[39] Names That Burn

Hall went cold. He clutched the diary in his hand.

They couldn't get in.

There had to be a way. He ran through every solution, rejecting each one. The reversal had to happen the instant the circle broke — if Riddle noticed, he'd launch a final counterattack. Dumbledore had to cast the moment the circle came down from inside.

Breaking it from outside wouldn't work. Someone had to go in.

The magic circle was inanimate. It could be fooled — by someone identical in blood and appearance.

Hall's mind raced. Exposing himself meant his money-making days might be over. But earning money was for getting stronger, and getting stronger was for protecting himself and his family.

Ron was right there.

He handed Helena to Harry. Harry took her without a word.

Dumbledore was thinking the same thing — he took a step forward, ready to break the circle himself. Other professors were in the school; they could stabilise Ron. But the Weasleys couldn't be harmed. They were his most loyal supporters.

"Professor. Here's the diary."

Hall handed it over. Then he stepped forward.

"Henry, wait—" Dumbledore started to give instructions for breaking the circle, then stopped. He understood.

Hall began to change. Height first. Then hair. Feature by feature.

He became Ron.

Identical. Indistinguishable. Even the expression was wrong only because of the tension in his jaw.

Dumbledore wanted to stop him. A Disguise Mage couldn't fool a magic circle —

Hall walked in.

"RON!!"

Molly Weasley's voice tore through the room. She and Arthur burst in, clothes dishevelled, and stopped dead.

The person inside the circle. Red hair. Freckles.

"That's —"

Percy looked at George and Fred. The twins were frozen. They didn't know if this was who they thought it was. It couldn't be. Could it?

"Professor. Tell me the counterspell." Hall's voice was identical.

Dumbledore nodded.

On the other bed, Draco woke up. He stared. Rubbed his eyes. "Two — two Weasleys!? Dad! Am I hallucinating?!"

"Draco. Repeat after me." Dumbledore stood between the beds.

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The incantation was simple. Draco managed it between bewildered glances. Hall repeated it from inside the circle.

A glass dome materialised around them — translucent, faintly shimmering. It cracked. Hairline fractures spread. With a bang, it shattered.

The instant it broke, Dumbledore's voice rang out. He slammed a spell into the diary.

A scream — young, male, full of rage. Golden life force erupted from the book and flew back to its owners.

Dumbledore's power made Hall's chest tight with envy. If he were that strong, he'd have noticed Ron's symptoms earlier. He'd never have to entrust his family's life to someone else.

Not enough. He needed more. More money. More power.

One day, he'd stand at the top. And no one would ever hurt his family again.

A grey mist rose from the diary. It gathered into a shape — a boy in Slytherin robes, handsome features twisted with fury.

"Tom." Dumbledore's voice was heavy.

He'd taught this boy. The most gifted student he'd ever seen — until Henry.

"Dumbledore!" The grey figure's voice was venomous. "You again! You ruined my plans!"

"Tom — what did you do to yourself?"

"My name is not Tom!"

He drew himself up, sweeping the room with contempt.

"My name is Voldemort!"

The room went silent.

Then the figure shrieked. His shadow twisted, contorting grotesquely. "Red-haired Weasley! Foolish! Trash! What are you doing!"

"Let me explain your situation." Hall waved the diary and Helena at him.

Helena was furious — she tried to bite Hall for treating her like a prop. But she didn't bite hard, just a warning nibble. Something about Hall felt different now. The same aura as her master.

Hall snatched the diary back from Dumbledore. He squeezed Helena's cheeks until a single drop of venom fell onto the pages.

Black smoke poured out. The Horcrux fragment had no more life force to sustain itself. His form collapsed, and he was sucked back into the diary with a final scream.

Hall weighed the book in his hand. If Voldemort knew the day would come when his own Horcruxes were used to destroy him — would he be furious?

He looked up.

Molly and Arthur Weasley stood before him.

Hall's blood ran cold.

Hall tried to leave, but the questions followed him.

"I need to rest. Class tomorrow. Haha." Hall's voice cracked.

"Professor, Headmaster. I'll go now."

He turned and ran.

"Stop."

He lowered his leg. Forced a smile. "Mrs. Weasley. Something you need?"

Molly circled him slowly, arms crossed. Hall was still in his true form. He felt guilty for not transforming back immediately.

She just stared.

"Mrs. Weasley — if there's nothing —"

"Don't you have something to say to me and your father?"

Everyone froze except Arthur.

Dumbledore tried to help. "Molly, don't misunderstand. Henry is a good boy. Ron's situation was a coincidence."

"Yes, yes," the twins chimed from behind, "nothing to do with him."

"Of course it has nothing to do with him!" Molly whirled on them. "Don't think I don't know you two were behind this!"

She turned back to Hall. Her tone shifted. "Don't you have anything to say?"

Hall understood. She recognised him. He stayed silent, clinging to hope.

"Albus." Arthur's voice was calm. "May we borrow a private room?" He glanced at the Malfoys and Snape.

Snape's face darkened. Dumbledore stopped him from reacting. He processed Molly's words and understood.

"Of course. My office."

Molly turned to the twins. "Go back to rest. Percy, watch them."

The twins' eyes lit up. "It really is him!" "If it really is him!" They were vibrating with curiosity.

Percy grabbed them both. "Let's go."

They struggled but Molly's glare defeated them.

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