[HP] The magic thieves #6 (Patreon)

Chapter #6: Harry and Dumbledore's last encounter.

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“Ah, Professor Dumbledore, you’re the person I wanted to see!” Harry cheerfully said as he greeted the old wizard who was looking at him with a serious expression.

The last meeting of the order had ended and even though Harry knew that Dumbledore hated him or at least his behavior every time Harry was around him since the start of the summer made Harry think that, however, there was some information Harry needed to get and this was the only moment he could get to talk with the old wizard considering he was giving him the cold shoulder, so, he already accepted that they wouldn’t see each other in school nor they would share letters again.

“Mr. Potter, you know I can’t share information about the meetings—” Dumbledore was annoyed but he was quickly stopped by Harry.

“It’s not that professor, don’t worry about it, I have no desire to know about what you guys talk about,” Harry said trying to not sound so bitter but failing at the same time.

He quickly shook his head, he wanted to let the other adults know that he didn’t trust them, and if things went right, this would be the last time Harry would ask Dumbledore something and then they would finally be able to distance themselves from each other just like the old wizard wanted so much.

“Oh…As long as it’s not about my decision of not making you a prefect—” The old wizard was stopped once again.

“Professor, I wanted to ask you what would have happened if I didn’t participate in the tasks of the Triwizard tournament, I know about the binding contract but…What could have happened if I decided to not attend the tasks?” Harry asked with a hopeful expression.

However, that only caused Dumbledore to glare at him, and that made Harry move his eyes away from the old wizard’s eyes, he was still new when it came to the mind arts, however, if he learned something from Hermione’s secret attacks was to move your gaze whenever you face someone you know could read your mind.

“Why do you ask that Mr. Potter?” Asked the old wizard with a stern tone.

“Well, I’ve been thinking recently that the world would’ve been a better place if I decided to not participate,” Harry admitted with a defeated tone.

Even if this wasn’t the reason he was asking the old wizard that question, it doesn’t mean he didn’t think about it since Cedric died. Still, Dumbledore didn't look impressed by the question, in the end, he only sighed defeated.

“Mr. Potter, you shouldn’t think too much about the past…I know you blame yourself but you need to move on with your life,” Dumbledore's tone made Harry think that the old wizard didn’t care that Cedric died.

It sounded like he wanted him to not feel anything, and in any other circumstances he would have snapped at him, however, he needed an answer to his question and soon, he smiled at the old wizard.

“I’m fine professor I just want to know what would have happened if I didn’t attend the tasks, maybe the answer to that question would help me to finally move on with my life after knowing if not attending would’ve been worth it, please,” Harry was on the verge of begging, after this, he knew everyone was staring at him.

He knew they probably thought he was pathetic and they were probably also pitying him, however, he had been in worse situations while he grew up with the Dursleys, begging for information was so light-hearted compared to the chores he had to do to receive a plate of food when his uncle was angry at him.

The old wizard was still looking at him with a serious expression, however, in the end, he sighed before he spoke.

“You would’ve lost your magic or died,” Dumbledore said with a serious tone. “Or at least that’s what the theory says, no one has ever refused to participate in the tournament. Those who have studied the goblet concluded that if a strong wizard or witch refuses to participate, that person would lose their magic, meanwhile, a weak one would die,” the old wizard’s words made Harry gulp.

Harry tried to not show his shock but he knew Dumbledore was so good at reading people that he knew there was no way he could hide his reaction from him.

“Don't think I didn’t investigate Mr. Potter, trust me, I didn’t want you to participate and if not attending would’ve been an option I would have ordered you to not do it,” the old wizard suddenly walked away from Harry.

“Sir…Do you know where can I find more information about the goblet?” Harry knew the old wizard would suspect something but he wanted to get more information.

This is what he and Hermione needed, if they wanted to create some kind of artifact to steal magic from other people, using the goblet of fire as a starting point sounded like a good idea.

“I’m afraid there’s no way to get information on the goblet, everything is guarded in the Department of Mysteries of the Ministry of Magic,” the old wizard didn’t wait for Harry to say something else before moving away from the young wizard.

Soon, Dumbledore was happily chatting with the members of the Order, Harry could only stare at him with a bitter expression.

“Thank you, sir, and goodbye,” Harry said angrily in a low tone.

However, he decided to forget about his lost friendship with the old wizard and focus on what was important, he needed to see Hermione and tell her everything he learned today, so, he ran as fast as he could towards Hermione’s room and soon, he was telling her everything Dumbledore reluctantly shared with him.

“What’s the department of mysteries, Hermione?” Asked Harry with a confused expression.

“Oh, I remember this very well because I had to get a book to know more about our world before our first year,” Hermione smirked. “As you said when you came back from your disciplinary hearing, the ministry is big…But not all those people work directly with the minister, there’s the justice department, the department of law enforcement, the one where Mr. Weasley works, etcetera, and there's also the department of mysteries,” Hermione said with a calm expression.

“And what happens in that department, Hermione?” Asked Harry with obvious curiosity.

“They study everything magic cannot easily explain like prophecies, they also experiment and create spells, according to rumors, they have alien life forms there too but that’s just a rumor, they study death and most importantly…Time, in fact, they were the ones who lent me the time turner back during our third year, do you remember that?” Asked Hermione with a curious look.

Harry nodded violently, that was a semi-calm year but letting Pettigrew go was one of his biggest regrets, he should’ve let Sirius kill him because in the end, Sirius was still a wanted criminal and now Voldemort was back thanks to that rat, nothing good came from letting Pettigrew live.

“Yes, I remember being a prat towards you…I’m sorry for getting angry because of a stupid broom,” Harry said completely embarrassed.

“It’s okay Harry…I forgave you a long time ago, but we’re drifting away from the main point of this conversation,” Hermione suddenly paused and walked around the room.

It’s clear that she was organizing her ideas, but Harry was a little worried about asking her, he knows her mind is amazing but sometimes, is also chaotic.

“I was thinking about doing something,” Hermione said with an embarrassed expression.

“Yeah?” Harry asked with a raised brow.

“Well, for what we’re planning to do we’re going to need time, so…I was thinking that maybe we should visit the Department of Mysteries and see if we can get some information about the goblet of fire…” Hermione said in a low tone.

“…And what else Mione?” Harry was a bit worried to ask but he knew he had to.

“And steal a few time turners maybe?” She said in the most innocent tone possible.

To say that Harry was surprised by her idea would be the understatement of the century.