“Wait, we’re starting already?
Shouldn’t someone at least explain what I’m supposed to do first?” Alistair asked in alarm as Abernathy raised his wand.
The other members of the Alliance immediately began shouting advice from behind him, none of which seemed particularly organized.
“Don’t make eye contact with Abernathy!” one called.
“Clear your mind!” another shouted, while someone else insisted, “Think about something completely unrelated—anything at all!” Before Alistair could decide which instruction to follow, Abernathy calmly aimed his wand.
“Legilimens!” At that moment, Alistair became absolutely certain he’d made the right decision by insisting on attending Hogwarts.
The members of the Alliance were undoubtedly powerful witches and wizards, but their ability to teach left a great deal to be desired.
Apparently, their idea of a lesson was to shout several contradictory instructions and then throw the student directly into the spell.
Professional education really should be left to professional teachers, Alistair thought desperately as he tried to follow the advice he’d been given.
Hogwarts professors suddenly seemed more appealing than ever.
Thinking about Hogwarts naturally brought his mind to the upcoming school year, and Alistair abruptly wondered who would be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts in 1990.
He knew the position had a terrible reputation and that Voldemort was believed to have jinxed it after Dumbledore refused to hire him years earlier, but he couldn’t remember every professor who had held the job before Harry arrived.
Then Alistair remembered that he was supposed to be thinking about something unrelated and hurriedly redirected his thoughts.
Images of teachers from his previous American school began flashing through his mind instead—an overly enthusiastic history teacher, a math teacher who assigned far too much homework, and a gym coach who treated every class like the state championship.
Somehow, clinging to those ordinary memories helped him endure Abernathy’s first attempt at Legilimency.
The session didn’t continue for long.
When Vinda finally called an end to the lesson, Alistair felt as though he’d spent hours taking exams without a break.
“That’s enough for today,” she said.
“Occlumency places considerable strain on the mind, especially when you’re just beginning.
Get some rest, and we’ll continue tomorrow.” Alistair didn’t argue; the moment everyone left, he hurried away to recover in peace.
Back at Vinda’s residence, however, nobody seemed interested in resting.
As soon as the group settled down, Vinda turned eagerly toward Abernathy.
“Well?
How did he do?” she asked.
“How much were you able to see?” Abernathy, normally composed even while interrogating prisoners, looked unexpectedly embarrassed.
His face had reddened slightly, and the hesitation only made everyone else more curious.
One of the elderly wizards stared at him in surprise.
“Abernathy, why do you look like that?
I noticed you were sweating during the attempt.” He leaned forward.
“Don’t tell me Alistair actually resisted your Legilimency on his first real lesson.” Abernathy remained silent for several seconds before reluctantly nodding.
“His talent is genuinely impressive.
I managed to catch some surface thoughts at the beginning, but after that, I couldn’t get anything useful.” The room immediately filled with satisfied expressions.
Alistair’s position as the future heir of the Alliance had never depended on strength alone, but none of them wanted the Grindelwald bloodline to produce a weak wizard.
Hearing that an eleven-year-old had already managed to resist an experienced Legilimens, even briefly, gave them renewed confidence.
Several members began praising his potential, while others exchanged looks that suggested the future suddenly seemed considerably brighter.
Vinda allowed the discussion to continue for a moment before asking the question that had been bothering her.
“What did you see at the beginning?” she asked.
“If it was something private that Alistair clearly wouldn’t want repeated, then leave it alone.” Abernathy thought for a moment and shook his head.
“Nothing particularly secret.
He was wondering who Hogwarts’s Defense Against the Dark Arts professor would be this year.” The answer immediately sparked another round of conversation.
“So he really is interested in the Dark Arts,” someone said with approval.
“Of course he is,” another replied.
“Who wouldn’t be interested in powerful magic?
Yet despite that, his first priority was Occlumency because he wanted to protect us.” Someone else suddenly remembered the notorious teaching position.
“Isn’t the Defense Against the Dark Arts post at Hogwarts supposed to be jinxed because of Voldemort?” That immediately earned an angry response.
“Don’t call that man the Second Dark Lord as though he deserves to be compared with our master.
He hasn’t earned that honor.” The argument threatened to grow louder, but Vinda had already stopped listening.
She sat quietly, her eyes narrowing as Abernathy’s words turned over in her mind.
Gradually, the scattered pieces seemed to fit together, and her expression changed.
The others noticed the shift and slowly fell silent.
Abernathy finally asked, “Vinda, what is it?
Did you think of something?” She raised her head and looked around the room with absolute certainty.
“I understand what Alistair meant.” Abernathy blinked.
Vinda leaned forward.
“I don’t believe you saw that thought by accident.
Alistair deliberately allowed you to notice his question about the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.” Several people stared at her blankly, so she continued before they could interrupt.
“Think about it.
Why would that particular position be on his mind while he’s preparing to enter Hogwarts?
Because the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is the next step in his plan.” The realization Vinda expected did not arrive immediately, forcing her to explain further.
“He wants one of us inside Hogwarts as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.” She began counting the benefits without hesitation.
“First, we could remain close enough to protect him.
Second, whoever takes the position could assist with whatever he plans to do next.
Third, it would give one of us a legitimate public identity after decades of remaining in the shadows.” By the time she finished, several members of the Alliance were nodding enthusiastically.
Abernathy, however, frowned.
“Even if that’s what he wants, why would Dumbledore hire one of us?
He knows who we are.” Vinda smiled as though she’d already solved both problems.
“For most Hogwarts positions, convincing him might be difficult, but Defense Against the Dark Arts is different.
That job has driven away one professor after another for years—some injured, some disgraced, some simply desperate to leave.
Dumbledore isn’t exactly in a position to reject every qualified applicant.” She paused before addressing Abernathy’s second concern.
“And as for recognizing us…have you forgotten Polyjuice Potion exists?” Understanding spread around the table at once, followed by a wave of praise for Vinda’s quick thinking.
She merely shook her head.
“Don’t give me credit.
These were Alistair’s hints.” Her expression became more thoughtful.
“He probably didn’t say it outright because he still has reservations about sending one of us into such a dangerous position.
Even at eleven, he’s already considering the risks to the people who follow him.” That interpretation made several members visibly emotional.
Abernathy stepped forward almost immediately.
“Then I’ll do it.
I worked for MACUSA and received a proper magical education in America.
Becoming a school professor shouldn’t be difficult.” Before he could finish, another elderly wizard scoffed.
“And you think that makes you the obvious choice?
I graduated from Durmstrang, and I’m stronger than you.
If someone is going to protect Alistair inside Hogwarts, it should be me.” Abernathy turned toward him.
“If we’re discussing strength, then perhaps we should settle that question properly.” Another voice joined the argument, followed by another, and within moments the room was on the verge of descending into chaos.
Vinda’s patience finally snapped.
“Enough!” Her sharp command instantly silenced everyone.
She rose from her seat and looked around at them with obvious disappointment.
“The Defense Against the Dark Arts position is clearly important to Alistair’s plans.
Whoever takes it needs strength, caution, intelligence, and enough self-control to operate directly under Dumbledore’s nose.” Her gaze moved across the room one person at a time.
“Alistair has already given us the hint, yet most of you didn’t even understand what he was trying to say until I explained it.
How am I supposed to trust any of you not to expose yourselves and drag him into trouble?” No one immediately answered.
Vinda turned toward the window, her decision already made.
“This time, I’ll go myself.” End of Chapter 10 [Community Goals Ongoing]