Every Trace Remains

Upon seeing this title, Sean's first thought was incomprehension.

Sean didn't understand how the Pensieve worked, but one thing was certain: the Pensieve actually did something similar to "mapping" and "awakening".

Generally speaking, when a wizard extracts a memory, he does not directly lose that part of the memory in his mind. The spell used to extract the memory serves to "copy" and "complete" it.

In other words, when you extract a memory, your brain is actually creating a copy of that memory in accordance with a spell. The reason people use the Pensieve to extract memories is to "awaken" details they didn't notice in that particular memory.

Because the human brain is capable of fully recalling past events, but people's ability to recall is limited, and may even be inaccurate.

Just like when Sean examined Stephanie's memories, apart from the very vivid ones, the rest were blurry and fragmented.

You can't observe all the details of that memory from a God's-eye view like you would when you enter the Pensieve.

The Memory Charm and the Pensieve set are designed to help you awaken those hidden details in your subconscious and map them into observable images.

For example, you meet a very beautiful girl today. You remember her appearance, her hairstyle and hair color, her eye color, the book "The Sonnets of a Sorcerer" she is holding, her uniform, the few words she says to you with a smile, and the size of her breasts—but you probably don't remember how many steps she took when she greeted you, turned the corner, and disappeared from your sight.

Even though your eyes saw it and your brain reacted, you just don't remember it.

The memory extraction spells and the Pensieve set are designed to help you rediscover these real, existing details.

In this situation, one Pensieve is more than enough, because the Pensieve's purpose is to display memories, and the displayed memories are then stored away.

A wizard typically only has one Pensieve in his lifetime, partly for privacy reasons and partly because the Pensieve is always sufficient.

The question is, why do you need multiple Pensieve? This isn't like having a dozen web pages open at the same time that you can switch between at will.

With this question in mind, Sean read on carefully and attentively.

"... As mentioned above, as a mysterious tool, the Pensieve can fully satisfy a wizard's need to explore the details of his own memories. Of course, anyone who has something to hide, feels ashamed of the past, desires to keep a secret, or wants to protect their privacy will be more wary of the Pensieve."

"Therefore, when I make Pensieve, I often mark it with a unique mark for its future owner. I have always believed that one Pensieve is enough for a wizard's lifetime, and those who do not cherish their Pensieve and cause it to be damaged do not deserve to have a second one. My principle is: each wizard can only buy one Pensieve from me."

"However, one unique visitor made me make an exception. He told me that the Pensieve he bought from me five years ago was no longer working properly and he could not access his memories."

"I originally wanted to get rid of this arrogant guy. I've been making the Pensieve for sixty years. As long as the master takes good care of it, my creations can go to the grave with them."

"But I still managed to suppress my anger and receive him because he gave me so much."

Sean: "..."

Master, your professional ethics are quite flexible...

"I checked the Pensieve, and as expected, how could something I make be faulty? It's as exquisite and reliable as every Pensieve I make."

"But in the end, I found out that the person hadn't lied to me."

He pulled out a memory that the Pensieve could not contain.

"The Pensieve I created really couldn't restore a single memory!"

"The problem lies in that memory. It is far larger than I imagined, and once extracted, it cannot be divided. Yes, a Pensieve cannot contain such an enormous memory."

"This shocked me greatly, but as the creator of the Pensieve, I cannot allow memories that cannot be read. I spent a lot of time and effort and finally found a solution."

"I have created a new spell that allows me to make multiple Pensieve work at the same time by using Runes deconstruction and reconnection magic."

"The problem was solved, and the visitor told me the truth after entering his memories."

"That memory is not a fragment in my normal understanding; it is a person's life."

"Someone extracted his entire life's memories, decades or even hundreds of years of memories, which a single Pensieve could not contain so many scenes."

"Yes, how can life compare to memory?"

"But I don't understand why the person extracting the memories would do that? Extracting all the memories and extracting fragments are completely different concepts."

"In my understanding, the magic spell of memory extraction is a process of 'copying' and 'completing', but we must respect the power of time. The word 'copying' is not accurate enough. Once you extract too many memories or the span is too long, your original memories will begin to blur or even be lost."

"That guy who ripped out his own life, I suspect he's died quietly, and his grave is as empty as a newborn baby coming into the world."

"His friends, lovers, and enemies will remember him, but the traces of himself that this person left behind have become completely blurred."

"This individual erased the path he had walked in this world, in order to make the world forget his existence."

"Incomprehensible, irrational."

Sean even sensed the shock and bewilderment in the text. In the end, this master Pensieve maker also concluded that such a massive collection of memories extracted from an entire life was illogical.

Setting down the parchment, Sean looked at Stephanie: "You suspect that Professor Dumbledore is examining an extremely large collection of memories?"

The girl nodded. "I saw a Memory Bottle in the principal's side pocket that was obviously larger than normal. The memory silver flakes inside were brighter and thicker than ordinary memories. I think that was an extremely large memory, and the principal would need multiple Pensieve to read this memory."

Sean stroked his chin and agreed, "They do match up. So, you think that Professor Dumbledore discovered some astonishing fact after reading this memory, and then undertook long-distance time travel?"

Stephanie lowered her eyes, crossed her arms in front of her abdomen, and gently tapped her right hand with her left hand. She seemed to enjoy doing this when she was thinking.

"I can't be sure, but the two events are too close together. I don't think it's a coincidence. Someone must have traveled a long distance through time. Professor Dumbledore may be that person. Even if he isn't, he is still very much involved in this matter."

It was related to Dumbledore ... Sean immediately thought of what Grindelwald had once told him.

Dumbledore is setting up a scheme, a scheme that no one knows about but is extremely large.

Sean wasn't worried that Dumbledore would suddenly turn evil and rule the world; he was only worried about one thing—that the old man was willing to risk his life to complete his plan...

I just don't know what Dumbledore is trying to do.

To resolve the Sin within oneself? To confront the Ancients lurking behind the scenes? Or perhaps some other, more profound goal...?

Across from her, Stephanie still kept her head down, but she secretly glanced at Sean, who was deep in thought, through the gaps in her long hair that fell across her forehead.

A hint of hesitation and confusion appeared in the girl's eyes as she considered whether to tell Sean about her other guess.

She believed that Dumbledore knew she was nearby, and that those words were deliberately spoken to her—that he knew she was Grindelwald's pawn planted at Hogwarts, and therefore wanted to use her to inform Grindelwald.

only...

Stephanie sighed inwardly, unsure whether she should contact Grindelwald because of that audacious conjecture...

Should we tell Sean about these things?

She didn't want to lose Sean's trust again, but these were things Grindelwald had strictly forbidden her from saying...

The girl felt her mind was in turmoil, but she could only keep all her thoughts to herself.

Sean finished thinking and glanced at Stephanie with some curiosity. She had seemed rather sullen ever since her memories were examined.

Does she know who the person who altered her memories is?

However, their relationship was clearly not yet at the point where they could freely confide in each other. Sean coughed lightly, waking Stephanie, who was still struggling with her feelings.

"Thank you for the news."

Stephanie snapped out of her emotional reverie and quickly regained her cool and aloof demeanor.

"No, I'm the one who should say thank you. You could have just ignored me."

Sean smiled and said, "Don't worry about it."

That being said, it's unrealistic to expect Sean to immediately forget the atmosphere and those actions from before.

Well, a light touch shouldn't count as a kiss... right?

On the other side, Stephanie was clearly also thinking about the scene when she had an emotional breakdown. Her delicate face did not show any fluctuation, except for a slight blush behind her ears that could not be seen.

"What are you going to do about Ravenclaw's Chamber of Secrets?" Stephanie changed the subject.

"Huh? Didn't you find it first?" Sean asked, puzzled.

Ravenclaw left the method of gaining power in the Chamber of Secrets, so Stephanie must have found out.

However, her talent in Runes shouldn't be as bad as mine. Has she not yet been incorporated into authority? Or perhaps she has already been incorporated, but I just don't know it.

Stephanie looked at him. "I know about authority, but it's useless to me, so I haven't chosen to take it in... When you Runes, have a better grasp of it, or when you find the Ravenclaw's Diadem, then you can take it in."

The girl's calm words surprised Sean, for this was a quarter of the power of Hogwarts.

"Well, if it's still about apologizing to me, there's no need for that..." Although he did covet the Hogwarts Authority, Sean wasn't an extremely Greed person. Someone else had found it first, and judging from her appearance, she clearly already had the power to take over the power.

However, Stephanie's determination surprised him.

"I'm serious. My current access to the Room of Requirement is enough for me to study. And—" The girl looked directly at him, her eyes calm and firm, "You are the one with the most Sin. Although I don't know what the specific use of this authority is, it is at least an aid. This is good for you, for me, and for everyone else."

"In conclusion, whether it's for the most efficient use of resources or out of my own sense of apology, I believe this decision was the right one," Stephanie concluded.

It must be said that what the other party said was reasonable and well-founded, Sean was tempted.

He wasn't the type to overthink things, so he made a decision very quickly.

"I understand, thank you, and I owe you a favor," Sean said frankly.

"No, you saved my life, please don't say such things," Stephanie said.

Sean finally shrugged helplessly. "Okay, I understand."

Stephanie seemed much happier when she heard Sean accept; she breathed a sigh of relief, and her voice became more cheerful.

"Wallerup, if you need, I can help you find some information on Runes. I've been reading here for a long time, Ms. Ravenclaw has a very profound understanding of Runes."

Sean nodded. "I really need these. Also, if you don't mind, you can just call me Sean."

Stephanie paused for a moment, then quickly nodded in response, as if afraid he might change his mind.

"Okay, Sean."

Sean sighed inwardly. It seemed that the psychological suggestion in Stephanie's mind had left a mark.

In the past, the other person would not have looked like this timid little girl.

The relationship has improved, and I've learned quite a few secrets. I'll even have people help me find information in the future. It's all good news.

The problem is, after such an embarrassing incident...

Well, let's just take it one step at a time.

Sean waved his hand. "I'm leaving now. I'm going to ask the professors about the situation. Contact me anytime if you have any news. Um, you can also call me if you need any help."

"Okay, sure." Stephanie didn't try to stop him, but simply watched him walk towards the door.

Just as Sean reached the door and was about to open it, the girl called out from behind him.

See you next time, Sean.

"Okay, goodbye," Sean said, turning around, only to catch a glimpse of Stephanie's slightly expectant gaze.

Goodbye, Stephanie.

Once Sean left, Stephanie, who was in the bedroom, could no longer maintain her composure.

She jumped onto her bed like a little girl who had just been rewarded with a lollipop, unable to hide the smile on her face.

Stephanie rolled around on the bed for a while, and when she finally sat up straight, her expression returned to its usual cool and aloof state.

She straightened her clothes and took out a small mirror.

The mirror did not reflect her face; instead, it was completely black.