Harry potter:Dark lord

As the thick black fog gradually filled the corridor in front of him, Robert slowly stepped back.

When facing a wild beast, the most dangerous thing to do is turn your back on it and run.

Robert was certain that if he turned around and fled, the black fog would pounce on him immediately.

After all, what was the real difference between an out-of-control Obscurial and a wild beast?

Yes—when Robert saw the eerie black mist and felt the powerful magic surging within it, he immediately realized what it was.

Credence Barebone. The Obscurial.

Or rather, Aurelius Dumbledore, the biological son of Aberforth Dumbledore.

Robert only knew that sometime around 1930—after the Qilin selection incident—Aberforth had taken Aurelius home.

As for his fate, Robert wasn't certain.

But it had been seven or eight years since then, and given the short lifespans of Obscurials, even if Aurelius was naturally gifted, his current condition couldn't be good.

So much time had passed that even Nagini had faded into obscurity, disappearing from the world's attention.

For an Obscurial like Aurelius to still be alive—it was nothing short of a miracle.

Just as Robert was debating whether to break through the floor and escape or slowly retreat down the stairs, a familiar voice rang out from behind him.

"Don't move. Don't panic."

Hearing this, Robert immediately stopped.

Aberforth stepped out from behind him and approached the swirling black mist with careful steps.

"Calm down… Aurelius, calm down. You can do this. I trust you, right?"

As Aberforth spoke soothingly, the black mist trembled.

Gradually, the dense fog filling the entire corridor began to shrink.

Eventually, the mist gathered in the corner and condensed into the figure of a pale, trembling young man.

His body shuddered violently as he gasped out:

"I… I can't hold on any longer… Please, just kill me. I won't last much longer anyway. Rather than staying here, not knowing when I might lose control and hurt someone… it's better to end it now."

"Nonsense!" Aberforth's voice was firm, though tinged with sorrow. "A son does not ask his father to kill him! Besides, the attic has been enchanted with powerful spells by your uncle. Even if you lose control, those protections will hold. You won't hurt anyone."

Aurelius shook his head weakly. "But I still escaped this time, didn't I? Even Uncle's magic couldn't hold me completely… Father, please… promise me… let this end."

Aberforth's expression darkened with grief. "No more of this talk! My son, let's go back. I will stay with you—until the very end. You don't have to bear this alone! Please… don't force me into this decision…"

He reached out and gently supported Aurelius, helping him to stand.

Aurelius' pale face twisted in bitter sorrow. He turned his head and looked at Robert.

"I'm sorry…"

It seemed like he wanted to say more, but no words came out.

Robert remained silent the entire time, simply watching as Aberforth slowly led Aurelius up the stairs to the attic.

Now, Robert completely understood why Aberforth had refused to let anyone enter the attic.

Because Aurelius was still alive—and he lived there.

And because an Obscurial losing control was too dangerous, the attic had been heavily warded with protective magic.

Robert now realized what had happened earlier—when he heard that loud noise, it must have been Aurelius attacking the protective spells in a fit of uncontrolled power.

By the time Robert had stepped into the corridor, Aurelius had already broken through the protections and escaped—only to run straight into him.

Not long after, Aberforth returned from the attic, his face heavy with unspoken pain.

He looked at Robert and said, "If you have any questions, ask them now."

Aberforth knew that after witnessing Aurelius' condition, Robert was bound to have many questions.

And if he refused to answer, Robert might try to investigate on his own—which could be dangerous.

Robert hesitated for a moment before asking, "What was that just now?"

Aberforth sighed. "That… was an Obscurial. You can think of it as a disease. My son, Aurelius Dumbledore, has it. Those afflicted may transform into an Obscurus at any moment and lose all reason. Today was an accident, but I have strengthened the protective spells again."

Robert glanced at Aberforth's sorrowful expression and decided not to press further.

There was no point in making a grieving father relive his painful past.

Besides, Robert had already pieced most of the truth together.

"I have no more questions."

Aberforth looked at him in surprise.

If he had encountered something like this in his youth, he would have had countless questions.

But Robert only asked one—and then let it go?

Then Aberforth understood.

This child is kind. He doesn't want to make me suffer more than I already have.

Aberforth exhaled deeply and said, "Alright… if you ever have questions, you can ask me."

With that, he turned and walked down the stairs.

As he left, a thought crossed his mind.

"What a kindhearted child."

A New Plan

At three in the afternoon, Tom Riddle finally woke up.

The first thing he saw was Robert, seated nearby, practicing Transfiguration—turning a matchstick into various shapes.

Tom immediately scowled.

"You bastard! You let me sleep while you secretly worked hard? How shameless!"

Robert glanced up and smirked. "How was your nap? You look much more refreshed."

Tom glared at him. "Don't pretend you don't know! You let me sleep so you could get ahead of me!"

Robert chuckled. "Alright, alright, I get it. You don't want to see me anymore. That's fine. I was just thinking about leaving anyway."

Tom frowned. "What do you mean?"

Robert pulled out a Gringotts key and waved it in front of Tom.

"I'm sitting on five or six thousand Galleons. Why should I keep living under someone else's roof? Wouldn't it be better to buy my own house? At worst, I can build one myself. I have Toby to take care of my daily needs—I don't need a guardian."

With such a fortune, Robert had everything he needed to live independently.

More importantly, living alone meant he could conduct magical experiments without the watchful eye of a guardian.

Tom shook his head. "Dumbledore won't allow it. If he says no, you can forget about it. You should know by now—he's not as kind as he appears."

Robert sighed. "You're probably right… but I'll find a way."

Tom suddenly asked, "If… you manage to move out… can you take me with you?"

Robert stared at him, stunned. "What? Tom, don't get any ideas! I'm not interested in men!"

"Idiot!" Tom's face darkened. "I meant we move out together, shake off the so-called guardians, and then go our separate ways!"

Robert chuckled. "Oh, of course, of course. Your share of the gold is safe."

Tom smirked. "Good."

A new plan was forming.

And this time, they wouldn't let anyone stand in their way.

(End of Chapter 34)

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