Clatter!
The Resurrection Stone, now encircled by several emerald-green rings of stars, was tossed onto the wooden table by Amosta. It rolled a few times before coming to rest.
Dumbledore's lips moved.
He had wanted to ask Amosta whether it was worth trying—whether they could break the binding magic Slytherin had left behind—but after a few moments of thought, he merely shook his head.
Like Amosta, Dumbledore slowly sat down. As he gazed at the indistinct ghostly figure before him, a trace of sorrow showed in his eyes.
The gains from tonight's adventure should have been cause for celebration. They should have been.
He and Amosta had found another of Tom's Horcruxes and destroyed it.
He had also found the Resurrection Stone and used it to see Ariana again.
Ariana had forgiven him for that terrible sin—or rather, Ariana had never blamed him.
Light flickered in Dumbledore's eyes behind his half-moon spectacles.
He had known all along that Ariana would forgive him. She had been such a kind girl.
Still, once he had truly received Ariana's forgiveness, a wave of relief filled his heart.
Everything had been perfect. If not for the little surprise Salazar Slytherin had left him.
Dumbledore glanced sideways at the Resurrection Stone wrapped in ancient runes, bitterness seeping through his tightly furrowed brow.
The Resurrection Stone could no longer be used. Rationally speaking, that was a good thing.
What truly troubled Dumbledore was that Salazar Slytherin, one of Hogwarts' four founders, had resolved to defend his bloodline's right to survive a thousand years into the future.
And Slytherin's descendant in this age was none other than Tom Riddle, whom he had resolved to eliminate at any cost!
Sealing away the Resurrection Stone did not interfere with his determination to get rid of Tom. After all, Tom's