Chapter Text
Harry was about to die.
"YOU!!” The fires roared in the fireplace like the candles, tall towers of green—Kirkland appeared bellowing in Dumbledore's Office, pointing at Harry, towering over him like a sudden, monstrous apparition. "You MURDERED her! MY Belinda, DID YOU?!"
He was livid, his voice echoed, hands close to reaching as if itching to wrap around his little neck and twist.
Harry was startled cold and couldn't help it, he cried out in a panic and stepped back, seeking safety behind the headmaster, who stood still despite the sudden chaos in the room.
"Arthur.” Dumbledore greeted, far too calm—the green fire coated the room in its light and it made Harry so anxious. "Please, let's talk."
Kirkland sneered. "There better be a good bloody reason!” He shouted—Harry realized he was floating, but also actually bigger in size, like a looming beast himself, huffing. It was a miracle he hadn't attacked Harry yet!
"There is, you have my word, Arthur." Dumbledore turned to glance at Harry, quickly, eyes darting between him and the furious Leyan, whose hands were twirling with nervous energy.
Harry gulped. "S-She attacked me! She was obeying Riddle! And she was trying to kill me and Ginny and– and–!"
Arthur's lip curled. "Well, you should have LET her, then!"
Dumbledore spoke up. "Well, be it as it may, the Basilisk attacked students. You can hardly blame us for doing our best to survive. Life, is something precious and fleeting, after all. I hope you’ll forgive us, Arthur.”
By the end of the headmaster's speech, the Leyan was far less vicious-looking. If anything, he seemed on the edge of 'demure', shrinking to a more natural size. The fires too seemed to calm a bit, even if they still remained green, simmering like Arthur himself—he muttered something incoherent, shaking his head and crossing his arms with a huff of deep annoyance.
His face remained dark…
Harry was hesitant, but he had to say it. "…Riddle said she was upset you left her…”
“I didn't.” Kirkland snapped, averting his eyes, but elaborated no further. "Riddle was a creature of envy. Clearly, that hasn't changed." His feet touched the ground.
Dumbledore sighed, but didn't respond. He seemed relieved, but his hand still kept Harry behind him by the shoulder. Harry wondered if he knew Kirkland had taught Riddle anything…
The door opened loudly, yet the Leyan didn't even flinch, still in a thoughtful, distant mood.
There stood Lucious Malfoy, whose eyes widened when Kirkland turned to him. "Wait your bloody turn.” He grumbled. Lucious gave slow nod, looked in disdain at Dumbledore and Harry only, but didn't leave the room.
And there behind him, Dobby hid, eyes wide at Harry, then wider at Arthur—there he promptly wept very quietly, a choked sound, and fell to his knees.
Kirkland leaned in and hissed like a snake himself at Harry, “You owe me a life, lad." in Parseltongue. His eyes were bright and vicious—his focused glare made Harry shiver so hard it nearly jolted his entire body.
Then he unceremoniously disapparated out of the room in a wisp of light. The fires shifted to their natural hue as soon as he did.
Lucious Malfoy had waited quieter than ever, bowing as Kirkland left, then sighing in some relief after. Whatever the older Malfoy would say, could not be any worse than what just happened. Even Dumbledore looked a bit off and rattled. Harry was still buzzing internally.
The man in front of them could not promise anything more ominous than Kirkland.