Witcher at Hogwarts

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After a moment of silence, Helena Ravenclaw spoke again, her voice tinged with sorrow.

"He was a student, and unlike so many others, he was charming, empathetic, and compassionate," Helena said, her tone wavering.

"I always thought he was a good person. But later, when I heard from students and professors about the terrible things he had done... I realized he had been using me. How could I have been so foolish?"

Her translucent form dimmed further, her sadness almost palpable.

"Helena, it's not your fault," Dumbledore said gently, his tone warm and reassuring.

"Voldemort had a unique ability to deceive and manipulate others."

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore." Helena managed a faint smile and curtsied with the grace of a bygone era.

Yet her ethereal form remained dim, her melancholy unlifted by his consolation. Dumbledore, sensing her distress, decided against pressing for more details.

"Helena, we won't trouble you further," Dumbledore said politely.

Helena bowed once more to Dumbledore and Ethan before gliding silently from the Room of Requirement, her form fading into the shadows.

As the door closed behind her, Dumbledore turned to Ethan.

"Helena's account has provided valuable insight," he said softly.

"When Voldemort was a student, he persuaded her to reveal the location of the lost diadem. He then traveled to the Albanian forest to retrieve it."

"But he later returned the diadem to Hogwarts, didn't he?" Ethan asked.

"Indeed," Dumbledore confirmed.

"After his graduation, Tom came back, ostensibly to apply for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. I turned him down, suspecting ulterior motives. I now believe he used that visit to hide the diadem in the Room of Requirement."

"That's classic Voldemort," Ethan muttered.

"And the Albanian forest?" Dumbledore added, his expression thoughtful.

"It's a remote, well-hidden place. I suspect Voldemort may have used it as a refuge."

"You think he's hiding there now?" Ethan asked, his eyes widening.

"It's a possibility," Dumbledore replied.

"But confronting him directly would be futile until all of his Horcruxes are destroyed. Any attack would only alert him and make him more cautious."

"Then what do we do if he's there?" Ethan pressed.

"We monitor him," Dumbledore said firmly.

"Our task is to observe and keep him within sight until the time is right. Meanwhile, we must locate and destroy the remaining Horcruxes."

Dumbledore paused, his gaze steady. "Ethan, I'd like you to focus on finding Hufflepuff's Cup. It's vital."

"You can count on me," Ethan replied solemnly.

As they left the Room of Requirement, Dumbledore stopped and turned to Ethan with a rare smile.

"By the way, Ethan, I've acquired a few tickets to the Quidditch World Cup. As much as I'd enjoy attending, I doubt I'll be able to. Perhaps you could make use of them."

Dumbledore reached into his pocket and enthusiastically produced several tickets for the Quidditch World Cup.

The tickets shimmered enchantingly, adorned with images of empty broomsticks zipping across their surfaces. A prominent photograph of Bulgaria's Seeker, Viktor Krum, grinned widely, showcasing his eight-toothed smile.

"Thank you, Dumbledore," Ethan said, accepting the tickets with a mix of surprise and excitement.

He had long dreamed of witnessing the legendary tournament in person, and now the opportunity had finally arrived.

"You young people should take time to enjoy life's pleasures," Dumbledore said with a warm smile.

With that, the Headmaster bid Ethan farewell and departed, walking leisurely toward his office.

Ethan, invigorated by the prospect of the upcoming game, quickly gathered his belongings and left Hogwarts. His first stop was the Leaky Cauldron, where he had arranged to stay.

The innkeeper had waived Ethan's room and board fees in gratitude for his contributions, particularly the creation of Gwent, which had brought in considerable business.

After settling into his room, Ethan made his way to the Ministry of Magic to find Tonks, hoping she could join him at the Quidditch World Cup.

However, Tonks regretfully declined.

"I wish I could, Ethan," she said with genuine disappointment.

"But the Ministry has tasked us Aurors with maintaining order at the event. It's the biggest gathering of wizards in the world, and we're stretched thin ensuring everyone's safety."

Ethan understood, though it didn't ease his concerns. He alone knew of the dark history tied to this event: the infamous riot by Death Eaters.

While he had already eliminated key perpetrators, Peter Pettigrew and Barty Crouch Jr., Ethan couldn't shake the fear that other unforeseen dangers might arise.

"Promise me you'll be careful, Tonks," Ethan urged, taking her hand with uncharacteristic seriousness.

His gesture in public made Tonks blush slightly, though she nodded and reassured him. "I'll be careful, Ethan. You don't need to worry about me."

Before parting, Tonks briefly updated Ethan on their recent efforts to handle the "little wolf children," young werewolves who needed protection and care. After much deliberation, Dumbledore had devised a solution.

The children were placed in the old Black family home, now under the ownership of Sirius Black. Sirius had already been in communication with Dumbledore and had willingly offered his ancestral home as a base for the Order of the Phoenix.

To further assist, Dumbledore arranged for Winky, the former house-elf of the Crouch family, to move into the Black household.

Winky, who had been adrift after losing her master, eagerly accepted the arrangement. Alongside Kreacher, the Black family's reluctant house-elf, the two elves and Sirius were tasked with caring for the eight children.

During this time, Dumbledore also extended an invitation to Tonks to join the Order of the Phoenix.

"Your skills and dedication would be invaluable to our cause," he said earnestly.

But Tonks, recalling Ethan's earlier warnings, declined the offer.

"I appreciate it, Professor, but I have other commitments right now," she said tactfully.

Dumbledore, perceptive as always, didn't press further. Instead, he nodded in understanding, a faint glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.