Infinity and Magic

*Anos’s POV*

Dumbledore began to laugh and for a moment I wanted to jump back into a corner of the roof from being startled like that but  that reflex was violently suppressed.

He must’ve noticed though because he stopped laughing but still smiled at me before asking “And what do you mean to do with this?” 

‘Well let’s just be truthful then.”

“I want to find out what the words mean.”

That seemed to take Dumbledore by surprise.

“You wish to… find what the words mean?” He said slowly and I simply nodded.

“Is it because they’re written on the Mirror?” 

“Well partly yes, there must be something to them if they’re written on the mirror but they also feel weird, somewhat foreign but also familiar is the best way I can describe them.”  I replied and that seemed to satisfy the HeadMaster as he handed me the piece of foolscrap back, not that it was the only copy I had.

“Well if you’re only interested in finding the meaning of the words then I might be able to help you.” Dumbledore hummed.

“ Do you know the meaning of it Professor?” I asked excitedly.

‘That would be a great help.’

“I might. But you’re young and you’ll benefit from learning about this. And I doubt you’ll be doing this alone, I’m aware your friends would like to help.” Dumbledore said smiling.

“Not as much as you would think.” I replied quietly, feeling a pang of guilt at how Alucard was behaving.

“Oh and why not?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well I’m not saying none of them would, it’s just that not all of them will be onboard with this.” I answered.

“Might I ask why that matters? Your friends might want to do things on their own or something else entirely but if you need help then ask, you’ll be surprised how many of them will be willing to.” Dumbledore said before adjusting his glasses and looking at me again.

“May I ask when was the last time you slept?” he asked unexpectedly.

“Uh….” Why was I having such trouble remembering? It was only…

“If it’s taking you that long to answer then it’s been an unreasonable amount of time.” Dumbledore let out a lengthy sigh before speaking again “After getting back from here rest, if required you can not attend the morning classes.”

“But Headmaster I don’t require as much sleep as-” Before I could continue Dumbledore cut me off.

“As much as normal people? Perhaps, you young Anos are exceedingly rare in your differences from normal humans or even the most eccentric and prolific of wizards and I will not presume I know your needs better than you, but what i do know is that you not needing as much sleep as the rest of us does not mean you do not need any at all, even young Alucard takes some time to rest his eyes even during the day, just the day before he was found by Professor Flitwick  to be napping in a spare classroom. You have not missed any classes and in most cases I would think better of you for being eager to learn but you might need rest.” Dumbledore explained and I did my best to keep my eyebrows from rising.

Alucard? Sleeping in a spare classroom? There was a better chance of him sharing a room with Simon. If there was one thing he loves more than distaste for Monster hunters like the Belmonts it was his meticulous need to adhere to his peculiar sense of propriety and decorum.

‘Maybe I should talk to him, apologizing shouldn’t be that hard.’

“I will sleep for a reasonable length of time after returning, I cannot miss classes Professor, I help Simon and Draco with their work and Harriet as well sometimes, I will take proper sleep though, I can promise that.” I replied and after another lengthy sigh Dumbledore nodded.

“If I’m to help you then I must know who you wish to involve in this search with you.” 

Well that was odd but nothing to hide from me I suppose.

“Well for now I’ve only asked Hermione but I suppose there’s a chance of everyone in my House being involved if everything goes well.” I answered truthfully.

Even I myself wasn’t entirely sure who I'd end up asking.

“Well that should work, you might go to the Library to borrow some books that would only be available to your seniors..” my face must’ve lit up too much because Dumbledore immediately added “... only regarding languages I’m afraid, and they must be returned within proper time.” 

I gasped in mock offense. “I’m not a brute Headmaster, and Hermione will start crying if something happens to the books.”

At this Dumbledore chuckled once more before nodding.

“I see you’ve been spending some time with Sir Cadogan would explain how you made it here undetected, I’m afraid the Portraits are often relegated to simply decoration in the minds of most, not unlike muggles.” Dumbledore seemed to find the last part especially humorous as he smiled quite widely at the words.

“Wait he isn’t in any trouble is he?” 

‘Dammit stop acting like a kid.’

“None. Sir Cadogan is one of the lonelier portraits in the Castle unfortunately and too quick to trust sometimes.” Dumbledore said, sighing.

‘Wow he sighs a lot.’

“He took a promise from me, well more like an oath that no one will be harmed during this.” I said quickly.

“Ah, that explains some of it. Of course that didn’t include Sir Cadogan himself taking some of his grievances from the other portraits that slander his Valor too much. Tell me young Anos, do you take your own words seriously?”

“Of course, ‘A fool speaks too much, a schemer too less, the wise one listens and then speaks.’ I learnt it from the Book of Merdwyn.” I answer with a hint of pride.

“Quite so, it would do you well to remember those words, they were written when men were more afraid of lying than they were of poverty.” He nods and then motions for me to exit.

I’m almost out of the door before I turn and ask with some hesitation “Will you tell me Father about this?”

“Should I?” Dumbledore questions mirthfully and I shake my head.

“Then he will not. Now go and rest.”

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