Hogwarts: Third Dark Lord

Wentworth read the letter over and over again, growing more delighted with each read, until the trembling owl flapped cautiously toward him, lightly brushing against his sleeve.

The poor creature was still waiting for a reply, though it clearly wanted nothing more than to leave this dreadful place as quickly as possible.

Noticing this, Wentworth immediately said, "Oh, sorry, little one! I'll write back right away. I'll even pack you some tasty treats for the journey!"

But before Wentworth could act, Rosier stopped him, raising her wand and pointing it directly at the owl.

"No need for all that trouble, Wentworth," Rosier said coldly. "I'll send this owl on its way myself! If we kill this owl, I think Dumbledore will get our message loud and clear!"

The sudden turn of events startled Wentworth, who jumped in alarm. The owl fluffed up in panic, but before a spell could be cast, Wentworth instinctively grabbed Rosier's arm, holding it tightly.

"Grandma Rosier, what are you doing? Haven't you always been looking forward to me getting my Hogwarts acceptance letter?" Wentworth asked in confusion, his arms still wrapped tightly around her.

"Of course we have," Rosier replied, her voice firm. "Hogwarts is the most reliable way for the wizarding world to determine magical potential. And now that we know you have it, there's no need for them anymore!"

Rosier's expression turned zealous as she continued, "Wentworth, it's clear you're deeply interested in magic. Even if we don't send you to Hogwarts, we can teach you everything you want to know—any spell, no matter how advanced. From the Imperius Curse to the Killing Curse, there's nothing we can't master!"

Rosier's newfound ambition sparked brightly as she spoke, her eyes alight with excitement. But Wentworth was left staring at her in stunned silence, unsure how to respond to her impassioned praise of the Unforgivable Curses.

Wentworth thought wryly, If I go to Hogwarts, I'd have to worry about which House I'll end up in. But if I stay here with these people, my future will be far simpler—because Azkaban will undoubtedly become my home.

"Ahem, Grandma Rosier," Wentworth began cautiously, "I don't think we need to trouble everyone. Hogwarts sounds like a wonderful option..."

But Rosier cut him off before he could finish.

"No! Hogwarts is far too dangerous!"

To Rosier, Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, was the most despicable man in the wizarding world. The second on her list was a certain animal-loving gamekeeper.

Rosier couldn't fathom what might happen if a child from the Grindelwald family entered the school of their mortal enemy, Dumbledore. She shuddered to imagine the treatment Wentworth might face.

But Wentworth was baffled by her reasoning. Hogwarts? Dangerous? He thought Hogwarts was undoubtedly safer than anywhere else—especially with Voldemort's return looming next year.

As long as I steer clear of the points-deducting trio, Hogwarts will be the safest place in the entire wizarding world.

With that thought, Wentworth steeled himself and said firmly, "Grandma Rosier, I've decided. I'm going to Hogwarts! Dumbledore is there!"

To Wentworth, invoking Dumbledore's name was the ultimate trump card. What could be safer than learning under the world's greatest white wizard?

Unfortunately, Wentworth didn't account for the timing of his arrival in this world. Fantastic Beasts hadn't been released yet, so he was unaware of his grandfather's identity as the most feared Dark Wizard in history—and Dumbledore's lifelong adversary.

Rosier's reaction was not what he expected. At first, she looked shocked. Then tears began to well up in her eyes. Finally, after a long pause, she said, "Wentworth, I understand your resolve, but you're still too young to challenge Dumbledore!"

Wentworth was flabbergasted. Challenge Dumbledore? What part of me looks remotely capable of that? I doubt I could take on even one of his beard hairs!

But Wentworth had learned quickly that the elders in his family idolized their surname to an extreme. He couldn't say or do anything that might tarnish the family's reputation—not when he was surrounded by wizards who could cast Unforgivable Curses without hesitation.

So he forced a determined smile and said, "Don't worry, Grandma Rosier. The only way to surpass the strongest is to learn from the strongest!"

Rosier repeated his words softly, her eyes glistening with tears. Then, looking down at his youthful face, she said, her voice trembling, "Wentworth, you've truly endured so much. Even though Dumbledore might not openly target you at Hogwarts—he's too hypocritical for that—your days there won't be easy."

"You're carrying a burden far beyond your years. And it's all because we failed back then..."

Hearing Rosier finally relent, Wentworth wasted no time. He wasn't about to overanalyze her words. As long as he could get to Hogwarts, the rest would work itself out.

"Grandma Rosier, this is my destiny! Let's send the reply to Hogwarts immediately!" he urged.

As the owl soared away with Wentworth's reply, Rosier turned to him and said gently, "Wentworth, get some rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to Diagon Alley to buy your school supplies."

Watching the gray-haired elders drag a corpse out of the room, Wentworth hesitated before saying softly, "Grandma Rosier, I'd like to give Libby a proper burial. It's taken care of me all these years."

Though Rosier believed it was a house-elf's duty to serve, and that Libby deserved punishment for failing to protect Wentworth, she relented.

"Reparo!" Rozier restored Wentworth's room with a flick of her wand, then bade him goodnight.

As she was about to leave, Rosier suddenly paused and asked, "Wentworth, would you like us to arrange a meeting with the Master in secret? He's voluntarily confined himself, but if we really wanted to, breaking in wouldn't be impossible..."

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