The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 299 Gradually, everything connected.

Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office.

On the sofa, Ino was still trying to process what she had seen in the secret room.

It was completely out of the blue that his name was recorded in the Book of Admission, even appearing right after Dumbledore's.

Considering the names of those dozen or so well-known wizards, the significance of that list is self-evident.

Logically speaking, in the original story, the headmaster of Hogwarts really did change frequently in the last few years.

From the absurd pink toad Umbridge, to Snape, and finally to the well-deserved Professor McGonagall.

But today's performance was truly unexpected for him.

Thinking of this, Ino looked at Dumbledore across from him again.

"Professor! I'm only a fourth-year student. Don't you think this decision is too hasty?"

"Hasty?" Dumbledore pondered for a moment. "It seems... you've misunderstood something. As I just said, it was Hogwarts that gave you the power from the very beginning."

"Look how many portraits are here? And how many headmasters are recorded in the history of Hogwarts?"

Dumbledore pointed unsteadily at the portrait on the wall, but this gesture drew disapproving eye rolls from successive headmasters, and even the hot-tempered Phineas Black swore.

Perhaps in the past, Ino would have watched this scene with great interest, but now...

He was pondering Dumbledore's words and recalling the history of Hogwarts, which had been established in 990 AD and recorded 17 headmasters.

However, neither the list from before nor the portraits hanging on the wall now match up in terms of quantity.

……

half an hour.

Ino gradually sorted out her thoughts; she realized that principals could also be divided into two types.

One type is those approved and chosen independently by Hogwarts, while the other is those recommended by wizards, the Ministry of Magic, or the school board when no suitable candidate is available.

After sharing his conjecture, Ino turned his gaze back to Dumbledore.

"That's right!" Dumbledore nodded decisively in affirmation.

"As I once told you, no one can truly understand a castle, not only because it holds countless secrets, but also because it possesses its own thoughts."

At this point, Dumbledore paused for a moment, then opened his palms with a touch of melancholy and said in a slightly heavy tone:

"And that's the key point. Just like no one can truly understand another person, and most of the time, that person doesn't even understand themselves."

After Dumbledore finished speaking, Ino did not reply immediately, but instead went through the experiences of the past few years in her mind.

Perhaps because he had just visited Nico, he now always seemed to connect magic and alchemy together.

If we truly consider the entire castle as a living entity, a powerful alchemical creation, then everything seems to make sense.

Whether it's the ever-present Sorting Hat, the Room of Requirement behind the tapestry, or even the Basilisk of the second year...

Especially the basilisk monster; Ino now finally understands the series of coincidences in the original story, the extra puddle of water, the ghost blocking his way...

If he had previously harbored any suspicions about Dumbledore, now he had no hesitation whatsoever, all thanks to the will of the castle.

To be honest, speculating about Dumbledore is a bit far-fetched. Magic influences personality, and as the great White Wizard, Fawkes favored members of the Dumbledore family.

It's likely that the headmaster wouldn't allow a 5X basilisk to run rampant in the castle just for the sake of some so-called "plan".

Similarly, Ino also thought of another thing: why Dumbledore never knew where the Basilisk was hiding.

Salazar Slytherin must have taken into account the authority of future headmasters when he personally placed the Basilisk.

If any headmaster could discover it, Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets would be a joke, utterly meaningless.

……

Gradually, everything connected.

For a fleeting moment, Ino even thought of the Gaunt family's notebook.

Did Lina find it in the restricted section of the library, or did the castle itself allow her to find it?

a long time.

"Okay! I think I understand!"

Ino leaned back on the sofa, slowly extended her finger, and tentatively tapped the empty coffee table.

In a magical moment, a glass of freshly squeezed grass juice appeared on the coffee table.

Don't underestimate this seemingly small drink; it involves the principal's power.

Having spent three years at Hogwarts, Ino had seen countless professors dine in the Great Hall, including several heads of departments and even the vice-principal, Professor McGonagall.

But Dumbledore was nowhere to be seen. At first, I thought it was just a time difference, but now it seems... the headmaster was always enjoying his special treatment.

Seemingly sensing Ino's thoughts, Dumbledore spoke naturally:

"Sometimes I fill my stomach with sweets, and Honeydukes is as delicious as ever. Would you like some?"

Although he was asking a question, Dumbledore had already stood up and walked towards the cabinet where the candy was stored as he spoke.

Two plates laden with candy were placed on the coffee table.

A snow-white toffee, and a swarm of wriggling cockroaches.

Seeing the familiar candies, Ino couldn't help but recall the Astronomy Tower in her first year.

That was the first time he was alone with Dumbledore, and he also ate a few extra pieces of candy.

It seems that from then on, Dumbledore would serve a whole dish of cream toffee as a welcome gift every time.

"Thank you for your generosity!"

Ino smiled and picked up a piece of candy. Just as Dumbledore had said, the taste hadn't changed; it was still as milky and flavorful as ever.

His response was Dumbledore's silent smile.

……

Time stood still, as still as water.

After finishing the last piece of candy, Ino reached out and wiped the candy residue from the corner of her mouth.

"Professor! There's something I want you to know. On the train to the start of the school year, Harry told me something."

"Before the holidays, Trelawney made a prophecy for him: Harry would kill you..."

After speaking, Ino looked up at Dumbledore's reaction.

However, faced with such a prophecy, Dumbledore not only showed no panic, but even revealed an amused smile, as if he had seen something interesting.

But soon, the smile quietly disappeared, replaced by compassion and mercy.

"That's how Sybil is! Every word a fortune teller says comes at a price."

"But this time the content is something I didn't expect—being killed by Harry, that looks quite interesting..."

"This is not interesting at all!" Enoch interrupted Dumbledore's narration.

"If you are killed by Harry, who will deal with Voldemort? Although Hogwarts has accepted me, I am not capable of taking care of too many people."

When Ino spoke of Harry, he deliberately emphasized his words, and the meaning he was expressing was self-evident.

In the end, Harry will probably not escape the fate of dying together with Voldemort.

After all, the opponent is Voldemort. If he hesitates and acts timidly, he will only end up like Dumbledore in the prophecy.

(End of this chapter)