Harry Potter and the Great Old Ones

Chapter 319 The Thoughts That Were Exposed

"Isn't the weather lovely today?" Dumbledore said as he stepped out of the school gate.

Tierra: ...

Tiera looked up at the sky—

A strong, eerie wind howled, dark clouds gathered, and a storm was brewing, threatening to engulf the city.

"Hehe...what a beautiful day," Tyella said insincerely. "So, on such a beautiful day, I'd much rather go to Hogsmeade with my classmates...um...especially our lovely little Harry. After all, because of the tense and exciting Triwizard Tournament, Harry and I haven't had a good time playing around for a long time, sob sob..."

“You’ll have plenty of opportunities to play with Harry in the future,” Dumbledore said with a smile, stroking his beard. “For now, you should spend some time with this old man who’s about to die. After all, compared to the decades you and Harry may spend together, the years you have left to spend with this old geezer are numbered.”

Tierra: ...

Haha, you're getting cocky just because I said you're fat, aren't you?

What do you mean by decades? I'll leave once I become a god. You and your savior Harry can go play your own childish games.

“Oh, right, Tyella, look at this old codger, I almost forgot,” Dumbledore said, slapping his forehead. “Please use the Disillusionment Charm to conceal yourself.”

"Disillusion Charm? What Disillusion Charm?" Tiera feigned ignorance. "I'm just a fourth-year student, I—"

"Alright, alright, Tyella," Dumbledore sighed helplessly. "At a time like this, there's no need to play dumb anymore. Your superb acting skills are meaningless now."

Tierra: ...

What exactly does Dumbledore know?

“That road is far less wonderful than you imagine,” Dumbledore sighed. “Never mind, let’s talk as we go.”

After saying this, Dumbledore drew the Elder Wand and waved it at Tiera—

Tiera's figure gradually disappeared and became transparent.

"Keep up," Dumbledore said. "It seems unlikely, but can you guess where I'm taking you?"

"Take me to a secluded place and kill me?" Tierra asked.

Dumbledore: ...

"What are you thinking about all day long?" Dumbledore said helplessly.

“Oh, okay, since that’s not it… then you’re taking me to see the first event of the Triwizard Tournament, the Fire Dragon, right?” Tiera asked.

Dumbledore...

"Ah...hehe...yes...yes..." Although it was already within his expectations, Dumbledore still felt a little embarrassed when Tiera pointed it out directly.

“Let me guess again—” Tiera chuckled and said, “There are four fire dragons in total: the Chinese Fireball Dragon, the Hungarian Tree-Peak Dragon, the Swiss Short-Nosed Dragon, and the Welsh Green Dragon, right?”

Dumbledore: ...

"Alright, now that you know, let's go back." With that, Dumbledore lifted the body-changing spell from Tyrell and led her back towards the castle.

If Dumbledore had only felt a little awkward before, now an awkward atmosphere was beginning to permeate between Tyrell and Dumbledore.

The awkwardness was palpable.

“Then you know how to deal with—” Dumbledore seemed to want to say something more, but—

“Use the Eye-Scratching Charm, aim for their eyes. After all…” Tyra smiled slyly again, “our mission is to steal the golden eggs guarded by four dragons, not to kill them, right?” Dumbledore: …

"Is there anything else you don't know about the Triwizard Tournament?" Dumbledore asked.

"Hehehe..." Tiera chuckled and shrugged, then asked, "Judging from your itinerary just now, you were planning to take me to see the fire dragon hidden in the Forbidden Forest, right?"

Dumbledore didn't speak, but simply nodded silently in agreement.

“But I’m curious, why didn’t you take Harry with you?” Tierra asked again. “Harry is standing right next to me, and having Harry’s Invisibility Cloak with you is obviously safer than you using the Disillusionment Charm yourself, right?”

“Because I don’t think there’s much difference between bringing one and bringing two,” Dumbledore said. “Given your relationship with Harry, if you see it, it’s the same as Harry seeing it, and you’ll definitely tell him, right?”

“Heh…” Tierra chuckled, then said, “That’s a really lame excuse, Professor Dumbledore. I guess… you’re probably trying to leak information about the Triwizard Tournament to me, and in exchange, you hope I’ll also reveal some information about the Tarot Club.”

"You noticed?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, but didn't seem particularly surprised. He then casually praised, "You're truly the smartest little wizard I've ever met at your age."

"Thank you for the compliment." Tierra accepted Dumbledore's praise without batting an eye.

Then the old man and the young man didn't say anything more until they reached the third floor of Hogwarts, in front of the ugly gargoyle.

“Then I won’t bother you any longer, Professor Dumbledore.” Tyrell smiled and gave a slight bow, preparing to take her leave.

"Wait a minute—" Dumbledore said, "won't you go upstairs for a cup of tea before you leave?"

“No, Professor Dumbledore,” Tierra said with a smile. “I’m sure you’ll have a lot to take care of during the Triwizard Tournament, so I won’t bother you any longer.”

"So you won't join this old codger for afternoon tea anymore?" Dumbledore persisted. "I remember a few months ago you really enjoyed having afternoon tea while listening to my old stories. Don't you like it anymore?"

“I’ve grown up,” Tierra said. “I’m in my adolescence now, and I’ve changed.”

“Hehe…” Dumbledore stroked his beard and chuckled. “But I haven’t changed. I’ve always treated Tyella like my own grandson.”

Tierra: ...

You're such a devoted grandfather to signing your own grandson up for the Three Kingdoms Tournament.

“No, Headmaster Dumbledore, I won’t bother you any longer,” Tierra firmly refused.

“Alright.” Dumbledore smiled and shrugged, mimicking Tyrell’s expression. “Looks like I can’t persuade you any further, you teenage boy. After all, you’re not interested in any of my clichés anymore, are you?”

“Yes, Headmaster,” Tierra said. “Then goodbye, Headmaster.”

"So--"

Tyrell turned to leave, but then she heard Dumbledore say again:

"So you're not interested in the ascension ceremony either?"

Tiera froze, as if petrified, remaining in her departing posture, but with a hint of disbelief on her face—

I'm so sorry it's late today. I should update between 4 and 5 pm tomorrow.

Thank you xiaotang246 for the 200 Qidian coins reward.

Thank you Mushan for the 200 Qidian Coins donation.

Thank you for the modified plot and your February votes!
Thank you Yunmo Danxin for voting for me in January.
Thank you Zhizui Jinmi for voting for me in January.
Thank you, Jueche, for voting for me in January!
Thank you to Fog for voting for January!


(End of this chapter)