HP: The Duelist of Hogwarts - 410

Chapter 410: Return

In the original timeline, after Harry’s hearing, Dumbledore was expelled from the Wizengamot and the International Confederation of Wizards. In the current timeline, however, because Sean had previously set Scrimgeour stirring things up and had Barrett and Dawlish quietly fan the flames, the rumor of Voldemort’s return continued to circulate within the Ministry.

Fudge could not tolerate this. He sent his Aurors to investigate, but most of those Aurors were “mask Aurors,” and many had already fallen under Sean’s hidden influence. Investigating themselves would hardly yield the truth.

Then came the Triwizard Tournament. Voldemort truly returned, and both Fleur and Krum saw him. Naturally, they spread the word upon returning. Add to that the fact that Aurors had indeed been Imperiused, and large numbers of Death Eaters had appeared, none of which could be denied.

Though Fudge insisted it was merely Death Eaters making trouble.

Yet those Death Eaters had existed for over a decade. Why had they not run rampant earlier? Why now, precisely when rumors of Voldemort’s return were loudest? Was there truly no chance Voldemort had returned? If Dumbledore was mad, were all three Triwizard champions mad as well? Was Scrimgeour mad?

Human nature being what it is, most people still preferred to believe Fudge. They decided Dumbledore had gone senile, the three champions had suffered shared hallucinations, and the deaths of Gavin and others were simply the work of Death Eaters, not Voldemort’s resurrection.

But the witches and wizards in the Ministry, the Wizengamot, and the International Confederation were not fools. They had their own calculations and suspicions. As a result, the pressure on Dumbledore was far lighter than in the original history. Neither the Wizengamot nor the Confederation expelled him. They merely curtailed some of his authority. In status, Dumbledore remained above the fray.

That is also why Umbridge, who had aimed for the important post of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, ended up teaching Care of Magical Creatures instead. Unlike before, Dumbledore was still in place, and much of his power remained intact.

Even so, the limitations on Dumbledore’s authority encouraged certain parties to reach into Hogwarts once more: the Slytherin Brotherhood among them, and Fudge as well, using Umbridge as his hand.

Sean understood the broad strokes. So when Blaise came by late at night to tell him the Slytherin Brotherhood’s reserve chapter was being revived, Sean was not surprised. He found it perfectly normal.

The Brotherhood’s roots were in Hogwarts. While there, they recruited capable students from notable families into a reserve chapter, then selected the true standouts to join the organization after graduation. That approach steadily grew their influence and voice within the Ministry.

Before this, Dumbledore held everything at Hogwarts and stood high above. The Brotherhood could not challenge him and withdrew from the school. Now that his authority had been trimmed and his pedestal lowered, their hand extended back in.

This time, the Brotherhood had chosen to work with Fudge—and even had Voldemort and the Death Eaters quietly backing them. Naturally, they were no longer afraid of that “old madman” Dumbledore.

After shooing Blaise away, Sean fell asleep quickly.

Hogwarts in September was still warm, yet when Sean woke in the morning, he felt a chill. He reached to throw off the covers and get up to wash, when his fingers touched something icy and smooth. He froze, then flung back the quilt. Curled in the blankets, blinking sleepily, lay Qul’kan.

“You finally decided to come back?”

Lounging lazily on the bed, Qul’kan murmured, “Sean, go to class. We can talk later. I’m exhausted. I’m sleeping.”

Seeing Qul’kan like that, Sean shook his head helplessly and let her rest. He washed, dressed, and left the Slytherin common room, meeting Blaise and Jensen in the Great Hall.

They ate breakfast together. Sean glanced at Blaise. “Blaise, you need to put in real effort this year. If you fail O.W.L.s, you’re finished.”

Blaise nodded at once, wearing a resigned expression. “I know. Rowena told me the same. I’ll work hard this year.”

Compared to Blaise, Jensen—now a sixth-year with O.W.L.s behind him—had it easier. He had done quite well last year, moving on to higher-level study in Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Potions. He was far ahead of Blaise.

“Sean, what’s first period?”

“Transfiguration.”

“Oh, right. You don’t need to attend Transfiguration, do you?”

Sean nodded. “Right. I plan to go see Professor Snape after breakfast. There are matters we need to discuss.”

At the mention of Snape, Jensen’s face grew grave. “Sean, even if you trust Professor Snape, you should still be careful.”

“Relax, Jensen. I know the Head of House better than you think.”

“In that case, I’ll say no more.”

They finished eating and went their separate ways.

Sean went to Snape’s office, knocked, then pushed the door open and walked in.

At the sound, Snape knew who it was. He set down his copy of the Golden Cauldron periodical and said, “I told you not to be seen too close to me this term.”

Sean smiled. “It’s fine. It’s just us here. Voldemort cannot see into this room. But have you decided, Professor? How are you going to kill me?”

The last line clearly displeased Snape. His face darkened, and he shot Sean a withering look, nearly hissing with irritation.

Seeing that, Sean immediately behaved, switching topics at once. “Professor, I have a new subject I’d like to discuss with you.”