TEMPUS MORTIS

Chapter 03. Grindelwald's Legacy.

The screen flickered back to life. It now displayed Albus Dumbledore walking down a Muggle street at midnight. A sign below the image indicated: November 1981.

"Am I the only one who finds it strange that Dumbledore hasn't been summoned to this picturesque gathering?" commented Barty Crouch Jr. with an ironic tone.

Evan Rosier, sitting beside him, smiled faintly. "I have the impression that he's partially responsible for the terrible events we are about to witness in these films."

Barty turned to Regulus, seeking his opinion. "What do you think, Regulus?" he asked, but Regulus remained unmoved. He was lost in thought, watching Carina Potter absentmindedly pet her cat.

Noticing his friend's distraction, Evan lightly shook him. "You know that staring at her isn't going to change what happened between you two," he said in a low, almost conspiratorial tone.

Regulus reacted swiftly, shaking his head as if trying to clear his mind. "I don't know what you're talking about," he replied coldly. "Let's pay attention to the film, that's what's important."

The interaction did not go unnoticed by Sirius, who frowned. It also caught the attention of Walburga Black, who was beginning to grow weary of not fully understanding what was happening between her youngest son and Carina.

On the screen, Dumbledore paused in front of a cat that was watching him intently. "I didn't expect to see you here, Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore said with a slight smile.

The cat jumped and transformed into the figure of a woman. "Albus, is it true what they're saying?" Minerva McGonagall asked, clearly distressed.

"It is true. Voldemort has killed James and Lily Potter," Dumbledore replied calmly, as if those words were more a fact than a tragedy.

A shiver ran through the room. The forbidden name had been spoken without hesitation, but the most shocking news was the announcement of the deaths of many in the audience's classmates.

"Guys, I got the girl!" exclaimed James Potter, interrupting the silence. "Lily Flower is going to marry me!"

Carina, who had remained silent, looked up, irritated. "You've just been told you're going to be killed, and all you care about is that?" she said, finally breaking her silence.

James grinned broadly, completely oblivious to the somber atmosphere. "What can I say, sister? It makes me happy that Lily Flower finally accepts me," he replied, visibly satisfied.

"Actually, she hasn't done so yet," interjected Remus Lupin with his usual honesty.

"Moony, you're not helping me!" James complained as Lily Evans rolled her eyes.

"He's not lying," Lily replied, looking at James. "I haven't accepted your proposal, so don't get your hopes up. We should focus on what's important, like figuring out why we're being killed."

"The movie will tell us," James replied, refusing to lose his carefree smile.

Back on the screen, Minerva McGonagall asked with concern, "And the boy, Albus?"

"He is alive," Dumbledore answered, maintaining his usual calmness.

"Are you going to leave him with that Muggle family? I've been watching them, Albus. They're horrible. We can't leave the boy with them; he's the only son of James and Lily. How can you think that's best?"

McGonagall's worry was palpable, and not just on the screen. Lily put her hands to her head, realizing whom she was referring to. "I know why that street sounds familiar," she murmured, turning her gaze back to the screen. "that's one of the houses my sister was looking at moving into when she gets married this summer. How can the director leave my child with that family that despises magic?"