Although Draco possesses the system, he will one day be able to dominate the Wizarding World.
But who in this world could resist such a towering and unparalleled figure Dumbledore?
With this great mountain behind us, the road ahead will be less thorny and dangerous.
I accept.
Draco opened his mouth.
Such an unexpected joy is something that, both emotionally and logically, there is absolutely no reason to refuse.
Upon hearing Dumbledore did not immediately respond, but instead gazed intently at Draco, his eyes seemingly able to penetrate the depths of the boy's soul, as if trying to see through all the thoughts and ideas in the young man's heart.
The silence lasted for several seconds, a long time that seemed to stretch on like half a year, amidst the crackling of the fire.
Then he nodded slowly, as if completing a sacred covenant.
"Good."
Dumbledore said solemnly.
He shed all his previous probing and consideration, leaving only a ceremonial solemnity.
Rising from his seat and walking around the large desk, Dumbledore slowly approached Draco, extending his right hand—a hand etched with the lines of time yet as steady as a rock—without taking out his wand.
Extend your left hand, Draco, ring finger.
The language is concise and clear.
Draco raised his hand as instructed, his fingers stiffening slightly but without trembling.
He steadily opened his left hand, revealing his ring finger.
Dumbledore did not touch it immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes, lowered his gaze, and began to chant an ancient incantation.
The syllables are peculiar and obscure, neither Latin nor Runes, and the rhythm is slow and distant, as if flowing from the primordial ages.
The spell, carrying the vicissitudes of Hogwarts' ancient walls and the primal magic deep within the castle's foundation, echoed gently in the office.
As the incantation began, the surrounding air suddenly froze, and the roaring fire seemed to be silenced, its crackling sound ceasing instantly.
Even Fawkes stopped preening its golden feathers, raised its clear golden eyes, and gazed silently at the scene.
Soon after, Dumbledore opened his eyes.
At this moment, the gentle azure in his eyes was no longer there.
His gaze transformed into a silvery-white stream of light, profound and vast, with divine power subtly revealed.
With his glowing right index finger, he touched very gently the base of Draco's left ring finger.
Draco felt neither the radiant light nor the excruciating pain, nor even any noticeable touch.
Only a faint, almost illusory warmth seeped into the skin from the point of touch, slowly rising an inch along the finger bones before suddenly settling and dissipating, as if it had never arrived, leaving no trace.
Draco looked down and examined his fingers closely. The skin on his fingers was as smooth as ever, without a single mark, but he clearly sensed in his heart that a strange connection had been formed.
The connection was as faint as a spider's thread, one end tied to the base of a finger, the other seemingly extending into the vast void, yet also appearing to firmly hold the old man before him.
The silvery light in Dumbledore's eyes faded in an instant, returning to a warm, deep blue, but deep within his eyes lay an unyielding weariness.
He took a half step back, his body swaying slightly, but he quickly regained his balance. Clearly, casting this Ancient Magic had consumed a great deal of his mental and magical energy.
The mark has been made.
His voice was slightly hoarse as he instructed, "Remember the method to trigger it: think of my image, touch this mark, and silently call my name. Only use it as a last resort, when life hangs in the balance."
[bite--]
[Added original storyline, Fortune Points increased by 20!]
Dumbledore's gaze swept over Draco's fingers. "Now, regarding Tom's diary, you may proceed as you see fit, but remember to keep your promise and prioritize your life."
"As for the remaining Horcrux, let's continue."
Changing the subject, Dumbledore: "What is the second Horcrux? Where is it hidden?"
Draco smiled and calmly said, "The second Horcrux is Marvolo Gaunt's Ring."
"The ring is hidden deep within Gaunt Shack. We must be extremely wary, as Voldemort has already placed a vicious curse upon it."
" Old Dumbledore, you wouldn't be careless, would you?"
Dumbledore nodded slowly, his expression solemn yet clear. "I do have a desire to study strange and powerful magical items, but with your reminder, I will not rashly wear it, lest I be cursed."
Draco then shifted the focus, revealing an even more shocking secret. "What if this ring also contains Resurrection Stone?"
His words were like a thunderbolt, a revelation.
Dumbledore's face drained of all color instantly, turning ashen white.
His composure, which he used to maintain even in the face of a collapsing mountain, shattered completely in an instant.
His eyes churned with shock, bewilderment, and a hint of helplessness at being completely seen through, which finally transformed into an almost desperate understanding.
"... Resurrection Stone."
He murmured to himself, his lips and teeth trembling slightly, as if he couldn't believe it, or as if he had a premonition but didn't want to face the cruel truth.
"Yes."
After a long silence, Dumbledore confirmed bitterly, a deep sorrow flickering in his eyes. "If it's the Resurrection Stone... this is indeed something Tom would do, ruthless and insidious."
He then looked up at Draco, his gaze incredibly complex, shocked that the boy had such profound knowledge of these ultimate secrets.
"The most alluring treasures of the Deathly Hallows are inlaid into Horcrux that hold fragments of souls... Using humanity's eternal yearning for the reunion of loved ones, these Horcrux —a cruelty that is both utterly ruthless and ingeniously outrageous."
Dumbledore a deep breath. "Thank you for informing me, Draco."
"The allure of this Resurrection Stone is far more deadly than any curse; it doesn't covet life itself, but rather the softest and most fatal weakness deep within the human heart."
He gave a self-deprecating, bitter laugh, a cold, emotionless smile, "Now I know that what I need to fear regarding this ring is not just Voldemort's curse, but also the restless, lurking desire deep within my own heart."
Dumbledore readily acknowledged his own weaknesses.
"I swear once again that I will never wear this ring, never touch it rashly, and... I will not approach the Gaunt Shack by any means necessary."
A brief silence fell over the office.
"You may have saved me once again."
Dumbledore finally spoke.
His gaze was fixed intently on Draco, his eyes filled with gratitude and emotion. "Not just your life, but your soul, spared from being devoured by delusions and condemned to eternal damnation."
Draco, however, thought to himself: The Resurrection Stone merely amplifies human desires, conjuring up illusory images; how could it truly bring back the dead?
I don't want Dumbledore to repeat the mistakes of the original storyline.
If he perishes because of this ring, wouldn't the immense burden of killing Voldemort fall entirely on my shoulders?
He just wanted a peaceful life, to live off others and wait to die, and he didn't want to suffer.
" The Resurrection Stone merely amplifies the deep-seated obsessions and desires in people's hearts; what it reveals is all illusion and phantom, utterly unreal."
Draco was finally able to teach Old Dumbledore a lesson.
"I don't want you to be in danger for this illusory thing. Hogwarts needs you, the Wizarding World needs you."
Upon hearing this, Dumbledore's eyes, still immersed in the sorrow and heaviness brought by the Resurrection Stone, suddenly focused, gazing intently at Draco, his eyes filled with shock and emotion.
The boy's gaze was clear and firm, like a warm ray of sunshine, piercing through the gloom and fog that shrouded his heart.
The weariness and heaviness on his face were mostly dispelled by this warmth, though not entirely gone, replaced by a more complex and gentle expression.
There was surprise, a profound sense of being deeply understood, and even more so, a deep and mellow gratitude, almost like that of a loving father.
"Thank you, Draco. Thank you for your clear-headed words that have awakened this fool."
[bite--]
[Added original storyline, increased Fortune Points by 20!]
Dumbledore's voice gradually regained its composure, and a gentle, teasing smile even appeared at the corner of his mouth, "Rest assured, I will not be deceived by illusions and lose my true self."
" Hogwarts has too many trivial matters to deal with, such as certain mischievous students who always like to wander out after curfew, or who Peeves will throw Bubble Beans on next time, or..."
He paused, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Draco: "For example, the Horcrux secrets we haven't finished discussing."
He nodded slightly and raised his hand to signal, "Continue, Draco. What is the third Horcrux?"