He Easily Won Over a Headmaster / Trust Is Actually a Double-Edged Sword

"This... it really disappeared?!"

Igor Karkaroff stared in astonishment at his arm. The Dark Mark could be removed—something he had never even dared to dream of before!

Chapter 711 Easily Acquired a Principal

"It actually... it really worked?!"

Igor Karkaroff stared in disbelief, searching his arm repeatedly, rubbing the original marks with his fingers, and even tapping them several times with his wand.

The skull serpent mark was gone, and so was the burning sensation!

Apart from a few remaining traces, his arm looked as if it had never been marked with the Dark Mark!

That oppressive fear, which had haunted me for over a decade, has truly and completely vanished!

"Ah!!"

The sudden scream startled Igor Karkaroff, who jumped up from the sofa, nearly causing Harry to raise his wand to fire at him.

However, Snape remained calm and composed, clearly not surprised by the situation.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Igor Karkaroff shouted excitedly, even bowing repeatedly to Harry. "This Dark Mark, it was like a nightmare... and now it's finally gone, thank goodness!!"

So that's what excited him?

Harry then realized what was happening, but he never expected Igor Karkaroff to be so grateful for it.

However, one should still put on a show of prestige.

"You don't need to be so surprised. The Dark Mark is just one of Voldemort's spells. If he can mark you, I can naturally remove it. Otherwise, how could I possibly fight him head-on?!"

Harry waved his hand dismissively, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance.

Of course, he was exaggerating. The reason he was able to remove the Dark Mark was because his magical properties were similar to Voldemort's, and he had also thoroughly understood the principles behind the Dark Mark, which was why he was able to remove it.

This doesn't mean that Harry has completely overwhelmed Voldemort.

However... what Igor Karkaroff might think is beyond Harry's control.

"That's right, absolutely! I've known all along, Mr. Granger, that you are already the greatest wizard in the world! You will... no, I mean now, you will definitely be able to completely defeat the You-Know-Who!"

Igor Karkaroff showered Harry with obsequious compliments, a deluge of praise that made Harry feel almost smug.

Snape, on the other hand, simply turned his head away, choosing to avoid seeing it altogether.

"Mr. Igor Karkaroff, you don't need to worry about it. It was just a small favor." Harry waved his hand to stop the flattery, then casually handed him a silver wristband. "Please accept this; it's my true token of gratitude."

"This is... Thank you! Mr. Granger!" Igor Karkaroff was taken aback for a moment, then immediately accepted it with great joy and carefully fastened it to his wrist.

He was so excited because he had seen Snape wearing the same wristband before, so he was certain it was something good!

Snap~

With a soft click, the silver wrist guard snapped perfectly onto Igor Karkaroff's wrist, but he immediately felt a sharp pain.

However, as soon as he frowned slightly, the previous stinging pain immediately turned into a cool sensation, followed by a comfortable feeling of being filled with magic.

"This is a magical item that can protect you. You can try channeling magic into it and see," Harry explained from the side.

"Okay." Igor Karkaroff, who was flattered, was completely obedient to Harry. He tried to channel his magic into the wristband and found that it gradually lit up with a bright glow.

However, at that moment, Harry secretly gave Snape a wink, and the latter immediately understood and raised his wand.

"Avada Kedavra"

"Why... why?!" Caught off guard by a sudden burst of green light, Igor Karkaroff was terrified and hurriedly raised his hand to protect himself.

But he soon discovered that death had not truly come; a circular shield shimmering with silver light had appeared before him without his knowledge.

The shield seemed to extend from and Transfiguration from the bracers he wore; it was the very shield that had just blocked that sudden Killing Curse!

"Mr. Igor Karkaroff, do you now know... the true meaning of this gift?" Harry asked calmly.

"I understand... I understand completely now! This... is indeed a magical item, Mr. Granger. Your alchemical skills are just as superb as your magical abilities!" Igor Karkaroff nodded in response, still shaken, while not forgetting to offer another round of flattery.

Having been shot with a Killing Curse for no reason, Igor Karkaroff couldn't help but feel resentful, but he dared not speak out against it.

He also knew that Harry was using this opportunity to demonstrate his strength and give him a warning, so all he could do was willingly accept the gift and express his gratitude in various ways.

"This thing will proactively issue a warning when you encounter danger. When you feel a tingling sensation in your wrist, simply channel magic into it, and it will provide protection. However, this effect is not permanent; once the magic contained within it diminishes, you'll have to come to me to replenish it."

Harry waved his hand, releasing a fluctuating burst of magic that restored the dulled bracers to their former glory. Igor Karkaroff, seeing this, realized that the bracers needed Harry's magic to recharge them.

Therefore, if he wants to continue to enjoy this protection, he must visit this arrogant young man regularly.

Igor Karkaroff didn't find it embarrassing at all; after all... face and dignity are never as important as life.

"If you don't mind the inconvenience, I'll visit you often in the future. I'll take my leave now."

He made a promise to Harry that was clearly an offer of allegiance, and then, seeing that Harry was about to see him off, he took his leave, bowed, and left the room.

"Igor Karkaroff... he's quite a sensible fellow~" Harry smiled with satisfaction after the other man left.

After this carrot-and-stick approach, Igor Karkaroff, the principal of Durmstrang, was completely subdued.

Although Harry said he wouldn't completely trust him, that doesn't mean the person is completely unusable.

Igor Karkaroff's ability to become the headmaster of three Europe schools proves he has real talent. As long as he isn't forced to confront Voldemort and the Death Eater, he will be extremely useful.

Of course, besides being satisfied, Harry also had a hint of curiosity.

"Severus Snape's just removing a Dark Mark, does he really need to get so worked up?"

"For those Death Eater who no longer wish to follow Voldemort, this is what happens," Snape explained calmly, his words carrying a hint of painful memories. "The Dark Mark is like a shackle and curse that must be carried for life. Once the mark is made, it can never be removed, and one can only forever bear the name of 'Death Eater.'"

"But even so, I don't intend to let those... Death Eater who don't willingly follow Voldemort go." At this moment, Harry's tone was extremely cold.

"Those who chose to rejoin Voldemort after his return are more deserving of death than those who stubbornly persisted on the wrong path!"

Chapter 712 Trust is a double-edged sword

Igor Karkaroff is undoubtedly a coward. He betrayed his comrades and now dares not confront Voldemort, nor does he dare to rejoin the Death Eater. He can only seek refuge with Harry.

Whether it was Albus Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix or Voldemort's Death Eater after his return, their attitude towards Igor Karkaroff was always one of suspicion, utter contempt, and a desire to kill him.

But to be honest, Harry didn't think there was anything hateful about this guy; on the contrary, he thought the other guy was very sensible.

Moreover, regardless of his motives, Igor Karkaroff at least did not defect again; his only thought was to find a patron and survive until the end of the war.

What Harry despised even more than his cowardice were those bastards who repeatedly swaggered around in every war!

When Voldemort rose to power, those guys thought there was something to gain, so they joined the Death Eater;

But after Voldemort's downfall, they lied about being Imperius Curse and escaped imprisonment, continuing their life of luxury.

Now that Voldemort's power has resurfaced, they are eager to return to Voldemort's side due to fear and other reasons!

This kind of person is the most despicable scum.

They weren't good people, but they weren't even bad people!

They're nothing but a bunch of parasites, their bellies oozing filth; they deserve to be utterly crushed!

Harry will deal with these people... right when he's engaged in his final battle with Voldemort.

Furthermore, Harry can say with certainty that there will be no prisoners of war in this battle.

He did give these people opportunities; half a year had passed since the Quidditch World Cup ended, enough time for them to do many things.

Moving their entire families abroad or even leaving Europe, or surrendering to Harry like Igor Karkaroff, are all statements they can make without fighting.

But some people refuse to make that choice and insist on using various excuses as a pretext to rejoin Voldemort's side...

Their fate was already sealed!

"Granger, I have a question for you..."

Perhaps sensing the growing murderous intent emanating from Harry, or perhaps moved by Igor Karkaroff's situation... Snape seemed hesitant to speak before leaving.

"You must deeply hate Death Eater, and as you just said... given Igor Karkaroff's character and past experiences, no matter what he does, you won't completely trust him. So... what about me?"

Snape, who had already reached the door, asked in a slightly trembling voice, "My experience is similar to Igor Karkaroff's. Why do you choose to trust me? Is it just because of your deceased mother?"

"That's only part of the reason," Harry smiled, not refuting, but then softly asked, "Severus Snape, I actually wanted to ask you the same thing... why have you been so unwilling to remove the Dark Mark from your hand?"

"I... I'm alright now."

Upon hearing Harry's question, Snape's expression flickered with barely perceptible panic. He said nothing more and simply left the room hastily.

Harry smiled broadly when he was alone in the room.

This is absolutely arrogant Severus Snape him; he simply refuses to admit to his face that he cares about him.

Why won't they remove the Dark Mark?

That's because, of course, this thing, besides representing the identity of Death Eater, is more importantly a beacon that can be used to detect Voldemort's current state!

Since they currently have virtually no means of monitoring Voldemort, the Severus Snape wanted to leave this mark so that Harry could deduce Voldemort's current state by observing changes in the mark, and to confirm whether the guy had secretly approached Hogwarts.

So, going back to the previous question, why did Harry trust Snape?

What else could be the reason? It's simply that he's willing.

Trust is a double-edged sword; giving it away means giving the other party the right to harm you.

So what Harry was actually giving up was the risk of being harmed, but he really didn't care about taking it.

Because he believed that someone who truly cared for him would never want to hurt him!

Moreover, such unconditional trust can sometimes bring great surprises, just like this time.

If Harry didn't have absolute trust in the Severus Snape, how could he have allowed Severus Snape to act unilaterally and exploit the seemingly insignificant Igor Karkaroff to turn the tide?

Such surprises are undoubtedly an important part of the double-edged sword of trust.

Unfortunately... the person Harry is waiting for will probably never experience this kind of surprise.

Because under his leadership, the Order of the Phoenix, including Alastor Moody and those seemingly trusted members...

Those people never had the right to act expediently.

This incident has caused quite a stir, so much so that the Wizarding World in Britain and even Europe has been in turmoil recently.

With some in support and others criticizing, this war of words between national Ministry of Magic shows no signs of stopping.

However, Harry didn't care about any of these things. He didn't go to school these days either. He spent his time doing alchemical research, checking on the progress of the compilation of "The New History of Magic," or improving his textbook for his General Social Cognition.

The situation in the Britain Wizarding World is becoming increasingly chaotic. What does this have to do with him?

The International Confederation of Wizards sends him letters of inquiry every day, but never dares to send anyone over. So why should he care?

Anyway, the first ones who won't be able to sit still will definitely be others.

A few days after Harry's beating of Igor Karkaroff, in mid-March, the nursing home finally welcomed its second guest...

Albus Dumbledore.

Instead of choosing the previous reception room to receive the headmaster, Harry had him led to the nursing home's director's office... which was also Harry's own office.

"Hey Principal, you've arrived. Please have a seat."

Seeing the House-elf lead Dumbledore into the room, Harry quickly stood up and greeted him with a smile, while waving his wand to Dumbledore.

"Thank you..." Dumbledore, glancing briefly at the room's decor, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly again.

Harry also had a large desk in this Dean's office. On the shelves around the room, there were many alchemical items that he had made himself, made of pure silver and still shrouded in a misty haze.

The bookshelves in the room were neatly arranged with many books and documents. Through the glass display cases, Dumbledore could see some ancient books that he recognized, which must have been Nicolas Flamel's collection. The walls weren't adorned with photographs of past headmasters; instead, they were covered with various alchemical diagrams and anatomical illustrations of Fantastic Beasts and the human body...

Aside from replacing the phoenix perch with a cat tree and replacing Fawkes with two playful kittens, this place is practically a replica of the Hogwarts Headmaster's office.

The familiar displays and decor, and Harry's familiar opening line...

But now, the two people sitting inside and outside the table have completely switched places.

(P. S. The members of the Order of the Phoenix are absolutely obedient to Dumbledore. This isn't my opinion, but rather an analysis posted by a contributor to a HP column on a certain platform. Sanmiao, I think it makes a lot of sense.)