Revealing the Past

The Headmaster's office.

Lin Du and Dumbledore sat opposite each other.

"Hot chocolate?" Dumbledore suggested with a smile.

"No, it's late. I don't want anything to drink," Lin Du shook his head.

"We'll be talking for a long time," Dumbledore said, conjuring a pot of clear tea and pouring two cups.

Lin Du raised an eyebrow. "You're not having hot chocolate tonight?"

"People can't stay the same forever," Dumbledore took a sip of tea. "It's nice to change things up occasionally."

Lin Du's lips curved upward. "How surprising. I thought you'd finally realized the 'ancient secret' that sweets aren't very good for your health."

Dumbledore blinked. "Oh, dear Lin Du, don't expect too much of me. Perhaps tomorrow I'll be back in the embrace of lemon sherbet."

The relaxed opening eased the atmosphere considerably. Lin Du also picked up his teacup.

"Lin Du," Dumbledore put down his teacup, his tone still gentle. "I must admit, as an exchange student, you only stayed at Hogwarts for a year, and we didn't have much interaction. You were always a loner back then, only attending classes or spending time in the library."

Lin Du rolled his eyes internally—Of course, we wouldn't be close after only a year. That would be weird.

But outwardly, he simply smiled slightly. "I was very interested in Hogwarts' collection of books at the time."

"Indeed," Dumbledore nodded. "But I noticed certain traits in you—a persistent exploration of the origins of magic, an extraordinary patience, and precise calculations—these are quite different from the general impression people have of Gryffindor. Honestly, I sometimes think some traits of Slytherin might suit you better."

Lin Du gently swirled his teacup, watching the tea leaves dance. "Headmaster, the lines between houses aren't always so clear."

"You're right," Dumbledore mused. "That's precisely why I'm even more curious. In the years after you returned to the East, what led you to choose the unique path of researching Dark Magic?"

Lin Du put down his teacup, a sly glint in his eyes. "Headmaster, after going around in circles, from chatting about tea habits to house traits, are you perhaps worried I'll become the next Dark Lord?"

Dumbledore let out a low chuckle. "I prefer to call it 'preventative concern.' After all, a Gryffindor who is so proficient in Dark Magic yet maintains such astonishing self-control is indeed impressive."

Lin Du couldn't help but let out a light laugh, tinged with sarcasm. "If you don't mind me saying, Headmaster, Hogwarts isn't exactly a breeding ground for Dark Lords, is it? You can't possibly maintain such a high level of vigilance towards everyone who studies Dark Magic."

The smile on Dumbledore's face faltered slightly, but he wasn't angry. His blue eyes, peering through his half-moon spectacles, gazed earnestly at Lin Du.

"You're right, I shouldn't be prejudiced against every researcher. However, Lin Du," his voice became exceptionally solemn.

"You are different. You are one of the most talented young wizards I have ever seen, and your potential... is unfathomable. Because of this, if you were to truly go astray, it would not only be a loss for Hogwarts, but a tragedy 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 playfulness on Lin Du's face gradually disappeared.

He straightened his posture slightly, his tone sharpening.

"Are you worried I'll become the next Dark Lord?" Lin Du raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Just because I study Dark Magic?"

"Not entirely," Dumbledore's sapphire eyes met Lin Du's directly. "Your attitude towards the world 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 couldn't help but chuckle. "Headmaster, do you have some misunderstanding about Gryffindor? Our house isn't exactly a symbol of absolute good. Besides..."

He paused deliberately, saying meaningfully, "As far as I know, you yourself don't quite fit the stereotypical impression people have of Gryffindors."

"Oh?" Dumbledore seemed quite interested, leaning forward slightly. "That's an interesting perspective. I wonder how the outside world evaluates this old fool?"

Lin Du met Dumbledore's eyes, his tone calm. "The outside world's evaluation of you is quite polarized. On one hand, you are the greatest White Wizard of this century, a hero who defeated the Dark Lord twice. On the other hand..."

He deliberately drew out his words. "...many people believe the power you wield has long exceeded normal limits, and some even privately call you the 'White King'."

The smile on Dumbledore's face remained unchanged, merely letting out a soft "Hmm," as if savoring the title. "Power has never been the goal, but a responsibility. However, I am surprised you pay attention to such gossip."

"One must understand their superior, mustn't they?" Lin Du replied with a smile. "Since you conducted a background check on me, I naturally had to do some homework."

"Then," Dumbledore's gaze sharpened, "in your opinion, am I a qualified Gryffindor?"

Lin Du played with his teacup, saying unhurriedly, "That's a difficult question to answer. After all, would a wizard who truly meets Gryffindor's standards be close friends with someone like Gellert Grindelwald, or propose those earth-shattering ideas?"

The office fell into a brief silence. The portraits on the walls held their breath.

"It seems you know far more than I imagined," he said softly. "Since that's the case, let's speak more openly. Please continue."

Lin Du met his gaze, his voice still steady. "In my opinion, the biggest misconception people have about you is that you are a very power-hungry person. But the opposite is true—"

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 this easily attainable control that made you feel danger, which is why you became so wary of power later on."

"You are undoubtedly a great wizard," Lin Du continued.

"But if you'll forgive me, you sometimes go too far in correcting things. Because you once taught Tom Riddle, you are overly cautious of all talented wizards, especially those who study Dark Magic. Has this prejudice caused you to miss out on many people who could have been allies?"

"..."

The office fell into a long silence.

Dumbledore lowered his gaze slightly, his aged fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of his teacup.

When he looked up again, his voice was tinged with a slight hoarseness.

"It's been a long time... since I've heard such direct criticism."

His gaze refocused on Lin Du, his tone suddenly sharp.

"But since you mention prejudice, let me ask this: in the Basilisk incident, were you so actively involved in the investigation without any other motives? For example... using it as an opportunity to study Tom Riddle's Horcrux?"

"..."

The air seemed to freeze.

Lin Du's fingertips tightened slightly on the teacup. Their eyes met in the silence, neither speaking further.