"Harry, have you seen Dana?"
On the Hogwarts Express, Hermione closed her book and asked hesitantly.
Harry shook his head.
"I haven't seen him. Maybe he's with Fred and George?"
Ron denied it:
"No, I just passed Fred and George's compartment—they're sitting with Lee and Angelina."
Harry then asked Hermione:
"Why are you suddenly asking about Dana?"
Hermione shook her head and didn't speak.
—In fact, that day, Voldemort, possessing Dunat Avery, very stupidly and triumphantly told Harry everything.
From Quirrell to Avery, from the Basilisk to Dana.
Perhaps he liked to show off how smart he was before his victory, boasting that he had deceived all of Hogwarts and was about to become the victor.
So, Voldemort without brains is really not to be feared—though most people can't beat him.
But when Harry learned that Dana was only targeted by Voldemort because of his outstanding strength and because he was ostracized by other young wizards, both Harry and Hermione felt guilty.
They realized that they were among those who had distanced themselves from Dana. Especially Harry, who claimed to be Dana's friend. And Hermione, who had once been his companion in isolation, quickly abandoned him after gaining two "pure-blooded" friends—Harry and Ron.
Dana had earned countless points for Gryffindor this school year, and had even tied with Hermione for first place in the final exam. Dana was the most outstanding young wizard in Gryffindor and didn't deserve to be treated like that.
The more they thought about it, the worse they felt. Though a certain head of house had also been wrongly judged by them, Dana's situation left a deeper impact.
They couldn't imagine how Dana had endured the whole school year—his classmates only showed enthusiasm when he first joined the Chudley Cannons.
Hermione sighed:
"I just want to apologize to Dana in person. It was Dana who helped me through being isolated at the start of the school year…"
Harry didn't speak, but silently vowed not to neglect Dana again next year.
Ron interjected carelessly:
"What's there to apologize for? Yeah, we were wrong about him, but we didn't say anything to his face or spread rumors
And if you ask me, he'll show his true colors sooner or later! That's Azkaban we're talking about! It's full of dangerous criminals!"
Harry snapped:
"Ron, Dana is not a bad person."
Hermione nodded:
"Yes. He's very kind."
Ron shrugged and dropped the topic.
While the trio were discussing Dana, he had already returned directly to the castle on the Hebrides through the bathroom on the Hogwarts Express.
He needed to prepare for the upcoming "meeting."
He was about to enter the British wizarding world as an ancient noble.
From this new identity, his plan would begin.
First, get close to Fudge and extract key information.
Second, play matchmaker and fulfill Donna Avery's wish.
Third, weave a beautiful dream for the pure-blood families—and lead them into the cauldron.
Dana went to the dining room on the first floor of the castle but was stopped by Jack Murray:
"BOSS, I have an urgent matter to report."
"Speak."
"The house-elf at Number 12 Grimmauld Place is yelling for us to get out of the house, or he'll report us to the Ministry of Magic. He's currently being restrained by our men. We don't know what to do, so we're waiting on your orders."
Dana patted his forehead. He had meant to deal with that old elf Kreacher long ago, but juggling two identities had kept him too busy, and he completely forgot.
"I'll handle it now. Good work. Jack, tell the kitchen we're having an extra meal tonight. Everyone's worked hard this past half-year. Open a few good bottles and let the team relax."
"BOSS, you're too generous!"
Dana waved Jack Murray off and summoned the Doors of Spandim.
Kreacher's hands were tied behind his back, bound by shackles forged from Mantorre metal—metal that effectively nullifies magic. Even house-elves can hardly escape it through Apparition. [See "Miss Riddle on Jinshan"]
When Dana appeared before him, Kreacher was still ranting furiously:
"A bunch of Mudbloods, half-bloods, intruders! How dare you defile the ancestral home of the noble House of Black! You should all be chopped to bits and fed to the hippogriffs!"
Dana said quietly:
"Silence, Kreacher. When Malfoy sold me this mansion, your ownership transferred with it. You're my house-elf now."
"No!!! I'm not a traitor!"
Kreacher cried loudly:
"Kreacher only wants to maintain the dignity of this house!"
He sobbed uncontrollably, snot and tears staining the greasy, threadbare pillowcase.
"Sir, I know your bloodline is noble, so I don't object to you inheriting this house—because you'll only make it more noble. The blame lies with Malfoy. He, an outsider, used his marriage to Narcissa to sell this property, which rightly belonged to the Blacks!"
"But sir, you've let those foul-blooded beasts walk through the house freely—Kreacher cannot accept this!"
"You trample on the legacy of the ever-pure House of Black! Even though there are no male heirs left, the Black name still remains!"
Dana silently pitied Sirius Black. Even his family elf had written him off.
"Kreacher, it's just a house. While it carries the history of the Black family, it belongs to me now. I have every right to use it, and you cannot act against me because of your feelings.
Let me remind you again—you're my house-elf now."
Kreacher shook his head violently:
"No, sir, it's not like that. The Black family gave my kind the greatest honor… I-I just can't let go of the Black name."
Dana smiled. The greatest honor?
He meant having your head mounted on a wall like jerky?
"Kreacher, I can grant you a more honorable death. Not only will I hang your head in the house, I'll tan your skin to write my family genealogy!"
Poor Kreacher… He could sense Dana's ancient bloodline, but he didn't know there was no family of his in this world.
He was ecstatic, leaning forward dramatically—his hands were restrained, so his nose and chin became the most prominent parts of his body, sparing the pillowcase more fluids.
"Sir, is that true?"
The old elf's bleary eyes shimmered with hope.
"Of course, Kreacher. Not only will I give you the honor you desire—I'll also finish the task your young master left for you, the one you couldn't complete."
"Sir!"
Kreacher's eyes widened in horror.
"How do you know about that?!"
Dana smiled slightly:
"My bloodline is the oldest and strongest. There's little in this world I can't uncover."
"Oh, sir…"
Kreacher's eyes turned red again.
"My poor Master Regulus…"
He still couldn't believe it:
"Sir… you really can…?"
"Of course. I'll destroy that locket. But I have one condition: from this moment on, you must obey me absolutely. No more outbursts like today. Can you do that?"
Kreacher bowed his head:
"Yes, sir… no, Master. From now on, you are Kreacher's master… so long as… so long as you can fulfill young Master Regulus's wish…"
End of the Chapter.
patreon.com/AntonioStark 100+Chapters
Update Schedule: 7 Chapter/week.
Every 300 Power Stones+1 (5 ⭐ Review)
= 1 Chapter+1Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters