MTLNOVEL Chapter 75: The Deathly Hallows
Morfin released his grip on Merope's wrist.
She collapsed like a discarded ragdoll, staggering back to the corner by the window, curling up in the shadows cast there.
Her head drooped heavily, breaths ragged and desperate, her dry, tangled hair falling like a curtain, masking her pale face.
Seeing her safe, Ogden resumed the fierce confrontation with Morfin. His tone was resolute, insisting that Morfin face justice under the law:
"Morfin shall appear in court on the fourteenth of September to answer charges of performing magic in front of a Muggle, causing that Muggle injury and distress—"
His words were abruptly cut off by the tinkling of bells, the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves, and bursts of joyful laughter drifting in through the open window.
Merope suddenly lifted her head, her face ghostly pale, eyes wide with terror, yet shadowed by a strange, tangled mix of emotions.
"Oh, what a dreadful mood killer!" a clear, melodic female voice rang out from the open window, as if the speaker were standing right inside the room, beside them. "Tom, can't your father just tear down that old shack?"
"That's not our property," a young man's patient voice replied. "The land over the valley belongs to our family, but that little cabin is owned by an old tramp named Gaunt and his children…"
The girl's bright laughter floated inside again, mingling with the jingle of bells and hoofbeats growing louder.
"Tom," the girl's curious voice came again, closer this time, as if they'd reached the house, "Am I seeing things, or is there a dead snake nailed to that door?"
"Yeah, you're not imagining it," the young man confirmed, "Probably one of old Gaunt's boys. I told you, that kid isn't quite right in the head. Just ignore it, dear Cecelia."
Snape, intrigued, moved toward the grimy wooden door, disdainfully stepping out through the closed room's door.
On the path, two splendid horses were turning around, ready to head back toward the main road.
On a sleek chestnut sat a handsome black-haired young man—his features, sharp and angular, were a mirror image of the young Voldemort's. Riding beside him was a beautiful girl on a gray mare, matching his stride.
They laughed and talked freely, their joy weaving through the crisp air.
The jingling bells and rhythmic hoofbeats faded slowly into the distance.
Just as Snape was about to reenter, a furious, venomous roar in Parseltongue echoed through the old house—Morrow's voice dripping with anger and disgrace.
"My daughter—the pure-blood descendant of Salazar Slytherin—would dare set her eyes on a filthy, lowborn Muggle... You miserable mute, you filthy bastard!"
A piercing scream tore through the air.
Ogden clutched his head, staggering wildly from the house, followed calmly by Dumbledore.
Startled like a rabbit, Ogden bolted onto the dirt path, wildly veering toward the main road, colliding with the chestnut horse.
Tom and Cecelia burst into laughter, amused by Ogden's disheveled state and odd attire.
Amid their bright laughter, Dumbledore approached Snape, gently patting his shoulder, signaling it was time to leave.
Grasping Snape's arm, he lifted them above the summer sky's calm, rising through the darkness, gently setting down on the carpet of the Headmaster's office.
Twilight shrouded the horizon like a thin veil; leaden clouds drifted above the grounds.
With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore illuminated several night lamps, soft light pushing back the gloom.
"The events that followed," he said as he settled behind his desk, "Tybullus informed me that Ogden returned to the Gaunt shack with reinforcements, subduing Morfin and Merope. Wizengamot later sentenced them. They were released after serving their time.
"But from what Ogden said, Morfin was later imprisoned in Azkaban for the murder of the Riddle family."
"Do you plan to visit Morfin in Azkaban?" Snape asked, sitting opposite Dumbledore.
"Soon enough," Dumbledore sighed, "There's much happening in the Order of the Phoenix. I haven't even had a chance to introduce you to everyone yet.
"When the time comes, would you like to join me on a trip to Azkaban?"
"No, thanks," Snape said, "That place doesn't appeal to me. You can go alone. But I'm quite interested in the Gaunt shack. Don't forget to take me if you visit."
"Very well," Dumbledore nodded slowly, "This outcome has been more fruitful than I expected."
"Indeed, Professor," Snape agreed, "We've discovered another possible Horcrux, haven't we?"
"Excellent," Dumbledore regarded him approvingly, "Though aside from the crown, the locations of the other three possible Horcruxes remain unknown, this progress is substantial.
"Having you involved, though occasionally a headache, certainly speeds things up."
"Should I bring you some Muggle blood pressure medication, Professor?" Snape grinned.
He was aware of Tom's diary, but no appropriate moment had come to mention it to the Headmaster yet; that conversation was still for later.
"Professor," Snape recalled the ring adorned with the Peverell crest, "Is Potter's Invisibility Cloak still with you?"
"You recognized the symbol?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "I returned that cloak to James over the winter holidays."
"Everyone's heard of The Tale of the Three Brothers," Snape said calmly, "I even had a copy of The Story of the Old Peddler as a child.
"But if you returned the cloak to Potter, won't he bring it back to school?"
"I told him," Dumbledore replied, "If it's confiscated again, I won't return it. I believe he won't risk that."
"Are you certain that cloak is—?" Snape probed deliberately.
"Though unique, I can see through it," Dumbledore said. "So I cannot be absolutely sure it is the legendary Cloak of Death, though perhaps my magic is too profound."
With their mission accomplished, Snape prepared to leave for his warm bed.
Just as he rose, Dumbledore called after him.
"Severus, lately, when I mistakenly took the wrong turn to the bathroom at dawn, I never entered that 'Come and Go' room with the fancy chamber pot again. Any idea why?"
"Ah, is that so?" Snape said calmly. "I have no idea, Professor. Good night."