Uncertainties of the Future, and the Headmaster Should Have Some Privileges, Right?

"Damn it, Voldemort, I understand exactly what you mean."

"And what's the answer?" Voldemort looked at Vico with bloodshot eyes. "I need a definite answer."

"I really can't give you that," Vico said impatiently. "Someone, show him out."

"Gentlemen," Jeans gestured towards the door, "Please follow me!"

Voldemort was completely bewildered. He didn't understand what was wrong with his conditions, and he certainly didn't expect Vico to refuse so decisively.

He is now only half a step away from becoming Saint Mage. With the support of the Gaius family, he can easily cross that half step. As for becoming a future God of Magic, it is only a matter of time once he establishes a kingdom of faith.

It can be said that as long as he is given enough 'investment', he will definitely make a fortune. Logically speaking, there should be no reason to refuse.

Lucius, standing to the side, seemed to have figured something out, and his pupils widened involuntarily.

The Malfoy family are masters of avoiding danger and seeking advantage; they can't possibly anticipate the key points that Voldemort couldn't.

Gaius's refusal could only be due to two possibilities: either he was bound by ancestral precepts and could not support Voldemort, or he simply did not value the reward he would receive.

Regardless of the reason, it signifies that the Gaius family possesses an incredibly profound foundation; otherwise, they wouldn't have disdained even Voldemort and his former master.

"Vico, I thought you were a smart man," Voldemort said, barely containing his anger. "I advise you not to let your cleverness backfire."

"Heh!" Vico said dismissively, "Salazar Slytherin's attitude is much worse than yours."

Upon hearing his ancestor's name, Voldemort composed himself slightly. "Refusing to cooperate with me, does that mean Gaius is going to form an alliance with Dumbledore?"

Vico shook his head. "No."

"I hope you keep your word." Voldemort snorted. "Let's go."

"Wait a moment, Master," Lucius said hastily, his eyes quickly scanning Aaron and Dumbledore.

Voldemort immediately realized that he really couldn't leave now.

If Dumbledore doesn't keep a close eye on Aaron, he'll definitely be taken away, and then it will be extremely difficult to catch him again.

"A perfect assist." Aaron silently gave Lucius a thumbs up in his heart, but a hint of regret flashed across his face.

Voldemort didn't notice this slight change in expression. He gave a cold smile and calmly sat down on the sofa. "Don't mind if I stay a little longer!"

"Do whatever makes you happy," Aaron said sheepishly.

"Professor Dumbledore, you can now tell us about your collaboration."

Let me make this clear beforehand: if you're like Voldemort and want the Gaius family's support, then don't even bother asking.

"As I said, the situation is special," Dumbledore said with an old man's smile. "I hope our next conversation can be kept secret and that no third person knows about it."

"No problem." Vico snapped his fingers, and a gray-white barrier rose from the middle, enveloping him and Dumbledore. "It's ready now. This barrier is absolutely airtight."

"You don't mind if I check it out, do you?"

"Whatever," Vico said nonchalantly.

Dumbledore drew his Wand and walked around inside the barrier before he was finally somewhat relieved.

He sat down again, remained silent for a few seconds, and then said, "Mr. Gaius, I wonder if you know anything about Horcrux?"

"Split the Soul Stone and hide it in an object outside the body."

"That way, even if the body suffers a devastating blow, it won't die, because a part of the Soul Stone will remain intact. After the physical body is destroyed, unless a new body is created, it won't even be as good as the lowest-ranking wandering spirit..." At this point, Vico paused, turning to look at Voldemort's face outside the barrier. "You mean he created Horcrux?"

"I'm afraid so," Dumbledore said gravely. "And there's more than one."

"Interesting. I guess his appearance is like this because his Soul Stone has split multiple times."

"The line between genius and madness is thin, and Voldemort perfectly embodies that saying," Vico sighed. "What a pity. If he had followed the right path, he would at least have become Holy Magus."

"It was my oversight; I failed to properly instruct him," Dumbledore said remorsefully.

"What's done is done, and you don't need to dwell on it too much. After all, it's too late for regrets," Vico comforted him, then changed the subject, "You think you can convince me with this?"

Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "Voldemort now has the potential to cause endless trouble. As long as he lives, the Magic World will be in constant danger."

"I don't deny it, but this isn't enough," Vico said calmly.

"He will first unify the Magic World and consolidate the power of Warlock. He advocates Pure-blood, which will be a catastrophe for Muggle-born wizard. In the end, the Muggle world may face unprecedented destruction," Dumbledore said somewhat anxiously. "Isn't that enough?"

"I know you're in a hurry, but please don't rush." Vico calmly poured him a cup of tea. "Professor Dumbledore, I only have one question for you: have you seen what you described?"

"Uh..." Dumbledore's lips twitched slightly. "Not yet."

"You said it yourself, it hasn't happened yet, so we have no reason to worry about something that hasn't been issued yet."

"Isn't it necessary to take precautions?" Dumbledore asked, puzzled.

"There are far too many uncertainties surrounding this world," Vico said patiently. "He might be thinking about destroying the world right now, but he could turn over a new leaf the next second."

Gaius wouldn't eliminate the possibility of something happening just because of some so-called "prevention is better than cure"; that would be rather unreasonable.

"These will definitely be issued, at that time..."

"The Hidden Leaf Clan will naturally step in to stop it when the time comes."

Upon hearing this, Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief.

This means that the worst-case scenario won't happen; if it does, someone will cover for you.

"Even so, countless people will still sacrifice their lives in the process."

"That's their fate," Vico said expressionlessly. "Professor Dumbledore, you may think I'm cold-blooded, but you should know that we can't control these kinds of things."

Just as wars break out almost every day in the Muggle world, the Magic World has never been peaceful either; Voldemort was simply a trial that this era was meant to endure.

"Gaius —no, not just the Gaius family, but the ancestral precepts of the other three hidden families all forbid family members from participating in conflicts within the Magic World. Do you know why?"

"I've had my suspicions," Dumbledore complicated expression. "If you're involved, the Ministry of Magic will be unnecessary, and you'll be in charge of the entire Magic World."

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Vico didn't hold back his applause. "That's right. With the resources we have, we can bring about an unprecedented transformation in the Magic World whenever we want."

Prolonged silence is a bad thing. Without conflict, the Magic World's progress will slow down, and often, not progressing means regressing.

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "So, you can only guarantee that Voldemort won't go too far, is that right?"

"You could say that our four families' duty is to protect the world, but when it comes to internal disputes, there's very little we can do."

In a sense, war is a necessary part of the evolution of civilization; what we need to do is control the scope of war.

"Thank you for the clarification, I think I understand now." Dumbledore said with some regret, then seemed to remember something, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face, "If I may ask, are you really not going to get involved in Aaron's matter?"

"How should we manage it? This is an ancestral precept."

"He has to bear the consequences of his choice; he deserves to die." Vico said with a bitter smile. "I am the head of the Gaius family. If I make an exception just because he is my son, then there is no point in having rules."

Dumbledore's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly realized he was in deep trouble, but if it happened again, he would still drag Aaron down with him without hesitation.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you tonight. I'll take Harry away now," Dumbledore said sullenly.

"Wait a minute," Vico stopped him.

A hint of joy flashed in Dumbledore's eyes. He knew things would take a turn for the better. What parent wouldn't care about their son?

As soon as Vico spoke, he immediately took Aaron away, completely binding him to Order of the Phoenix.

"Is there anything else, Mr. Vico?"

"I want to see you."

Dumbledore paused, somewhat puzzled.

The head of the Gaius family was right in front of him. Logically speaking, Vico could make all the decisions. There was no need to bring out the retired old patriarch!

"May I ask why?"

"I need your help with something small."

"This..." Dumbledore more confused. What else could the Gaius family possibly need his help with?

"Mr. Vico, does this have anything to do with Aaron?"

"I guess so!" Vico said with some excitement. "It's very important to him, and it's also very important to the Gaius family."

Furthermore, I guarantee that this matter will only benefit you, and will not cause you any harm.

"Alright!" Dumbledore pursed his lips. "I can go with you to see him, but please open the barrier first!"

"It's better not to let Voldemort see it." Vico said meaningfully, then rolled up his sleeves, pointed his Wand at the Gaius sigil on his arm, and a deep blue portal opened in front of him.

"It is the patriarch's privilege that I can use the marker to go to the location of patriarch members at any time."

"Incomprehensible, but I can understand," Dumbledore said, before stepping into the deep blue portal.

The two reappeared in a guest room. Tepler was sitting in a chair reading a book, while Lisana was enthusiastically telling Clea about Aaron's personality, habits, and hobbies.

Although she didn't know much, she was definitely the one who knew her son best in the world.

"Please sit down, Professor Albus Dumbledore." Tepler slowly put down the book in his hand. "My grandson is really in your care."

"It's what a headmaster should do," Dumbledore said shamelessly.

Tepler smiled slightly, "Time is limited, so I won't stand on ceremony with you, Professor."

"Clea, come here for a second."

"Oh!"

As Clea walked up to the two, Dumbledore's eyes lit up.

Having served as a professor for so many years, this was the first time he had ever seen such a lovable little girl.

Not to mention her stunning appearance, her elegant temperament is something that cannot be imitated, and her big green eyes are so captivating that they evoke a strong protective instinct in people.

"Let me introduce you. This is Clea Darwen, the second daughter of the Darwin Family," Tepler said with a smile. "Professor Dumbledore, Clea is fifteen years old now, and I'd like to send her to Hogwarts as a transfer student. Would you be so kind as to do me that?"

"No problem, I'll take care of it."

Hogwarts would be very happy to have such an excellent student as Miss Clea.

"I hope you can assign Clea to Slytherin."

"This..." Dumbledore pondered for a moment, "The Sorting House is generally determined by the Sorting Hat."

"The headmaster should have special privileges!" Tepler said meaningfully. "Professor Dumbledore, you can rest assured that Clea's talent and lineage are not much different from Aaron's."

"Alright, Slytherin it Slytherin," Dumbledore said, considering it a good deed to make friends with the Darwin Family. He would just tell the Sorting Hat later and that would be the end of it.

"Level 6.0," Tepler continued.

"But how old is she?"

"Age is never a problem for geniuses," Lisana interjected. "The important thing is that she needs to be a sixth-grade student in Slytherin."

Dumbledore glanced at Clea, as if pondering something, and asked, "Excuse me, but is this arrangement of yours intended to...?"

Clea blushed slightly, Tepler the three of them nodded in unison.

Dumbledore gasped.

Good heavens, they're blatantly arranging the matchups. Are all big families this cunning?

"Perhaps I shouldn't say this, but Aaron might have some objections," Dumbledore said awkwardly. "You may not know, but he has a very close relationship with Hermione Miss Granger of Gryffindor."

"What?" Lisana exclaimed in surprise.

"Don't rush, Mrs. Gaius..."

"That's great, that kid has finally figured it out."

Dumbledore's voice abruptly stopped as he looked at Lisana in surprise, his lips twitching slightly.

We dare not say, we dare not ask.

"Clea," Tepler gave Clea an apologetic smile, "We really didn't know that."

"It's alright, Grandpa, I don't care about this," Clea said nonchalantly. "Besides, it doesn't conflict with what I think."

"Look, what do you mean by 'look, what do you mean'?" Dumbledore's eyes widened in shock. "Is this the 'look, what do you mean' I mean?"

"My eyes can see some fragments of the future or destiny, which can be regarded as a genetic talent of the Darwin Family. I can barely control it now."

"It's not very effective against people stronger than me, and it requires their cooperation." Clea said, looking at Dumbledore. "Would you like to give it a try?"