A Devil Takes Care of His Own

Chapter 7: The Truth Behind the Dark Lord

The grand halls of Pendragon Palace were filled with the warmth of a roaring fire, the crackle of flames reflecting off the intricately carved dragon motifs that adorned the walls. Klaus Mikaelson sat by the hearth, Harry nestled in his arms, the boy slowly adjusting to the whirlwind changes his life had taken. Rebekah and Elijah sat nearby, quiet but vigilant, always ready for whatever came next.

It had been a day filled with revelations—Harry's inheritance, the discovery of Sirius Black's innocence, and the legal action they had set in motion against Dumbledore and the Ministry. Yet something still gnawed at Klaus's mind. He had sensed it from the moment they arrived at Pendragon Palace: there was something Sol wasn't telling them. Something deeper, darker, and far more important than the web of manipulations they had uncovered thus far.

Sol Pendragon, ruler of the magical world in America, leaned casually against one of the massive columns that framed the room. His youthful face was mischievous, but his golden eyes held a depth of knowledge that belied his appearance. He had been watching them, silent for most of the evening, but now, as the atmosphere shifted, Klaus knew they were on the cusp of something far more significant.

"I can see it in your eyes, Klaus," Sol said, his voice playful yet serious. "You're wondering what comes next. You've managed to tear Dumbledore's plans apart, but that's just the beginning."

Klaus met Sol's gaze, his expression hard. "What aren't you telling us, Sol? There's something more. You've hinted at it since the moment we arrived."

Sol grinned, walking over to where Klaus sat, his movements fluid and graceful. "Oh, there's more, all right. But you may not like what you're about to hear."

Klaus raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Try me."

Sol took a seat, his golden eyes gleaming with anticipation. "You've heard the stories, haven't you? About Voldemort—the Dark Lord, the killer, the destroyer, the madman who seeks to tear down everything the wizarding world holds dear. Dumbledore's been telling the same story for decades. But what if I told you..." Sol leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "...that it's all a lie?"

The room went still. Elijah, ever the tactician, narrowed his eyes. "Explain."

Sol's grin widened. "Voldemort—Tom Riddle—he's not the monster Dumbledore's made him out to be. In fact, he's not insane, nor has he ever been. He's not some madman bent on destruction, either. What he is, is someone who remembers the old traditions. Someone who wants the magical world to return to what it once was—before it was corrupted."

Klaus's eyes darkened as he listened, but he said nothing, waiting for Sol to continue.

"The magical world used to be a place of respect for the old ways," Sol said, his tone growing more serious. "Magic wasn't just spells and potions—it was an art, a connection to the very fabric of the world. Wizards were taught to honor that connection. They were taught the ancient rituals, the traditions that kept our kind strong and balanced with the world around us. But all of that began to change."

Sol's expression turned somber as he leaned back. "Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic destroyed the old ways. They decided that certain types of magic—ancient, powerful magic—were too dangerous. They labeled it dark, simply because it couldn't be controlled by their narrow understanding. They stripped away the old traditions, removed classes from Hogwarts that taught the true nature of magic, and reshaped the magical world to fit their idea of control."

"And Voldemort?" Rebekah asked, her voice cold but curious.

"Tom Riddle," Sol corrected, "wasn't raised in that corrupted world. He knew the old ways, the real traditions. And when he came into his power, he wanted to bring those traditions back. But Dumbledore couldn't allow that. To Dumbledore, a return to the old ways meant losing his grip on power. It meant wizards would stop looking to him as the symbol of what's right. So he spun a tale—he created a monster out of Riddle. And the world bought it."

Klaus's jaw tightened, his mind working through the implications of Sol's words. "Are you saying Voldemort—Tom—never killed anyone?"

Sol shook his head. "Oh, he's killed, but not in the way the world believes. He's fought to protect the old ways, and yes, he's done it ruthlessly. But this image of him as a madman bent on destruction? That's all Dumbledore's doing. The truth is, Riddle wants to restore balance to the magical world—to bring back the old traditions that Dumbledore has systematically erased."

"And the deaths of Lily and James Potter?" Elijah asked, his voice low but steady.

Sol's face darkened. "Tom didn't kill them. He never wanted them dead. It was Peter Pettigrew's betrayal that led to their deaths—just as we now know. But Dumbledore used it to cement the image of Voldemort as the ultimate evil."

Klaus's eyes blazed with fury. "Then why did Dumbledore allow this to happen? Why manipulate the world into believing Voldemort was this uncontrollable monster?"

Sol's gaze was sharp, piercing. "Because if the old ways return, so too does the power of the wizarding world. The power that can't be contained by a Ministry or a single man. Dumbledore thrives on control, on the image of being the protector of the wizarding world. But in truth, he's just an old man clinging to power that was never meant to be his."

Rebekah smirked. "I always knew Dumbledore was hiding something."

Sol's playful expression returned, but this time it was tinged with something darker. "You have no idea how deep the rabbit hole goes. The old traditions—classes and knowledge that were labeled dark and forbidden—they were simply too powerful for the Ministry's liking. When you control what people learn, you control what they believe. And Dumbledore has been doing that for years."

Klaus's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "And what do you propose we do?"

Sol leaned back, his grin widening. "I think it's time I stepped in. I've ruled quietly for long enough, watching the world burn under the Ministry's incompetent leadership. But now, with Harry's true lineage revealed, with the truth about Dumbledore coming to light, it's time to rip down the Ministry of Magic and rewrite the rules of the wizarding world."

"You can do that?" Rebekah asked, intrigued.

"Oh, darling," Sol said, laughing softly. "You may not realize it, but I'm not just the ruler of magical America. I am the ruler of the entire magical world. Every major magical government ultimately answers to me. And let me tell you this: Dumbledore is far too old for the power he holds. I can see through the spells he's placed on himself. Wizards normally live about 200 years, give or take. Dumbledore is 116, but under the weight of his magic, his soul looks closer to 300."

Klaus frowned. "He's done something to himself?"

"More than just aging," Sol replied, his golden eyes gleaming. "He's twisted himself, manipulated his own life force to extend his influence. Wizards who age well do so because their magic flows naturally through them. Voldemort, for example, is 71 years old, but he looks 30. Why? Because he's tapped into the old ways—into the flow of magic itself. Dumbledore, on the other hand, has stretched himself thin. His power is corrupting him, and it shows."

"And what about Tom Riddle?" Elijah asked. "If he's not the monster, what does he want?"

Sol's smile faded into something more serious. "Tom wants the magical world to return to the way it was. He wants wizards to reconnect with the old traditions, to celebrate the power that magic holds. He's not the villain Dumbledore's made him out to be, but he's no saint either. He's ruthless when it comes to achieving his goals."

Klaus remained silent for a moment, his mind racing with the possibilities. The wizarding world, as they knew it, was built on lies, on the manipulations of an old man who had controlled the narrative for far too long.

"Then what's our next move?" Klaus asked, his voice sharp.

Sol stood up, his grin returning, but this time with a sharp, dangerous edge. "First, we tear down the Ministry of Magic. We take down all their old rules, all their leaders, and we rewrite the laws that govern the magical world. And then, we deal with Dumbledore. I've seen enough of his games. It's time for a new age to begin."

Klaus nodded, his eyes glowing with determination. "Good. Let's tear them apart."

As the flames of the hearth flickered and danced, the room was filled with the weight of the storm that was coming. The wizarding world was about to change, and those who had built their power on lies and manipulation would soon feel the full force of Klaus Mikaelson and Sol Pendragon.

And this time, there would be no mercy.