Like Taking Off Shackles

Dumbledore noticed the change in Wizet's expression, waved his hand, and said, "Do you remember what I told you before?"

"It is our own choice to express our true selves, and that is more important than the abilities we possess."

"The moment you chose to enter Ravenclaw, you were fundamentally different from Tom... who is Voldemort."

"It is important that we do not focus too much on the similarities, but rather on the differences."

Wizet nodded, not dwelling on the issue, and following Dumbledore's words, tried to think about the differences between Voldemort and Tom Riddle.

He had a direct encounter with Voldemort at the end of the previous school year, and now he knows about Voldemort from his student days— Tom Riddle— through Dumbledore's words.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, why do I feel... his methods are more sophisticated? He seems to know how to package himself, and he seems adept at... plotting?"

"So all these events are orchestrated by Tom Riddle? Fifty years ago, he framed Hagrid to clear his name..."

"Now he wants to frame you, so that..." He frowned slightly, "What is his purpose... He got Hagrid fired before, and now..."

Wizet's expression turned strange. "Headmaster Dumbledore, he wants to expel you from the school? Isn't that a bit... um..."

"Is that so?" Dumbledore laughed. "A slightly naive, childish idea that he can do whatever he wants at Hogwarts after kicking me out."

"Unfortunately, the crisis in the Chamber of Secrets has been resolved... He actually realized this, which is why he turned to Miss Parkinson as a scapegoat and then tied her to the Parkinson Family."

"He must have woven a great web, just like a spider, and those Pure-blood Family, the Daily Prophet, and the Ministry of Magic have all become part of the web, whether intentionally or unintentionally."

"If I'm not mistaken, after I leave Hogwarts, he will orchestrate an 'accident' to purge those so-called ' Muggle-born ' students."

Wizet quickly pressed, "So... should we deal with Lockhart first to avoid such an accident?"

"But isn't it too late? If it were the Tom Riddle of the past, he might not be by Lockhart's side anymore."

"Yes, that is indeed a possibility, after all, he is a soul." Dumbledore gave Wizet a deep look. "So I intend to... push this forward."

Wizet blinked and asked tentatively, "Headmaster Dumbledore, are you going to leave Hogwarts voluntarily under their so-called coercion?"

Dumbledore. "They're happy to do it, and they've woven a huge web. I have to let them play a role, don't I?"

"Besides those complaint letters, my friends on the Board of Governors also sent me letters. There are people on the Board of Governors who are working together to force me to leave the school in a formal way."

Wizet frowned slightly. "The Board of Governors?"

"The Hogwarts School Board of Governors," Dumbledore explained. "The scholarships you received last year, and the normal operation of Hogwarts, are all thanks to the Board of Governors."

"The members here are quite diverse... After several rounds of reshuffling, during the time when Voldemort was rampaging, Pure-blood Family occupied most of the spots... Now it's about half and half."

Upon hearing this, Wizet finally understood. "Headmaster Dumbledore, are you planning to further reduce the number of the Pure-blood Family?"

"That's one aspect of the purpose..." Dumbledore interlaced his fingers, a slight smile playing on his lips. "It won't be easy to achieve this through ordinary means."

"But luckily, Cornelius Fudge gave me this opportunity... He was just too impatient; he could have waited a little longer..."

"They were even too hasty. They could have waited a little longer... let the parents protest first, and then the Ministry of Magic would intervene..."

"It was this urgency that showed me the room for maneuver, the ability to solve three problems at once in a very time-efficient way."

For some reason, listening to this eloquent speech, he felt that Dumbledore seemed a bit arrogant... as if he had shed some kind of restraint and was showing off his sharpness.

He could sense that Dumbledore had a very good grasp of the overall situation, not only anticipating the other party's methods, but even using these methods to achieve his desired goals.

It should even be said that, for some time to come, the actions of the Ministry of Magic and the Pure-blood Family will develop in the direction that Dumbledore envisioned.

"Do you feel I'm a little unfamiliar?" Dumbledore asked with a smile. "Perhaps it's because of your presence that I feel... I can still shine a little longer."

"Guardians?" Wizet looked at Dumbledore, his tone becoming much lower. "After you voluntarily leave the school because of their coercion, what do I need to do?"

"Just as you said... to protect Hogwarts ..." Dumbledore's tone was light, "Your presence has allowed me to break free from some of those constraints..."

He let out a long breath, pulled a Cockroach Clusters from his pocket, and began chewing on them. "How can I describe this feeling?"

"It feels like taking off shackles, so much easier. It's quite interesting to use your brain like this once in a while."

Wizet wondered, "Will this affect Spell Command?"

"Of course not!" Dumbledore's tone became very gentle and kind, like an old grandfather sitting by the bedside, coaxing his children and grandchildren to sleep.

"Because I didn't do anything for myself... I couldn't find a goal back then, so I never took any action..."

"Now I feel the time is right. If I'm not mistaken... I think I've found the right person... someone who can help me do more to make up for the mistakes I made back then."

"Headmaster Dumbledore ..." Wizet felt her throat go dry and her nose sting. "I..."

"This is what you deserve, Wizet ..." Dumbledore waved his hand. "You have a lot to do in the future...and some things you need to choose for yourself."

"The world will change because of you... that's to be expected. By the way! If Harry gets into danger while I'm away, I hope you can help him."

After leaving the Headmaster's Office, Wizet lingered outside for a long time.

He had to admit that Dumbledore's words had a profound impact on him.

Light and heat...

Perhaps there's another layer of meaning: once a flickering candle continues to glow, it might signify...

This candle is resolutely heading towards its demise.

He absolutely did not want this to happen!