The Gifted Curse

Chapter 26 - A Word From Dumbledore

"Professor Dumbledore, I don't know how to thank you for how much you have done for me," Geneva expressed. The two of them were sat in his magnificent office in front of a grand, lit fireplace, on high backed chairs. A soft smile creased his ancient features as he sat with his jewelled fingers interlinked and his feet crossed in his silver and lilac slippers.

"Geneva, what you did back there was noble, using your gift for the greater good."

"Well, Sever-I mean, Professor Snape had risked so much. It was instinct that drove me. I just...But you, you fought..." she paused for a second.

"Don't be afraid," he ushered her on.

"Voldemort," she spoke, lowly. "You fought him. If it hadn't of been for you... How did you do it?"

"Ah now you see I couldn't have done it without the help of Professor Snape. The horcrux you saw him hand to Voldemort had been placed under a most deceptive charm – essentially, it became a duplicate. To the eye and touch, Voldemort was fooled into believing it had been safely returned. The real horcrux I had kept in my possession since that unfortunate night it latched on to you." He looked down for a moment with a gentle shake of his head. "One only wishes Miss Lovegood could still be here as you are."

Geneva's eyes swept sadly from Dumbledore's sombre expression to the flickering fire as momentary silence fell between them.

"So...Professor Dumbledore, sir, what happened to the real horcrux if it's still with you?"

"Ah, but it is no longer with me, you see," he spoke, looking up. "The horcrux has now been destroyed."

"You destroyed the horcrux?"

"Indeed," he confirmed.

"And then what happened? What happened to...Voldemort?"

"He fled, weakened. In destroying a horcrux, a part of the soul disintegrates into the abyss."

"Is that why the death eaters suddenly disappeared?"

"Yes. He had summoned them."

Geneva took a while to digest this information.

"But this means he's still here, he's just..."

"Contained...regaining his strength," Dumbledore finished her train of thought. "For now."

His latter words caused a cloud to loom over her.

"He wants my gift to assist his pursue of Harry, doesn't he?"

"You are correct," he spoke matter of factly, but with reassuring determination in his blue eyes that looked over his spectacles. "But I believe in you just as I believe in Harry, Geneva. You possess a gift Voldemort does not. He may be able to read minds, he may be able to block his own, but he can not foretell the future. Your gift favours you tremendously."

"Harry and I...what if we put our heads together," Geneva advocated. "I mean, I could help him. Voldemort wanted to use my gift against Harry, but I could use it in his favour."

The words escaping came as a great surprise to her after all the fear and turmoil she'd endured, but it appeared that Dumbledore's presence and wise words had given her the strength and courage she needed to truly embrace her gift.

Dumbledore smiled warmly, causing his blue eyes narrowly glitter over his half moon spectacles before pushing them on his nose. He didn't need to say anything - his expression spoke volumes.

"Now..." he cleared his throat, sitting up a little. "Professor Snape..."

Geneva's eyes waved nervously, feeling a pull in her stomach, instantly closing her mind to the most private thoughts between her and the Hogwarts Potions Professor. She fumbled nervously with her fingers in her lap as he continued.