The Silent Witch of Hogwarts

Chapter 672 The Hogwarts Story

Early morning, the autumn wind was blowing, and it was just another ordinary morning at Hogwarts.

Since the beginning of this semester, the shadow of Voldemort seems to have faded away. The Ministry of Magic's hard work and Dumbledore's return have lessened the students' worries, until now they have completely disappeared.

Seeing the students' happy faces on the grass, Dumbledore nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the two people standing in the room.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," Lupin said slowly, "the Horcrux is right here." He held a box in both hands, looking quite serious.

"Thank you, Remus—and Miss Tonks, of course, I'm very grateful to you too." Dumbledore chuckled softly, then coughed lightly twice before saying, "You encountered many dangers at Gringotts, didn't you?"

"...

—

Lupin and Tonks exchanged a glance, then both pursed their lips.

"Headmaster Dumbledore—" Lupin couldn't help but ask, "We've run into Miss Hamilton."

"Why—why did she leave Hogwarts?"

"And why didn't you let us contact her?" Lupin's question didn't seem to surprise Dumbledore. He gently opened the box, looked at the golden cup inside, and after a few seconds of silence, Dumbledore slightly raised his head: "Remus, I understand your doubts."

"But I cannot answer that." Dumbledore paused, seemingly knowing that this wouldn't convince Lupin and Tonks, so he thought for a moment and seemed to decide to say a little more.

"You all know about Harry, right?"

"Harry—" Lupin paused, "Is it about his dream—that thing?"

"That's right." Dumbledore nodded slightly: "Harry has developed some kind of connection with Voldemort because he once killed him, which allows him to see Voldemort's vision through dreams."

"And conversely—Voldemort is the same." Dumbledore casually stated what the entire Order of the Phoenix already knew.

"But what does this have to do with Loila?" Lupin asked, pursing his lips.

"Remus," Dumbledore said, looking at him seriously, "what if I told you—that it wasn't just one person who could see Voldemort?"

"What?" Lupin's eyes widened in disbelief. "But—how did they do that?"

"You mean Loila can also—"

"Hmm." Dumbledore nodded. "You encountered Voldemort and Bellatrix during your mission, didn't you?"

"Ah—yes." Lupin paused for a moment.

Dumbledore nodded slightly: "Have you ever considered why this is such a coincidence?"

"How did Bella and Voldemort know you would be setting off on this day?"

"This—" Lupin paused, then said somewhat uncertainly, "Is it because of Loila?"

"That's right." Dumbledore nodded. "They learned about it through Miss Hamilton."

"But why—?" Lupin asked, puzzled. "Is it because—Royla killed Voldemort?"

Royla destroyed Voldemort's Horcrux diary a few years ago—strictly speaking, she also killed Voldemort once.

Is that the reason?

I don't think so.

"No," Dumbledore shook his head, "Miss Hamilton's case is more special."

Have you ever heard of—the dark magic of resurrecting people?

"The dark magic of resurrecting people?" Lupin frowned.

"It's dark magic that complements Horcruxes," Dumbledore said calmly. "Father's bones, enemy's blood, servant's flesh."

"Among these—the blood of our enemies may very well be Miss Hamilton's blood." Dumbledore's words puzzled Lupin.

"So—therefore, they became connected?"

"I don't know." Dumbledore shook his head gently. "The mysteries of magic are infinite, and not everyone can fully understand them."

"Miss Hamilton is shrouded in many mysteries—not just this one, is she?"

"————" Lupin and Tonks both fell silent.

"So, therefore—do we have to keep our distance from Miss Hamilton?" Tonks asked, pursing his lips.

"Hmm." Dumbledore nodded slightly. "If we don't want Voldemort to know everything—"

That's all we can do.

That's really not a good thing.

"But if Harry could stop Voldemort from spying on him by learning Occlumency—why couldn't Royla—"

'

"Because it's unnecessary, isn't it?" Dumbledore's words made Lupin and Tonks widen their eyes slightly.

"Principal Dumbledore, do you mean—"

"Miss Hamilton is the lighthouse; she can illuminate Voldemort's path, and she will also be noticed by Voldemort," Dumbledore said calmly. "And we are those who lurk in the shadows."

"If you hadn't gone this time—Miss Hamilton wouldn't have been able to get the Horcrux, would she?" Dumbledore's words silenced Lupin and Tonks once again.

Lupin, in particular, pursed his lips as if he had a lot to say.

Isn't this too unfair to Royla? Although Harry is a child, Royla is an adult—

But to be honest, Lupin didn't think there was anything particularly different between her and Harry.

In some ways, Roy actually needs social interaction even more.

Leaving her all alone out there, aside from the danger, isn't that a bit too heartless?

Moreover—isn't this also a form of exploitation?

Using Royla to fight Voldemort—without her knowledge—

"Remus." Dumbledore saw what Lupin was thinking and reached out to gently pat Lupin on the shoulder.

Lupin looked at the charred hand and pursed his lips.

"In the fight against darkness, everyone must make sacrifices—if one could win without losing anything, that would be a fairy tale." Dumbledore's words were rather cold, yet incredibly true.

"Miss Hamilton is only temporarily detached—while some have already lost their lives," Dumbledore said calmly. "If we want to win."

"One must be prepared to sacrifice everything."

"Not just Miss Hamilton—but also Harry—and you—and me." Dumbledore's words silenced Lupin.

He looked into Dumbledore's eyes and said, "Headmaster Dumbledore—I think so."

"Loila would never consider sacrificing us."

"————" Dumbledore paused for a few seconds, then said, "Perhaps, Remus."

"But that shouldn't include me," he said, a faint, fleeting smile appearing on his face.