Their hands clasped tightly, and in that moment, it was as though they had crossed time and space, binding together two wizards who had once walked entirely different paths.
When they let go, the heavy atmosphere in the office seemed to dissipate as well.
"Honestly," Lin Du said as he sat back down in the armchair and rubbed his brow, "this conversation was more exhausting than dealing with an adult fire dragon."
Dumbledore smiled knowingly and conjured a fresh pot of hot tea. "I understand completely. Speaking openly is always the most draining thing, especially when we must confront our deepest desires and fears."
They drank their tea in silence for a while, letting the night flow past outside the windows.
The fire crackled softly in the fireplace, Fawkes gave a contented trill from his perch, and the entire office was enveloped in a rare tranquility.
Lin Du set down his teacup and prepared to take his leave. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, he suddenly froze.
"Wait." He turned around, frowning slightly. "Since you discovered the Horcrux issue long ago, why was Mrs. Norris still attacked? That doesn't make sense..."
Dumbledore lightly tapped his fingers against the desk, an unusual trace of embarrassment appearing on his face. "As for that... Mrs. Norris's petrification was actually arranged by me."
The office fell into brief silence.
Lin Du slowly returned to his seat and studied the old man thoughtfully. "So this was all a trap you set?"
"Not entirely." Dumbledore gently adjusted his half-moon spectacles. "The Basilisk's awakening truly did involve certain forces outside the school. But I needed a plausible excuse to make those people believe their plan was progressing smoothly."
A meaningful smile tugged at Lin Du's lips. "You were fishing for criminals."
"More accurately, I was clearing out the pond." A sharp gleam flashed in Dumbledore's eyes. "Tom will soon return, and I need to warn a few restless ambitious people beforehand, so they will behave themselves. The Basilisk is a rather suitable lure."
"But why choose Filch's cat?" Lin Du pressed.
"Because Mrs. Norris is unharmed," Dumbledore said frankly. "She was merely temporarily controlled by my spell. Once our conversation is over, I will personally apologize to Filch."
He sighed softly, and the gaze behind his half-moon spectacles deepened. "I could hardly allow a student to truly be petrified. Not only would that be an unbearable blow to any family, but the panic it would cause on campus alone would be enough to throw Hogwarts into chaos. As headmaster, I must place the students' safety first."
Lin Du set down his teacup and asked thoughtfully, "Now that the Horcrux matter has been resolved, what do you plan to do about the Basilisk? You can't let it keep wandering through the castle's pipes forever, can you?"
Dumbledore's gaze grew distant. "Actually, I intend to make use of it at least once more. Fifty years ago, because of the Chamber of Secrets incident, Hagrid was wrongly expelled and his wand was broken. It is time to clear his name."
"So you intend to reenact what happened back then?" Lin Du immediately understood his intentions. "But this time, there will be irrefutable proof that the real culprit was Riddle?"
"Precisely." Dumbledore nodded. "And this time, we will have the true Chosen One bring this legend to an end. Harry needs such an experience to prove himself, and he also needs such a victory to build confidence."
Lin Du could not help rubbing his forehead. "You really have prepared quite a gift for that child. Making him face a Basilisk? Forgive me for saying so, but that sounds more like increasing the School Hospital's workload."
He shook his head. "I think more highly of students like Cedric Diggory. At least he knows which section of the library he should be heading for."
"Every child has their own strengths, Lin Du," Dumbledore said gently. "Harry may not be diligent enough in his studies, but the courage and decisiveness he displays in the face of danger often surpass all expectations."
Dumbledore paused, his blue eyes watching Lin Du through his half-moon spectacles. "Since you have become one of us, perhaps you could pay a little more attention to Harry?"
"Pay attention to him like Snape does?" A mocking curve appeared on Lin Du's lips. "If that is the case, I would not mind giving the Chosen One a little more 'attention.' But honestly, I would rather spend my time on students who truly love learning, like Hermione Granger."
Dumbledore choked on his words for a moment, then coughed lightly. "Severus is actually the person who cares most about Harry."
"Oh?" Lin Du replied noncommittally. "Then his way of showing concern is certainly... unique."
The conversation had clearly reached its end.
Lin Du gave a slight nod and turned to leave the headmaster's office.
The moment he stepped outside, Chao Feng, who had been waiting invisibly beyond the door, revealed himself and lightly landed on Lin Du's shoulder.
"So that great White Wizard admitted that he orchestrated the cat attack?" Chao Feng's voice rang directly in his mind. "All to test an eleven-year-old child?"
Lin Du descended the spiral staircase at an unhurried pace, an amused smile on his lips. "What is even better is that he just said Snape is the one most invested in Harry."
After a conspicuous silence, Chao Feng ruffled his feathers. "That Slytherin head who stares at Harry all day with that gloomy look and deducts points at the slightest excuse? That is how he shows concern?"
"Perhaps that is Slytherin-style love." Lin Du shook his head with a soft laugh. "Twisted, but sincere."
The thought made both man and bird shudder at the same time.
"Seriously," Chao Feng said, patting Lin Du's shoulder with a wing, "you humans express your feelings in ways that are sometimes even harder to understand than those of us spirit beasts. That Snape looks like he wants to swallow Harry whole every time he sees him."
Lin Du snorted. "Dumbledore says that is 'concern'? Do you believe him? I certainly do not. I would sooner believe Peeves had suddenly fallen in love with cleaning than believe those dead-fish eyes of Snape's held any fatherly affection."
Chao Feng let out a sound like laughter. "Perhaps this is what they call 'British humor'? Like you said, British people always use sarcasm to express affection."
"If that counts as concern," Lin Du said, rolling his eyes, "then deducting fifty points from Gryffindor every day would be my way of expressing my deep love for them."
The two of them strolled slowly along the corridor, the moonlight stretching their shadows long behind them.
"But seriously," Chao Feng said, tilting his head, "if even Dumbledore is making excuses for Snape, does that mean there really is something we do not know?"
Lin Du stopped walking and gazed thoughtfully toward the pitch-black Forbidden Forest outside the window. "You know, I suddenly feel that we may never understand how these British wizards think. Just as I will never understand why anyone would spread jam on a scone."
"Maybe it is a cultural difference?" Chao Feng teased. "Just like how you will always find their food difficult to swallow."
Lin Du laughed softly and continued onward. "Forget it. Rather than worry over whether Snape is really 'concerned' about Potter, I should think about how to improve his attitude toward me. That man's sharp tongue is entirely genuine, whether he is putting on an act or not."
"At least we agree on that." Chao Feng happily flapped his wings. "Seriously, if that counts as concern, I would rather he hated me."
Before you continue