Hogwarts: I Became the Third Dark Lord.

“I remember it very clearly, the jack-o’-lanterns at Wentworth weren’t nearly as pretty as this one.”

Upon hearing Professor Sprout's explanation, Dumbledore nodded slowly, then said unhurriedly:

"There is something I need to explain to you professors. Wentworth is indeed one of the few students with a talent for divination. You have probably heard Professor Trelawney's rumors about Wentworth, and I want to say that they are all true. Wentworth does have the ability to interpret dreams."

Everyone nodded; after all, this was no secret among the professors.

Cedric and Green exchanged a glance, their faces full of surprise. They hadn't expected that Wentworth's divination abilities would be affirmed by Dumbledore; this was something they hadn't anticipated at all.

Dumbledore continued:

"Through Wentworth's unconscious dream divination and Professor Sprout's assertion, we can preliminarily determine that the pumpkin lantern in front of us has indeed been tampered with, and it is very likely that it has been replaced with a door key."

"According to the Wentworth dream interpretation, the place linked by the door key is very likely where a wizard using black magic is already waiting."

At this point, Dumbledore paused and turned his gaze to Wentworth.

"Wentworth, what do you want to do with this pumpkin?"

Before Wentworth could speak, Professor Sprout, the Headmaster of Hufflepuff, interjected:

"Of course we'll destroy it!"

Professor Sprout had barely finished speaking when Professor Ilona immediately objected:

"No, that won't do. We still don't know who is trying to harm Wentworth. Headmaster Dumbledore, why don't you hand it over to me? I'll go and see who is provoking Hogwarts!"

Surprisingly, no sooner had Professor Ilona finished speaking than Snape spoke up:

“This time, I agree with Professor Ilona’s suggestion.”

But Professor Sprout still hesitated.

“That’s true, but you all heard what Wentworth said. They started with an Unforgivable Curse. They’re obviously wizards skilled in dark magic. Who can guarantee they won’t get hurt?!”

Seeing that the professors were about to start arguing, Dumbledore coughed twice to interrupt their debate and turned his attention back to Wentworth.

"Let Wentworth make the decision about this."

Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, the others had no choice but to shut their mouths and look at Wentworth.

After a long silence, Wentworth finally spoke:

“Headmaster Dumbledore, I still hope to find out who did this, but I am also worried that professors might get hurt because of this, which would make me very uneasy.”

Hearing Wentworth's words, Dumbledore smiled kindly and slowly said:

“Wentworth, you’re a good boy, so you must follow orders.”

"Don't worry, Headmaster Dumbledore, I will definitely follow... wait, follow orders? You mean I have to go too?"

Wentworth stared at Dumbledore in disbelief. Not only Wentworth, but the other professors were also clearly surprised that Dumbledore would ask Wentworth to go with him, knowing the danger involved.

But Dumbledore said matter-of-factly:

"Of course, if you want to find out who wants to harm you, you'll have to find the answer yourself."

Wentworth immediately said with a serious expression:

“Headmaster Dumbledore, I think we should stop wasting the professors’ time and just destroy this thing.”

But Dumbledore smiled and said:

"It's alright, it won't waste the professors' time, because this time, I'll go with you personally."

As Dumbledore spoke, he grasped Wentworth's hand with one hand and reached for the pumpkin lantern with the other.

However, a figure suddenly blocked Dumbledore and Wentworth's path.

"Professor Ilona, ​​is there anything you want to say?"

Dumbledore looked at Ilona, ​​who was standing in front of him, without seeming particularly surprised.

Ilona, ​​however, said with a somewhat unfriendly expression:

“Headmaster Dumbledore, I still think it’s too dangerous there. Wentworth is only a first-year student; it’s better for him to stay at Hogwarts. How about I go with you?”

After Ilona finished speaking, she looked quietly at Dumbledore, showing no intention of moving aside. Their eyes met, and after a moment, Dumbledore casually said:

"I remember you told me during the interview that you advocated practical experience!"

"I'm talking about actual combat between wizards of similar skill levels!"

Ilona quickly explained.

"But we won't always face opponents who are at our level or even weaker than us, will we?"

Dumbledore's words left Ilona speechless.

Chapter Seventy: Activating the Door Key (Bonus Chapter)

PS: Thank you to the four generous donors, Miaomiaowu, Lu Renyihao, Moshizonzhe, and Trooper1770, for their generous donations. I have no way to repay them, so I'm adding an extra chapter!

May all my dear readers enjoy warmth in the depths of winter and a gentle touch in the spring!

text:

Although Ilona remained silent, she did not make way for Dumbledore and Wentworth. After a long while, she spoke again:

“Headmaster Dumbledore, as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Wentworth, I still maintain that this matter has exceeded the limits of what Wentworth can handle and does not serve any training purpose for him!”

“If you insist on taking him, I hope you can bring me along too. I will protect Wentworth closely and keep him safe from harm.”

Hearing Ilona's words, Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slightly and said rather gently:

“Professor Ilona, ​​I disagree with your opinion. Some battles, even if only witnessed, are invaluable assets for a young wizard, from which he can learn a great deal. Unless this wizard intends to enter the Ministry of Magic and pursue an administrative job.”

"Furthermore, Professor Ilona, ​​as the Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it is my responsibility to protect every student. I can assure you that I will protect Wentworth's safety. Do I really need to make an unbreakable vow?"

Hearing Dumbledore's words, Ilona seemed somewhat tempted, but Professor Sprout said from the side:

"Alright, Headmaster Dumbledore, we absolutely believe in you. Professor Ilona is only concerned about Wentworth. In fact, Wentworth is quite likable. As for making any unbreakable vows, I don't think that's necessary."

Professor Sprout was trying to smooth things over; after all, in the wizarding world, forcing someone to sign an unbreakable oath is an act of distrust.

Professor Sprout did not believe that Dumbledore, as the headmaster of Hogwarts, would not do his best to protect his students. If Dumbledore was not trustworthy, then who was?

After listening to Professor Sprout's words, Professor Ilona sighed and shook her head, saying:

“Headmaster Dumbledore, there’s no need for an unbreakable oath. In the entire wizarding world, there is probably only one wizard with enough magic to bind your behavior, to swear an oath with you, or to serve as a witness to your oath.”

After hearing Ilona's words, Dumbledore nodded expressionlessly and slowly said:

"Yes, you're right, but I think he would agree with my opinion more."

Upon hearing Dumbledore's reply, Ilona blushed, then stepped aside and walked away without looking back.

"I'm going to play cards with the students. I hope you can come back safely as soon as possible."

Watching Ilona walk away quickly, Snape frowned, looked at Dumbledore, who shook his head slightly before turning his gaze back to Wentworth.

"So, Wentworth, are you ready?"

Seeing that even Ilona, ​​the Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, couldn't dissuade Dumbledore from taking him to "broaden his horizons," Wentworth knew he probably had no choice but to go tonight.

Wentworth first took out his wand and held it tightly in his hand. Then, he held the wand together with his left hand and placed it against his chest. Through his clothes, he touched the pendant. After taking a deep breath, Wentworth nodded to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore watched with a smile as Wentworth finished doing all this, then took his arm and was about to touch the pumpkin lantern.

"Wait a moment!"

Suddenly, Wentworth shouted, startling everyone. Dumbledore quickly turned to look at Wentworth:

"What happened, Wentworth?"

Wentworth thought for a moment, then turned to look at Snape beside him:

"Professor Snape, my fate is uncertain as I embark on this journey. Don't you have anything to leave me, anything that could improve my chances of survival?"

Upon hearing Wentworth's request, Snape, looking exasperated, said:

"With your cowardly and mercenary demeanor, I really doubt whether you are truly a Hufflepuff."

Despite saying that, Snape actually pulled a small vial of potion from his pocket and tossed it to Wentworth.

Wentworth accepted it without hesitation and found that the small vial of medicine exuded a captivating beauty.

"This is... Felix Felicis?!"

Wentworth looked at it carefully and said with some disbelief.

"I hope you don't do something stupid, otherwise, I really can't imagine who could harm you in front of Headmaster Dumbledore while you've taken the Felix Felicis!"

After Snape finished speaking, he turned and left the room without waiting for Wentworth to reply.

"Thank you, Professor Snape!"

Wentworth called out to Snape's retreating figure. Snape paused for a moment, then continued walking as if nothing had happened.

"Now, can we leave?"

This time, Dumbledore seemed to be getting impatient and couldn't help but urge him on.

Wentworth, wand in his right hand and the bottle of Felix Felicis clutched tightly in his left, nodded emphatically.

Then, Dumbledore grabbed Wentworth's shoulder and reached for the pumpkin lantern again!

Just as Dumbledore's hand touched the pumpkin lantern on Wentworth's bed, Wentworth felt a hook behind his navel suddenly and forcefully pull him forward, and then his feet left the ground and he flew up.

After an unknown amount of time, Wentworth finally felt his feet touch the ground, and at the same time, he heard voices around him.

Before Wentworth's dizziness had subsided, he heard a loud voice say:

"The kid's finally here! We've been waiting so long! Oh? And there's an old man too... boss... boss... boss..."

Then, another sinister voice said impatiently:

"I heard you. One shout is enough. Why shout so many times? Do you think I'm deaf?"

The first voice quickly explained:

"No, boss, it's an old man! There's another old man here!"

"What's wrong with the old man? Ask him about his background, see if he's of any use. If not, kill him!"