Harry Potter and the Second Chance - Chapter 68 - Three Down

As the door to Dumbledore’s office closed behind Fleur and her father, a thoughtful silence settled over the room. Dumbledore, still seated behind his grand desk, leaned back in his chair and observed Harry with his twinkling blue eyes before breaking into a small smile.

“Well,” he said, voice laced with amusement, “that went surprisingly better than I could have hoped. Although, I must say, I am rather surprised that Miss Delacour seems to have taken a fancy to you.”

Harry fought to keep the surprise off his face after hearing what her father had mentioned. Fleur? Interested in him?

“I honestly didn’t see that coming,” Harry admitted, shaking his head slightly. “But my life is complicated enough as it is. How about we focus on the ring?”

Dumbledore let out a quiet chuckle before nodding in agreement. From within the depths of his desk, he pulled out the small wooden box and placed it on the surface between them. The box remained unopened, but its presence alone seemed to cast a shadow over the room.

“After returning to my office last night, I took the liberty of identifying the curse placed upon the ring,” Dumbledore said, folding his hands atop the desk, his tone now serious. “It is fortunate that you saved me before it was too late … and, in turn, that Miss Delacour saved you.” His expression darkened slightly. “Had I placed that ring on my finger, there would have been no saving me. The curse is relentless—without cure.”

Harry exhaled slowly as he nodded, his gaze lingering on the small box. “So … is it safe for us to get rid of it now? Or is there a chance we might just fall under its effects again?”

Dumbledore shook his head, confidence obvious in his expression. “No, I will be able to dispose of it,” he said firmly. He hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Now that I know exactly what this is, and with the support of Hogwarts’ wards, I do not doubt that I will be able to deal with it appropriately.”

Another pause, then Dumbledore studied Harry with renewed curiosity. “Tell me, Harry … do you know what this ring truly is?”

Harry hesitated, inhaling slowly before answering. “Besides one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes …” he trailed off, then sighed. “Yeah. I know what the stone is. And I know what you saw.”

Dumbledore didn’t react right away, but to his credit, the surprise that flickered across his face lasted only for the briefest moment before he regained his composure. He leaned back slightly, steepling his fingers above his desk. “So, you are aware of the Hallows …” he murmured.

Harry gave a short nod. “Yeah.”

He fell silent for a moment as his expression shifted into something more introspective, then chuckled softly, though there was no humor in the sound. “Well. That actually answers more questions than it creates,” he murmured. “Although … I do wonder what happened to—” He trailed off, stopping himself, his expression momentarily distant before he shook his head. “No. It’s best not to know.”

Dumbledore refocused on Harry, his expression softening. There was a long pause before he spoke again, his voice tinged with something Harry rarely heard from him—regret. “It was the shock of seeing Ariana,” he admitted, his gaze distant. “That, combined with the compulsion of the curse, overwhelmed my mental defenses. Although now that I am aware of what to expect, I find it unlikely that I will succumb again.” His lips quirked into a dry smile.

There was a brief silence before Dumbledore’s expression became more solemn. “Just in case, however, I would be most relieved to have you in the Room of Requirement. However,” he emphasized, his gaze sharp, “should I attempt to touch the ring again, you are simply to immobilize me and bring us out of the room. You must not approach the ring yourself under any circumstances. As after what her father said, I find it unlikely that Miss Delacour will come to our aid again.”

Harry nodded, understanding the weight of the task he had just been given.

“Understood.”

Dumbledore smiled as he reached for the small wooden box, his long fingers wrapping around it gently before he rose from his seat. "Well then," he said, his voice carrying an air of finality. "There is no time like the present. Let’s get this done, and with any luck, you will still be able to make your next class."

Harry shook off the initial surprise as he stood as well, following the Headmaster as they left the office and began making their way through the winding corridors of Hogwarts. With the students in class, the castle was mostly quiet in this part of the morning, however the occasional suit of armor did come to attention as Professor Dumbledore passed.

After a few moments of silence, Harry turned to Dumbledore. "How did the meeting with Madam Bones go last night?"

Dumbledore’s eyes shot open as a smile bloomed on his face. "Ah, my apologies, Harry—I should have spoken to you about this sooner," he admitted. "The meeting went well. Madam Bones let me know that she believes us, though I suspect she always did. However, the important thing is that she had managed to track down the transcripts regarding Sirius's arrest and subsequent imprisonment. As we expected, there was no record of a trial."

Harry exhaled sharply, relief washing over him. "Does that mean Sirius is free?"

Dumbledore’s smile faltered slightly as he shook his head. "Not yet," he said. "But we are well on our way. Madam Bones is currently working with several individuals to set up an official inquiry for your godfather. Even though this entire thing is more of a formality it is important that this be done properly."

Harry’s excitement dimmed slightly, though he still felt a sense of hope stirring in his chest. "So ... what’s stopping her from clearing his name right away?"

Dumbledore's expression grew somber. "The challenge lies in ensuring Sirius’s safety. Right now, if he were to walk into the Ministry, he would be killed on sight without a second thought. Madam Bones is working to set up the necessary safeguards so that, when the time comes, he will receive a fair hearing rather than an execution."

Harry’s stomach twisted at the thought. He had known Sirius was still in danger, but hearing it stated so plainly made it all the more real. He nodded slowly. "Well that’s great news … I guess," he said. "I—I had trouble believing this would actually happen."

Dumbledore placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It is a terrible thing that such an injustice was allowed to happen in the first place," he said. "But it is nice to think that within the next couple of weeks, depending on Madam Bones’s efforts, we will have a chance to rectify it."

Harry nodded, determination hardening his expression. Sirius had spent over a decade in Azkaban for a crime he hadn’t committed. He had lost everything—his freedom, his friends, his reputation. If there was even a chance to set things right, Harry was willing to do whatever it took to help.

They had reached the seventh floor by now, climbing the last of the stairs as they made their way down the corridor toward the Room of Requirement. Dumbledore slowed his pace slightly, glancing down at the small wooden box in his hands before looking back at Harry.

"Tell me," he said, his tone shifting slightly, "how have you been progressing with the Occlumency book I gave you?"

Harry hesitated before answering, considering his progress. "I’ve finished the book," he said. "I’ve been practicing the skills it describes, and I think I understand the theory behind it, but I doubt I’ve perfected it just yet."

Dumbledore nodded approvingly. "That is no cause for concern," he said. "You still have time. The Horcrux in ..." He hesitated briefly before continuing, "Well, that one should be dealt with last, as it was the final Horcrux created before Tom ‘died.’ You will need to master this form of Occlumency before we proceed with that one. But in the meantime, we can still make plans to deal with Helga Hufflepuff’s cup."

Harry’s brow furrowed. "I imagine just based on where it is that it'll be slightly more difficult than the others," he said.

Dumbledore chuckled lightly. "Indeed. Unlike this ring, which was hidden in an abandoned shack, or the diary, which Lucius Malfoy was careless enough to let slip through his fingers, getting the cup from Gringotts may pose slightly more of a challenge."

Harry’s stomach sank slightly. "So ... we’re going to have to break into the most secure bank in Britain?"

Dumbledore looked at him and smiled. "The thought had crossed my mind although I am looking for a better alternative. I can’t imagine breaking in would endear ourselves to the goblins, do you?"

Harry sighed, shaking his head. "No, I don’t suppose it would."

Dumbledore placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder once more. "Do not worry, Harry. One challenge at a time," he said. "For now, we focus on the ring. And as for Occlumency—" he smiled, "—I have no doubt that you will master it soon enough."

Harry nodded, a sense of determination settling over him. And he had no doubt that he would see this through to the end.

As they made their way down the corridor and approached the Room of Requirement, a heavy silence of anticipation settled between them. However, it was Dumbledore who broke it with an amused tone.

"I never had the chance to follow up on this since I first brought it up, but I would like to extend an offer to tutor you in advanced magics, Harry," he said, his blue eyes twinkling. "Unless, of course, you already know everything I might teach you."

Harry snorted and shook his head. "Definitely not," he admitted. "I’d be more than willing to learn."

Dumbledore's smile widened. "Excellent. Then I shall arrange a time."

Before Harry could respond, they arrived at the blank stretch of wall where the Room of Requirement resided. Dumbledore paced back and forth three times, murmuring to himself under his breath. A moment later, the familiar wooden door materialized before them. Dumbledore placed a hand on the handle and pushed it open, revealing a room similar to the one they had used for the previous horcruxes—plain stone walls, a single pedestal in the center, and no distractions.

They stepped inside, and the door shut behind them with an air of finality.

Dumbledore walked to the center of the room and set the small wooden box down upon the pedestal. He took a few steps back before drawing his wand from the folds of his robe. With a flick of his wrist, he cast a silent spell to open the box.

The lid sprang open, and after a brief pause, the ring inside slowly rose into the air until it hovered at chest height.

Harry clenched his fists as he watched, remembering all too well how the cursed object had nearly claimed both of them the last time they had been alone with it.

Dumbledore exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable as he faced the floating ring. Then, to Harry’s growing concern, the old wizard closed his eyes and stood perfectly still.

Harry's heart pounded. He had seen this before—the exact moment Dumbledore had succumbed to the compulsion embedded in the Horcrux.

But before he could take a step forward, Dumbledore's eyes snapped open, sharp and clear. His wand was already raised, his expression set in determination.

A bolt of blinding white light shot from the tip of his wand, striking the ring with unerring precision. The curse, the fragment of Voldemort’s soul, was burned away in an instant. The ring trembled, let out a faint hiss, and then dropped to the ground with a dull clink.

Silence stretched between them before Dumbledore turned, his face breaking into a satisfied smile. "It is done," he declared.

Harry let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. His gaze flickered between the now-inert ring and Dumbledore. "That’s it? It’s gone?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed. The Horcrux has been destroyed."

Harry hesitated for a moment before saying, "If the ring has been dealt with … would you like a couple of minutes with the stone?"

Dumbledore froze.

His usually bright and expressive eyes dulled, his posture stiffening as he turned back toward the ring. It lay motionless on the ground, nothing more than an old, worn piece of jewelry now.

For several seconds, he said nothing, simply staring at the stone. The silence in the room grew heavy.

Then, without looking away from the ring, Dumbledore finally spoke. "I … doubt I will get what I need at this moment," he murmured, his voice distant. "Perhaps later."

Harry said nothing. He had seen this look before—the same haunted longing that had flashed across Dumbledore’s face when he had first mentioned the Hallows. He knew what Dumbledore was thinking. He knew exactly what the resurrection stone promised.

Dumbledore took a slow, measured step toward the ring, then knelt and carefully placed it back inside the wooden box. Though it was no longer a Horcrux, he handled it as though it was still cursed.

He stood and stared at it for several long seconds. His expression was unreadable, but Harry could see the tension in his shoulders.

Then, with a slow exhale, Dumbledore shook his head slightly, still looking at the ring, and muttered, "Sorry."

He closed the lid of the box with finality and turned back to Harry, the twinkle returning to his eyes, though it was dimmer than before. "It appears," he said with a small smile, "that it is time for you to run to class."

Harry hesitated but eventually nodded. He knew better than to push further. "Right," he said. "I’ll see you later, Professor."

Dumbledore inclined his head. "Indeed, Harry. And well done today."

As Harry left the Room of Requirement, he couldn’t shake the feeling that, for all of Dumbledore’s wisdom and power, there was still a part of the old wizard that was as human as the rest of them—one that longed for something just out of reach.

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The moment Professor McGonagall dismissed the class, Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, his expression serious.

"Come with me," he said quietly.

Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance before nodding.

Ron hesitated only briefly before turning to Lavender. "I'll catch up with you at dinner, yeah?"

Lavender pouted but nodded, giving Ron's hand a quick squeeze before heading off with Parvati.

Ron sighed and turned back to Harry. "Alright, mate, what's this about?"

Hermione frowned, crossing her arms. "Yes, Harry, what’s going on?"

"We need to talk," Harry said simply, leading them down the corridor.

As they walked, Ron and Hermione kept throwing questions at him, but Harry refused to answer. Eventually, they gave up, falling silent as they followed him up staircases and through hidden passageways until they reached the seventh floor.

Standing before the blank stretch of wall, Harry paced three times, focusing his thoughts. A door appeared, and without hesitation, he pushed it open.

Inside was a small but secure-looking room, with a comfortable couch and a single chair across from it. The walls were bare stone, and there were no windows—only the soft glow of torches lining the walls.

Ron and Hermione stepped inside, watching as Harry shut the door behind them and locked it with a quiet Colloportus.

Both of them raised their eyebrows at that.

"Harry?" Hermione asked, her tone shifting to one of concern. "Is everything alright?"

Harry exhaled and took the chair, motioning for them to sit on the couch. They obeyed, still looking at him expectantly.

"This is about the Horcruxes," he said.

That got their attention. Both of their eyes widened, and Hermione immediately straightened, while Ron leaned forward, his hands on his knees.

"I know we haven’t talked about them since earlier in the year," Harry continued. "But … I did tell Dumbledore about them. And we’ve been working on finding a way to destroy them."

Hermione gasped. Ron blinked, looking between them. "Wait—you mean you two have been going after them?"

Harry nodded.

Ron’s mouth dropped open before he let out a loud, "Bloody brilliant!" He grinned and reached over, clapping Harry on the shoulder. "That’s incredible, mate! You’ve actually destroyed one?"

"Three, actually," Harry corrected.

Ron’s jaw fell open again. "Three?!"

Hermione, however, was silent. She was staring at Harry intently, her brows drawn together.

Ron noticed her lack of enthusiasm and frowned. "This is good news, isn’t it? Why aren’t you happy, Hermione?"

She shook her head and quickly apologized. "Sorry—this is good news. And congratulations, Harry. But …" She trailed off, studying him before finally saying, "Something went wrong, didn’t it? That’s why you are telling us?"

Ron’s smile faded as he turned back to Harry, his expression suddenly serious.

Harry hesitated, slightly surprised at how quickly Hermione had put it together. But he nodded. "The first two were relatively simple. But the last one …" He exhaled. "It didn’t exactly go as planned."

Both Hermione and Ron were now looking at him with concern. Ron opened his mouth, but Hermione was faster.

"Are you alright?" she asked, the worry evident in her voice.

Harry gave a reassuring nod. "I’m alright. And so is Dumbledore," he added quickly, noticing the way Hermione’s face twisted with alarm. "But things nearly went very wrong."

He took a breath before continuing. "There was a deadly curse on the object—combined with a compulsion to touch it. Dumbledore underestimated it, or miscalculated something, and got caught in the compulsion. I tried to break him out of it, but I couldn’t … so I cast a Petrificus Totalus at him."

Both of them sucked in sharp breaths.

"You—you petrified Dumbledore?" Ron asked, his voice somewhere between impressed and horrified.

Harry nodded. "I had to. But the problem was … he wasn’t the only one caught by the compulsion."

Hermione looked confused. "But if you cast the spell at Dumbledore, how did you—" She cut herself off, eyes widening in realization. "You got caught too."

Harry grimaced. "Yeah."

Their reactions were immediate.

"Bloody hell," Ron muttered, running a hand through his hair.

Hermione, however, looked at him sharply. "No offense Harry but if Dumbledore was unable to throw off the compulsion, but how did you stop yourself from touching it?"

Harry glanced between the two of them before finally saying, "Someone saved me."

They both froze.

Ron and Hermione exchanged another look before turning back to him.

"Who?" Ron asked.

Harry sighed. "Fleur."

They both reacted exactly as he expected—more surprise.

"Delacour?" Ron repeated, blinking.

Hermione looked equally shocked but there was something else in her expression.

Harry nodded. "At the last minute, she stopped me from touching it. Though, the spell she used ended up throwing me into a wall so hard that I almost went through it."

Ron pressed his lips together, clearly trying to fight back laughter. He lost the battle and snorted. "Alright, I shouldn’t be laughing, but that’s bloody hilarious."

Harry rolled his eyes but grinned.

He then turned to Hermione, who wasn’t laughing. Instead, she was still staring at him with concern.

"Is Fleur alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, she’s fine," Harry assured her.

Hermione's expression softened, but then something else flickered across her face—something unreadable.

"It’s good that you’re alright," she said after a moment. Then, more hesitantly, she added, "But … I thought you didn’t want us there because it was too dangerous. Why was Fleur there?"

Harry nodded. "I didn’t invite her. She followed us." He paused. "Although I can’t deny that a part of me is happy she was there, though."

Hermione looked at him, her expression difficult to decipher. She opened her mouth as if to say something but then closed it. Instead, she just nodded. "I … I understand."

There was a beat of silence before she asked, "So what’s next?"

Harry leaned forward. "The hardest ones are still ahead of us. It might take some time, but I wanted you both to know—especially since Fleur knows now. But it’s still important that we don’t tell anyone."

Both of them nodded immediately.

Ron, eager to shift the mood, asked, "Well, that’s good news, anything else big happening?”

Harry nodded which caused Ron’s expression to fall, “I was just joking Harry.”

Harry smiled. "Dumbledore says we might be getting close to getting Sirius freed."

The reaction was instant.

Ron and Hermione both erupted in excitement, leaning forward with wide eyes.

"That’s amazing news!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Finally!" Ron grinned. "It’s about time! How? What’s happening?"

Harry chuckled. "Madame Bones is working on setting up an official inquiry for him. She managed to find records proving that he never actually had a trial in the first place."

Hermione huffed. "I knew it. The Ministry is so incompetent—"

"Yeah, but at least this means we can fix it," Harry said. "Madame Bones is trying to make sure that when she brings him in to clear his name, he won’t just get attacked on sight."

Ron let out a low whistle. "Yeah, that’d be bad."

Hermione nodded, still frowning. "It’s awful that he was locked away for so long without a trial. But at least now something is being done about it."

"Exactly," Harry agreed.

Ron clapped his hands together. "Alright! So, you’ve destroyed some Horcruxes, Sirius might finally be getting out, and you got flung into a wall by Fleur—"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up."

Ron grinned before turning serious. "But honestly, mate—next time, be more careful, alright? I know Dumbledore’s with you, but still … that sounded way too close."

"I will," Harry promised.

Kind Regards,

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If you like this content do not hesitate to smash that like button and subscribe. Haha but seriously if you do enjoy the story - do favorite it, other than messaging me or leaving a comment it's the only way I know if you are enjoying the stories and chapters.

Story Note 1 – And another Horcrux dealt with. Certainly not every Horcrux will be ground breaking intense drama but important none-the-less to have them dealt with before hand.

Story Note 2 – Looks like Hermione felt a certain way about Fleur being with Harry. This will certainly drive part of the story but as I promised much earlier I will not write angst for the sake of angst so this will hopefully lead to what I imagine would be an appropriate response rather than result in things being blown out of proportion because people aren’t talking and drama is soooooo much fun. But I do look forward to hearing your thoughts on how it is handled! Next chapter will be slightly shorter and deal with the immediate fallout of this interaction …

Story Note 3 – Oh Ron … I hope you never stop being Ron! Also I hope the new TV Ron is written a little more like this one than movie Ron, also if anyone knows any of the writers for the new show do not hesitate to pass along their contact info!

Thanks to those of you out to those of you who enjoy my stories, I promise to keep updating the stories as long as you enjoy them, and a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to leave feedback or reach out to me directly.

Disclaimer – It has come to my attention recently that I unfortunately do not own Harry Potter. Who knew.