A Legacy of Evil: The Hunter and the Magi

"What are you even doing here, Dumbledore?"

We stood at the docks, him and I as the fireworks continued to explode in the skies. It was now Nineteen-fifty four, and despite the fact we were in the tropics, the wind was blowing across the seas and would have chilled us both if we hadn't cast our respective spells to prevent just that. Dumbledore hummed in thought, casually staring out at the ocean before he finally remarked.

"Believe it or not, this is partially just coincidence. Professor Merrythought, bless her soul is getting on in years and I was seeking out any other suitable candidates for the position of defense." He peered at me over his spectacles and smiled as he added. "It also allows me the excuse to travel, something of a vacation for myself as I meet with old friends, grump about times not being what they were, and such things." I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me, before crossing my arms as I added aloud.

"And yet, the Vice-Minister dropped me off here, to meet you." Dumbledore nodded, before looking apologetic.

"I am sorry if I disrupted any of your plans tonight my boy. In truth, I simply wished to converse and connect at the start of the new year, a time for new beginnings and facets of ourselves. I knew Zhu's father you see, from long ago and when he asked me about you, I saw an opportunity to arrange a talk." He smiled as he added. "Something a bit easier on my ears than your little trick in Canada." I snorted and unfolded my arms as I retorted.

"I wanted to become a hermit. Your appearance sent that out the window."

At my words, his smile grew as he spoke. "And yet, here you are. Of the world, rather than staying apart from it. Tell me, how has your journey been thus far?" I did think about not answering it, but for whatever reason I considered his question seriously before speaking.

"Well... " My eyes flicked to the sea, the waves and the reflection of the fireworks in them before I finally spoke. ".... The world is so much more vast than I expected. And if there is anything I have learned, it is the fact I am yet a student in both magical traditions as well as wisdom to understand it. I don't regret my path either, I've come to discover." Dumbledore was patient as I shifted from foot to foot, before I continued on.

"The Me that I was before, set the foundation for great change as I matured. In my arrogance, I missed what was before me and having opened my eyes, I could no longer close them. And yet, I don't regret it because I am the sum total of my experiences and should I disregard my life, in the choices I have made to become what I am now?"

Dumbledore nodded slowly to my words, looking away before he spoke gently. "There was a time I was greatly worried about you. You were such a brilliant boy, but cold and closed off. You trusted no one and charmed everyone, dividing the world into enemies and allies of convenience." I was quiet at that-really, what could I say? The man who would become Voldemort was that a hundred times over, and became something incredibly vile in the end. It made me wonder what exactly he had found, what powers he had engaged with to transform into the hideous monster inside and out later? Did Voldemort have dealings with the Thule Occult Society in this world, or would he have if I hadn't come along? The Dark Mark was never really explained as far as I knew, and if there was anything I did know about Voldemort... Us I guess, it was that we were peacocks. It wasn't enough to simply craft a symbol, it had to invoke other things. Fear, power, history.... All the things we craved in some measure, even to this day. But unlike him, I knew where that path would lead and had no desire to become any kind of monster against people.

.... Against creatures like the Naagloshii or the Scourers however, well that was a VERY slippery slope and I shut it out of my mind as Dumbledore realizing I wasn't going to answer, spoke on.

"Now however, you've become the man I've always held hope you'd someday transform into. Knowing love, knowing wisdom and bravery have changed you for the better if half of what I heard is true." I scoffed aloud at that, glancing away as I spoke.

"Don't believe everything you hear. So, what are you doing in Manila, Dumbledore? Who were you visiting?"

"Someone I feel can assist you, in terms of 'greasing the wheels' I believe the saying is." Dumbledore turned to face me, as he continued on. "His name is Professor Alexander Trese. He is the father of Anton Trese, the current Babaylan-Mandirigma." He spoke Tagalog like a native, the words easily rolling off the tongue as I frowned and translated that mentally before I spoke, a little confused.

"A healer-warrior?"

"Such a term is so lacking in English, as compared to its meaning in these lands." Dumbledore replied as I found myself once more, becoming a student as Dumbledore returned easily to becoming my professor once more. "A Babaylan is more akin to a shaman, sharing much in common with the Wicasa Wakan of the Lakota you lived alongside for a time. They are primarily healers, far more sensitive to the psychic impressions of the people around them and to the world of spirits. Some manage to become wizards and witches as we know them, but rather than use one of these?" He flicked his wand out, wriggling it briefly before returning it.

"Instead, they make contracts with spirits and channel their power to aid them. It's a dying tradition, as true Babaylan's take on an apprentice rather than go to school like most conventional wizards. Those who claim the title however, are both wise and not to be underestimated. Especially given the context of the second part of their title, the Mandirigma."

"A warrior-shaman, connected to the world of spirits?" I frowned, considering before I finally spoke. ".... You said that a Babaylan was a dying tradition. I take it a Babaylan-Mandirigma is a bit more unique?" Dumbledore nodded, beaming as he spoke.

"You may consider them something of a sheriff. Someone who wanders the Philippines, at the behest of the government and ensures that the magical and the muggle world are in balance. They are a guide to spirits, a warrior against evil and generally have generations of history to assist them in their work. Anton Trese I have heard is honorable, but he is also suspicious. A meeting with his father would do wonders in getting him to open up to you."

I frowned at that, before speaking my mind. "Would it truly matter? I won't be staying too long. Just enough to burn out the local rats nest and then I'm off to my projects."

Dumbledore smiled and for some reason, it irked me as I scowled. He chuckled and glanced away as he said lightly. "Consider it as much help as I can give at the moment. Also...." He reached into the sleeve of his robes, pulling out what looked like a gift-wrapped package as he handed it to me, to my growing confusion as Dumbledore leaned in and spoke in a conspirator's tone of voice that immediately set me on edge.

"I was hoping you'd do me a personal favor as well. You see, I was invited to a christening. And while I have a gift and invitation, I'm afraid duty calls me elsewhere. If you could go in my stead, I'd be so very grateful." I admit, I didn't really see much of a downside at the time. And really, it felt like a small thing as I nodded slowly and spoke.

"What time, where and is it a black tie event?" Dumbledore beamed as he leaned back and spoke cheerfully.

"Trust in your judgement. I certainly do. And tomorrow, at the San Agustin Church." And with a final nod, he turned on his heel and vanished with a crack. Light returned to the docks, the lamp lights flickering back as I huffed out and stared at the gift.

"....Alright then."

I had much to digest, more to consider and a lot of information to parse through and organize. It was time I also went to prepare and with a crack of air, I too was gone.

=====

I dressed up I admit, as best as I could. Not dress robes, never could stand wizarding fashion honestly. All I did was add a wide brimmed black hat, reminiscent of Sheriff Jeff's headwear which I admired, grudgingly and a black length of ribbon, tied loosely around my collar. That was the extent of my dressing up as I appeared on the opposite side of the street of which San Agustin Church was located.

I admit, it was rather gorgeous to behold in person. It was an ancient building, of a bygone era dating back to the early sixteen-hundreds. Predominately Roman Catholic, I felt myself smile despite myself at the history I could feel radiating from it as I glanced both ways and rushed across the street as I stepped inside and found himself staggering.

The moment I crossed the threshold, it was though there was something gripping my heart physically, a window of pain as if something had sliced me open to see what made me tick as I gasped and leaned against the wall. What was that?! I was sweating and not from the heat, as I glanced around and walked to a corner where I briefly cleaned myself and began to analyze the building more intently. I soon found out what it was, as I peered closely at the underpinnings and realized what was going on.

This was a building layered in protections. Nothing so mathematical precise as Ancient Runes, but far more alive if I had to put a term on it. As if the words themselves were spoken promises, looping about from the mouths of gods and interlocking and synchronizing with countless, other smaller spirits. Individually, nothing special but together in such numbers? Shocking if you weren't expecting it and keyed towards a particular sort of attitude.

Nonaggression was the word of the day and I wordlessly wondered how many times the caster in question must have layered these. No, wait.

Looking closer, some of these dated as far back as the sixteen-hundreds, fractured and faded as they were. This was a work of generations, all with intent to turn this church into Neutral Territory. Something neither wizard, spirit or god could disregard easily and I wondered if the Trese's were among those who laid their protections here.

Well, I'd soon find out and I moved as quietly as I could into the main chapel.

The Christening seemed to be well in play. A good number of guests were present for the private affair, all mostly focused at the front where a priest was blessing a child. What made it strange, was the number of magical creatures that were likewise present, interposed between the humans who seemed to be quite at ease alongside them.

Gnarled, tree-like old men with skin of bark and hair like leaves. Wispy, constantly moving pale people whose hair moved despite the lack of a breeze in the building, fiery looking warriors with charcoal black skin and veins, like lava glowing along their bodies and many, many other types I had no idea of. I took a seat at the back, content to watch and then realized even then that I was drawing attention as from the group, a man in a wheelchair was pushed over to me as he stared at me frankly, looking me up and down. An old Filipino man, dressed in a white suit with a fedora on his lap and eyes still sharp with intelligence as he spoke in English.

"How did you get in here? This is a private event."

I inclined my head and spoke. "I'm here as a representee of Albus Dumbledore, who offers his regards and regrets he could not make it. I also come with a gift." I held up the box, the man's eyebrow raised before he gestured and the man who had been pushing his wheelchair handed it over. To my surprise, rather than open it for the child being christened later as I presumed, he opened it now to reveal the last thing I expected to see.

Wizard candy, chocolate frogs, bertie botts and even a few blood pops to my visible disgust as he looked at me and shrugged. "An acquired taste. What's your name then young man?"

I held out my hand to shake. "Tom Riddle. Pleased to meet you." Recognition suddenly lit up his eyes as he grinned and took my hand with a surprisingly firm grip for his age.

"Professor Alexander Trese. Likewise."

Godammit Dumbledore.