Chapter 281 — Dumbledore's Gift
"Non-existence?"
"Beyond life and death?"
Everyone fell silent.
This was Regulus.
No one expected Sirius to stay calm. He wasn't angry—because, deep down, he knew Ron might actually be right.
Regulus… was alive, in a way that defied everything they understood.
Dumbledore's voice was quiet but carried across the room. "Regulus is also a being of longevity, just like I once described."
He smiled faintly. "You must understand, wizards are the longest-lived humanoid creatures in the magical world—so long as they keep their hearts content. Even the vampires of Muggle legend cannot compare."
"In other words," he continued, "if one understands the psychology that Lily mentioned earlier—keeping a healthy mind—that is far more effective than any potion or elixir."
Sirius frowned. "Then tell me, Dumbledore… what emotions sustain Regulus? You said he has a long life."
"Oh, Sirius, I see what you're asking."
Dumbledore's eyes softened. "Regulus is different. His definition of existence and non-existence doesn't match ours. For one—he has something that can be called life. Yet, there are no poltergeists, no dementors, not even boggarts like him."
"Secondly, while Regulus isn't as afraid of sunlight as normal Inferi, a strong fire spell can still destroy him."
He paused meaningfully. "True non-existences cannot be destroyed. Wizards can only drive them away—using positive emotions to keep their darkness at bay."
"Third," he added with a wry smile, "Regulus cannot fly. But non-existences can."
"What about his lifespan?" Sirius pressed, his voice low.
Dumbledore's expression turned grave. "It can only be said that Regulus has transformed into another kind of life—the ideal life form of the Inferi. The creation of dark magic itself. A being that requires no food, that is immortal, and that draws its strength from darkness."
"Like the phoenix," he murmured, "a new life—but without the phoenix's eternal rebirth."
He sighed deeply. For a brief moment, the great wizard looked… tired.
He even wondered—should he train Regulus?
According to his new plan, Harry and Tom Riddle—each sustained by Horcruxes—could check and balance each other. But a triangle was the most stable shape of all. And Regulus… Regulus was a blank canvas. A soul untouched, one Dumbledore could paint with his own ideals.
A wizard who might truly inherit his vision.
He inhaled slowly, steadying his heart. Yes—he was moved. Deeply moved by Regulus's existence.
---
"Wait," Ron said suddenly, "doesn't this mean we don't even need the Philosopher's Stone anymore?"
"I said—just hypothetically—" he continued, waving his hands as everyone turned toward him.
"What if we sell the spot in that cave?"
The others stared.
"Think about it!" Ron said, eyes gleaming. "Put a dying wizard in there. If we're lucky, they turn into another Regulus! We could charge for it!"
"If we fail, well—accuse us of fraud later!"
"But we'd have Dumbledore and Regulus himself as witnesses! Besides, that island still has all of Voldemort's traps. No one could sneak past us without Kreacher!"
He grinned triumphantly. "Voldemort's trap becomes our natural fortress!"
For several stunned seconds, no one spoke. Ron had managed to deliver his entire mad speech uninterrupted.
In the corner, unnoticed, the Elder Wand gleamed faintly.
But Death's will didn't linger on Dumbledore's words. He, too, understood—immortality wasn't true life.
In a lifespan without end, even the tiniest weakness could grow until it consumed everything.
"I must say," Draco muttered dryly, "even when the Malfoy family was at its peak, we'd never dare start that kind of business."
Sirius shot Ron a look. "And if you do try, I'll make an Unbreakable Vow—for my brother's safety."
Ron's eyes dimmed, the dollar signs fading.
Harry sighed. "Ron, that cave belonged to Voldemort. What if something goes wrong?"
But deep down, he didn't fully dismiss it.
Alexander had taught him something subtle but powerful—magic itself is a miracle.
To Harry, Ron's wild idea might actually be possible—just not yet. Perhaps one day, after Voldemort's fall. After all, even Nicolas Flamel wasn't truly immortal.
---
"This is forbidden magic, children," Dumbledore said gently. "Those who play with life will be played with by life itself."
"Regulus's existence is a miracle—just as wizards can't attain immortality through the phoenix."
He looked at Harry meaningfully. Dumbledore had always believed magic should be restrained—that the pursuit of eternal life through dark means, like Horcruxes, was a path to ruin.
It ran in his bloodline—this fascination with immortality, symbolized by the phoenix itself. But Albus Dumbledore had long accepted it as a forbidden desire.
Perhaps that was why he never continued his family's lineage. Some things… were never meant to be passed down.
The Elder Wand pulsed faintly in his grasp.
---
"Alright," Lupin said suddenly, breaking the silence. "It's Harry's birthday, after all."
He forced a light tone, though his instincts as a werewolf had caught something—something off in Dumbledore's demeanor. This topic was dangerous; best to steer away from it.
"I almost forgot." Dumbledore smiled, as though awakened from deep thought. "Harry, this is your birthday gift."
He raised his wand and spun it lightly in the air. A silver lighter appeared before Harry.
"What's that?" Ron asked, eyes bright.
"This," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye, "is a little invention of mine—a Deluminator. One flick, and it absorbs all nearby light… another flick, and the light returns."
"Gizmo?" Ron echoed.
"This invention—and the magical principles within—are unlike anything I've seen," Sirius murmured, examining it with awe.
"Um… Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"Yes, my boy?"
"I… I'd like to give it to Regulus. Would that be alright?"
Before Dumbledore could answer, Sirius cut in sharply. "No. That's your gift, Harry."
But Dumbledore only smiled. "Harry, you may use it however you wish. What matters isn't the object, but what you learn from it."
He tapped the lighter once, and a small spark danced in the air. "Consider it a book of magic in another form. Study it well—and when you've mastered it, teach Sirius the spell… or give it to Regulus yourself."
His gaze lingered on Harry for a moment, full of meaning.
---
End of Chapter 281 — Dumbledore's Gift
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