Afterward, in the Headmaster's office, Damian and Dumbledore did not continue discussing the grim events that had just unfolded. Instead, they spent some time deeply exploring the complex theories of Transfiguration.
In just half an hour, Damian felt he had benefited immensely. Combined with the advanced Transfiguration notes Dumbledore had previously given him, he had finally figured out several key bottlenecks in his understanding.
This breakthrough gave him even more confidence in translating Hogwarts-style Transfiguration into his own runic magic system.
"Professor, your knowledge is truly astonishing," Damian said respectfully. "If I may, I would like to ask you about one more thing. Do you happen to know what this is used for?"
Damian reached into his pocket and took out an exquisitely crafted, intricate Magic Cube. "I found this while researching some items left behind by my grandfather, Alphard Black. It seems to be related to Ancient Runes."
He had retrieved this Magic Cube from a locked heirloom box, which he had only managed to open by using his newly translated runic model of the Lumos Charm as a magical key.
Damian had studied the Magic Cube for quite some time without finding any clues. He had even asked his grandfather's portrait about it, but the painting didn't know its exact purpose either, only recalling that it was an antique recovered from an ancient ruin.
Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon spectacles and observed the Magic Cube carefully.
After a long moment, the Headmaster spoke slowly. "This is goblin-wrought silver. There are still faint magical fluctuations lingering inside its core; it certainly does not seem to be merely a decorative item."
"I thought as much," Damian nodded. "I wonder if you know its purpose?"
"Although I have lived a little longer than most, there are still many things in this world I do not know," Dumbledore chuckled, shaking his head gently.
He pulled a sheet of heavy parchment from his desk drawer, wrote a few lines in his looping script, and handed it across the desk to Damian.
"Since it is goblin craftsmanship, perhaps the best course of action is to ask a goblin," Dumbledore suggested. "Eureka Asghar is an old acquaintance of mine. If you present this letter to him, I believe he will be very happy to answer your questions."
"Thank you, Professor," Damian said, carefully accepting the letter. "I greatly appreciate your help."
Dumbledore smiled kindly. "It is nothing, my boy. Let us stop here for today. I still have many matters to handle regarding the Philosopher's Stone."
After saying his goodbyes, Damian left the Headmaster's office. As he walked down the spiral staircase, he carefully reviewed their conversation, ensuring he hadn't made any conversational oversights.
He knew that by revealing more of his true strength tonight, he would inevitably attract Dumbledore's scrutiny.
However, after obtaining the world-traversing metal disc and his Wizard Tower, Damian's mindset had fundamentally shifted. Previously, his ultimate goal in this world had been to become a great wizard on par with Dumbledore or Grindelwald. Now, he already possessed the absolute confidence that he would surpass them entirely.
Back in the office, Dumbledore had told Harry, "Only one who wanted to find the Stone—find it, but not use it—would be able to get it." Damian understood perfectly well that this was the core test Dumbledore had set for the Boy Who Lived. It was designed to see if Harry's heart had gone astray, and to determine whether he was worth continuing to invest in as the savior of the wizarding world.
Moreover, tonight was likely only the beginning of a long series of trials Dumbledore would orchestrate over the coming years.
Damian knew he would likely be swept up in those tests as well, but he didn't fear them. Regardless of his machinations, Dumbledore would never carelessly place a student in true, mortal danger. Damian still had more than enough time to safely develop his power.
Meanwhile, in the Hospital Wing.
"Stop pacing, Hermione, you're making me dizzy," Ron muttered from his hospital bed.
Neville was still fast asleep, resting peacefully in the bed next to him.
Hermione ignored Ron, continuing to pace anxiously at the foot of the beds. After levitating Neville and helping a concussed Ron out of the trapdoor chambers, she had immediately rushed to the Owlery to send a frantic letter to Professor Dumbledore, warning him about Quirrell.
Dumbledore's owl had returned almost immediately with a terrifyingly short reply: "I already know."
There had been absolutely no news since then. She had been waiting for Harry and Damian to emerge for hours, and her nerves were entirely frayed.
Suddenly, Hermione heard footsteps echoing near the heavy oak doors. Seeing who had just walked in, a massive, joyful smile broke across her face. "Harry!"
"You didn't send any word, you scared us to death!" She practically sprinted forward and pulled Harry into a bone-crushing hug.
Pulling back, she looked behind him. Not seeing the older Slytherin, her voice spiked with panic. "Where is Damian?"
Harry rubbed his shoulder, wincing slightly from Hermione's fierce grip. "Damian is fine too. He stayed behind in the Headmaster's office to talk to Professor Dumbledore."
Hermione and Ron—who was craning his neck so hard he looked like a turtle—both let out massive sighs of relief.
Hermione immediately launched into a rapid-fire interrogation. "Oh, thank goodness you're okay! Has Dumbledore returned? What happened after we left? Did you successfully stop Quirrell? Where is the Philosopher's Stone?"
Harry scratched his messy hair and slowly recounted the chaotic events that had unfolded in the final chamber.
Hermione and Ron listened with rapt attention. When they heard that Quirrell had physically snatched the Stone right out of Harry's hand, they couldn't help but gasp in horror. But when Harry described how Damian had relentlessly overpowered Lord Voldemort himself, they broke into loud, triumphant cheers.
The noise instantly summoned Madam Pomfrey, who bustled out of her office to severely scold them for disturbing the peace. However, since they were the only conscious patients in the ward, she merely threatened them and didn't actually kick Harry and Hermione out.
Once the matron was gone, Hermione let out a shaky breath. "I can't believe You-Know-Who was actively possessing Professor Quirrell. It's a miracle we thought to find Damian. Otherwise... you would have had to face the Dark Lord entirely alone."
"If that happened, we'd be attending your funeral!" Ron added, shivering as he imagined the grim scenario.
Harry felt a deep, lingering chill of fear. He had witnessed the duel between Damian and Voldemort with his own two eyes. Although the fight had ended quickly, the sheer intensity and destructive scale of their magic was something he couldn't even begin to comprehend, let alone intervene in.
Sitting there, Harry made a firm resolution. He was going to practice his magic diligently from now on. He wanted to learn from Damian. Seeing the older boy transfigure normal sand into a roaring sea of fire had opened Harry's eyes to the infinite, terrifying possibilities of magic.
That evening, the Great Hall was exceptionally loud and chaotic.
Sensational news always spread like wildfire at Hogwarts, and the student body had already caught wind of the trio's underground exploits.
Everyone was passionately discussing the incident over dinner, and wildly varying rumors were already taking root. Because it was the weekend and the students hadn't seen most of the staff all day, the most exaggerated rumor currently circulating was that Damian Black had somehow fought and defeated the entire roster of professors.
"Damian!" Geralt shouted dramatically the moment he saw his dormmate walk into the Great Hall. "Did you really defeat Dumbledore in a duel?"
"Huh?!" Damian stopped dead in his tracks, completely bewildered.
Within seconds, a massive crowd of students from all four houses surged forward, surrounding him completely.
Jerry pushed his way to the front of the mob. "Mate, half the school is saying you took down the professors to protect the castle!"
Damian looked around at the sea of faces. The expressions staring back at him were a complex mix of wild excitement, deep admiration, and profound disbelief.
What?! Damian thought, utterly startled. How did the story warp this badly? Which absolute genius of journalism started this rumor?
"I didn't fight the staff," Damian said loudly, trying to set the record straight. "I only defeated Professor Quirrell."
"Hiss—!" The surrounding students inhaled sharply in unison, sucking so much air it felt like a vacuum had opened in the Great Hall.
Immediately, the crowd erupted into a chaotic frenzy of questions, drowning each other out.
"How did you do it?!" "What exactly was Quirrell trying to do?" "I heard you blocked the Killing Curse with your bare hands!" "Damian... do you happen to have any free time tonight...?"
[75 STONES] - Unlock1 Bonus Chapter
[150 STONES] - Unlock 2 Bonus Chapters
[300 STONES] - Unlock 3 Bonus Chapters