Conditions He Couldn't Refuse

Klein hadn't told the whole truth—that much was certain—but no one else knew Snape's identity.

Dumbledore was quite sure of that.

Then

there was only one answer left.

Those deep blue eyes might truly have glimpsed the future!

"I have to say, I don't entirely believe what you've told me, but I haven't sensed any hostility from you."

After a moment of silence, the old man spoke slowly.

"I'm curious. You could have kept your abilities hidden until graduation, so why go out of your way to reveal that you know Dark Magic?"

That was what Dumbledore understood least. If Klein hadn't deliberately let something slip, he wouldn't have noticed anything amiss.

"To me, magic is magic. There's no good or evil, no light or dark."

Klein straightened his back. In the lamplight, a flame seemed to burn in his eyes.

"Wizards can turn water into wine, summon thunder and control lightning, and even achieve immortality. What do they rely on?"

What did they rely on?

Magic, of course!

Was there any need to ask such an obvious question?

The former headmasters felt baffled, but Dumbledore, behind his desk, fell into thought.

"Belief!"

Klein gave his answer with absolute certainty.

"Because we believe we can turn water into wine, water can become wine. The essence of magic is that 'what you believe exists, and what you don't believe doesn't.'"

The office fell abruptly silent.

"Magic affects the mind? That's just an excuse made by cowards who lack conviction. A true wizard should control magic, not be controlled by it."

Klein met Dumbledore's eyes and asked with a smile,

"Professor, did you defeat my great-uncle, Gellert Grindelwald, with nothing but the Disarming Charm?"

"This..."

The old man was momentarily at a loss for words.

Everyone knew that the most powerful spells were mostly Dark Magic. In truth, he did know a few Forbidden Spells that he couldn't use lightly.

"You still haven't answered my question. With your knowledge and experience, even I wouldn't claim I could definitely defeat you. So what's the point of coming to school?"

At first, Dumbledore had thought of Klein only as a gifted boy. Now, he regarded them as equals.

"I like school. Isn't eleven the right age to go? Besides, I still have a lot to learn. Potions, Transfiguration... I don't need to study Defense Against the Dark Arts, though."

Magic was a profound field, and no one could master every branch. Klein was a master of ordinary spells, Forbidden Spells, Summoning Rituals, and Alchemy, but when it came to Potions and Transfiguration, he was barely a beginner.

Why pass up a chance to learn new skills?

"My intuition tells me that isn't your real reason. If you can't convince me, I'll regretfully have to tell you, Mr. Klein, that you're expelled."

Dumbledore could sense no hostility from Klein, but as headmaster, he had to take responsibility for everyone at the school.

A wizard well versed in Dark Magic was simply too dangerous.

"Fine. It's because I need to keep a low profile."

Klein shrugged, thinking that the old fox really was hard to fool, and told him the truth.

"I need to rely on Hogwarts and your reputation to spare myself a lot of trouble. You know, if I wanted to, I could become emperor in ten years, just as the dream foretold. But that isn't what I want."

When Klein finished, Dumbledore's expression didn't change in the slightest.

"As long as Grindelwald's blood runs through my veins, the prejudice will never go away. I need your help."

The boy met the old man's searching gaze, his eyes bright and unwavering.

"I'm sorry, but that doesn't convince me."

Dumbledore shook his head. His presence suddenly turned dangerous. He couldn't accept that answer.

"What if I told you I could help you destroy Voldemort for good?"

Klein wasn't surprised. He offered up another condition.

One Dumbledore couldn't refuse!

"Oh?"

Hearing this, the old man frowned despite himself.

"After all, aside from casting spells on Muggles, I haven't done anything wrong. You know that perfectly well.

And I don't need to tell you what Voldemort has done."

Klein hurried to press his advantage.

The old man's frown deepened.

Seeing this, Klein wore an expression that said he'd expected as much. He'd been ready to face questioning by the Ministry of Magic at any moment, but he'd waited and waited, and no one had come for him. Clearly, Dumbledore had taken care of the loose ends.

With the old man's abilities, it would have been easy to investigate what Klein had done since arriving in Britain.

"I'm starting to regret letting you come to Hogwarts..."

Dumbledore took a deep breath, and his eyes showed a hint of interest.

"I thought you'd be relieved."

Klein smiled back and relaxed.

"Relieved? Oh, right. A wizard like you would certainly be more dangerous left out in the world."

The old man looked as if he'd suddenly understood, and put away the Elder Wand, which had changed hands.

"So, how do you plan to help me?"

"You handle the Ministry of Magic and public opinion. I'll protect the students at the school and deal with Voldemort and his followers."

Klein had clearly come prepared. He answered without hesitation.

"How do I know you won't break your promise?"

Most users of Dark Magic were devious and cunning. Dumbledore had to be cautious.

"I can swear a Blood Oath."

Klein was still just as quick to answer.

"A Blood Oath?"

Dumbledore froze. Someone and some old memories flashed through his mind.

After a long silence, he gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"No need. A Blood Oath is both the most reliable thing there is and the least reliable. More than magic, I'd rather trust my intuition.

"Klein, I'm willing to try to believe you. I'm willing to believe you won't become another Voldemort, even though, in terms of danger, you've already surpassed him."

"Thank you. That's worth a Christmas present. You'll be surprised when the time comes."

Klein knew he'd convinced Dumbledore, and his smile grew brighter.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Dumbledore, now free of his doubts, smiled too. His terrifying presence vanished without a trace.

"In that case, allow me to cast one last spell tonight."

Klein raised the Purple Sandalwood Wand and gave a slight gesture.

"Please."

Dumbledore gestured for him to proceed, straightened his dark purple robes, and walked unhurriedly to the door.

"What?"

The headmasters finally came to their senses after listening to the two of them and exchanged puzzled looks.

What did "one last spell" mean?

"Obliviate All."

Once Dumbledore was ready, Klein turned and cast Obliviate on the portraits. How could Thought Bodies, which weren't even souls, resist his magic? Their gazes instantly went blank.

"That should do it. All the troublesome memories have been erased."

A secret was best kept by as few people as possible.

Klein walked over to the bookshelf and casually picked up a copy of Advanced Alchemy.

"Good evening, Klein."

Both men were seasoned actors. As soon as Klein took his place, Dumbledore slipped into character almost instantly.

The headmasters, recovering from their confusion, noticed no flaws.

The two of them made a perfect team.