After a long moment, Dumbledore gave the smallest nod—barely noticeable, but Tver caught it clearly.
"I really do need to thank you on behalf of the students. Your badge proved far more effective than I imagined."
He couldn't quite explain it, but something about Tver's phrasing bothered him, though he couldn't find the flaw.
Tver truly hadn't harmed any students. On the contrary, he'd been attentive, thoughtful, and diligent in his teaching, even sharing several rare little spells. And honestly, the steps he'd taken—confronting Lucius and distributing those badges—were more thorough than what Dumbledore himself had considered.
If Tver weren't Grindelwald's student, Dumbledore would've gladly groomed him as a successor.
He never should've agreed to let him attend Durmstrang. It had only intensified his own doubts.
With that thought, Dumbledore sighed helplessly.
Tver's eyes, however, brightened.
"So… does this mean my badge materials can be reimbursed? I upgraded them specially this year. It used up quite a bit—no, a lot—of magical supplies. Very expensive ones."
"No!" Dumbledore snapped, glaring at him. "We've already lost a governor. The school's funding is limited!"
"Of course," he added suddenly, smiling in a far-too-friendly way, "if the Fawley family were to join the governors… I wouldn't mind reimbursing you."
"Ah—my head hurts. Must've been injured in the Chamber," Tver said dramatically, covering his face as he sprang to his feet.
"Terribly sorry, I'd better get to the Hospital Wing."
But before he reached the door, Dumbledore called out again.
"Tver."
He leaned forward, his gaze steady and unnervingly calm. "Grindelwald cannot leave Austria. That is my bottom line."
…Why did this sound so familiar?
Wasn't your bottom line something entirely different last year?
But Tver wasn't foolish enough to point that out.
"Professor is enjoying the music in Austria right now. He has neither the time nor the interest to wander."
Of course, if the professor did decide to wander, no student in the world could stop him.
"I'll seek him out over the summer. I hope he'll still be at the address you gave me," Dumbledore said, his expression complicated, tone deliberately even.
He'd tried to brace himself for meeting Grindelwald again… but perhaps he wasn't quite ready.
Tver's smile widened. "The Professor and I will be awaiting your visit."
Three times now—and this time, Dumbledore didn't stop him from leaving.
He'd barely walked a short distance down the corridor when he ran into Harry returning.
Harry was still covered in mud, with ink occasionally dripping from his clothes. His expression was heavy, though freeing Dobby had brightened him a little.
"Professor Fawley? Is Headmaster Dumbledore still inside?"
"He is. Do you need something from him?"
"I… I have something I want to ask him," Harry said, eyes shifting uneasily.
"Then go ahead. But after that, remember to stop by the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey should check you over."
Maybe it was the unexpected concern, but Harry seemed to relax a little. He pressed his lips together, nodded, and jogged toward the office.
Tver didn't need Legilimency to know what weighed on him.
It had to be whatever Riddle said in the Chamber, making him worry he'd been sorted into the wrong house.
Please. A boy whose first instinct is to use a Disarming Charm is not getting into Slytherin.
Tver chuckled softly and shook his head, turning toward the Hospital Wing.
He wasn't actually injured, of course—but he had to keep up appearances, didn't he?
...
Click.
Only after taking the seventeenth photo did Tver finally lower his camera, earning a helpless look from Madam Pomfrey.
Snape, frozen mid-battle stance, stared ahead with wide eyes. There was no fear in his expression—only the faint irritation of someone who'd underestimated his opponent. The pose was dramatic enough to look rather impressive.
Tver had seen this moment once already in Ginny's memories, but witnessing it in person was different. So he took out his camera and captured Snape from multiple angles, carefully documenting this rare opportunity.
He was certain Snape would be very grateful when he woke up.
"Severus is the first professor to be attacked. Even though Minerva says the Chamber business is resolved and there won't be more incidents—"
"News that Professor Snape has been petrified will still send the students into a panic," Madam Pomfrey said worriedly.
Whenever panic spread, all kinds of useless amulets and potions would circulate around the school. She already had her hands full with anxious students facing exams, and now another wave of chaos was coming. It was exhausting.
And with Snape petrified, she now had to take over potion-brewing duties as well.
"Are the mandrakes still not mature?"
Tver thought for a moment.
In the original timeline, the mandrakes matured after the Chamber was resolved, near the end of term. But now it was only March—months away.
"Professor Sprout says they'll need more time. They're close to maturity, but their growth has slowed," Madam Pomfrey sighed.
"You can try Mooncalf dung. As far as I know, it can speed up a plant's growth."
"Does the school have Mooncalf—or at least their dung?"
"You should ask Hagrid," Tver said, nodding toward the massive figure entering through the door.
Hagrid immediately spotted Tver and Madam Pomfrey and hurried over.
"Hagrid, when did you get back?" Madam Pomfrey asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Just now. Heard Hermione and Ron got hurt, so I rushed over."
Hagrid looked around the room. It was packed.
The petrified victims included Mrs. Norris, Colin, Justin, Hermione, Snape—and Ron, who'd been knocked out by his own spell.
And Hagrid himself… he still had no idea what he'd cast, but his whole body felt sore. Only after Tver used a well-placed counter-spell had the pain eased enough for him to fall into a deep sleep earlier.
As for Ginny and Percy, Madam Pomfrey had confirmed they were fine, and they'd happily dragged the Weasley parents off to tour the castle again.
"Where's Harry?" Hagrid asked, confused.
He'd heard Harry fought the monster in the Chamber and came straight here out of concern.
"He's talking with Dumbledore."
"Forget that for now," Madam Pomfrey interrupted just as Hagrid was about to ask more. "Hagrid, does the school have Mooncalf? Or even just their dung?"
Knowing magical creatures better than anyone, Hagrid nodded immediately.
"'Course we do! Professor Kettleburn keeps a small herd on the far side of the Forbidden Forest. They've even got their own little cave."
"That's wonderful. With that fertilizer, they'll recover much sooner!"
"Exactly—just in time for end-of-term revision!" Tver agreed cheerfully.
Thud.
At those words, Ron—who had only just managed to lift his head after being awakened—collapsed back onto the bed.
...
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