The Fall of Dumbledore: The White King

Masters of Deception

The atrium of the Ministry blazed with light as Bellatrix backed away from her pursuers, her wild laughter echoing off the polished walls. Hades and Draco followed, wands raised, maintaining their carefully crafted facade of vengeful pursuit.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix's spell struck the fountain, sending golden fragments of the magical bretheren statue exploding through the air. Water sprayed in graceful arcs, creating a shimmering curtain between them.

A crack like thunder split the air. Tom Riddle materialized beside Bellatrix, his appearance exactly as planned- tall, commanding, and bearing only the slightest hints of the snake-like visage Dumbledore expected. His dark eyes found Hades's, a moment of silent communication passing between them.

"Hades Snape," he said, voice carrying across the atrium. "We meet again."

Another crack announced Dumbledore's arrival. The old wizard strode forward, placing himself between Tom and the students, his blue eyes having lost their usual twinkle. "It was foolish of you to come here tonight, Tom," he said quietly. "The Aurors are on their way."

"By which time I shall be gone," Tom replied smoothly, "and you... shall be dead."

The duel erupted with spectacular force. Jets of light crisscrossed the atrium as the two most powerful wizards in Britain engaged in their deadly dance. But Hades, watching from behind a hastily conjured shield, could see the subtle signs of restraint in Tom's attacks. This was a performance, designed to be witnessed, to be remembered.

Dumbledore conjured a fiery rope, sending it snaking toward Tom, who transformed it into a serpent with a lazy flick of his wand. The snake turned, launching itself at Dumbledore, who vanished it with a bang that echoed through the vast space.

"You do not seek to kill me, Dumbledore?" Tom called, his voice carrying just the right note of mocking challenge. "Above such brutality, are you?"

"We both know there are other ways of destroying a man, Tom," Dumbledore replied calmly, continuing to circle. "Merely taking your life would not satisfy me, I admit..."

Water launched from the fountain in a towering wave, encasing Tom in a crystalline sphere. For a moment, he allowed himself to be trapped, letting Dumbledore believe he had the upper hand. Then the water exploded outward in a shower of ice daggers, forcing Dumbledore to conjure a shield that sang like a gong when struck.

Draco's hand found Hades's arm, squeezing gently- a reminder to maintain their act of terrified students. They huddled behind a fallen chunk of the fountain, watching the battle with appropriately wide eyes.

The air itself seemed to vibrate with magical energy as the duel continued. Glass shattered from every surface, raining down in a glittering cascade before being transfigured into deadly projectiles. Shields flared and spells ricocheted, scoring deep gouges in the walls and floor.

Tom was magnificent in his restraint, throwing spells that looked devastating but were carefully calculated to miss or be blocked. Dumbledore responded with equal force, never suspecting that his opponent was playing to an audience that hadn't arrived yet.

"You know the prophecy is lost," Dumbledore called out, deflecting another curse. "Give up this pointless pursuit, Tom. The boy will never join you."

A cold smile curved Tom's lips. "Are you so certain of that, old man? Are you so confident in your... manipulations?"

The battle reached new heights of spectacular magic. The fountain's remaining statues animated, charging at Tom, who blasted them apart with explosive force. Dumbledore wove the golden fragments into a shimmering shield, deflecting a barrage of curses that left scorch marks on the ceiling.

Bellatrix danced at the edges of the fight, adding her own spells to the chaos while staying carefully clear of the main duel. Her cackling laughter provided the perfect soundtrack to their choreographed violence.

And then, right on cue, the first Ministry workers began arriving for their early shifts. Gasps and screams echoed through the atrium as they witnessed the impossible- Lord Voldemort, alive and in combat with Albus Dumbledore himself.

Tom's eyes met Hades's one final time, a flash of triumph passing between them. Then he grabbed Bellatrix's arm, and with a crack like breaking glass, they vanished.

Dumbledore lowered his wand slowly, turning to where Hades and Draco crouched behind their shelter. His face was grave, concern radiating from every line- exactly the expression they had hoped to see.

"Are you alright, my boys?" he asked softly, extending a hand to help them up. "That was very brave of you, but also very foolish."

Hades allowed himself to tremble slightly as he stood, leaning into Draco's protective embrace. "Professor... I'm sorry... I just wanted..."

"I know, my dear boy," Dumbledore said gently. "I know."

Around them, chaos was erupting as more Ministry workers arrived, their shocked voices rising in a crescendo of fear and disbelief. The carefully orchestrated performance had achieved its goal.

Lord Voldemort had returned- and the entire wizarding world would soon know it.