"Secrets, Destinies, and Promises"
"Go ahead," said Einar calmly after hearing the knocks on his office door.
The door creaked open cautiously, and Harry entered with some hesitation.
"Professor Einar, do you have a moment?"
"Of course, come in."
Harry took a few steps forward but hesitated before speaking.
"There's something I'd like to ask... though I'm not sure if it's..."
"Harry, I'm simpler than you think, even though I hold the title of professor. I prefer people to get straight to the point rather than beating around the bush."
"I see..." Harry nodded slightly before focusing his gaze on Einar. "You said that Dumbledore possibly knew everything that was happening, and when I was in danger. Why do you think that?"
Einar watched him in silence for a few seconds before standing up and walking toward a wall adorned with several portraits, whose occupants followed the conversation with rapt attention.
"It's easier to explain than you think, Harry. It's because of them."
He pointed at the paintings. Instantly, several of them widened their eyes in surprise.
"The paintings?" Harry asked, confused.
"Exactly. As headmaster of a magical school, one should have the power to know everything that happens within their institution, right? These paintings are his eyes and ears throughout the castle."
Under Einar's intense gaze, the portraits began to tremble. One tried to sneak away, but in the blink of an eye, a dagger embedded itself into its frame, pinning it in place.
"Ah!" the trapped figure screamed.
The other portraits tried to flee, but new daggers flew from Einar's hands, embedding themselves into their frames and forcing them to remain still.
Harry shuddered as he heard the cries of pain from the paintings, but he didn't look away.
"See, Harry, these daggers are made from a special material and carry an even more special enchantment: the Soul Trap. These paintings aren't just simple pictures. To give them awareness, a piece of the original wizard's consciousness is implanted into them. Although it's not a fragment of the soul, it's close."
Harry felt a knot in his stomach as he processed this information.
"That's why they can feel pain," Einar continued, his voice calm. "And being in the walls of Hogwarts, they serve a purpose beyond decoration. They are the ones who pass information to Dumbledore. As you may have noticed, in every room, corridor, and section of the castle, there's at least one painting."
"Everywhere?" Harry asked, surprised. In his mind, he began to recall the number of portraits at Hogwarts... even in his own room.
"Perhaps not in the bathrooms, but in the hallways, they are never lacking," Einar commented with a slight ironic tone. "Now do you understand why I say that Dumbledore always knew about your movements and when you were in danger?"
Harry remained silent, shocked.
Einar sighed.
"I'm sorry, Harry. Perhaps it's because of my existence that you're now caught in a battle of wits. But let me be completely honest with you: your existence doesn't matter to me. Knowing about you changes nothing in my world."
Harry looked at him in surprise, but Einar continued.
"The only reason I helped you is because you're like me: bound to a stupid destiny, controlled by someone with an Atlas complex. My entire life has been shackled by an absurd prophecy. I did things at an age no child should have. I watched people die... I killed people. All to fulfill a role imposed by others."
His voice hardened.
"I'm not strong because I trained relentlessly or because I'm a genius who learns by merely looking. I'm strong because I lived on the edge of death every single day. My body is covered in scars, and although they are my pride, every one of them could have been my last."
With a firm motion, Einar removed his mask. Then, without taking his eyes off the portraits, he exhaled a powerful breath of fire.
"YOL TOOR SHUL."
The flames consumed the paintings instantly, reducing them to nothing. Not even ashes remained.
Einar placed the mask back on and looked at Harry seriously.
"I'll give you one piece of advice, because I've been in your shoes. Trust who you want to trust. Do things as you feel you should, not as someone else tells you or manipulates you into doing."
Harry nodded slowly, still processing what he had just witnessed.
"Yes, Professor... thank you."
He left the office with his mind swirling and a thousand thoughts rushing through his head.
As he walked down the hallway, still lost in his thoughts, he bumped into Snape.
The professor looked at him coldly before letting out a biting remark.
"Potter, can you never walk without looking like you're scheming something wrong? Gryffindor should be grateful I don't deduct points just for your mere presence."
Without waiting for a response, he entered Einar's office, leaving Harry confused... and angry. He quickly walked toward the Gryffindor common room, filled with fury.
.....
Einar looked up from his desk and fixed his gaze on the newcomer.
"How strange... What brings you to my office without even knocking?" he asked calmly, fingers crossed over the table.
Snape wasted no time with pleasantries. His voice was cold but tinged with irritation.
"I'll be direct, since that seems to be your style," he said, glaring intensely. "I've come to speak about Draco Malfoy and the reason why one of the professors is preventing him from attending his class."
Einar exhaled softly and stood up calmly.
"I see... Now that I think about it, you're the head of the House of Snakes."
He slowly walked across the room, stopping next to one of the bookshelves.
"It's curious, the behavior of your students..."
Snape narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean by that?"
Einar turned his head slightly with a faint smile.
"I come from a place where nobles are true nobles. I've fought for them, with them... and against them. I killed a false emperor and a legitimate one. And yet, most of their students, who boast of being 'pure-blood,' share only vanity, envy, and contempt for others with the nobility. What they lack is integrity, justice, wisdom, leadership, courage, pride..."
Snape hardened his expression.
"We are not in the place you come from. Here, things are different."
Einar let out a brief laugh before staring at him firmly.
"I know... That's why that boy's father only lost an arm instead of his head."
Snape visibly tensed.
"What are you talking about?"
Einar turned fully toward him.
"I can distinguish between a father and his son. I didn't mean to judge young Malfoy for the sins of his father... but he earned my contempt on his own merit. Although I'm still better at it than you."
Snape's eyes flashed with a spark of contained fury.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Einar smiled with disdain.
"Ah, Professor... Despite your age and experience, it seems you forget I'm not just a simple wizard. I've explored impossible ruins, acted as a strategist and detective. I have quite a sharp sense of perception. I don't need to read minds to see the obvious."
He sat back down with the same calmness with which he had risen.
"I'm the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. My word is what matters in my classroom."
Snape gritted his teeth, spun on his heels, and left the office in silent fury.
Einar stared at the empty space where the paintings had once hung. His fingers drummed on the table, with a pressure that gradually began to mark the surface of the wood.
"Maybe accepting this position was a mistake... Just problems, and I have to be close to an old manipulator and his one-eyed crow..."
The dry sound of the wood cracking interrupted his reflection. His finger had sunk into the table. With a sigh, he stopped applying pressure, and the structure finally broke completely, turning into splinters at his feet.
"But I promised to teach... And I always keep my promises."
He took his wand and with a slight movement restored the table to its original state.
...…..
Elsewhere, Dumbledore listened attentively.
"We cannot communicate with any of the paintings in the Defense Against the Dark Arts office," reported one of the portraits, clearly uneasy.
The old man didn't seem surprised.
"I suspected as much... That's why I brought Moody in to watch him."
His fingers distractedly played with a lemon drop before his expression turned more serious.
"Has Harry received any letters from Sirius?"
"Yes," the painting confirmed. "It seems Black is on his way to Britain to make sure Harry stays away from Professor Einar."
"And what did Harry do after reading the letter?"
"He went directly to Professor Einar's office. Then he headed to his common room with clear frustration and anger. He probably had an argument with him, although we don't know the details."
Dumbledore fell silent for a moment. Then, a satisfied smile appeared on his face as he popped several candies into his mouth.
"So Harry is upset with him... That's good."
His gaze sparkled with cunning. Everything was going according to plan....or that's what he thought.
"---------------
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