READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 27: Chapter 27
The hours following Caroline's death passed in a blur of anguish and regret. Alex sat in the Hidden Hall, the weight of his guilt suffocating him. The others tried to console him, but there were no words that could erase what had happened.
It was Hagrid who finally broke the silence. "We… we gotta tell the professors," he said, his voice trembling. "They'll know what to do."
Alex nodded numbly, unable to argue. Minerva and Severus exchanged wary glances, then helped Alex to his feet. Together, they made their way to the Headmaster's office, the corridors eerily silent in the wake of the tragedy.
The news spread quickly through Hogwarts. The staff and students were horrified, their whispers echoing through the halls. Caroline Riddle's death cast a dark shadow over the school, and the once-vibrant atmosphere grew heavy with sorrow.
When Headmaster Dippet informed Hades of the incident, the god of the underworld appeared in a storm of fury. His presence was suffocating, the air around him crackling with dark energy. Alex, Tom, and the others were summoned to the Great Hall, where Hades awaited them.
Alex stood trembling before his father, his heart pounding in his chest. Tom was beside him, his face a mask of cold hatred. The rest of their friends stood off to the side, their expressions a mix of fear and sadness.
Hades' voice was a low growl, his rage barely contained. "Explain," he commanded, his eyes boring into Alex.
Alex swallowed hard, his voice barely audible. "It was an accident. I… I didn't mean to…"
"An accident?" Hades' voice thundered, shaking the very walls of the hall. "You call the death of your sister an accident?"
Tom stepped forward, his own fury matching Hades'. "He killed her," he spat. "And he's too much of a coward to take responsibility."
Alex flinched at the accusation, but he didn't argue. He knew there was nothing he could say to make this right.
Hades turned to Tom, his expression unreadable. "And you, Tom? What would you have me do?"
Tom's eyes blazed with anger. "Banish him. He doesn't deserve to be part of this family."
The room fell silent, the weight of Tom's words hanging heavy in the air. Hades considered them for a long moment before nodding slowly. "So be it."
Alex's heart sank as Hades turned back to him. "You are no longer my son," the god said coldly. "Leave this place. And do not return."
The words struck Alex like a physical blow, but he didn't protest. He knew he deserved this. Without a word, he turned and left the hall, the weight of his banishment pressing heavily on his shoulders.
Tom watched him go, his hatred burning brighter than ever. But as the days turned into weeks, that hatred began to consume him. He threw himself into the study of dark magic, desperate to find a way to bring Caroline back.
His search took him to the darkest corners of the wizarding world. He delved into forbidden texts, experimented with dangerous spells, and even sought out cursed artifacts. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't undo what had been done.
Meanwhile, the world outside Hogwarts was changing. In Europe, Gellert Grindelwald's rise to power was reaching its peak, his vision of wizarding supremacy plunging the continent into chaos. The Global Wizarding War had begun, its echoes felt even in the halls of Hogwarts.
At the same time, tensions in the Muggle world were escalating. World War II loomed on the horizon, the shadow of conflict spreading across the globe. The two worlds—wizarding and Muggle—seemed to mirror each other, their fates intertwined.
Back at Hogwarts, the remaining members of the group struggled to cope with their loss. Hagrid tried to keep everyone together, his kind heart breaking under the weight of their sorrow. Minerva threw herself into her studies, using her intellect to distract herself from the pain. Severus, always reserved, became even more withdrawn, his dark eyes reflecting the turmoil within.
As for Alex, he wandered the wizarding world alone, searching for redemption. He knew he couldn't undo his mistakes, but he vowed to find a way to atone for them. His journey would take him to places he'd never imagined, and he would face challenges that would test him to his very core.
And Tom… Tom's descent into darkness was only just beginning. His quest for power and vengeance would lead him down a path from which there was no return. The events set in motion by Caroline's death would shape the future of the wizarding world, their impact felt for generations to come.
In the end, they were all victims of their own choices, their fates intertwined by the threads of love, loss, and ambition. And as the storm clouds gathered on the horizon, one thing was clear: the world would never be the same again.