Prehistoric Mysteries

The office suddenly fell silent.

Dumbledore poked at the memories in the basin with his wand, Tywin sank down, turning the basin back into an opaque, silvery-white liquid.

The silver light from the Pensieve illuminated Dumbledore's face, and after a moment of silence, he sighed.

"William, liking someone is not a sin, even if the two people are of the same gender."

However, we must be very careful when discussing such unappreciated feelings and avoid jumping to conclusions.

William felt a little awkward discussing such matters with Dumbledore in his office, but it was understandable, given the unique circumstances of the UK.

Fortunately, the headmaster quickly said, "Based on my experience and observation, Professor Tywin does indeed have some special feelings for James."

That feeling began the moment James saved Tywin."

"So, the one who just used Polyjuice Potion to become Professor Snape, was it Professor Tywin?"

"I think it's him."

"But how could that be? I mean, Professor Tywin was talking to you then, wasn't he?"

Could one of them be fake?

"Both are him, William."

"How is that possible? How could he be in two places at the same time?"

"Alright, William," Dumbledore, leaning back in his chair, interrupting his question. "I can't reveal any more, or it will take up your time here."

"What do you mean, Professor?"

"I should be at the Ministry of Magic at this hour, but things changed when you appeared before me this morning, so that's why I'm here." Dumbledore stared into William's eyes.

Before we begin our conversation, I have to ask you a question.

"What's the problem, Professor?"

"William, how many times has this happened?"

Dumbledore's eyes sharpened.

Suddenly, a revelation washed over William like a wave, and he vaguely knew why he was there.

That premonition grew stronger and stronger.

William gripped the ring so tightly that his knuckles turned white, but he was completely unaware of it.

"William?" Dumbledore called out, "You look a little pale? Are you alright?"

William instinctively tried to spin the ring, but it wouldn't budge, snapping him out of his reverie.

Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, his broken nose almost touching William's face, his blue eyes scrutinizing William.

"It seems my words have given you some insight?"

"Yes, Professor," William said, "I have some guesses."

"Oh," Dumbledore said with interest, "Tell me about it."

"Am I... in a time loop?"

William's return to April 20th was not a figment of his imagination, nor was it a premonition of the future like in Death Has Arrived Destination, nor was it a time travel... but rather, he was trapped in a time loop.

William was able to realize this so quickly not only because of Dumbledore's reminder, but mainly because he remembered a few movies he had seen in his previous life.

Groundhog Day, Triangle, Edge of Tomorrow, Happy Death Day, the Incident... William can recall more than a dozen of them just by looking back.

Groundhog Day tells the story of how Phil wakes up every morning on the same day: February 2nd, Groundhog Day.

What happened that day was like a videotape playing on repeat, happening right around Phil.

The same people will always appear, and the same things will always happen: every morning he wakes up to the same radio broadcast, someone will strike up a conversation with him, an old lady will chat with him asking about his breakfast and the weather, he'll encounter a beggar and an old friend selling insurance on the street, and there will be news reports...

In Doctor Who, the Doctor was trapped in the Confession Dial for 4.5 billion years in order to save Clara, repeatedly reliving a certain day.

Regardless of which one it is, they are all undoubtedly trapped in a time loop, just like William's current situation.

Of course, whether it will really be as he thinks remains to be seen tomorrow, whether it will be April 20th!

Dumbledore gestured for William to raise his right hand, and in the soft light, the ring appeared ancient, elegant, and mysterious.

"William, you guessed right. You are indeed in some kind of peculiar cycle; your time is stuck, and may even remain stuck in today."

William frowned and said, "But this is not what Professor Binns said."

He said the Ravenclaw Bronze Ring is a magical item that allows one to travel to any time.

Dumbledore head and said, "When I was a teacher, I reminded my students more than once that true history is passed down alongside many unbelievable legends."

"Widely accepted rumors may not stand up to scrutiny, like this ring."

"Professor, can you explain this ring?"

Dumbledore stood up and walked to the window, where William stood beside him, both gazing at the view of Hogwarts.

The silver moon is like a hook.

The night was deep.

It resembles a painting.

This painting has been silently presented for a thousand years.

Dumbledore time, then sighed, "I never get tired of looking at them, William. Do you know what Hogwarts was originally used for?"

"Training wizards and passing on knowledge?"

"Hmm... not quite right. This goal exists only for a greater purpose."

"A greater goal?"

Dumbledore at William.

In short, the Four Founders established Hogwarts solely to study certain secret knowledge—they also established the school to recruit outstanding wizards, allowing these elite few to know, study, protect, and pass on this secret knowledge.

"What exactly is this secret knowledge?" William's breathing quickened slightly.

"For thousands of years, people have called it Prehistoric Mysteries, said to possess boundless power and infinite strength, capable of creating and destroying everything..."

"Does such a thing really exist, Professor?" William felt like he was listening to a myth.

Dumbledore laughed, "Does it not exist? Child, those tarot card Prophecy, the I I Ching which can reveal the past and future, the Philosopher's Stone in Nicolas's hand that grants immortality... these are just fragments of Prehistoric Mysteries."

"So, Professor Dumbledore," William said quickly, then paused to think before asking, "You believe that Prehistoric Mysteries refer to all the knowledge accumulated throughout history? In other words, all existing magic is Prehistoric Mysteries?"

"No." Dumbledore shook his head, and said seriously, "Prehistoric Mysteries and modern magic are strictly distinguished; it exists in a very special form."

"Have you seen it?" William asked skeptically.

"Of course I've seen it. Not only have I seen it, but someone has also used it before. That powerful force once defeated the Dark Lord and is still protecting someone now."

Dumbledore stared intently at the night sky as he spoke.

(Third update complete, please vote for this story!)