Chapter 13: The Horcrux
As expected, Harry was sorted into Gryffindor. When the Sorting Hat called his name, the Weasley twins nearly leapt onto the table, cheering with excitement:
"We've got Potter!"
"We've got Potter!"
The entire Gryffindor table erupted in celebration, as if they all wanted to jump on Harry and get a closer look at his lightning-shaped scar. Soon after, Ron was also sorted into Gryffindor and sat beside Harry, looking immensely relieved.
Charles noticed Harry scanning the teachers' table after sitting down. The moment their eyes met, Harry smiled brightly. Charles returned the smile before turning his attention back to the ceremony.
Professor McGonagall had just rolled up the parchment and returned to her seat. Then Albus Dumbledore stood, beaming at the students, arms spread wide.
"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I'd like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
"Thank you!"
Charles always liked this about Dumbledore — he never wasted time on dull speeches.
At once, the long tables filled with mounds of delicious food. Though British cuisine was often mocked, Hogwarts' feasts were more than satisfactory.
"Dumbledore, mind if I take some of this to go?" Charles asked while eating. He hadn't forgotten his Pokémon — or rather, the ones he'd already captured and planned to train, along with his assistants back at the Nature Reserve.
"Of course you may," Dumbledore said kindly.
"Excellent. This steak smells wonderful — Charizard will love it. And I'll take some fruit too; everyone enjoys that." Charles said, casually packing food as he ate.
Magic couldn't create food from nothing, but it could replicate it. So no matter how much he took, it wouldn't make a difference.
When everyone had eaten their fill, the food vanished without a trace, as though it had never been there.
Dumbledore rose once again.
"Now that we're all well fed, I have a few more words to say. First, I'd like to introduce a new professor — Professor Charles Gold. This term, he will be teaching a brand-new subject, one that none of you have studied before: Pokémon Mastery."
As Dumbledore spoke, Charles stood up to make himself known. He didn't speak, only smiled warmly at the young witches and wizards before sitting back down.
Dumbledore continued:
"Now, at the start of term, I must remind everyone of a few important rules.
"First-years should note that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits to all students. And some of our older students would do well to remember that."
His twinkling eyes swept pointedly toward the Weasley twins.
"Also, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind you that magic should not be used in the corridors between classes.
"Madam Hooch will be holding Quidditch team tryouts in the second week of term. Anyone interested in joining their House team should speak to her.
"Lastly — I must warn you that anyone who does not wish to die a most painful death should not enter the corridor on the right-hand side of the Third floor."
Harry laughed, thinking it was a joke — until he realized very few others were laughing.
"He's not serious… is he?" Harry whispered to Percy, who looked grave.
"Of course he is. Though usually, if something's dangerous, he'd tell the prefects the details at least…" Percy murmured with a frown.
Before they could ponder further, Dumbledore cheerfully announced the next part of the ceremony — his favorite: the school song.
Most of the staff looked like they'd rather be anywhere else, but Charles didn't mind. Back in his student days, he'd sung it to the tune of 'Fifty-Six Constellations', a silly Muggle song that really livened things up.
But now, as a professor, he had to be dignified. He mouthed the words silently, pretending to sing.
Blending in unnoticed — that's my specialty!
When the song ended — conducted solemnly by the Weasley twins as if it were a funeral march — Dumbledore wiped at his eyes and said fondly,
"Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here! Now, bedtime, everyone. Off you go!"
The prefects led their Houses back to the dormitories. Meanwhile, Charles followed Dumbledore toward his office.
The Headmaster's office was located on the Seventh floor, though the entrance was on the Second. Two stone lions parted to reveal a spiral staircase that carried them upward like an elevator.
Charles immediately noticed the diadem resting on Dumbledore's desk.
— Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem.
But now, it no longer radiated wisdom — only dark, corrupted energy.
"Voldemort's Horcrux, you've already found it?" Charles asked.
"Just this one," Dumbledore admitted. "As you told me — the Room of Hidden Things is perfect for concealing something like this. Conveniently close to my office, too." He winked. "Of course, I didn't bother with the Gaunt Shack. You already warned me, didn't you?"
Charles had long since told Dumbledore everything about the Horcruxes. To Dumbledore, it seemed Charles might be a prophet, much like his old friend Grindelwald.
Following Charles's account, Dumbledore intended to let Harry Potter destroy some of the Horcruxes himself — part of his destined trial.
The Ravenclaw Diadem, Slytherin's Locket, and the Resurrection Stone were to be handled first. But Dumbledore, knowing his own weakness toward the Stone's temptation, had wisely followed Charles's advice — to delay handling it until absolutely necessary.
At least for now, he could still resist the pull.
"Let's set aside this heavy topic," Dumbledore said with a gentle smile.
He opened a wrapped package on the desk. Inside gleamed the Philosopher's Stone.
"When you entrusted this to me, I suspected the news might leak. Voldemort likely knows it's in my possession now. Just as you predicted — Quirinus Quirrell has indeed been possessed."
"A poor fool seduced by darkness," Charles sighed. "He could have had a future, but instead he offered his body to the Dark Lord."
"Quite so," Dumbledore nodded. "That's why I hope you might design… a few small tests for our young hero and his foe — to protect the Stone." He smiled mischievously.
[Current Quest: Design magical trials to guard the Philosopher's Stone against Voldemort and Harry Potter's approach.Reward: ×10 Ultra Ball Gacha Tokens]
[Current Quest: Destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes.Note: Each Horcrux destroyed grants a milestone reward.Horcruxes destroyed: 0]
Charles had expected Dumbledore would rope him into helping somehow — but he hadn't expected his system to jump in and assign him quests as well.
Not just the Stone's protection… even the Horcrux mission's triggered.
Dumbledore, meanwhile, hadn't destroyed the Diadem yet — perhaps hoping to see if it could be purified instead of lost forever.
"I'll give it some thought," Charles said at last.
(End of Chapter)