Beneath the High Tower

Will said seriously, "Alright, Neville, since you're willing to take the risk... then I'll leave it to you."

Neville's expression was serious. "Tell me, Will, what do you want us to do?"

"It's simple, Neville, come with me." Will patted Neville on the shoulder. "Now we're going downstairs to the Tower."

As Will spoke, he pushed open the window, and a gust of cold wind blew into the room, making Neville shiver.

Neville looked down and said, "Will, do we really have to go on like this?"

"What? I just wanted to open the window to let in some fresh air." Will looked somewhat surprised. The next moment, with a crisp "snap," the two appeared at the foot of the High Tower.

Neville then realized— Will had never intended to jump; what had he been thinking?

The wind was as strong as it had been during class this morning, making the few withered grasses at the foot of the High Tower tremble against the wall.

Will pushed open the door to the first floor of the High Tower —the first floor of the High Tower could not be directly reached from other floors; it was more like a false entrance, and the first floor area inside the tower was decorated with many defensive Ritual Magic.

The place was empty, with only some simple furniture such as tables and chairs, which were used by the High Tower members when they had meals downstairs.

"Neville, you have one last chance to refuse." Will looked at the burly boy beside him.

Neville shook his head. "I just want to know, what should I do?"

Will nodded and handed Neville a piece of Parchment: "The Fidelius Charm isn't the spell I planted the secret in your head—if it were, it would be no different from Legilimency and should have been broken long ago."

It is the entity that entrusts the secret to you. Magic requires your verbal promise, and this will is one of the important anchors, so you must recite these words.

Neville took the Parchment, nodded, and quickly said, "In my name, I offer this—"

Will stopped Neville, saying, "Wait, Neville, don't rush. You don't know yet where I'm going to protect with the Fidelius Charm."

Neville blushed—he had forgotten about it again.

Fortunately, Will remained as amiable as ever. "Don't be nervous, Neville, it's just a small matter."

He waved his Wand, and the stone ground split open automatically, revealing a downward spiral of stone steps.

"Let's go." Will led Neville down into the underground, a soft light shining above his head, illuminating the underground area.

The two entered the underground, Neville suddenly found himself in a very large space.

Except for the first few meters, which are made of stone, the rest of the area is mostly composed of soil and tree roots.

As Will walked, he said, "I plan to utilize the underground part of the High Tower and transform it into a more secluded High Tower."

After all, the Wizarding World is not safe right now. If Hogwarts is ever in danger, everyone can come here to take refuge from disaster.

Therefore, we need a Secret Keeper, and I must choose a trustworthy friend for this Secret Keeper.

Neville had no doubt whatsoever, inwardly admiring Will's foresight and kind heart, and of course, a touch of secret delight— Will seeking him out meant Will trusted him implicitly, didn't it?

At the Limit of the spiral staircase lies an underground open space.

Will drew his Wand and pointed it at Neville: "You can begin now, read."

Neville immediately said, "In my name I swear this oath; the secret I have seen is hidden in my soul."

"Born with me, and decaying with me; guard this secret as you would your own life."

With each word Neville uttered, Will's Wand would emit a burst of silver light, which would then transform into Silver Thread that filled the vast Underground Space.

At the heart of these Silver Thread is Neville, and as Neville finished his chanting, Will immediately uttered the incantation. "Fidelius Occultum (Loyalty to Concealment)!"

With a wave of his Wand, the silver threads immediately burst into light, illuminating the ground.

The silver threads then transformed into starlight, surging into Neville's body.

Neville nervously closed his eyes, but after a long while, he opened them in confusion. "Is it... over?"

"Of course," Will shrugged, "It's over when you close your eyes."

"But?" Neville looked bewildered. "I don't feel anything at all?"

"What else do you want to feel, pain or itching?" Will smiled. "Don't overthink it, you won't feel anything from this."

However, from now on, as long as you don't tell anyone about this place, no one will know.

Neville nodded hurriedly, "Don't worry, Will, I absolutely won't tell anyone about this place without your permission!"

Will nodded—he still trusted Neville; otherwise, he wouldn't have appointed Neville as the Secret Keeper.

"Alright, let's go back first, Neville," Will, placing a hand on Neville's shoulder. "I'll have this place repaired in the meantime."

Of course, this "renovation" will make this place a little different.

Dumbledore's reaction made Will realize he should move the Laboratory.

Therefore... placing the Laboratory and Dungeon here would be a good choice.

In the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore watched Harry eating a sugar cake and suddenly felt a pang of unease for no apparent reason.

He frowned, and Harry, who was enjoying his meal, immediately noticed Dumbledore's change in expression. "Professor, was your part too sweet?"

Dumbledore's brow relaxed, suppressing the feeling. "No, actually, I don't think this part is sweet enough."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise—even he found it a bit too sweet. What on earth did Professor Dumbledore want to eat?

"Alright, Harry, stop staring at me like that and enjoy your dessert." Dumbledore smiled, but Harry sensed something was off.

After thinking for a moment, Harry fired off a direct question, "Professor... what is it you wanted to see me about?"

"I just wanted to chat with you about your life lately. How are you feeling?"

"Great," Harry thought for a moment, "My friends have been very kind to me, and my studies are... alright."

Mr. Strange's training and assistance also helped me a lot.

"That's good." Dumbledore nodded.

Harry then said something that caught Dumbledore off guard, "Professor, you need me to do something, don't you?"

Dumbledore paused for a moment, then said, "Yes, Harry, it seems you've already noticed."

"Of course," Harry looked at Dumbledore, "Professor, I'm not stupid."

In Second Year, Basilisk tried to kill me, so you hid me and gave me special training.

You came to visit me personally after the third-grade Dementor attacked me.

In fourth grade, when Voldemort resurrected, you appeared just in time and saved me.

"Mr. Strange has been intensifying my training over the past two years, and Voldemort has returned during the same time. I don't believe it's a coincidence."