On a midsummer night, even the moonlight streaming through the windows into the Headmaster's office carried a lingering warmth.
Dumbledore's deep blue gaze dipped behind his half-moon spectacles as he studied Amosta for a few moments, then gave a wry smile.
"You do not know my old friend, Amosta. Unfortunately, he is not the sort of wizard who accepts threats. And I think that after Tom, he is likely to be wary of exceptionally gifted young wizards like you."
Seeing that Amosta's expression did not waver, Dumbledore added,
"Horace possesses highly advanced Legilimency skills. Legilimency will not work on him. And considering that he taught a Potions master like Severus, you can be sure Veritaserum may not work on him either."
Amosta shrugged. If Dumbledore insisted that his old friend's personal safety not be harmed, then certain methods could not be used. Still, contact was necessary.
"I once heard Dirk Creswell, head of the Goblin Liaison Office under the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, mention that he was Professor Slughorn's prized student. Dirk, a Slytherin graduate, trusts me quite a bit. Perhaps I can use that connection to speak with Professor Slughorn."
"So long as you do not intend to use magic to pry Horace's mind open, Amosta, I do not object to your trying. Perhaps you truly can find some common ground with him."
Dumbledore said with a smile, though clearly he did not hold out much hope.
With a sigh, Dumbledore gazed at the dim candlelight cast by the chandelier.
"Horace is unwilling to provide us with any valuable information for now. As for Tom's Horcruxes, the most urgent matter is to confirm the underground vaults of Gringotts. Did he, as he did with that diary, entrust one to some Death Eater now imprisoned