Are You Trustworthy?

"Your future is— Death, the related word is the end," Trelawney said.

Xiwen frowned as he looked at the skull riding a white horse on the card.

"So what does this card mean?" Xiwen asked, puzzled. "Does it mean that everyone will eventually reach the end of their life?"

Trelawney gave Xiwen a cool look. Then, with a slight smirk, she explained to him, "In the Ta Lo, Death doesn't entirely represent death and the end. It can also represent a new phase!"

"After the old world is destroyed, new life is born, embracing the new stage with vigor. Although 'Death' brings death, it also gives hope for reconstruction, because destruction creates space for construction," Trelawney said.

After thinking about it carefully, Xiwen realized that Trelawney's explanation didn't seem to be of much use.

He said it, but not completely...

"I feel like... every card interpretation is like there's no interpretation at all, neither good nor bad, just ambiguous," Xiwen questioned. "So, is your Ta Lo Divination really accurate?"

"Ta Lo cards have upright and reversed positions, each representing different situations. This isn't something I can decide," Trelawney said, shaking her head. "Besides, because of your unique circumstances, I can't be sure if my Divination will be accurate."

Xiwen was speechless. He had felt quite nervous when he saw the first two images of resurrection and reincarnation, but the Divination hadn't given him any accurate clues at all.

All I can say is that Divination are all big charlatans!

As the train whistle sounded, it slowly began to pull away from the platform.

Xiwen also lost interest in Ta Lo Divination, leaned back in his leather chair, and opened Miranda's "Book of Spells".

This book was also a Christmas gift from Miranda to Xiwen. It was equipped with an advanced search spell that could accurately locate the spells needed within the book—it was extremely sophisticated!

Just as Xiwen was studying the book, there was a knock on the door of the private room.

"Routine inspection of the carriages!" a magnetic female voice called out.

Then, an older witch pushed open the box door. She had long grey hair, blue eyes, and wore a pair of exquisite metal glasses.

"Miranda?" Xiwen stared at the Ravenclaw witch wearing the Prefect Badge, momentarily stunned.

Then, he noticed Miranda's new outfit and smiled with delight.

Xiwen waved to her and said, "The new glasses suit you very well, they look much better than those old black-rimmed glasses!"

Miranda smiled and said happily when she saw Xiwen, "Thank you for your Christmas present, I love it!"

Then, she asked hesitantly, "Also, why is the royalties you sent me so much? You didn't secretly do anything to it, did you?"

"That's managed by Stout, the family's manager at the Diagon Alley bookstore. I just gave him your manuscript," Xiwen said with a relaxed smile to Miranda. "Don't worry, Stout won't let our family lose money."

"I guess it's because of the exceptionally high sales. After all, your <Book of Spells> is probably the most comprehensive spellbook in the wizarding world right now!"

Xiwen said with a smile.

Of course, what Xiwen didn't mention was that he should also have contributed to Miranda's royalties. When he had Millie send the book to the bookstore for printing, Xiwen included a parchment instructing Stout to pay Miranda the highest possible royalties.

Now, Xiwen happily noticed that Miranda had changed out of her old wizard robes and put on a brand new one!

Hearing Xiwen's explanation, Miranda was relieved and said with a smile, "Then I won't say any more thanks. Just let me know if you need anything!"

"It was nothing," Xiwen said with a smile, waving the "original author's handwritten copy of the Book of Spells" in his hand. "Actually, your notes might be more helpful to me."

"Then let's consider it a win-win situation!" Miranda smiled and shook her head, then said goodbye to Xiwen. "I still need to check the other carriages, let's talk again another time!"

Xiwen watched Miranda leave the box, then sat back down by the car window, intending to continue reading for a while.

"If I were you, I wouldn't choose to read at this time," Trelawney, sitting opposite me, suddenly spoke, her tone cool and aloof.

"Why?" Xiwen looked up at her and asked in confusion.

Trelawney gestured with her chin towards the door of the private room, her face expressionless, as if nothing could attract her attention.

Sure enough, not long after, the door to the private room was pushed open by Abraxas, who had long, platinum-blonde hair.

"Xiwen, you have no idea what I've been through this holiday! Let me tell you..." As soon as Abu saw Xiwen, he immediately began to chatter on about his family's trip to France.

'You guys are lucky you didn't run into Grindelwald in France...' Xiwen thought to himself, sighing as he realized he wouldn't be able to read on the train again.

Meanwhile, in order to test Trelawney's ability to sense spirits, the Ghost Xiwen, who had already drifted from the Ghost Hall to the Main Tower, was approached by an uninvited guest.

"Doctor Strange, could you come to the Transformation professor's office? I need your help." A silver-white Phoenix flapped its wings in front of the Ghost Xiwen, and Dumbledore's voice came from its mouth.

Ghost Xiwen paused for a moment, nodded in confusion, and followed the Phoenix Patronus as it floated towards Dumbledore's office on the third floor.

In the Transformation professor's office, Dumbledore sat leisurely behind his desk, awaiting the arrival of the Ghost Xiwen.

After the Ghost Xiwen followed the Patronus up from under the floorboards, Dumbledore smiled.

"I have little experience in entertaining ghosts, so please forgive me if I have not been more hospitable Doctor Strange. Strange," he said gently to Xiwen.

"It's alright, Professor Dumbledore," Xiwen waved his hand dismissively and said. "Did you call me here for something?"

Dumbledore's expression turned serious. He stared intently at the Ghost Xiwen, making Xiwen feel guilty, wondering if he had given something away.

At this moment, Dumbledore spoke.

"Doctor Strange, please forgive my intrusion. But I first need to confirm one thing..."

"Are you trustworthy?"

He stared intently at Ghost Xiwen with his deep gaze and asked softly.