The Butcher of Hogsmeade

The undercover agent's origins couldn't be questioned, the Sphinx's authenticity remained unknown, and their true purpose was even more elusive. After much deliberation, Shen Hou realized that only one question seemed worth discussing: "Do I need to know the contents of the prophecy related to Voldemort's fate?"

His question was cleverly phrased: "Is it necessary?" The final judgment rested with Dumbledore, placing the choice in the Headmaster's hands. If Dumbledore was willing to say yes, then it was necessary; if he wasn't willing to say yes, then it was unnecessary.

This is one of the few lessons learned by a "lazy otaku" after two years of working experience: being unaware means not having to take responsibility; if you choose to let me know, then you will also bear some responsibility for the final result of that choice.

"The one with the power to conquer the Dark Lord has approached—born into a family that has defeated the Dark Lord three times—born at the end of the seventh month—" Dumbledore recited the words in a tone that was almost like a murmur. "I heard this prophecy at the Hog's Head, while I was interviewing a new Divination professor for the school. Unfortunately, someone overheard the prophecy and told Voldemort."

"How can you be so sure... well, so sure that this prophecy is definitely a prophecy, and not just some person talking nonsense? You said you heard it in a bar. As far as I know, prophets don't usually appear in those kinds of places, but drunkards who talk nonsense are more likely to appear." As a young man who grew up with a materialistic education, Shen Hou had personally witnessed and experienced magic, but prophecies, this kind of mystical stuff, were hard for him to believe.

Dumbledore smiled, but said solemnly, "I understand your thoughts, but based on certain experiences in my life, I am convinced that what I heard was a true prophecy; not only because of my intuition, but also because of subsequent verification."

"Can prophecies be verified in advance, except for the moment they are finally fulfilled?" Shen Hou found it increasingly unbelievable.

"Of course, the verification method is not difficult for me either," Dumbledore explained. "Whenever someone makes a true prophecy, a crystal ball recording the content of the prophecy is simultaneously formed within the Department of Mysteries. This has been the case for thousands of years without exception... And I have a little bit of connections within the Department of Mysteries."

Shen Hou exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, so the Department of Mysterious Affairs manages more than just time travel!"

"Because the contents of the prophecy were leaked, in order to protect the prophet, I kept her at Hogwarts, and she is now the Divination Professor Trelawney," Dumbledore continued. "Interestingly, after making the prophecy, Ms. Trelawney herself had no memory of it at all; she didn't remember the contents of the prophecy, or even know that she had made a prophecy."

"Like someone drinking until they black out?"

Dumbledore laughed: "Oh no, I'm quite sure she wasn't drunk—if that's what you're asking."

"Okay, so it's a true prophecy... The child born at the end of July will defeat Voldemort... It's only February, so we have five months to prepare?"

Dumbledore shook his head, his gaze deep and his expression unfathomable, and said softly, "Please forgive me for not making it clear beforehand, but I heard this prophecy on a weekend in early spring last year, shortly after the Christmas holidays, as I recall."

"Last year's prophecy, the child born last year? Then you found..." Shen Hou suddenly stopped halfway through his sentence because he thought of something; when he, James, and Sirius were squatting together in the Hogsmeade safe house, they talked most about spells, signs, war, and James's family in their spare time.

James's son Harry was born at the end of July last year, on July 31st. The other condition of the prophecy—a family that had defeated the Dark Lord three times—had a very limited scope: families where both husband and wife were involved, dared to fight Voldemort for an extended period, and thwarted Voldemort and his henchmen's actions more than once—were extremely rare in the entire British wizarding world.

Following this line of thought, Shen Hou quickly recalled the first time he heard about the "Loyalty Charm." It was Dumbledore who initially asked James's family to accept the protection of the "Loyalty Charm." Moreover, it was from then on that James's whereabouts became increasingly secretive. Except for a few important missions, he was rarely seen, which was quite different from Sirius's active presence outside.

"Is there any connection between that prophecy and the Potter family receiving the protection of the 'Loyalty Charm'?" Shen Hou asked tentatively as his thoughts raced.

Dumbledore's gaze remained calm, seemingly unsurprised, and he nodded readily. "I believe you could guess. Yes, the James family best fits the prophecy; at least, among the wizarding families I know, they are the most fitting."

Shen Hou took a deep breath: "In other words, the child who will one day shoulder the heavy responsibility of eliminating Voldemort, and whom Voldemort will also be determined to get rid of, is James and Lily's son, Sirius Black's godson, Harry Potter?"

"I don't know." Dumbledore shook his head gently. "No one can be sure until the prophecy is fulfilled; I'm just... just in case."

Shen Hou remained silent for a long time, then suddenly gave a self-deprecating bitter laugh: "This matter has escalated... Originally just a matter of saving face, it has inexplicably dragged into real issues, even life and death... Now Voldemort and I are truly locked in a life-or-death struggle. What a fucking unlucky bunch!"

"Therefore, I must reiterate the proposal that was previously shelved: Mr. Shen, you must accept the protection of the 'Loyalty Charm,' and I will be your confidant." Dumbledore's tone was extremely serious, indicating that his words were not a suggestion, but an extremely serious request.

Shen Hou asked doubtfully, "I thought you would be the secret agent for the James family? Can one person be the secret agent for two 'Loyalty Charms' at the same time?"

"No, not at all." Dumbledore's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "But James has other ideas about the choice of the Secretkeeper, and he has already rejected my suggestion."

Shen Hou was taken aback by the question, then suddenly realized what it meant and tentatively asked, "Sirius?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, this choice is indeed very James, and also very Sirius." Shen Hou felt it was only natural, but the way of expressing it from the 21st century made it difficult for the old wizard to understand for a moment.

Compared to his dislike for "Mad-Eye" Moody and his suspicion of Sirius's unreliable character, Shen Hou had great trust in Dumbledore. This stemmed partly from their interactions over the past two months and partly from being surrounded by a group of Hogwarts graduates.

Thus, the Crimson Loyalty Spell was successfully completed, and from that moment on, Shen Hou's safe house in London completely disappeared from everyone else's memory.