Rowena Ravenclaw had no desire to pry further. After shadowing Erwin for so long, she'd spotted countless oddities in his ways. He carried treasures that were rarities even in her era. Clearly, he harbored secrets. She knew that much.
But as the embodiment of wisdom, Rowena understood the boundaries of inquiry. Compared to the burdens Erwin shouldered, a few hidden truths were insignificant.
"The power of the gods isn't to be trifled with," she warned. "Wield it with utmost caution—their essence eclipses our own. Wherever you sourced this force, treat it with reverence. The gods are far more intricate than they might seem to you, Erwin."
He nodded, absorbing her words. The System had echoed the same caution. If he'd once dismissed the divine with a shrug, wielding Death's power had shattered that arrogance. Now, his wariness burned bright.
"Let me purge the lingering remnants of Death from you," Rowena continued. "Otherwise, it'll linger and take its toll."
Erwin inclined his head. "I'd be grateful, Founder."
Starlight flickered at her fingertips, a gentle glow infusing him. He felt a soothing warmth chase away the icy residue deep within. With the task complete, Rowena withdrew her hand and stifled a yawn.
"That's done. Now, I'm off to rest. Carry on."
Before he could reply, she faded back into the Diadem.
Erwin settled onto his bed, brow furrowed in contemplation. Rowena's effortless dispel of Death's energy had revealed something profound. He'd tried purging it himself with magic, but failed—divine essence outranked mortal spells.
Yet Rowena had succeeded. Drawing from the tales he'd devoured in his past life, only equal or superior forces could counter such power. Did that mean her starlight was divine in origin? Or at least brushing against godhood?
His intrigue about the Founders reignited. A forgotten volume from the Ravenclaw trial chamber surfaced in his mind. He'd underestimated them all along.
Time slipped by.
In the Headmaster's office, Lily bid farewell to Harry and Snape. Harry had gleaned the depth of his mother's bond with Snape—and learned the man would safeguard him, if only for her memory. No tales of James's torments surfaced, of course.
As Lily's form dimmed, Harry's and Snape's eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Erwin remained oblivious to the office scene, though he could have pieced it together. It held no allure for him. Instead, he lounged in his dormitory, facing Lily's soul once more.
Yes, he'd fibbed to Snape. Lily's presence wouldn't fade after an hour—it was closer to ninety minutes. The white lie bought him time for his own questions.
She rematerialized, spotting him with a radiant smile. "I knew it. I can linger longer than an hour!"
Erwin nodded calmly, unsurprised. As a soul, she'd sense her own limits.
"So, Erwin," she said, "why keep me here alone? What's on your mind?"
He met her gaze steadily. "Tell me about my mother."
Lily's eyes sparkled like crescent moons. "I figured you'd ask. Your mother... she's like the moon in the night sky—ethereal, untouchable. From her first day at Hogwarts, she outshone every girl. Her noble lineage and sheer brilliance made her a goddess among us."
"Sharper than anyone, always a step ahead. Your father called her a phoenix among peacocks. I can't quite recall the Muggle phrase, but that's the gist."
Erwin supplied it gently. "A phoenix among peacocks?"
"Exactly!" Lily beamed. "She seemed above it all, distant and pure. She and your father were cut from the same cloth—taking life lightly, treating it like a grand jest. That's what drew them together, I suppose."
Erwin's frown deepened. Lily painted his parents as aloof outsiders, almost otherworldly. Time travelers? Unlikely—they'd leave ripples in history. If not, it pointed to one chilling truth: to them, others were mere extras in their play. Hogwarts was a lark, not a life.
What staggering arrogance. Two souls like that, same year? Falling in love? The wizarding world verged on farce—no even the wildest tales would dare such a twist.
"What else?" he pressed. "The Godfather mentioned you and Mother were close."
Lily shook her head. "I know bits and pieces, but for the real story, seek Narcissa Malfoy—née Black. They were thick as thieves, dormmates and confidantes."
"You've heard most of what I know already. As a Gryffindor, I wasn't in their Slytherin circle like Lucius and Narcissa. Our ties were cordial, but not that deep."
Erwin nodded, the pieces slotting into place.
Lily drifted to the window, gazing at the Black Lake below. "I've never seen it from up here—stunning. But you didn't extend my time just for this, did you? Plenty of gaps in my knowledge."
He offered no immediate reply, the lake's dark waters mirroring his swirling thoughts.
...
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