Zhang Xiao set everything else aside and, still in his pajamas, took the letters to the Common Room. He found the most comfortable upholstered armchair and sank into it.
The fire was still burning in the fireplace. Apparently, even when there was only one person around, the hardworking House-elves kept it supplied with wood.
Zhang Xiao first picked up Dumbledore's note:
"Salazar Slytherin is considered the most extreme advocate of blood purity, as well as one of the most important sources and pillars of pure-blood ideology.
I hope these letters can offer you some new perspectives."
Putting down the note, Zhang Xiao began to ponder Dumbledore's reasons for giving him these letters.
Dumbledore was undoubtedly well aware of his family's cooperation with the pure-bloods. He had witnessed it himself, after all.
He had probably noticed Zhang Xiao's leanings long ago, too.
From what Zhang Xiao knew of Dumbledore, the man had always been deeply wary of Slytherin.
At first, he had thought Dumbledore was prejudiced against Slytherin House, but this note showed that he wasn't. What, then, was he actually wary of?
Picking up the note and reading it again, Zhang Xiao gradually fixed his gaze on the words "pure-blood ideology." A flicker of understanding crossed his eyes.
Pure-blood ideology!
It could be called the source of every toxic attitude currently plaguing Slytherin.
Just as the Sorting Hat had sung:
"Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends."
He hadn't seen many real friends, but that last part certainly fit.
Who were those cunning, scheming people? The pure-bloods full of nasty schemes, of course!
But if Dumbledore knew about these problems, why didn't he solve them himself instead of dumping them on an eleven-year-old wizard?
Pure-bloods... Dumbledore... Slytherin...
After