Harry Potter: I started checking in from Diagon Alley

Dumbledore produced a pitch-black diary with a terrifying hole in the middle.

Eric knew what it was.

Voldemort's diary from his student days, which is also one of his Horcruxes.

Eric picked up the diary and casually said, "Nicole told me that you, Professor, are far superior to him in the field of animal research and in improving spells, and you also have your own unique understanding of alchemy."

“Everyone has their strengths, and many people do admire me, but I am not omnipotent,” Dumbledore said.

Eric drew his wand, pointed it at the diary on the table, channeled his magic, and asked, "Professor, what do you want to know from me?"

“Everything,” Dumbledore said. “The origin of this journal, its history, the magic that has appeared in it, and whether there are any magical items similar to this journal… I want to know everything.”

Eric asked curiously, "Professor, you could have asked Nico yourself."

Dumbledore laughed and said, “You underestimate yourself and overestimate me, Eric. Not everyone can become Nico’s student, nor can everyone absorb knowledge about the soul so quickly. At least I can’t.”

Eric said, "You are underestimating yourself, Professor. There are absolutely no obstacles to your abilities."

“Alright,” Dumbledore said, “actually, it’s because I don’t want to, it’s that simple.”

"why?"

Dumbledore smiled but said nothing.

Eric quickly realized his rudeness and apologized, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried into these things."

“No, it doesn’t matter,” Dumbledore laughed. “I can tell you the reason: I once promised someone that I would never pursue the mysteries of the soul again. Of course, there’s also the reason of my age. I’m not young anymore, Eric. Some things are better left to you young people.”

Eric felt a slight stirring in his heart; there were very few people who could make Dumbledore make such a vow.

That person is very likely Grindelwald.

There is no doubt that Dumbledore and Grindelwald have a close relationship.

There are even rumors that the two were once lovers.

Eric said nothing more, waved his wand, and whispered, "Back to the source."

A pale blue ribbon of light instantly appeared on the surface of the diary, with tiny starlight emanating from it.

This is a unique probing spell belonging to Nicolas Flamel, capable of reading information related to the soul.

Magic originates from the soul.

If an item bears any trace of magic, this detection spell can uncover relevant information.

Anything that has ever existed will leave a trace.

Without needing to rely on a mental stance, all the magic and related information that had ever appeared and been used in the diary flooded into Eric's mind.

A moment later, Eric ended the magic.

"How is it?" Dumbledore asked.

Eric did not speak.

He was still wondering why Dumbledore had shown him this diary.

From the Duelist Club onwards, Dumbledore's behavior has always been a bit strange.

Not only did they protect him in every way, they also introduced him to Nicolas Flamel.

This journey brought Eric far more than just learning one or two spells.

It's fair to say that Eric learned more in just two weeks than he did in the previous six months at Hogwarts.

Now Dumbledore is giving him direct access to the Horcruxes.

What exactly did Dumbledore want when he made this decision?

Seeing that Eric remained silent, Dumbledore chuckled and said, "You're hesitating whether or not to tell me what's in this diary? Well, that's not really what I want to know. What I really want to know is whether the magic that once existed in this diary has any connection to Harry?"

Upon hearing such a blunt revelation, Eric abruptly looked at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore's eyes were unusually clear as he met Eric's gaze without flinching, revealing no trace of falsehood.

Chapter 128 Frankness

Eric thought for a moment, then slowly said, "Yes."

Dumbledore looked somewhat lost upon learning the answer.

He nodded with some relief, then asked, "Do you want to know how this diary came to be?"

The atmosphere in the principal's office was unusually tense, yet tinged with a touch of absurdity.

Even the portraits hanging on the wall remained silent, simply watching the two people conversing in the middle.

The topic they discussed was very serious; it could be said to be one of the most closely guarded secrets in the magical world.

However, neither of them could speak freely; they had to consider the other's feelings.

And Eric just happened to know what Dumbledore wanted to say.

The moment this thought crossed his mind, Eric's initial desire to continue concealing the truth vanished completely.

Duel Club, Nicolas Flamel, Horcruxes...

Eric wasn't stupid; Dumbledore's actions these past few days had all pointed to his purpose.

All of these factors were gradually pushing Eric closer to him.

Thinking about this, Eric suddenly felt a little tired.

“Professor, I know what’s going on,” Eric interrupted Dumbledore’s question.

"Oh?" Dumbledore was somewhat surprised, but did not appear too shocked.

After Eric fully demonstrated his abilities, Dumbledore was no longer surprised by Eric's potential.

Clearly, Eric was mentally prepared for the fact that he knew about Horcruxes.

Just as he said to Snape in the Great Hall, he and Eric were simply trying in different directions.

Eric thought for a moment and said, "Horoscopes, splitting one's own soul, are also a way to pursue immortality."

Upon hearing this word, Dumbledore seemed relieved and laughed from the bottom of his heart: "The most evil magic. Since you've brought up Horcruxes, you must know whose diary this is."

Eric gave the answer he already knew: "Tom Riddle, also known as Voldemort."

“Hahaha,” Dumbledore laughed. “Many people are afraid to say his name, but you don’t shy away from it at all.”

Eric said, "Voldemort's purpose was to make people afraid to mention his name."

Dumbledore nodded and continued, "Voldemort was an extremely cowardly and weak man. Without our knowledge, he created Horcruxes on his own, splitting his soul in the hopes of gaining immortality in this way."

Dumbledore said, “We cannot kill Voldemort completely until all the Horcruxes are completely destroyed. However, the problem is that even I cannot be sure how many parts Voldemort split his soul into. The number could be seven, because seven is the most magical number, but it could also be other numbers. The reason I had you examine this journal is to find out where the remaining Horcruxes might be.”

Eric said, "You've found another one."

Dumbledore nodded with a wry smile: "Harry, by some twist of fate, also became Voldemort's Horcrux."

Eric asked softly, "Aren't you going to tell him?"

"Tell him?" Dumbledore said. "No, I don't think that's a good idea..."

“But that is his right,” Eric said, looking directly at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore smiled wryly and continued to slowly shake his head.

Eric stared at Dumbledore expressionlessly.

He didn't say anything more, but it was as if he had said everything.

Dumbledore knew perfectly well what was going on.

The most fundamental difference between the two lies here.

Dumbledore believed that Harry should not be told about the Horcruxes, as he would ultimately face certain death, which was too cruel for a child who was not yet capable of protecting himself.

Eric, however, believed that Dumbledore was manipulating Harry in some way, and that the outcome should be Harry's choice, not Dumbledore's.

If all the options were presented to Harry, he would certainly have the right not to accept Dumbledore's arrangement.

This is similar to that train puzzle that's become very popular online.

On one side of the two railway tracks, a person lies unconscious, while on the other side, five people lie unconscious. The train is currently heading towards the track where the five people are lying.

You are now standing on a train, and you have the choice to change tracks. Will you do it? It's a choice between sacrificing one person to save five.

The train was like Voldemort, and Harry was like the one lying alone on the tracks.

Now Dumbledore and Eric both know that Voldemort will eventually attempt to resurrect.

To defeat Voldemort, his Horcruxes, namely Harry, must first be destroyed.

Dumbledore stood on the train, and in order to completely eliminate this greatest enemy of the magical world's order, he would choose to change course, directing the train toward the track meant for a single person.

Eric chose not to.

These two drastically different value systems are equally difficult to categorize as right or wrong; it's simply a matter of choice.

Dumbledore's choice was correct, considering the interests of others in the wizarding world and the order, and from a collectivist perspective.

Dumbledore is indeed getting old. If Voldemort continues to go mad, no one will have an easy time.

But Eric was more concerned about Harry's feelings. He was rather selfish. Putting himself in Harry's shoes, he certainly wouldn't want to be kept in the dark, but would make a decision only after understanding the whole picture.

Therefore, Eric did not want Harry to be treated this way either.

Although Eric knew that, according to the original plot, Harry wouldn't die in the end.

But that's on the premise that nothing has changed.

Now that Eric has arrived, he has become the butterfly in the butterfly storm, a variable in the story.

God knows how much change this will cause.

In the original work, there was also no demonstration by the Duel Club or the remnants of Grindelwald's party.

But now, Clement has witnessed his own death right before Eric's eyes.

……

After a while, Dumbledore asked, "When did you start paying attention to Horcruxes?"