Inside the headmaster's office.
Lin Du sat across from Dumbledore.
"Hot cocoa?" Dumbledore suggested with a smile.
"No, not this late at night. I don't feel like drinking anything." Lin Du shook his head.
"We will probably be talking for quite some time." As Dumbledore spoke, he conjured a pot of green tea and poured a cup for each of them.
Lin Du raised an eyebrow. "You're not having hot cocoa tonight?"
"A person cannot remain unchanged forever." Dumbledore took a sip of tea. "It is nice to change one's tastes now and then."
The corners of Lin Du's lips curved upward. "What a surprise. I thought you had finally realized the 'ancient secret' that sweets aren't particularly good for one's health."
Dumbledore blinked. "Oh, dear Lin Du, don't expect too much of me. Perhaps tomorrow, I shall throw myself back into the embrace of Lemon Drops."
The lighthearted opening eased the atmosphere considerably. Lin Du picked up his teacup as well.
"Lin Du," Dumbledore said, setting down his cup, his tone still gentle, "I must admit that when you were an Exchange Student, you only spent one year at Hogwarts. We truly had little contact. Back then, you always kept to yourself; aside from attending classes, you spent your time in the library."
Lin Du silently rolled his eyes. Obviously. We only had one year in total; it would have been a miracle if we had become close.
Yet he merely smiled faintly. "At the time, I was very interested in Hogwarts' collection of books."
"Indeed." Dumbledore nodded. "But I noticed certain traits in you—your persistent exploration of the origins of magic, that extraordinary patience and precise calculation. These differed somewhat from the common impression people have of Gryffindor. To be honest, I sometimes felt that certain Slytherin traits might have suited you better."
Lin Du gently swirled his teacup, watching the tea leaves circle within it. "Headmaster, the lines between Houses are not always so distinct."
"Well said." Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "Precisely because of that, I am even more curious. During the years after you returned to the East, what led you to choose the unusual path of studying Dark Magic?"
Lin Du put down his teacup, a sly glint flashing through his eyes. "Headmaster, after taking such a roundabout route—from drinking habits to House traits—could it be that you are worried I might become the next Dark Lord?"
Dumbledore let out a low laugh. "I would prefer to call it 'preventive concern.' After all, a Gryffindor so proficient in Dark Magic, yet possessed of such astonishing self-control, does make an impression."
Lin Du could not help chuckling, his voice tinged with mockery. "With all due respect, Headmaster, Hogwarts is not a breeding ground for Dark Lords, is it? You cannot possibly maintain this level of vigilance toward everyone who studies Dark Magic."
The smile on Dumbledore's face faded slightly, but he did not grow angry. Through his half-moon spectacles, his blue eyes regarded Lin Du earnestly.
"You are right. I should not be prejudiced against every researcher. But, Lin Du," his voice became especially solemn.
"You are different. You are one of the most gifted young wizards I have ever seen, and your potential... is unfathomable. That is precisely why, if you were truly to go astray, it would not merely be Hogwarts' loss, but a regret for the entire wizarding world. I do not wish to see such a future."
Sensing the rare seriousness and weight in Dumbledore's words, the teasing expression on Lin Du's face gradually vanished.
He straightened slightly, and his tone sharpened.
"Are you worried that I will become the next Dark Lord?" Lin Du raised an eyebrow, amusement in his voice. "Just because I study Dark Magic?"
"Not entirely." Dumbledore's azure eyes met Lin Du's directly. "Your attitude toward everything around you is too calm, too... detached. And your talent is so outstanding. I do not wish to see a Dark Lord emerge from Gryffindor."
Lin Du could not help laughing. "Headmaster, do you have some misunderstanding about Gryffindor? Our House is hardly synonymous with absolute light. Besides..."
He paused deliberately before saying meaningfully, "As far as I know, you yourself do not seem to fit the world's stereotypical image of a Gryffindor either."
"Oh?" Dumbledore seemed deeply interested, leaning forward slightly. "That is an interesting claim. How does the outside world judge this old fool?"
Lin Du looked straight into Dumbledore's eyes, his tone calm. "The outside world's assessment of you is quite polarized. On one hand, you are the greatest White Wizard of this century, a hero who defeated two Dark Lords. On the other hand..."
He deliberately drew out the words. "Quite a few people believe that the power you hold has long exceeded normal bounds. Some even call you the 'White King' in private."
The smile on Dumbledore's face remained unchanged. He merely gave a soft "Hmm," as though savoring the title. "Power has never been the goal, but a responsibility. Still, I am surprised that you pay attention to such rumors."
"One must understand one's superior, mustn't one?" Lin Du replied with a smile. "Since you conducted a background investigation on me, I naturally had to do some homework myself."
"Then," Dumbledore's gaze sharpened, "in your view, am I a qualified Gryffindor?"
Lin Du toyed with the teacup in his hand and said unhurriedly, "That is a difficult question to answer. After all, would a wizard who truly met Gryffindor's standards become close friends with someone like Gellert Grindelwald, and put forward those shocking proposals?"
The office fell into brief silence. The portraits on the walls all seemed to hold their breath.
"It appears you know far more than I imagined," he said softly. "In that case, let us speak more openly. Please continue."
Lin Du met his gaze, his voice still steady. "In my view, the greatest misunderstanding people have about you is that they believe you are deeply power-hungry. But the truth is exactly the opposite—"
He paused briefly, observing Dumbledore's reaction. "If you had chosen to join forces with Grindelwald back then, the entire wizarding world would have been yours for the taking. It was precisely that easily obtained control that made you recognize its danger, and caused you to become so wary of power afterward."
"You are undoubtedly a great wizard," Lin Du continued,
"But with all due respect, you sometimes overcorrect. Because you once taught Tom Riddle, you have remained excessively wary of every exceptionally talented wizard, especially those who study Dark Magic. Has this prejudice also caused you to miss many people who could have become allies?"
"..."
The office sank into a long silence.
Dumbledore lowered his eyes slightly, his aged fingers unconsciously rubbing the rim of his teacup.
When he looked up again, there was a trace of hoarseness in his voice.
"It has been a long time... since I heard criticism so blunt."
His gaze focused on Lin Du once more, and his tone suddenly turned sharp.
"But since you speak of prejudice, I must ask as well: in this Basilisk incident, you have participated in the investigation so actively. Did you truly have no other motives? For instance... taking the opportunity to study Tom Riddle's Horcrux?"
"..."
The air seemed to freeze.
Lin Du's fingertips tightened slightly around his teacup. Their gazes clashed in silence, and neither spoke again.
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