The candles in the Headmaster's Office were all lit, dispelling the darkness in the room and giving people a clear sense of warmth.
Dumbledore didn't sit behind his large table, but instead sat with Snape and the others around a small round table.
"What would you like to drink?" Dumbledore's eyes smiled through his Half-moon Spectacles. "Black Tea? Or hot chocolate?"
"Black Tea," Professor McGonagall said. "Severus?"
"Just like you," Snape said.
Dumbledore smiled, clapped his hands, and two cups of Black Tea and a cup of hot chocolate appeared on the table.
Still not satisfied, he squeezed some honey into his hot chocolate.
Stir with a small spoon.
Snape and Professor McGonagall remained still, quietly watching Dumbledore his hot chocolate.
Dumbledore took a sip of hot chocolate brimming with honey before slowly speaking, "Severus, I asked you to find the Chamber of Secrets before, is there any progress?"
"No." Snape shook his head through the steam rising from his Black Tea.
"Can't even you find it?"
Dumbledore frowned, sighed, and stirred the hot chocolate again with a small spoon.
"Obviously," Snape said.
"So..." Professor McGonagall picked up her Black Tea, then put it down, frowning as she asked, "There really is such a Chamber of Secrets? I always thought it was just a legend."
Dumbledore tapped the small spoon on the rim of the teacup and set it aside.
"There is indeed such a Chamber of Secrets." Dumbledore's eyes flickered. "Fifty years ago, when I wasn't the headmaster, it was opened, and a student died because of it..."
"This might be the second time."
"This is really terrible," Professor McGonagall said, still shaken.
Snape frowned. "But we don't even know what's in the Chamber of Secrets, or how to deal with what's inside."
Dumbledore nodded; this was also what he was worried about.
Professor McGonagall, however, hadn't considered that far ahead. She pursed her lips and suggested, "The most urgent thing is for us professors to form a patrol team to protect our students."
"You're right, Minerva." Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "The students' safety is paramount."
"This matter... is now in your hands."
Professor McGonagall nodded.
The three remained silent for a moment, Dumbledore suddenly changed the subject, asking, "I heard there was a friendly wizard duel held today?"
"It's just a children's game."
Snape looked dismissive, but a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.
"Ah... I've heard Prewett is doing quite well." Dumbledore tapped his fingers rhythmically on the handle of his teacup. "I've also been hearing some rumors at school lately that he's the Heir of Slytherin ..."
Snape's gaze froze for a moment before slowly fixing on Dumbledore.
"Do you also suspect it's him?"
"Regarding these rumors..."
Before Dumbledore could finish speaking, Professor McGonagall interrupted him, somewhat angrily.
"It absolutely couldn't be Prewett!"
She stood up agitatedly, her hands gripping the table, her eyes blazing with barely concealed anger. "Have you forgotten, Albus?"
"His father and uncle died for the Order of the Phoenix, to stop the Voldemort! And they didn't have to do it!"
"What a tremendous contribution Fabian made by abandoning his wife and children and donating his entire fortune!"
"He was our comrade-in-arms, and even more so, a hero who protected the Wizarding World! This child is his orphan!"
As she finished speaking, tears welled in Professor McGonagall's eyes, and she gritted her teeth.
You can't! You can't do this to him!
"Calm down, Minerva," Dumbledore gestured to her. "I mean, we can't ignore these rumors."
"Reckless speculation could put this child in danger."
Professor McGonagall calmed down, silently picked up the now-cold Black Tea on the table, and took a sip.
After a long silence, she slowly exhaled. "I'm sorry, Albus, I got a little too emotional. The thought of this child's situation..."
Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "I completely understand. Don't worry."
"It's getting late, you should all go back and rest. The matter of forming the patrol team needs to be arranged as soon as possible."
After seeing Snape and Professor McGonagall out of the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore returned to his chair.
His deep gaze was fixed on the ceiling, and a jumble of thoughts surged into his mind.
To be honest, when he heard the rumors that Silan was the Heir of Slytherin, he actually found them somewhat believable.
Both Silan's similarities to Tom and his talent for communicating with Magical Creatures made Dumbledore somewhat uneasy.
What if he could communicate with the monster in the Chamber of Secrets?
"I've been too harsh on this child..."
Dumbledore sighed and muttered to himself.
But there's nothing we can do about it.
Having witnessed Voldemort's cruelty, Dumbledore would take notice of anyone who bore even the slightest resemblance to him.
Not to mention someone like Silan, who is so similar to Voldemort.
Dumbledore used to love eating Honeydukes Bees, which looked exactly like a bee.
Until one day he ate a real bee.
Just like fifty years ago, he believed in every student.
Until a Voldemort emerged from among the students.
He fears history will repeat itself.
If Silan were just an ordinary child, Dumbledore wouldn't mind using some special methods.
But Silan's identity is too special.
His father and uncle both died in the war against Voldemort, and they even donated the entire Prewett family fortune to the Order of the Phoenix.
During his lifetime and after his death, the Prewett family could find no stain on his reputation.
Dumbledore could doubt anyone, but he could never doubt Silan; otherwise, it would be utterly unreasonable.
That is precisely why Dumbledore is so conflicted.
A long sigh came from the Headmaster's Office, and the candlelight went out instantly.
The next day, Silan went to Snape's office.
They discovered that Harry and Ron were already there.
"Potter! If you spill any more slug slime, I'll pour it down your nose and into your brain!"
"And you, Weasley, is that a pig's head on your shoulder? Get those Porcupine Quills out of your body!"
Snape stood behind Harry and Ron, shouting angrily at them.
After greeting him, Silan stood to the side.
"You've arrived." Snape glanced at Silan, then turned to Harry and Ron. "You two idiots, go find Filch and have him arrange your detention."
Thank God!
Silan, you've come at just the right time!
Harry and Ron both breathed a sigh of relief, their eyes filled with gratitude as they looked at Silan.
Going to Filch to receive punishment is better than staying here.
Without a second thought, the two of them put down what they were carrying and hurriedly walked towards the door. As they passed by Silan, they gave him a grateful wink.
"Professor, I brought the seeds of the Tonguefire Grass."
Silan took out a small bottle of Tonguefire Grass seeds and placed it on the table.
Snape didn't look at the Tonguefire Grass seeds; for no reason, he remembered what Dumbledore had said the night before.
He considered for a moment and then asked.
"Prewett, how much do you know about the Chamber of Secrets?"
Why are you suddenly asking this?
Silan felt a little strange.
But he still picked out some unimportant details to answer, "Professor Binns mentioned it in my History of Magic class. All I know is that it was built by Slytherin and that a monster lives inside."
"Legend has it that when the Chamber of Secrets is opened, a monster will emerge and kill the Muggle-born wizard."
Snape stared intently at him and asked bluntly.
"Then... are you the Heir of Slytherin?"