Chapter 58: A Frank Admission
"I didn't go looking for trouble," he said, the sweetness sharp on his tongue. "The Death Eaters came for me. What was I supposed to do?"
Dumbledore's expression, usually so carefully composed, shifted. The twinkle in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a sharper, more assessing look. They came for him? He had read Filius Flitwick's report, which noted Elian was the only person found at the scene. The unspoken question had hung in the air: how did a first-year with no Hogsmeade permission end up in a remote forest, and why were five Death Eaters dead around him?
Dumbledore had his theories. He knew Tom Riddle's obsessions better than anyone alive. A new prophecy from Sybill Trelawney, one involving this mysterious boy, would be a beacon to Voldemort. He had assumed Elian would be safe within Hogwarts's walls. He had never imagined the boy would venture out, making himself a target. Or, a darker thought occurred: perhaps the boy had lured the target.
But this… this frank admission was unexpected.
"Five Death Eaters," Dumbledore said slowly, his voice soft. "Five adult wizards. That is not a feat for a student, however talented."
Elian met his gaze steadily. He had thought this through. There was no point in hiding his capabilities now. The Death Eaters knew. The Ministry suspected. If he wanted to stop being harassed by every opportunistic dark wizard, he needed to establish that he was not easy prey. And to do that, he needed to stop pretending to be a normal first-year.
"It's fine, Headmaster," Elian said, selecting another sweet. "I know I seem… full of secrets. I am. I have abilities you don't know about. Abilities that aren't… of this world's magic."
The words hung in the office, seeming to still the gentle whirring of Dumbledore's silver instruments. The old wizard's eyes widened fractionally behind his spectacles. New magical abilities. It confirmed his deepest suspicions. The strange power Flitwick had sensed, the bizarre occurrences around the boy, Trelawney's cryptic prophecy about a 'Supreme Mage'… it was all connected. This was not just a talented wizard; this was something entirely new.
Dumbledore was silent for a long moment, his mind racing through decades of magical knowledge and finding no reference point. Finally, he spoke. "I see."
Elian just shrugged and kept eating. He needed the energy. Just before climbing the staircase, the Supreme Mage System had pinged in his mind, presenting a new reward task. It was, without a doubt, the most audacious and dangerous one yet.
But the promised reward… the reward was something he couldn't ignore. To get it, he needed to be prepared. And he needed to deal with the exceptionally perceptive wizard sitting across from him first. Today was going to be a very long day.
(End of Chapter)
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