Victor walked through the darkness toward Hogwarts with Harry resting over his shoulder.
Harry was still unconscious from the Dementor attack, though his breathing had become steady again. That at least meant he would survive the night without any problems.
His thoughts drifted back toward Sirius Black.
Honestly, it would be incredibly convenient if Sirius actually went after Voldemort's remaining followers. The Dark Lord's greatest strength had never been his personal power alone. What made him terrifying was the army standing behind him.
The Death Eaters.
The pure-blood fanatics.
The families who secretly funded and supported him.
Remove those people from the equation and Voldemort became a very different problem.
Dangerous, certainly.
But one wizard was still one wizard.
There was a limit to what even the most powerful dark wizard could accomplish without followers willing to carry out his orders.
"Morals and laws really show up at inconvenient times," Victor muttered while continuing toward the castle. "The moment somebody suggests removing the entire problem, everyone suddenly becomes reasonable."
Then again, nobody else knew the future.
Nobody else knew Voldemort would return.
The third year was almost over.
Soon the Triwizard Tournament would arrive.
And by the end of it, Voldemort would regain his body.
Victor quietly sighed.
The future was approaching far faster than he liked.
He was already stronger than most adult wizards his age had any right to be, and in his Animagus form he was even more dangerous. Still, when he thought about everything that was coming, it never felt like enough.
"Yeah," he muttered. "I should probably get stronger."
As he approached the castle, a tall figure emerged from the darkness ahead.
Professor Snape.
The moment Snape saw Victor carrying Harry, his pace increased immediately.
His eyes locked onto Harry first.
Then they moved toward Victor.
The expression on his face suggested he was currently deciding how many school rules had been broken and whether he could invent a few more.
Victor raised a hand before Snape could speak.
"Professor Snape, would you listen first? This is an accident and absolutely not the result of reckless behavior."
Snape's eyes narrowed.
Considering who was speaking, that statement had clearly not improved Victor's position.
"I shall determine that myself after I deal with this situation," Snape said coldly.
Without wasting another second, he stepped forward and examined Harry personally.
His fingers briefly checked Harry's pulse while his eyes searched for injuries.
Although Snape's face remained expressionless, Victor noticed the slight relaxation in his posture once he confirmed Harry was alive and physically unharmed.
The professor straightened slowly.
"The boy appears intact," he said in a tone that somehow managed to sound both relieved and irritated. "A remarkable achievement considering his usual talent for attracting catastrophe."
Victor nodded.
"Harry does seem unusually gifted in that area."
Snape ignored him completely.
His dark eyes swept across the grounds.
"Black."
It wasn't really a question.
Victor had expected it anyway.
"I only found Harry," he replied calmly. "The Dementors had already dragged him away. After I drove them off, Sirius Black was nowhere nearby."
Snape stared at him for several moments.
Victor could practically see the suspicion working behind those dark eyes.
The professor clearly believed there was more to the story.
Unfortunately for him, there was no proof.
Eventually Snape looked away.
"We will discuss your involvement later, Mr. Malfoy."
That sounded less like a possibility and more like a threat.
His attention returned to Harry immediately.
"For now, Potter requires medical attention."
Victor was forced to admit that was reasonable.
Dementor attacks were not exactly something people walked away from casually.
Snape turned toward the castle.
"Follow me."
Victor adjusted Harry's weight and walked beside him.
Neither spoke much as they crossed the grounds. Snape maintained a brisk pace while occasionally glancing toward Harry to make certain his condition wasn't worsening.
By the time they entered the castle, the professor had already decided where they were going.
"We are taking Potter directly to the hospital wing," Snape said. "Madam Pomfrey will examine him immediately. Given the number of foolish decisions made tonight, I have no intention of adding medical negligence to the list."
Victor quietly followed.
After leaving Harry in Madam Pomfrey's care, Snape instructed Victor to follow him.
Victor already suspected where this was heading.
That suspicion only grew stronger when they arrived outside the headmaster's office.
The stone gargoyle moved aside and allowed them entry.
A few moments later, Victor stepped into the circular office and immediately found himself under the gaze of Albus Dumbledore.
Dumbledore studied Victor for a few moments before speaking.
"Mr. Malfoy," he said calmly, "in all my years of teaching, I have encountered many unusual students. In many ways, you are an exceptionally talented young wizard."
Before Victor could reply, Snape spoke.
"Trouble-seeking would be a more accurate description."
Dumbledore glanced toward him.
"Severus, there is no need to be quite so severe. After all, many students are like this," he said, a faint smile touching his face. "Though I will admit that Mr. Malfoy is somewhat special. He has a remarkable habit of resolving trouble rather than causing it."
*****
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