The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 300 Dumbledore's Summer Vacation Results: All the Horcruxes

Sometimes, the atmosphere in a conversation can change in an instant.

Ino noticed that after he said those words, Dumbledore also gradually fell into deep thought.

He did not intend to break the silence.

……

a long time.

Dumbledore stood up again and walked toward the cabinet where the candy was kept, which was also the only cabinet in the headmaster's office.

After the cabinet was opened, the two items slowly floated in mid-air.

A one-foot-long stemmed glass with two handles, made of golden material, with a lifelike honey badger finely carved on the body.

The other piece was much smaller, a ring that appeared somewhat crudely made. Interestingly, this ring was also made of gold, but with a gemstone resembling obsidian set on its surface.

Even without looking at their appearance, just by feeling them, one can detect the intense malice emanating from these two items.

"Your wisdom is admirable!" Ino exclaimed.

Unlike him, who knew the whole story, Dumbledore was able to deduce Voldemort's various schemes one by one based on only the limited information he had.

This made him want to say to Tom, "Your professor will always be your professor."

On the other side...

Faced with the praise, Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively: "It's not hard to guess, if you know him."

"Exceptional magical talent, handsome appearance, and superb emotional intelligence and social skills make him popular with everyone..."

Dumbledore's tone was tinged with regret, but he quickly switched to a teasing one: "Honestly, you really do look like Tom when you first started school!"

"So that's why you keep creating these coincidences?" Ino said half-jokingly.

"Haha, yes! I deliberately sought you out." Dumbledore readily admitted to his past actions.

"But it wasn't until second grade, when your name appeared in the admissions book, that I realized how fundamentally different you and Tom were."

This time, Ino did not interrupt Dumbledore's narration.

Instead, he sat up straight, adopting a listening posture, because he knew that the main event was about to begin.

Sure enough, after his initial exclamation, Dumbledore changed the subject:

"Because Tom has an inherent arrogance, he wouldn't choose ordinary items to make Horcruxes, except for the notebook from his school days. And after seeing the Slytherin pendant, I had a preliminary deduction..."

Dumbledore abruptly stopped mid-sentence, for the figure of the discoverer, Ino, had vanished from the spot.

In a brief moment, when Ino reappeared, she held a magnificent crown in her hand, inlaid with countless gems.

"Please don't overthink it. I have no intention of embezzling. I'm just borrowing it for a while. It will always belong to Hogwarts."

As Ino explained, he placed the crown he was holding on the coffee table in front of him.

"I believe in you! That will never change, just like the trust Hogwarts has in you."

Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively, then turned his gaze back to the golden cup and ring beside him.

"To my surprise, Tom went so far as to create six Horcruxes..."

Diary, pendant, crown, gold cup, ring, Harry.

These thoughts flashed through Dumbledore's mind one by one.

"There are probably more than six, because he might not even know Harry exists." After a moment's thought, Ino decided to tell the original story.

The creation of the last Horcrux, according to the original story timeline, should have taken place this year. However, given that everything has changed, it's hard to say whether Voldemort would still choose Nagini as the vessel for the Horcrux.

Therefore, even though he chose to tell the original story, he did not presumptuously mention the viper Nagini.

After all, in these kinds of situations, a single misjudgment can lead to a completely different outcome.

……

"More than six, I wonder Harry..." Dumbledore frowned slightly.

Seeing that the principal seemed troubled, Ino was powerless to help.

In fact, unlike the previous Horcruxes which were traceable, the last Horcrux was the most difficult to predict.

Time slipped away quietly as I pondered these thoughts.

After a long pause, Dumbledore slowly spoke: "Eno, perhaps your guess is correct! It seems that Sybil's prophecy will be postponed for a long time this time."

"You really intend to sacrifice yourself to save Harry?" Ino looked surprised, but he quickly understood the reason.

Unlike the original story where Harry was forced into the situation, Dumbledore sacrificing himself might be the true script, given a choice.

When faced with Ino's surprise, Dumbledore didn't say anything, only giving a faint smile, neither denying nor agreeing.

……

late at night.

Ino left the principal's office.

Walking alone in the silent corridor, there was not a sound to be heard except for the sleeping portrait and the moving staircase.

As night fell, the castle also fell into slumber.

In the silence, he also pondered the content of his last conversation with Dumbledore.

However, he expressed respect for the subsequent arrangements and the individual's choice.

After all, no one is immortal; even Nico and Perenaar cannot achieve true immortality.

However, if possible, Ino would still like Dumbledore to have a peaceful old age.

The mistakes I made in my youth, the repentance I've had for over half a century—perhaps that's enough.

……

Time always seems to flow like water.

It slips away quietly without us even realizing it.

After the opening banquet, the entire Hogwarts was plunged into a state of excitement.

The three-way battle for supremacy has become a long-standing and popular topic.

Unlike the hot topics of the past, now you can hear all sorts of discussions in public lounges, corridors, auditoriums, or anywhere else.

The interior of the castle is also undergoing a new round of decoration.

Those portraits hidden in the castle, untouched for centuries and covered in dust, were taken down one by one, wiped clean until spotless, and then re-hung.

The most noticeable changes during this major cleaning were to the armor in the corridor and the auditorium that served as the reception area.

Every suit of armor along the corridor was polished to a gleaming shine, almost mirror-like. The Great Hall, too, was completely transformed, with a massive silk banner hanging above it, and the flags of the four houses fluttering clearly in the air under the influence of magic.

Of course, there are many other changes, but with the posting of a notice, no one pays attention to the changes to the castle anymore.

The third week after the start of the school term.

Under Professor McGonagall's watchful eye, Filch posted a notice in the Great Hall that Beauxbatons and Durmstrang would be arriving at Hogwarts this weekend.

This notice acted as a catalyst, pushing the already lively atmosphere in the castle to a fever pitch.

However, there are always exceptions. Some people care about something, while others don't care much.

For example, compared to the three-way battle, Ino's mind was now entirely focused on the valley of the sanctuary.

The magic bean that sprouted last year, a whole year has passed.

As we approach the harvest festival at the end of September this year, they have already borne fruit, or rather, given us gifts.

It's the beginning of the month! Xiao Di is begging for votes! Please vote! Please vote, everyone! Please cast your vote!

Xiao Di's sharing today: Poltergeist

A poltergeist, also known as a "noisy ghost," is a legendary ghost that makes a lot of noise, originating from European mythology.

Appearance: Normally, stalkers do not have a specific form.

Habits: Woints typically appear in specific locations, especially areas with large youth populations; or they may be created with the construction of certain buildings; or they may quietly move in at some point. Woints may also appear in areas inhabited by Muggles.

Abilities and Roles: The stalker can fly and enjoys playing pranks (loosening chandeliers, writing swear words on blackboards, throwing things around).

(End of this chapter)