Godfather Owl: Guardian of Batman [89]

Gryffindor’s return was shrouded in secrecy.

No one noticed his arrival. Late one night, he simply appeared at Hogwarts, as if out of thin air.

—

As the night deepened, the young wizards were sound asleep.

Kathoom, bored out of his mind, was stargazing.

He didn’t actually understand anything about constellations, but based on his sources, something big was supposed to happen soon, so he had to stay alert at night.

Then—

“Boss! Boss!”

A small owl flapped its wings and rushed over.

“What’s the rush! How many times have I told you to stay calm?” Kathoom, king of the Hogwarts owls, scolded loudly.

This little owl, Pippin, was the first lucky enough to become Kathoom’s underling.

Seeing Kathoom’s stern expression, Pippin quickly composed himself, no longer flapping about in a panic.

Kathoom nodded approvingly. “Alright, now tell me, what’s going on?”

“The person Dumbledore mentioned in his letters is back!” Pippin said excitedly. “I think his name is… Gryffindor?”

“Something this important and you almost didn’t tell me?”

Kathoom scolded, swatting Pippin with a wing.

Pippin felt a bit wronged but dared not complain, quietly preparing to fly off.

“Wait.”

Kathoom called him back. “You did well. I’ll reward you with a nice, fat rat.”

Ron’s pet Scabbers should be just right.

Pippin’s face lit up with joy, his earlier frustrations forgotten, and he flew closer, trying to nuzzle up to his boss.

Kathoom promptly kicked him away.

With his heart full of delight, Pippin flew off, leaving Kathoom alone on the windowsill.

For weeks, Kathoom had been tracking Dumbledore’s activities.

He’d seen Dumbledore sending letters in secret, blissfully unaware that every owl at Hogwarts now answered to Kathoom.

The person Dumbledore had sought for help was none other than the elusive Gryffindor.

And now, Gryffindor had finally returned.

—

“Bruce, Bruce!”

Bruce was startled awake, blinking sleepily at the owl perched by his pillow.

He was still a bit groggy.

“Good, looks like you’re not too deep asleep,” Kathoom said. “Get dressed; I’m taking you to see something you can’t see in the daytime!”

What was he even talking about?

Bruce didn’t really understand but, half-awake, he pulled on his clothes, instinctively moving quietly as he followed Kathoom out of the dormitory.

Kathoom cast a Disillusionment Charm, turning both of them invisible.

“This spell won’t fool Dumbledore or Gryffindor,” Kathoom warned, giving Bruce a sharp slap to jolt him fully awake.

“So stay alert. If we’re caught, I’ll ditch you and flee without hesitation.”

Bruce rubbed his stinging cheek, finally awake.

“Did you just slap me?” he asked, belatedly realizing.

“No, you were just having a bad dream.”

Kathoom said casually. “Now stop dawdling and follow me!”

The invisibility charm Kathoom had cast worked better than he let on.

As they made their way through the castle, they passed several ghosts and even Mr. Filch on his night patrol, none of whom noticed them.

The owl led Bruce on an unusual path, guiding him outside the castle walls and up along the stonework.

Bruce suddenly realized where they were headed.

“You’re taking me to the Headmaster’s office?” he asked, noticing the single lit window in the distance. “Why is Dumbledore still awake?”

“Keep your voice down, Bruce. This is a test of your skills.”

Kathoom floated silently in the air. “If you get caught on your first eavesdropping mission, I’ll never let you live it down.”

“You…”

Bruce’s irritation flared at Kathoom’s taunting.

He hadn’t had any time to prepare!

But since they were already here, turning back wasn’t an option.

No choice.

Bruce held his breath, silently moving under the window, the invisibility charm and levitation charm keeping him hidden.

Then he heard voices from inside the office.

“Are you recovering well?” It was Dumbledore’s voice.

“I’m fine; no need to worry.”

Bruce recognized the voice as belonging to Godric Gryffindor.

Dumbledore and Gryffindor were having a conversation?!

Bruce finally realized just how sensitive the information he was overhearing was.

This was definitely something you couldn’t see or hear in the daytime.

He pressed his ear to the wall, listening intently.

“Salazar is even more unhinged than I imagined.”

Gryffindor’s voice was steady but weary. “He’s holding nothing back. If I hadn’t been fortunate, I wouldn’t have made it back.”

“You’re too modest,” Dumbledore replied with a gentle smile.

Bruce couldn’t see Gryffindor, but judging by the weight of his breathing, he guessed the legendary wizard had returned injured.

Injuries sustained from battling Salazar Slytherin.

Bruce continued listening closely and soon heard the key point of the conversation.

“Apart from Salazar, I’ve spoken with the other two.”

Gryffindor said, “After Jason’s death, Helga and Rowena’s sense of self has gradually returned. Communication was possible.”

“Helga agreed to a truce; she has no interest in whatever Salazar plans and is willing to remain neutral.”

“Neutral?” There was a hint of disappointment in Dumbledore’s voice.

Didn’t Hufflepuff want to protect the school she had helped found?

“Albus, that’s enough.”

Gryffindor sighed. “You should know Hogwarts today isn’t exactly what we’d hoped for.”

Dumbledore said nothing.

“Let’s be clear, this isn’t your fault. It’s a problem with the wizarding world itself.”

Gryffindor’s breathing hitched as if his wound had flared up suddenly.

After a moment, he continued, “As for Rowena, unfortunately, I didn’t succeed in reasoning with her. She has found a new purpose since returning.”

“And what would that be?” Dumbledore asked.

Instead of answering directly, Gryffindor followed his train of thought.

“Rowena came back to life and heard a rather curious story.

“A powerless infant surviving the Killing Curse—even managing to reflect it back on its caster.

“Dumbledore, what do you think could explain such a miracle?”

For Dumbledore, this wasn’t a difficult question. He answered without hesitation: “Love.”

“Yes, that’s Rowena’s theory as well.”

Gryffindor continued, “But you should know how things ended for Rowena.

“In her final days, her own daughter’s betrayal struck her hardest while she was already ill.

“Rowena loved her daughter deeply, yet was ultimately betrayed by the person she cherished most. Because she loved, her suffering was that much greater.

“Now, in her rebirth, she’s being told that love is the most powerful magic, the most precious of all.”

“It seems she has a different perspective on it now.”

Dumbledore’s voice grew tense. “Are you saying—?”

“Precisely.”

Gryffindor replied, “I believe Rowena Ravenclaw intends to prove that the magic of love is a mistake!”