Dumbledore: Did I Do Wrong?

Chapter 38: Dumbledore: Did I Do Wrong?

"I owe you an apology for last night. I put you in danger." Dumbledore spoke with regret.

"You don't need to apologize. Accidents can happen anywhere, can't they?"

"How have you been settling in at school these past two months?"

"Everyone at Hogwarts is talented, and they speak so pleasantly. I really like it here."

"The professors have a very good impression of you as well."

Dumbledore nodded, then shifted the topic.

"You left this behind last night, didn't you? Can you tell me what it is?"

"It's a Muggle weapon, similar to a wand. I kept it for self-defense. I must have been too nervous last night and forgot to take it. Thank you, Headmaster."

Dumbledore looked somewhat helpless.

This little fellow was plainly telling him.

"I'm lying. If you have the time, I'll keep spinning nonsense with you."

It seemed his previous contact with Brook had made the boy a bit wary.

"I hear you've been busy lately? Is there anything I can help with?"

"Probably not."

"I think there could be."

"Then there is?"

"Go ahead."

"I have something similar to what Mr. Newt Scamander has, but mine are all crops, and there's a huge quantity. I can't manage them all by myself."

"Hogwarts has many House Elves. You can pick a few to serve you, and I'll give orders that they won't speak of anything about you to anyone, including me." Dumbledore immediately offered a solution.

Brook nodded. He trusted Dumbledore's promise.

"Also, those fruits and vegetables are too many. They'll rot if left there."

"Hogwarts will purchase them at market price. Professor Pomona will discuss the details with you."

"As you know, I love learning, but the books in the library are too scattered. Finding what I need wastes a lot of my time."

Dumbledore pondered for a moment, then took an old, worn notebook from the cabinet behind him.

"These are some insights I recorded when I was young, mainly about Transfiguration Curses and combination magic. You can read them as extracurricular material."

Brook felt he had pushed enough and decided to stop while he was ahead.

"I really like Hogwarts. It will become my second home."

A satisfied smile finally appeared on Dumbledore's face.

"I hope every young witch and wizard can feel the warmth of home here."

"I think I will. If there's nothing else, I won't disturb you." Brook stood up to take his leave.

"Have a pleasant weekend."

"Thank you, Headmaster."

Brook replied politely, then walked out of the Headmaster's office.

He was in a good mood, because this conversation with Dumbledore had gone very smoothly.

Conversations between clever people were always so tacit.

Dumbledore hadn't pressed him about the weapon's origin, nor forced him to hand them all over.

Because everyone understood that such heavy-handed tactics were pointless.

Since he could get one, he could get more. Pushing would only backfire.

Dumbledore clearly wanted to bind him to Hogwarts with emotion and benefits.

As long as he didn't use those special weapons within the school.

And Brook had taken the chance to put forward his own conditions.

These three modest requests were just within Dumbledore's acceptable range.

If he got greedy and made more unreasonable demands, angering Dumbledore, it would be a loss.

After all, with his current strength, defeating Dumbledore was a pipe dream.

Unless he hid forever in the ring space, waiting for Dumbledore to die.

In the end, he didn't take the weapon from the desk.

One, to show that he had plenty of such things and didn't care about one or two;

Two, to tell Dumbledore that he could dispose of these weapons as he wished and didn't want too much interference.

No sooner had Brook left the Headmaster's office than a commotion stirred inside.

"You're far too lenient with that little brat!" Phineas Nigellus Black's voice was especially sharp.

"If you ask me, we should teach him a lesson—daring to threaten you with Hogwarts, that's sheer lawlessness!"

"Which ear of yours heard Mr. Lott threatening Albus? He clearly loves Hogwarts and wants it as a second home. What's wrong with giving him some perks? Do you want Hogwarts filled with ungrateful turncoats?"

Dilys Derwent shot back immediately.

She might as well have named those turncoats as Slytherin students.

"Then what's all this stockpiling of weapons if not a threat?"

"Every young witch and wizard has a wand that can harm Hogwarts. What, are you going to take away their right to use wands?"

Phineas was left speechless, sputtering in fury, "You... long hair, short sight!"

"What did you say..."

Dilys shrieked, charging straight into Phineas's portrait and laying into him with a beating.

The other portraits egged her on, cheering her on.

"Well done, Dilys! Kick him in the groin!"

"Everyone, stop." Dumbledore's head throbbed from the noise.

His sharp shout instantly silenced the clamorous headmaster's office.

Only Phineas, pinned beneath Dilys, was still grumbling.

Dumbledore rubbed his temples.

"Mr. Lott is a student of Hogwarts. As headmaster, it's only right for me to offer some assistance."

Everard spoke slowly.

"But this child still needs close monitoring. After all, if those weapons are as you describe, Hogwarts can't afford the risk."

Dumbledore knew that despite the verbal agreement with Brook, the danger remained.

Phyllida Spore, usually taciturn, also spoke up.

"People who love growing plants don't usually stir up trouble unless pushed to the brink. Dumbledore, what exactly did you do to provoke that little fellow?"

Dumbledore fell silent, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

He didn't feel he'd erred in handling Brook's case.

Even if he could do it over, his choice would remain the same.

His only misstep might have been not sorting Brook into Hufflepuff.

He'd chosen Gryffindor because he thought McGonagall stricter than Sprout, better for reining Brook in.

He never expected Brook to be so passionate about gardening.

Phyllida had heard plenty about Brook from Sprout.

Especially his talent and zeal for cultivation, which she greatly admired.

"Dumbledore, your approach to handling and treating children is flawed—just like with Tom Riddle back then."

Her words plunged Dumbledore into thought, and the headmaster's office fell completely silent.

(Note: Phineas Nigellus Black: one of the least popular headmasters, biased against those associated with Muggles. Dilys Derwent: Healer at St. Mungo's. Everard: portrait in the Ministry of Magic. Phyllida Spore: author of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.)

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