Chapter 197: Gryffindor's Sword
Neville nodded and said,
"Before I came to Hogwarts, my gran told me very seriously—don't antagonize Phineas. She didn't say I had to be friends with him, just that I absolutely must not make him an enemy. Even though the Longbottoms and the Blacks have had better relations recently… once you truly provoke Phineas, you never know what could happen."
He paused for a moment, then added,
"I think most wizarding families say something similar to their children. And—well, you know Marcus Flint? He nearly died. That was apparently one of the conditions for the Black family to stop retaliating against the Flints. I don't know why Phineas ended up sparing him, but they say he didn't show up at Hogwarts for over half the year last term. And ever since he came back, every time he sees Phineas, he bows and scrapes and won't say a word back."
Ron and Harry looked at Neville, stunned. To them, Phineas might not have had the best image, but he was still just a fellow student. Even though Harry had noticed that Phineas carried himself with far more ease and confidence than most adults, he hadn't imagined this side of him.
Meanwhile, Phineas had no idea the trio were speaking about him. After leaving Hagrid's hut, he went directly to the Headmaster's office.
Dumbledore had returned not long ago, and Phineas knew he'd retrieved the Resurrection Stone ring. If he wanted to examine the Deathly Hallows in full, this was his last real chance.
Christmas was only a month away, and Phineas knew that Dumbledore would soon be passing the Invisibility Cloak to Harry. Once that happened, there'd be no more opportunity to study the Hallows together.
"You've come," Dumbledore said warmly as Phineas entered. He didn't seem surprised; in fact, it was clear he had been expecting this visit. If Phineas had delayed any longer, the Headmaster might have summoned him himself.
Phineas took a seat opposite Dumbledore, completely at ease. Ever since making the Unbreakable Vow with the Headmaster, he no longer held back in his presence. He didn't act intimidated, even in front of the greatest wizard of the age.
"I figured you were waiting," he said, shrugging.
Dumbledore smiled and snapped his fingers. A tray of desserts appeared in front of Phineas.
"I imagined you'd come soon. I was nearly tempted to send for you myself," Dumbledore said. "The cloak will be given to Harry at Christmas, as you guessed. But the ring… the ring is another matter."
Phineas leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"Is the curse still active?"
Dumbledore nodded grimly.
"It is. Tied to the Horcrux. Unless we destroy the Horcrux element itself, the curse won't lift. And Horcruxes… as you know, they're not easily destroyed. The only method I know of that's certain is Fiendfyre—but that would almost certainly destroy the Resurrection Stone as well."
Phineas exhaled, thoughtful.
"To destroy a Horcrux, the spell or item has to attack the soul directly. The Killing Curse might work, but since it's part of what creates Horcruxes, it's risky. Fiendfyre's sheer destructive power does the job, but it's also indiscriminate. Besides that… well, there's basilisk venom."
Dumbledore nodded, looking weary.
"Such a waste," he murmured. "Do you know what kind of items he turned into Horcruxes? Slytherin's locket. Ravenclaw's diadem. The Resurrection Stone set into the Gaunt family ring. All priceless magical relics."
Phineas was thinking hard. In the original timeline, the first Horcrux Harry destroyed was the diary—with a basilisk fang. Every Horcrux afterward was destroyed with either basilisk venom or Gryffindor's sword.
The sword had the unique ability to absorb what made it stronger. When Harry used it later, it was imbued with basilisk venom.
But the sword was ancient. It had passed through countless hands over the centuries. Any number of magical substances might've become part of it by now—including venom.
He looked up suddenly.
"Professor, could you lend me Gryffindor's sword?"
Dumbledore's eyes gleamed. He had come to the same conclusion.
"You believe it may have absorbed the venom."
Phineas nodded.
"It's possible. It's absorbed things before. If it encountered venom, it might carry that property now."
Dumbledore gave a slow nod of agreement.
"That's very possible. But tell me—how did you know I had it?"
Phineas smirked.
"Well, we know that Slytherin's locket is the only one of the Founders' relics that left Hogwarts. The diadem is still here—I gave you the clue myself. I know roughly where Hufflepuff's cup is, and Gryffindor's sword... Well, you're a Gryffindor and the Headmaster. If you didn't have it, I'd be very surprised."