Chapter 89: Satanic Bloodline - Death and Immortality
In the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore stood with Cyril.
When Ethan entered, both men rose.
"Ethan, this is Cyril," Dumbledore said, indicating the man who looked somewhat like him.
"Hello, Ethan. I'm Cyril. Dumbledore just told me what happened today. I didn't expect my actions to cause you so much trouble. I owe you an apology."
His apparent grandfather smiled and apologized immediately, and the fire in Ethan's heart dwindled to a spark.
Given how early wizards typically marry and come of age, Cyril probably wasn't much older than Ethan's parents, yet he looked far older.
Looking at him, Ethan had to admit he'd softened.
Ethan's eyes finally softened a little, but he still nodded, his expression cold.
"Dumbledore, why don't you step out and let your meal settle? I need to speak with him."
"Very well. I'll wander the castle for a bit." Dumbledore nodded and left the Headmaster's office.
Glancing at the portrait on the wall, Cyril cast Muffliato.
"I must apologize again," Cyril said. "Perhaps I misspoke, giving them the impression that I intended to take you away from them. I never meant to imply that. After all, I don't have many years left to live."
Ethan's heart sank. "Why? You look perfectly healthy."
"You also use a Pandanus wand. Why do its bearers live such short lives when it supposedly chooses those with long lives?"
Cyril smiled. "Child, the wand's choice isn't actually wrong. In terms of lifespan alone, our family has a very high upper limit."
"But few in our family die of natural causes. Most have died in accidents, like Rhett and Jenny."
"Why?" Ethan asked, confused. It was strange for a family to have so few deaths from natural causes.
"This likely stems from our bloodline, one that brings us both joy and sorrow." Cyril didn't answer directly, instead offering a seemingly irrelevant, emotionally-laden statement.
"Actually, after last Christmas, when Dumbledore performed the bloodline test on you, I was in the study listening to your conversation." Cyril pointed to the closed study door beside him.
"Dumbledore told me about your situation and showed me your portrait. I was fairly certain then that you were Jenny's child. You resemble both of them greatly."
Ethan said nothing, listening silently as Cyril spoke.
"Last time, Dumbledore asked me something. He wanted to know what happened to your eyes. Although I didn't see it myself, I suspected there must have been a red light flashing in your eyes. Sure enough, Dumbledore soon confirmed that my suspicion was correct."
"So this red light that flashes in our eyes when we're emotional is also a manifestation of our bloodline?"
Cyril smiled, gratified. He'd noticed that Ethan had used the word 'our' without realizing it, a sign that he was gradually accepting himself.
"Yes, child. It's a manifestation of our bloodline ability."
"You grew up in a Muggle family, so you've read the Bible, haven't you? Then you must know the story of Satan. Our bloodline likely has some connection to the legendary Satan."
"Satan?" Ethan was shocked. "But I thought there were no gods in this world?"
Even Death, the one associated with the Deathly Hallows, had never been proven to exist.
"Don't get excited. Although our ancestors claim we descend from Satan, the Lord of Hell, after so many generations we still can't be certain he actually existed."
"But our bloodline's abilities do resemble those attributed to him," Cyril explained quickly.
"For instance, we possess a natural affinity and commanding presence over draconic and serpentine creatures. Our Patronuses and Animagus forms are almost invariably snakes or dragon-like lizards. Many of our other abilities align with this pattern as well."
He lowered his voice as he finished. "Of course, more importantly, many in our family possess multiple lives, just like its incarnation, the Great Red Dragon with seven heads and ten horns."
"What?!" Ethan was stunned. He had never heard of any wizard possessing a second life.
Cyril quickly hushed him. "Shh! This is our family's greatest secret. Be careful, or Muffliato will fail and they'll overhear us."
"Our family is very special."
"After experiencing two or more magical upheavals, we gain an extra life. However, this life only prevents accidental death. It cannot extend one's natural lifespan once it ends."
"Therefore, most of our family members, upon gaining additional lives, cannot resist the urge to pursue dangerous adventures or research. That's why so few of us die of old age."
Cyril looked helpless. Here was a family blessed with longevity, yet haunted by the ghosts of short-lived members; their recklessness wore the family down until only an elder and a youth remained.
Ethan was even more puzzled. "So why did my parents die? As you said, they should have experienced the second magical upheaval too, right?"
"After graduation, thanks to introductions from me and your grandparents, they traveled the world together."
"Because they had a second life, they died once while exploring a pyramid in Egypt. After that, they returned to Britain and settled in Shafiq Manor."
"Who could have known they'd encounter such a thing? Without their second life to protect them, they died in the hospital."
As Cyril spoke of the past, his mood shifted, mixing sadness with anger.
Ethan wore a complicated expression. He hadn't expected his parents' death to involve such hidden circumstances.
Cyril sensed his distress and comforted him. "It's all in the past. I heard from Dumbledore that you were caught up in a magical riot and are dealing with some minor trouble, so I wanted to stop by quickly and share these secrets."
The old man's goodwill further eased Ethan's anger toward the man's earlier behavior.
"Let's not talk about this. There are many family secrets. I'll tell you the details when I have time later."
"I also came to teach you a spell passed down through our family, one that can save your life when you're facing enemies: the Feign Death Spell."
Cyril never revealed the reason for his short lifespan, but Ethan had guessed as much.
It was probably partly due to the family bloodline - Cyril had courted death in various ways in his youth - and partly an incurable injury he suffered while avenging his daughter and son-in-law.
"This Feign Death Spell, once cast, temporarily suspends your breathing, convincing your enemies that you're truly dead and giving you a chance to escape."
"This spell works best when mastered to the point where you can cast it wandlessly and silently; otherwise, it's difficult to deceive your enemies."
Cyril taught patiently, and Ethan learned diligently, adding another safeguard for himself.
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1. Harry Potter: Satan? Nah, Just My Family Crest = CHAPTER 233
2.Marvel: Cosmic Forger of Infinity = CHAPTER 163
3.Harry Potter: Beyond Good and Evil in the Wizarding World = CHAPTER 236
4.Harry Potter: Reborn as Draco Black = CHAPTER 90
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