Looking through the crack in the door.
Even in a brightly lit room, the golden cup in Dumbledore's hand is still very eye-catching, with an aura of masterpiece that only Alchemy masters can feel.
"Hufflepuff's Cup!"
Ian recognized the object in Dumbledore's hands almost instantly. It was the alchemical creation of Helga·Hufflepuff, and it was also Hogwarts. One of the legacies of Four Founders. Just like Sword of Gryffindor, Diadem of Ravenclaw, and Slytherin's Locket, Hufflepuff's Cup is also the pinnacle of Alchemy.
Perhaps it is not as high as the Philosopher's Stone made by Nicolas Flamel, but the relic of Four Founders also possesses extremely powerful magical power despite its extraordinary significance.
Wizards who can reach their level are all-round players. Perhaps the materials used to make the treasures come from Goblin, but most of the magic contained in them must come from Four Founders himself.
Except for Slytherin's Locket, whose function no one knows, Ian knows about the other three Four Founders relics - Sword of Gryffindor has the property of repelling dust and can repel dust. As the number of times it participates in battles increases, it will become stronger and stronger, able to absorb and strengthen its own magic.
Diadem of Ravenclaw can enhance the wearer's wisdom, but from a brief exchange with Lady Ravenclaw and analysis based on reality, Ian feels that it is only equivalent to the Alchemy version of Felix Felicis, or can it also exert some Golden Apple effects like [Enlightenment of Wisdom]?
Compared with the relics of the two Founders, the relics of Helga·Hufflepuff are more Buddhist. Just like Helga·Hufflepuff himself, he has no competitive thoughts. It does not have any ability to bring the user learning and fighting, but it is the most suitable companion for home travel.
It contains magic that can even be regarded as freezing time, which can ensure that the food placed inside will not deteriorate. At the same time, it also has a huge storage space that can store a lot of food - it is not difficult to see from Hufflepuff's Golden Room that Helga·Hufflepuff is really good at using Undetectable Extension Charm.
Ian even learned that Hufflepuff's Cup can turn water into red wine. When he was soaking in the library, he sometimes read the history and information about ancient wizards. Especially things related to Hogwarts, Ian has been very interested in this since he met Lady Ravenclaw himself.
Of course.
Even so.
Ian also couldn't find the secret about Slytherin's Locket. There is even no literature mentioning this thing. Perhaps he will only have the opportunity to get in touch with Sirius after it is released.
No way, Salazar. Slytherin is the only rebellious giant among Four Founders who ran away from home. No one even knows where he went after leaving Hogwarts.
Ian I have seen legends about Salazar. Slytherin in a wild history. It is said that someone saw Africa somewhere more than a hundred years ago. I have seen people who are suspected of being Salazar. Slytherin. The recorder of unofficial history is an adventurer. According to this person, Slytherin seems to be looking for something in Africa.
Since there are many portraits of Slytherin at home, adventurers can recognize this giant. He even wrote in the book that he had a game meal with Salazar. Slytherin.
The record is very detailed, but very magical. In the era when Golden Apple became extinct, unless Salazar. Slytherin could make Philosopher's Stone, how could he survive to modern times hundreds of years later? The adventurer's words obviously have no credibility, and the feeling between the lines of his book is not much different from <Magical Me>.
The whole article is full of self-promotion and exaggerated descriptions of experiences. If the reincarnation mentioned by teacher Morgan does exist, it may be the account of Gilderoy. Lockhart that has been canceled in the previous life.
This was the only thought in Ian's heart after reading the book <I Witnessed a Legend>. Of course, he didn't care about Slytherin, he only cared about the relics left by Four Founders in the world.
"It's a pity that three of Four Founders's relics were defiled by No-Nose's Tom. I have to protect my Sword of Gryffindor, but I can't let it be defiled by No-Nose's Tom seized the opportunity to defile it." Ian hid behind the crack in the door and peeked for a long time, but Dumbledore, the master of Legilimency, didn't notice it at all.
He was too focused on the golden cup in his hand - maybe he was using his mind to detect the broken soul attached to it. Dumbledore, who was fully focused, was not even as sharp as his bird.
"Qiang Qiang~"
Fawkes was combing the newly grown hair on the golden branch. When the peeping Ian's head accidentally touched the door, it immediately flew towards Ian.
The tip was flattened.
Phoenix built a nest on Ian's head as always - Ian has become accustomed to this, he even touched Phoenix on top of his head finally put his hand under Phoenix's butt with a happy face. Although Fawkes felt a little uncomfortable, he still did not choose to leave Ian's head.
"It's very warm! It's the warmth of Phoenix!" Ian immediately excitedly took out his palm-sized purse and took out an extraordinary-looking Phoenix Egg with a red pattern.
He just stuffed it into the top of his head with lightning speed. He was a little confused and felt that his buttocks immediately became extremely uncomfortable. Fawkes immediately wanted to flap his wings and leave the top of Ian's head.
"This is the nest building fee! You have to hatch the eggs for me!" Ian predicted Fawkes's reaction and held down Fawkes. After all, Fawkes did not continue to try to escape from his clutches.
"Qiang Qiang~"
It's like swearing.
And the scolding was ugly. It was probably the interaction between Ian and Fawkes that disturbed Dumbledore. Dumbledore, who had been focusing on the Gold Cup, finally raised his head.
There was a flash of light in his eyes, majestic and powerful. Although it disappeared quickly in an instant, it still made Ian, who was staring at him, feel the terrible heart palpitations. Of course, through the abilities of [Soul-Stealing and Mind-Taking] and [Thought Perception], Ian knew that the person present who was most afraid of Dumbledore was obviously not him.
The will in Hufflepuff's Cup was simply trembling. I don't know what Dumbledore did to the remnant soul in Hufflepuff's Cup during that period of time.
"Good evening, Ian."
Dumbledore put down the golden cup in his hand and smiled kindly at Ian, "Tonight is a lively day. I never thought you would choose to visit me."
He took off his glasses and began to wipe them with a handkerchief.
"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape has learned bad things? He hasn't taught us a lesson in a few days. I think you should take care of this Hogwarts salary thief. This uncle of mine is not only not doing his job properly, he even made me miss a Defence Against the Dark Arts class this afternoon."
Ian complained directly when he came up.
He was obviously still a little bit brooding over his afternoon regrets.
"I heard Severus say that you secretly prepared a lot of owl laxatives at Potions Classroom. I think no matter how bad our teacher Potions Class is, he won't be so bad." Dumbledore put the glasses back on his face, his tone was full of playful teasing, and Ian's indignant expression suddenly solidified.
"Qiang Qiang~Qiang Qiang~"
Fawkes on the head barked several times at his master, his voice full of resentment, as if he felt that Dumbledore's evaluation of Ian was too conservative.
"He is slandering me!"
Under Dumbledore's deep gaze, Ian looked away sheepishly, "Actually, it's only a little bit. At most, it's enough for the owls of Slytherin students."
"It's a pity that I came to you in such a hurry that I couldn't see the scene of birds raining in the sky, but senior Penelope agreed to take pictures for me." There was a bit of regret in his tone.
"It's been a long-planned prank. I think it's because you haven't received the compensation for those children yet?" Dumbledore took the initiative to bring up this matter, which was really beyond Ian's expectations.
"Have you fought for compensation on my behalf? They definitely don't want compensation! I haven't even received one Galleon yet!" Ian's voice sounded a bit unhappy.
Dumbledore smiled softly, "I mailed them a letter. Maybe they didn't pay attention to it before, but after tonight, I believe you will get the compensation you want soon."
His words made Ian slightly stunned.
The little wizard couldn't help but cast his eyes on Hufflepuff's Cup.
"Is it because of this?"
Ian walked forward thoughtfully and came to the opposite side of the desk. Hufflepuff's Cup was placed on the table. The cup body was carefully carved from pure gold and shone with a warm and soft golden light. The surface was engraved with complex and delicate patterns: winding vines, blooming flowers, and grains symbolizing harvest and fertility.
When Ian stared at the golden cup.
He seemed to be able to feel the warmth flowing from the cup, which was a kind of magic that could soothe the wrinkles of the soul, but it was mixed with many disharmonious negative emotions.
Blasphemy and defilement from Noseless Freak.
"Yes, that's right."
Dumbledore nodded.
"I went to Azkaban to visit Riddle's past. That woman was still loyal to Riddle, but in the end I got the answer I wanted."
"That answer led me to find this thing... in Gringotts." Dumbledore's understatement made Ian's eyelids and face twitch a few times - he thought of tonight's breaking news, and combined with what Dumbledore said now, the truth of the evening news is self-evident.
"Merlin Bodhisattva! It turns out that you broke into Gringotts, and then, being chased and intercepted by a group of Goblins and wizards, you stole important items kept in other people's vaults as if no one else was around!" This is not Ian flattering Dumbledore, but this is how the emergency incident everyone was talking about that night was reported in the news.
Although Ian didn't pay too much attention to this matter, when William took the newspaper, Ian still glanced at it a few times. There were also photos of Goblin and the wizard running around holding their heads.
"No one will say it's me. I made some disguises with my consent, so..."
Dumbledore blinked at Ian, "It was Acolytes from Grindelwald who broke into Gringotts. There were many witnesses. Didn't you see the photo published in the newspaper?"
His words left Ian speechless.
"Does this have anything to do with my compensation? Is it because Acolytes has become active again, so as a good friend of Aurora, I should be valued by them?"
Ian feels that he cannot comment on his principal's actions impolitely.
"In fact, Acolytess don't have much deterrence on our side." Dumbledore chuckled, and spoke with a sense of regret, "It's just that Pure-blood familiess are not stupid, and my hands and feet are not clean. After all, I really don't have much experience in this area."
"They will definitely discover the truth. Maybe they have discovered the truth now. Believe me, Ian, they will re-evaluate whether the letter I sent them is influential." Dumbledore's words are very intriguing. From the face of the principal, Ian can see a very confident feeling.
"Aren't you afraid that they will report you to Ministry of Magic?"
Ian spoke curiously.
Under the candlelight, Dumbledore's body tilted slightly forward, his face was closer to the candlelight, and the smile on his face did not disappear but became more intriguing.
"I don't think so. They know how to assess the situation... In fact, after I was surrounded by Gringotts and Auror and took away the gold cup that I wanted to take away, even if I stood up and surrendered to Ministry of Magic and admitted that it was my act, Ministry of Magic would claim that someone implanted a false memory in me."
"All Auror present, including those Goblin, will become witnesses before the trial, proving to Ministry of Magic that the people they met are just followers of the evil Dark Wizard Grindelwald."
"To be honest, if they dare to stand up and challenge me, I would be happy for them." Dumbledore's soft-spoken voice made Ian feel incredible.
This is actually what Dumbledore said!
The promised soft persimmon Dumbledore!
"Hey, are you teaching me that I can do whatever I want when I have the power?" Ian wanted to pinch Dumbledore's face. He suspected that a certain Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher was playing a prank.
"I thought you would care more about Pure-blood families's compensation to you." Dumbledore responded with a smile, "Ian, I'm just telling you that the world is not black and white."
"What you need to understand most when you live in a greenhouse is this. Even your principal, the hero who is praised, will do unscrupulous things for some reasons."
It's hard to imagine that Dumbledore could make such an evaluation of himself calmly.
"I think it's too early for me to understand this."
Ian quickly changed the topic.
"Who says it isn't?"
Dumbledore nodded noncommittally.
He noticed that Ian's eyes would be on Hufflepuff's Cup from time to time.
"You know this thing, right?"
Dumbledore pushed Hufflepuff's Cup forward. Ian, who had been eager to try it for a long time, immediately held up the golden cup with both hands. The profound alchemical writings on it confirmed his guess - it was indeed a treasure that could wholesale the 1982 Lafite! This thing can actually adjust the taste of red wine!
"It should belong to the ancestor Hufflepuff." Ian was actually full of doubts and surprises in his heart. He really wanted to know why this thing was in the hands of Dumbledore now.
And.
Didn't it mean that this thing was cast with a splitting spell and Fire-Making Spell? Ian patted it, but didn't find that the golden cup would split. When he looked at the mouth of the cup, he could only see a hollow darkness, and Riddle's broken soul was still trembling inside - Ian's subconscious behavior just out of curiosity made Dumbledore's eyes flash slightly.
"Some of the curses on it have been removed by me."
Dumbledore glanced at Ian with deep meaning, and suddenly laughed, "There is only one of my students in there now, the famous You-Know-Who in the wizarding world."
He didn't like to hide the known information like Harry. Potter. He bluntly told Ian that this was Horcrux from Voldemort.
"I can't see it, but I can feel a dying soul. He seems to be frightened by you. Is that guy the soul of Voldemort?"
"Why did he get in here?" Ian pretended to be curious while shaking Hufflepuff's Cup like a coke.
The remnant soul of Tom. Riddle just glared at him viciously inside.
"I thought you had already learned about Horcrux. After all, Fiendfyre related content was explained by Horcrux." Dumbledore suddenly spoke shocking words, causing Ian's shaking movements to stop abruptly.
"..."
Ian really did not expect to encounter such a scene. He twitched his lips and asked, "Did Aurora's grandfather tell you? He actually knew that Aurora gave me the book?"
Ian obviously knew that there was no point in pretending to be stupid. He was not too nervous, after all, the source of <Secrets of the Darkest Art> was the genuine Professor Hogwarts!
Stealing lessons from Dark Magic?
It's obvious that he just took the professor's class in advance! Dumbledore can hire Grindelwald as a professor, why can't he Ian follow Teacher Defence Against the Dark Arts, let's critically study the cutting-edge Dark Magic? Dumbledore can't be a double standard person, otherwise he will ask Ariana to evaluate it for him!
Thinking of this, Ian then remembered the reason why he came to Headmaster's Office to find Dumbledore. He was mainly attracted by Hufflepuff's Cup from the beginning.
Ian was about to take out the letter and gag.
Unexpectedly, Dumbledore really didn't care too much that he had studied <Secrets of the Darkest Art>.
"It seems that you have had in-depth communication with our Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, but obviously you still don't know much about Miss Grindelwald's grandfather."
"He always hides a lot of secrets, hiding things he doesn't want to say. Even when he tells the truth, beware that he is hiding other information."
Dumbledore criticized his old friend unceremoniously. After Ian's expression became a little unnatural, he immediately explained why he knew that Ian owned that book.
"Your Fiendfyre has traces of his transformation, and that book was a gift from me. I just didn't expect that he would give it to you through the hands of Miss Grindelwald."
Dumbledore's words made Ian slightly stunned.
Forward?
That seems to be Aurora's own decision, so is this Seer's ability... But how can Dumbledore be so sure of Grindelwald's approach?
From the understanding between good friends?
Ian While thinking.
Dumbledore asked again, "How much do you know about Horcrux?"
It's obvious.
Back to the topic just now.
"To be honest, I don't know much about it, and I don't really want to read that part, because I feel that splitting one's soul is as stupid as a pig's gong, whether before life or after death. Besides, you reminded me when I started school that one of your students lost the possibility of going further because of stupidity." Ian answered honestly, as if he had been facing these monsters who are too mature to fool.
"I'm glad that you still remember what I once said and regard it as a teaching. Yes, you are right. No wise man will choose this terrible path of self-destruction. Extraordinary wisdom is the greatest wealth of mankind. I think I have gradually understood that Sorting Hat's judgment of you is indeed correct."
Dumbledore did not hesitate to praise Ian, and even laughed very happily because of Ian's good memory.
"We have to save Hufflepuff's treasure!" Ian tried to learn Lady Ravenclaw's behavior, but found that his hands could not touch the soul in the golden cup.
He didn't want to drink red wine with Tom's body odor, so he tried several times without giving up, but still failed. Lady Ravenclaw's method was obviously difficult to imitate.
Perhaps some kind of critical understanding of the soul is not enough? Some unconvinced Ian began to shake the golden cup vigorously, trying to shake out the dizzy remaining soul in the golden cup - Fawkes is indeed Magical Creatures, still able to lay as steady as a rock on the head of the crazy Ian to hatch eggs.
"You are just torturing it by doing this. There is no way to drive it out... To be able to do such a thing, Ian, you are indeed different from us."
Dumbledore looked at Ian who shook the golden cup even more violently after hearing the word "torture". His eyes were full of indescribable wonder.
Obviously.
Not anyone who shakes the golden cup can achieve such an effect. In fact, most wizards can't even sense the remnant soul inside, let alone exert any influence on the remnant soul inside.
"Huhuhu~!"
Ian, who was really unable to shake, stopped the convulsive movements in his hands, and looked into the golden cup again. The remnant soul inside seemed to be spitting frantically.
It's just like what Dumbledore said, it's impossible to shake out Voldemort's Soul Fragment... It's like a tarsal maggot, already integrated with Hufflepuff's Cup.
"I have a teacher who may be able to help us, but I need to take the golden cup back temporarily." God knows, Ian really just wants to take Voldemort on a long voyage again, and definitely does not want to beg this treasure from Hufflepuff. He will only return this college property after he is sworn in as the president of Hogwarts.
"I want to destroy the remnant soul while protecting this treasure. I know some friends who can help me. The remnant soul sealed in it is not a difficult thing." Dumbledore looked at the golden cup in Ian's hand and did not agree with Ian's slightly obscure hint.
"Okay."
Ian returned the golden cup to the table with some regret. He felt that he could not hold it in his hand any longer, otherwise he might not be able to help but suddenly take the thing and run away without saying anything during a normal conversation. Maybe it was because of greed, but Ian would definitely rely on Voldemort's Soul Fragment's mental influence on him.
"You must remember to destroy the evil soul inside and bring it back to the House-elfs in the kitchen. I remember that this thing used to be a container for the House-elfs to put things in." Ian decided to save the country in a twists and turns. He felt that the House-elfs had obtained the gold cup, which roughly meant that he could use the gold cup unlimitedly.
After all, he has a very good relationship with the House-elfs.
"It's not too troublesome to deal with the things inside. The most troublesome thing is that there is more than one thing. I don't want that person to realize that I have discovered his secret."
"He will run away, but what I need is to completely eliminate the roots." Dumbledore's expression was very serious, and his tone was even more calm and cruel.
This is a very rare feeling for this principal Hogwarts.
"Indeed! Your idea is very wise!" Ian immediately gave a thumbs up, and Dumbledore's soft words gave him a chilling feeling down his spine.
It is simply more terrifying than the feeling brought by Grindelwald. The memory presented by Old Dumbledore before is indeed correct. No wonder I played with Grindelwald when I was young.
"Riddle split his own soul, more than once. I can imagine the horrific scene." Dumbledore picked up the gold cup on the desk and played with it with one hand. "In order to live forever and prevent being killed, he made many, many preparations. His preparations may be far more adequate than we imagined."
Dumbledore's eyes showed concern.
See the situation.
Ian couldn't help but said, "Why don't you ask Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor? If I remember correctly, he should be able to help you find the answer."
Very constructive suggestions.
But Dumbledore smiled bitterly, "Do you still remember what I said? Ian, Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor's words are not much more credible than Riddle's words."
The old man's fatigue and deep weakness made Ian a little intolerable.
"You become a young person and beg him?"
He gave Dumbledore a more constructive proposal.
"..."
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then rubbed his eyebrows and put the gold cup back on the desk, revealing an extremely haggard face and sunken eye sockets.
Yes.
When I rubbed my eyebrows, my eye sockets suddenly sunk in. I don't know why.
"I think it might be better to listen to the opinions of young people, Ian... If you were asked to make a judgment, how many do you think it would be?"
He crossed his fingers and looked at Ian on his desk.
It's easy to ask directly.
"????"
Ian covered his head and Fawkes, who was tired of lying down and wanted to stand up. He was speechless and stared at Dumbledore with a depressed expression for a moment before speaking.
"Seven is a magic number?"
Ian sighed.
Dumbledore's eyes flickered, then he closed his eyes and nodded.
"Indeed."
There was a sense of relief in his voice as he returned to normal.
"Thank you."
After a while.
The old man spoke sincerely.
Ian didn't know how to respond. Fortunately, Dumbledore didn't embarrass him for too long. When Dumbledore opened his eyes again, he completely lost the haggard feeling just now.
He was full of energy and his eyes were bright. Just when Ian was murmuring in his heart, he didn't know whether Dumbledore wanted to talk about Horcrux or to get to the bottom of it.
"Child, Fawkes is a male Phoenix. It can't help you hatch that special egg." Dumbledore said suddenly, making Ian's eyes widen.
"Qiang Qiang~"
Fawkes responded above Ian.
This time Ian didn't stop it after it fluttered its wings and flew away. No wonder Phoenix didn't want to lay down on the nest to hatch the eggs. It looked like it was really uncomfortable when lying down.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier! If you had told me earlier, this would have never happened!" Ian quickly took the egg off his head and bullied Fawkes for not being able to speak.
"Qiang Qiang~Qiang Qiang~Qiang Qiang~"
Fawkes's response was very fierce, and it still felt like the scolding was unpleasant.
If Ian hadn't taken out a few precious medicinal herbs to block its mouth, perhaps when Ian was sleeping tonight, there would have been a scolding Phoenix waiting outside the window all night long.
"Professor, do you know how to hatch this egg?" Ian "Krypton Medicine" comforted Fawkes, and then he held the Phoenix Egg he had obtained in front of Dumbledore.
"This is a question that you need to find the answer for yourself." Dumbledore did not take the egg in Ian's hand. He just looked at the strange patterns on the egg with curiosity. "Every Phoenix is different, but it will definitely help you when you need it. Dumbledore Family's verification over the years will definitely be correct."
Speaking of which.
Dumbledore touched his face with a somewhat unnatural expression - there were shallow scratch marks on it. Although it was not obvious, the scratch marks looked very new.
"I haven't established contact with the life inside, will it help me?" Ian has tried many times, but he has never been able to sense the Phoenix inside the egg. After all, it was something brought out from Limbo. Sometimes he doubted whether the Phoenix inside had been completely destroyed and could not be hatched.
"Many people think that the arrival of Phoenix is accompanied by singing and beautiful figure." Dumbledore stood up, walked to Fawkes on the golden branch and touched his own Phoenix.
He turned to look at Ian, "That's not all true. Ian, you may not have thought about one question, and that is why this egg got into your hands."
Hear what Dumbledore said.
Ian really wanted to say that he had exchanged Swooping Evil's eggs for them with his friends. However, before he could speak, Dumbledore's slightly deep voice spoke to Headmaster's Office sounded. "The reason why Fawkes is so repulsive to this egg is actually because the life contained within makes Fawkes feel a sense of crisis... Well, the little guy inside is very strong."
"Child, Phoenix has actually come to your side. It is just waiting for you to need it." As Dumbledore spoke, he raised his hand and touched his face.
"I actually don't want Severus to see this egg of yours." His words seemed a bit frightening. He had never had such a tone when talking about him fighting countless wizards by himself before.
"Your letter, Professor."
Ian stared thoughtfully at Phoenix Egg in his hand for a moment, and suddenly took out two letters from his dress. This unexpected reaction made Dumbledore slightly stunned.
"The letter with the big head drawn on it is addressed to Aberforth. Remember to ask him to pay for the postage." Ian reminded him. After all, he had no friendship with Dumbledore's younger brother.
"!!!!"
Dumbledore originally had a gentle smile on his face, but after seeing the two letters in Ian's hands, his expression and eyes instantly became extremely frightening.
It was like seeing a ghost.
The portraits of the principals on the wall all showed expressions of disbelief. They covered their mouths and were not seen by Ian, who was taking something out of the wallet where he had used Extension Charm.
"You can really do... this... this..." Dumbledore quickly gave up trying to comfort Fawkes, and rushed directly in front of Ian in a hurry.
The speed is not what an old man should have.
"What... what a rebellious talent..." Dumbledore took a deep look at Ian, then lowered his head to look at the two ordinary-looking letters in Ian's hands.
Graffiti above.
Dumbledore's eyes instantly became moist, and his whole body felt a little trembling. After slowly extending his old hand, he suddenly and quickly retracted it.
Extremely hesitant.
As if bound by the heaviness in their hearts. Gryffindor students are always like this. They do not lack courage, but they easily lose courage when facing the things they care about most - Ian Even after the old principal lost control of his emotions, he felt timidity and fear constantly growing in his heart.
"Just missing and reminiscing about the past."
Ian stuffed the two letters into Dumbledore's hands. Dumbledore's hand holding the letters trembled even more, as if the two thin letters weighed a thousand pounds.
After hurriedly holding on to the desk and sitting back on the chair, he carefully stared at the letter and gently rubbed the envelope with his fingers, as if he could feel the family love that transcended the boundary between life and death.
"Don't tell anyone about your talent. It's great... and terrible." Dumbledore did not forget to seriously remind Ian at this time.
"Only you and the principals know."
Ian took the photo Camera and looked at the portraits on the wall.
None of the past principals in the portrait spoke. Everyone's eyes were fixed on him, and the expressions of all the portraits were full of indescribable complexity.
The principal who was born Ravenclaw looked at Ian with a somewhat horrified look.
"The principals are trustworthy people, and they will keep this secret for you... Of course I will too." The old man's lips opened slightly, then closed again, as if he was trying to calm down the turmoil in his heart. He took a deep breath, finally mustered up the courage, and carefully tore open the envelope.
His movements were very gentle, as if he was afraid of damaging the letter paper a little bit. As the letter paper unfolded, the old man's pale face gradually became more and more ashamed.
Ian didn't know what the content of the letter was, and he didn't have a hobby of peeping into other people's letters. He just stood not far away and raised the photo in his hand Camera.
Through the viewfinder window of Camera, Ian saw the tears in Dumbledore's eyes finally bursting, slowly sliding down her cheeks and falling onto the letter paper, blurring out the ink marks.
The old man grabbed the handkerchief and wiped it in a panic. He even forgot that he was a wizard. The hurried and frightened look was something that no one had ever seen on Dumbledore - Ian failed to press the shutter after all. He sighed and put down the Camera in his hand.
"Reparo."
Ian took out his wand and restored the letter for Dumbledore.
"Thank you, thank you!"
Dumbledore covered his face tightly with his hands, tears overflowed from between his fingers, and he let out a low and suppressed cry. His shoulders trembled slightly, as if at this moment, all the strength and maturity had collapsed, leaving only an old brother, who felt deep guilt and endless longing for his sister.
Powerful Dumbledore.
At this moment, it seems that only the fragile side is left.
"Good night, Professor."
Looking back behind him, Dumbledore seemed to be no longer strong, calm, and infinitely confident. When Ian left the office, he also gently closed the door of the office - Ian realized at this moment that the messenger should not want to record anything, and the testimony could only be kept in his own memory.
He is just a passerby.
Inside the empty office.
Like the strings of a piano blown by the wind, it continued intermittently for a long time. When the moon was already high in the sky outside, the old man calmed down for a while before carefully putting down the letter.
"That little wizard! He did the impossible! How could this happen!" Only then did the principals on the wall dare to express their inner disbelief.
"Merlin has such an ability. It's not that it has never happened before, but I didn't expect it to happen again. None of you know the legend about Merlin better than I do." When Phineas·Nigellus Black retorted on the wall, he did not forget to mention that Merlin once hid his identity and made a disguise and read the rumors of Slytherin.
"I hope everyone can keep this secret and don't let people outside this office know... Out of respect for the principals, I think I shouldn't use magic to blaspheme you."
Dumbledore looked up at the portraits on the wall with deep eyes.
"Do you still want to use Fiendfyre to burn us?"
Feeling disrespected, Phineas Nigellus Black was furious.
"I think the principals have not gone too far on that road now. You must know that Ian. Prince has the ability to come to you at any time... As far as I know, this child is very vindictive." Dumbledore reminded him in a way, and his words made Phineas Nigellus Black immediately shut up.
He knew very well how Slytherin students offended Ian and suffered various petty revenges from Ian - the expressions of the other principals were also very exciting.
"No one dares to reveal his secrets, don't worry, Dumbledore..." The former principal with horrified eyes, who was born from Ravenclaw, is still in shock, "This is not an ability that humans should have, absolutely not. He may be favored by God, and a God favored person was born in your era!"
Evaluation of this principal.
Dumbledore was a little surprised.
Before he could ask anything, Armando·Headmaster Dippet, who was the superior of Dumbledore and took over the position of principal to Dumbledore, reminded him in a serious tone.
"Not only can he travel back and forth between life and death, this child even provided you with a Prophecy game just now!" This reminder did not change Dumbledore's expression.
He stared at the letter in his hand, and spoke softly while his eyes were shaking, "Actually, I have had doubts about it since I learned about his talent. If he can transcend life and death like Merlin, he may also be a Prophecy er like Merlin. Facts have also proved that he can see more things than Gellert·Grindelwald."
Hear the words.
The principals on the wall looked at each other in confusion.
"You should ask him where the other things are. I guess he will be able to give you the answer." Armando·Headmaster Dippet said with a frown.
Dumbledore raised his head and glanced out the window and chuckled.
"Ian at least told me the quantity."
Dumbledore's voice was filled with emotion.
"That's a huge amount of trust, and I just have to be grateful for it. You know, that kid didn't owe me anything, but he still took the risk to help me."
He began to be very cautious and did not dare to be careless at all. He planned to seal the letter in his hand back to its original state, as if he was treating some treasure whose value cannot be described with caution.
Because I was too concerned about the content of the letter before, I ignored that there was something else in the envelope, so when Dumbledore tried to put the letter back into the envelope.
A photo fell out.
on the photo.
The three people were close together, with different expressions, and looked very warm.
"Although Christmas hasn't come yet, on Halloween, I think I have received the most joyful gift." Dumbledore's smile was also very warm, and his eyes were still rosy after crying. He gently touched the photo in his hand, as if he wanted to feel the smile from his sister through the photo.
Ian did take a risk for Dumbledore.
Because when he went out and turned a corner, he bumped into Gilderoy. Grindelwald.
"He really found another Horcrux. I might not be able to sleep because of this at night, so... are you interested in accompanying me on a journey on Halloween today?"
I don't know if Teacher Defence Against the Dark Arts had secretly engaged in any peeping behavior during that period of time, but he seemed to be smiling and sending an invitation to Ian.
Ian was not given the option to reject.
(End of chapter)