Chapter 187 – Marauder’s Map
We were gathered in one of the classrooms, where I was meeting with people from every faction willing to listen to me. I had sent out an invite to Neville, Flamel, Zevron, and Hermione, to name a few, to attend this impromptu meeting. In the end, Flamel didn’t show up, but he sent some teachers in his stead. I guess he was guarding the two magical items as they were sealed and placed under lockdown here in the castle after Dumbledore’s surprising suggestion.
It wasn’t only me who was surprised by his offer, giving up his wand and letting it be put into a glass container with the Philosopher’s Stone. Then, with everyone accompanying it, the box was brought to the astronomy tower and put behind a magical ward. After leaving the classroom, volunteers from every faction were chosen, standing guard at the door, and one such volunteer was Flamel. I think he expected that Dumbledore would also act the same way, yet he refused, retreating to the Headmaster’s office instead.
When the two artifacts were brought away, I received a look from Snape, who followed Dumbledore close by, telling me with that one turn of his head that he didn’t know what was happening. But someone else did... because I received a whisper in my ear as Grindelwald reinforced my initial thoughts. To get everybody up to speed, I didn’t stretch out our meeting, nor did I try to convince anybody about what I had to say. I just wanted to make sure they were told what we thought about Dumbledore’s offer and their willingness to let go of the Elder Wand.
"Are you trying to tell us that Dumbledore will try to steal both artifacts?" Hermione asked, feeling that it was a stretch, even if she was inclined to believe me.
"That would be the heist of the century." Zevron hummed, scratching his chin while Dimitris, standing next to me, was fidgeting, believing my words from the get-go.
"I know he will. And if we don’t act now, he will be gone with the two by morning."
"Act now? Do what?" McGonagall asked, looking at me with a strict, stern gaze while surrounded by Neville and multiple other people from his faction. I didn’t recognize most of them, but I could feel the unfriendly looks from numerous eyes as they looked at me. As if it would make me flinch... Heh.
"Do what we all agreed on! We must do exactly what we should!" Quincy snorted, annoyed by her expression and the accusing tone she was using, even though we were trying to warn them. "Destroy the wand. Destroy the Hallows. What else would that mean? Why wait?"
"Waiting does seem to be pointless..." Neville whispered, making me smile a little, but then again, McGonagall cut in.
"Procedures need to be followed! We agreed to destroy it, which must be done publicly to appease everybody. We can’t just do it willy-nilly, as we don’t know what consequences it would bring with it!"
"Showing the ruined wand is enough proof." Zevron chimed in, and I couldn’t help but nod towards Dimitris. They chose an excellent headmaster. I already liked him!