think he just needs guidance, Professor. Don't worry, I'm here," Robert said confidently.
"I'm relieved to hear that. Tom has changed, and I know that change is because of you. I'm grateful he met you..."
"Professor, you flatter me. But let's focus on this stone. Do you think the stories are true? Was this 'Resurrection Stone' really made by Death himself?"
Dumbledore studied the Resurrection Stone, sensing the powerful magic it contained.
"In my opinion, the story is likely just that—a story. Death may not exist as a being, and the Peverell brothers were probably just powerful wizards who created extraordinary magical objects. However, the magic on this stone is undeniably powerful..."
He looked at Robert and hesitated before speaking again.
"Robert, would you allow me to try it? I'm sorry, but... I cannot wait."
"Of course," Robert agreed immediately. "Though, my room is a bit small. Would you prefer to go outside?"
"Yes... that would be better."
Dumbledore had more than one person he wanted to see, and the small room wouldn't be enough.
The safe house had its own yard, protected by the Fidelius Charm, ensuring that no one outside could see in.
Standing in the center of the yard, Dumbledore stared at the Resurrection Stone in his hand.
The object he had longed for was finally his. At that moment, he felt something akin to homesickness.
Robert remained silent, watching from the sidelines. He should have given Dumbledore privacy, but curiosity got the better of him—he wanted to see what Dumbledore would say to his lost loved ones.
He didn't have to wait long. Dumbledore turned the Resurrection Stone three times.
Instantly, he froze. Tears welled up in his blue eyes.
Robert, who had been watching closely, felt disappointed. He could only see Dumbledore speaking to thin air. If only he could witness what Dumbledore saw...
Then, he recalled the white mist that had appeared when Tom used the Resurrection Stone earlier. It resembled the mist he saw when using nightmare magic to enter someone's dreams.
An idea struck him.
Covering his eyes with a slight veil of nightmare magic, Robert activated his ability.
To his astonishment, it worked.
In his vision, several blurry figures surrounded Dumbledore.
Could it be that the spirits "summoned" by the Resurrection Stone were just a form of illusion magic? The highest level of nightmare magic allowed an illusion to take form in reality—was the Resurrection Stone using a similar principle?
As he pondered this, he heard a voice.
"Brother, you look so old."
Dumbledore's breath hitched.
"Ariana," he whispered. His sister.
His sister, who had died so young.
"Ariana, your words wound me," he said, trying to smile through his tears.
"But you're still as handsome as ever," she said with a bright, sweet smile.
Dumbledore had never seen her so cheerful.
He was momentarily dazed before another voice spoke.
"Albus... long time no see."
A tall, thin man with strikingly similar blue eyes stood beside a gentle-looking woman.
"Father... Mother..." Dumbledore choked.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry for everything. I failed Ariana. It was my fault... I was selfish, and because of me, she died so young..."
Dumbledore collapsed to the ground, sobbing.
Robert felt a lump in his throat just watching. He had never seen Dumbledore, usually so composed, break down like this.
Dumbledore's father spoke first.
"This is my fault, Albus. If I hadn't sought revenge on those Muggle boys, if I hadn't died so soon, you wouldn't have had to shoulder so much responsibility."
"No, Father..." Dumbledore murmured.
Ariana stepped forward.
"Brother, you don't need to apologize to me. If anything, I should be the one to say sorry. I should have been stronger."
Dumbledore shook his head violently.
"It's all my fault, Ariana..."
"I never blamed you. Nor did your friend. Death was a relief for me."
"No, Ariana, don't say that..."
"I was an Obscurial, brother. Even if that accident hadn't happened, I wouldn't have lived much longer."
She tried to place a hand on his shoulder, but her fingers passed through him.
"Please, brother. Let go of the guilt. Live your life. You are loved."
His mother placed a hand on his head.
"Let go, Albus. We have moved on. You have your own journey ahead of you. Live it fully."
Dumbledore gazed at them with tear-filled eyes.
Ariana stood with their parents, smiling warmly.
"Brother, it's time for us to go."
As mist surrounded them once more, they faded away.
Robert was stunned.
The Resurrection Stone's spirits were supposed to disappear only when the holder let go of the stone. Yet, they left on their own.
Did that mean... the spirits of Merope and Dumbledore's family were real?
Dumbledore sat on the ground, trembling, staring where they had disappeared.
Robert approached and helped him up.
"Professor... are you alright?"
Dumbledore wiped his eyes.
"I'll be fine. I just... need a moment alone."
Robert nodded, taking the Resurrection Stone back and heading inside.
Tom was standing by the window.
Clearly, he had witnessed everything.
Robert waved. "Let's go, Tom. The professor needs time."
Tom silently followed him upstairs.
"Family bonds... are they really so painful?" Tom suddenly asked.
"I think so," Robert replied.
"You don't know?"
"Only those who've experienced it can truly know. I'm not there yet." Robert sighed and walked off.
Tom hesitated, then called after him.
"Can you lend me the Resurrection Stone... for a while?"
"This was yours to begin with, Tom."
As Tom took the stone, Merope's figure reappeared.
His expression turned complicated.
"Come on... Mother. Let's talk properly this time."
Robert watched Tom retreat into his room and sighed.
Tom, he didn't understand love? Maybe once.
But soon, he would.
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