The Lost Resurrection Stone

Dumbledore told William a story.

About his sister... Ariana.

In short: When Ariana was six years old, she was attacked by three Muggle boys, which drove her insane and turned her into Obscurial.

Then, Dumbledore's father punished the three Muggle by imprisoning them in Azkaban, where they died a horrible death; his mother was also killed by his out-of-control sister.

William remained silent. This was truly... Les Misérables.

"After our mother passed away, as the eldest brother, I had to take care of a disabled sister and a willful younger brother." Dumbledore's voice trembled, but he didn't stop.

The old man hadn't mentioned this matter in a long time; perhaps he had never told anyone about it before.

"I resented all of this back then, William."

"I'm talented, I'm excellent. I want to escape. I want to excel."

Yes, I love them, I love my parents, I love my younger siblings, but I love myself even more...

"I selfishly believe that I am trapped, wasting my time and squandering my talent!"

Later, he came.

Gellert Grindelwald appeared in my world without any warning or hesitation...

"We hit it off immediately and quickly became best friends... closer than brothers."

We have sworn Blood Pact, vowing never to harm one another.

"We set out a pilgrimage route to seek Prehistoric Mysteries... That summer, I spent the most joyful and unforgettable time of my life."

I neglected my younger sister.

Aberforth found me and we started arguing.

"The argument escalated into a duel, Grindelwald lost control, casting the Cruciatus Curse on Aberforth. I wanted to stop him."

The three of us got into a chaotic fight... I don't know whose curse it was, but I accidentally killed Ariana...

Dumbledore opened his eyes, tears streaming down his face, his expression one of deep sorrow.

"I'm such a fool, William."

So many years later, I thought I had grown up, but I haven't made any progress at all.

I want the Deathly Hallows, I want the Resurrection Stone, even though it's Horcrux, even though the curse on it might kill me.

I really want to... I really want to... see Ariana, my mother, my father, and tell them how much I regret it..."

The old man's voice was mournful, like the persimmon tree William and Hermione planted in the small courtyard of Ottery St Catchpole.

In the winter, the trees are bare and desolate, with only withered branches.

William sighed, remained silent for a long time, and then gently stood up.

He picked up the wand that resembled Deathly Hallows, placed it back in Dumbledore's hand, helped the old man hold it firmly, and then walked alone toward Slytherin's Ring.

William released the Little Black Robe, which circled around but dared not approach the ring.

"No... no soul..." It twisted its stiff neck. "Only... a curse..."

William frowned and tapped his wand lightly on the ring.

After a moment, he looked up, his tone unreadable, neither annoyed nor angry. "Professor Dumbledore, we've been... tricked!"

Dumbledore had regained his composure. He strode over, his pupils also contracting sharply.

The Slytherin Ring disappeared, and under William's Revealing Charm, it turned into a... Opal Necklace.

William was familiar with this Opal Necklace; he had seen it at the Borgin and Burkes.

The necklace carries a powerful curse; according to the warning sign, it has killed nineteen Muggle.

Someone deliberately bought the necklace, used Transfiguration to transform it into Slytherin's Ring, and placed it in Gaunt Shack, waiting for someone to touch it later.

Who did it?

It's very clear now.

It could only be... a young Tom Riddle.

It seems that after leaving Hogwarts, he did not go to Ilvermorny immediately, but instead possessed Lockhart's body and came to Gaunt Shack.

The real Horcrux and the Resurrection Stone have already been taken by Tom!

"I have a question," William frowned. "Professor, how did Tom know the ring was in Gaunt Shack? He was clearly the first Horcrux, wasn't he?"

Dumbledore moment, then explained softly:

"I gathered some intelligence and old newspapers... That summer when Tom was sixteen, a murder occurred in Little Hangleton."

Old Tom Riddle and his parents died mysteriously in their home.

William frowned, and asked in astonishment, "Tom killed him? He was only sixteen years old then?"

"William, you must remember, just a few months before that summer vacation, Tom opened the Chamber of Secrets, causing Moaning Myrtle's death."

Dumbledore's voice was hoarse as he spoke softly:

"This wasn't Tom's first time killing someone; he felt no remorse."

"So, when Tom committed that murder, he created the Horcrux, the diary?"

"Very likely," Dumbledore nodded, guessing.

"I believe he found the method for making Horcrux and the incantation in ' Secrets of Advanced Dark Magic ' in the Restricted Section of the library."

William squinted, remaining silent.

He killed his own father to commemorate the first half of his life... His diary happened to record the first half of his life.

It must be very memorable and meaningful for Tom.

This move is so Tom!

"Was it also that he found Slytherin's Ring?" William asked again.

"That's right. At that time, Tom's uncle, Morfin, confessed without hesitation that he was the murderer who killed Old Tom."

He had a criminal record, so the Ministry of Magic easily believed him.

The only thing that troubled Morfin was that he said his father's ring was missing. He repeatedly told his arresting men, "I've lost my family heirloom ring; he'll kill me."

William felt a chill run down his spine. He had killed many Werewolf before, but those guys were not only in wolf form, but they also orchestrated countless kidnappings and deliberately created Werewolf.

Tom killed his own father and grandparents and then framed his uncle for the crime.

Most importantly, he had clearly already planned out the second Horcrux before creating the diary.

--Slytherin 'Slytherin's Ring!

After all, the Dark Lord loved rituals, and Slytherin's Ring undoubtedly had a lot of... feeling.

It's a real shame Tom didn't become an artist with a long ponytail.

Dumbledore crouched down and carefully examined the curse on Lockhart's body.

"A very strong curse, but not from the Opal Necklace; it must be from Horcrux. Lockhart was cursed after touching the ring and was subsequently abandoned by Tom."

Dumbledore waved his wand, turning Lockhart over.

"Dumbledore, Stark... have you finally found this place? Do you like the little gift I gave you?"

Suddenly, Tom's mocking voice came from all around.

William glanced at Lockhart's corpse, presumably after touching it, which triggered the magic Tom had deliberately left behind.

Immediately afterwards, a cold wind swept in, and the white gemstone on the rooftop suddenly burst into white light.

The temperature inside the room suddenly dropped, and large amounts of snowflakes fell, seemingly trying to freeze the people inside to death.

Dumbledore gazed at the falling snow, raised his hand, and with a gentle wave, the snowflakes melted away as if struck by a furnace, several meters above the two of them.

William gazed at the snowflakes with a complex expression. He took out a handkerchief and rolled up the Opal Necklace on the ground.

Why not take advantage of it... It's not cheap, and it's worth researching.

Otherwise, this trip would truly be a complete waste.

However, this cannot hide one thing: the two of them had been tricked by Tom.

He left behind a fake ring and various spells, just waiting to ambush the two of them and get revenge for what happened last time.

Sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle was indeed much more troublesome than Voldemort.

(At the end of the month, I'm asking for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets from all you big shots.)

By the way... you who are surrounded by pitch-black flames, and I, the Dark Flame Wielder, shall forge a pact, for I hereby offer myself as a sacrifice:

(We Wild Monsters Don't Want to Die)