《Ascension: Rise of the Crimson Wizard》Third Year Part 5
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Dumbledore POV:
It is as I feared. Things are getting out of control. This feeling of helplessness while things are getting chaotic… This isn't the first time I felt it. Tom was exactly like this before it all began, a small child with big ambitions and a lot of hate for the world. He too, showed exceptional talent since young, especially after his third year, though the reason I am unaware of.
He slowly evolved from a harmless student, to one of the most dangerous dark wizards of all time. And If our intel is to be believed, he too began when he was very young.
Kaiser Lunar… He reminds me a lot of both dark wizards I fought before. He is perhaps more monstrously talented than Tom, and craves for change… I can see it in his eyes. He isn't satisfied with his current situation, and he doesn't strike me as someone doing this only for money. He had other options if he only wanted wealth. It is clear as day that's not his aim.
I have investigated everything I know about him. His birth is a mystery. There are no records of who his parents are, neither through Wizarding nor muggle means. He miraculously appeared in front of an orphanage where he was taken in. His glowing eyes and hair, probably a result of an enhancement ritual. Yet, Poppy detected no such thing. After all, the vast majority of rituals leave traces behind.
His behavior… Always on the look out, always afraid of… dying? Would he take the same road as Voldemort given the opportunity?
But what has me worried the most… is how he seems to disappear from Hogwarts' detection wards. I am ashamed to say how clueless I am, about how he achieved this seemingly impossible feat. I noticed during his second year. While I know he goes to the seventh floor, we do not know where exactly he spends his time.
I tried sending Snape tailing him, even tailed him myself, alas with no results. Whenever we are following him, he appears to be puzzled and unaware of where he is going, as he roams the empty corridors. I even asked the House Elves that are directly connected to Hogwarts', yet it was pointless.
The staff approves very much of him and his character, seeing how he impressed even Severus. If so, why am I still worried? I myself fail to answer such a question. You may call it a gut feeling?
If anything, my gut feeling hasn't failed me. The recent report is a clear indication that I was right all along. He achieved a revolutionary feat people researched for hundreds of years. If Filius' report is to be believed, his device can be adjusted to communicate all over the world. Logically speaking, if he is after money, he would just patent his creation and submit it to the ICW, and reap all the benefits without lifting a finger. Live in luxury for the rest of his life.
It is clear he has other plans for the device, plans I fail to predict. As of right now, he and his partner, Karl Greengrass have gained enormous influence all over the world. What does that mean? Allies, and certainly enemies.
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He fails to understand just how big an impact his actions have. Right now, it is safe to assume the dark faction has gained even more power, thanks to him. How, you ask?
His enemies would never dare to attack him directly, and incur the wrath of everyone investing big money in him. After all, it isn't far fetched that even governments are planning to procure such devices for themselves. In the law enforcement department, the aid they would provide cannot be ignored.
Instead of clear assassination attempts on him, they would attack him under the guise of blood supremacy. Even join their faction, if necessary. They are sponsored by other factions regardless of his presence. Some are my enemies whom I acquired for various reason (probably my endeavors in the ICW), some who believed in Grindelwald's cause, and blamed me for his demise. And some believe dumbly in Blood Supremacy.
Now, we have to account people who wish for him to be part of the collateral damage. After all, most neutral factions never interfere in this kind of political struggles. Terrorism? Certainly not. At least, not before the threat is too big to ignore."
I sat in my office alone in silence, musing about how I'm going to deal with this… puzzle. But I wasn't really alone, the Sorting Hat occupied a permanent spot in my office. The Sorting Hat… Now that I mention it, didn't it all start the day he was sorted? He spent an abnormally long time under that hat…. What were they speaking of?
"Old friend… I require your guidance." I awoke him from his slumber. He never really sleeps, but likes to pretend he does.
"What is it, Albus? I was having some very nice dreams just now." He said in annoyance. Did the founders really have to give him a temper?
"I am faced with a dilemma, and was hoping for your assistance."
"Haah! Let me guess, it's about Kaiser Lunar again, isn't it? Why won't you leave the boy?" the hat derisively said.
"You know how young souls need our tender care. We cannot leave him for himself. He is still at that age where they are easily corrupted?"
"Speaking from experience?" he mocked me, but I paid him no mind and continued.
"I admit I have done my fair share of mistakes, but I am a changed old man now. I merely wish the best for him."
"For him? Or for the 'Greater Good'? You may fool others, Albus, but you can't fool me. I know exactly what kind of person you are. Do not sit there and pretend you're a saint. What you've done to the Potter heir is enough to kill you ten times over. If the Hogwarts' wasn't forbidden from interfering, she would gladly give you a most gruesome death." The hat looked at me with pure anger. How did he know about the Potter heir? Or more importantly, what does he know exactly? Regardless, I have more pressing questions right now.
"You do not understand. Kaiser Lunar found a way to escape Hogwarts' wards. He strangely disappear from its detection." I argued, hoping he would understand how dangerous that possibility is.
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"He does no such thing. Hogwarts has always been keeping an eye on him on its grounds."
"That is absurd! Unless I have gone blind, and trust me, these old eyes still serve their purpose, he's been disappeared from the map since his second year. At least, that's when I first noticed it. Who knows since when this had been happening, and what he could do next."
Why does he refuse to see reason? He of all the people should understand how serious this issue is. Am I missing something here?
"I still stand by what I said. Now stop pestering me and let me sleep." the hat gruffed, before closing what should be his eyes.
Does he really not understand the magnitude of this issue? I don't think so. Then what does that mean exactly? If Hogwarts is still able to 'see' him, but I can't? The map is connected directly to Hogwarts… Don't tell me… He is being purposely hidden from me?
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It has been a few weeks since Kaiser attended the Yule party, and things has gone back to normal. His routine remained unchanged as he attended Hogwarts.
He wakes up every morning after eight hours of sleep, tire himself practicing spells and doing some physical activities. Shower then attend class and read a few books he would collect from the room of requirement. With his new ability, he doesn't need to spend any time in the RoR, as long as he saves the book before hand.
His thought casting has improved vastly, and now he was capable of casting a few spells with a thought. That does not mean casting them instantly, as there was still a significant delay on the most relevant one. The most important spells he focus on are the levitation spell for its practicality in various situations, the disarming, stunning and shielding spells for combat situations.
There is at least a 700 ms on each spell, and it appears more and more difficult to go past it. Therefore, he preferred expanding his repertory of spells, instead of focusing on a single one endlessly with little success.
He was very excited, because he will be able to advance in magical theory. There was a set of books he shouldn't read yet, and he wished to reach the level required to read them. The written warning was crystal clear, and he wouldn't needless risk it.
Today, Gryffindor has a Quidditch game against Hufflepuff, and Kaiser would attend with his friends, while pretending to be on a 'date' with Susan. They had to maintain the image, after all. He also wanted to make sure nothing bad happens to his friends.
"Hello~" said Tracey to the approaching 'couple'. "We saved seats for the two lovebirds~" she said with a teasing tone that had all the desired effects on the blushing Susan, and even Kaiser was embarrassed at the ridiculousness of the situation.
Tracey kept eyeing them mischievously as they sat next to her, as she obviously chose the seat next to Susan, planning on having all the fun she could afford today at Susan's expense.
Michael and Hannah were also embarrassed by the situation, while Daphne kept her usual face that weirdly fluctuated briefly before going back to normal. No one knew what she was thinking of.
"So, what are you guys up to these days~ Any suggestions on good broom closets to visit~~" Tracey said cheerfully. If Susan's face got any redder, its color would leave the visible light spectrum.
"Alright alright stop, the girl might faint if you don't." Michael interrupted her, while Kaiser sent him a grateful look.
"So, who do you think is going to win the game?" Hannah said to change the subject.
"It's will be a tough game. Gryffindor has the best beaters, their keeper is pretty good. While Hufflepuff has the better seeker and overall team." Michael remarked.
Kaiser wasn't a big Quidditch fan, but he still watched the game while conversing with his friends. He kept an eye on the seekers, since he knew one of them was the source of trouble in Hogwarts, if he doesn't count himself.
As the game progressed, Kaiser was on edge because he knew what would happen shortly. His gripping his wand didn't go unnoticed by a certain observant individual.
"Expecting trouble?" Daphne asked in hushed voice, while Kaiser took a long look at her. She was trustworthy, through his alliance with Karl Greengrass. They made sure of it.
"Yes." He answered her calmly, but he was far from calm. They were about to face a catastrophe of unprecedented scale. If the original story is to be believed, hundreds of Dementors are about to show up and attack them, and realistically, that wasn't an ideal situation. He wasn't stupid enough to believe nothing could go wrong.
Harry seemed to spot the Snitch and went on its tail, while Cedric raced him to it. The Snitch suddenly changed direction and went upwards towards the cloudy sky, and the two young seekers followed, unaware of the changes around them. The sky was getting more cloudy and lightening could be heard.
The temperature decreased drastically as they raced upwards, with Harry in the lead. Once he closed in enough, a Dementor suddenly appeared at his side and started sucking the life out of him. He persevered, trying to overcome the Dementor's presence with his will, yet it was futile. He lost consciousness, and dropped from his broom.
Once they reached reached the cloudy region in the sky, the spectators couldn't see any of the seekers. Imagine their surprise when the next thing they see is one Harry Potter dropping from the sky at alarming speed.
Someone in the audience screamed, most likely Hermione Granger. While everyone in proximity to Kaiser gasped. Kaiser knew that their worry about his life was unnecessary: they were living in a world of magic, where stopping someone's momentum can be done by most third year students, yet no one seemed to realize it.
"Arresto Momentum." a loud incantation was heard from the Headmaster, as he wandlessly decelerated Harry.
The real threat has yet to pass, as a hoard of Dementors sped up towards the spectators.
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❝𝗶 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗿𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶'𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂.❞╰┈➤ 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘅 𝗳𝗲𝗺!𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙪 , 𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙛 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙛𝙞𝙘 , 𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙛 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 !𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙤 : 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 , 𝙕𝙝𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 !𝙞 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙤𝙘 𝙬𝙩𝙫
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