Hogwarts: What are the four great masters doing?

He remembered clearly that when he first went to Diagon Alley to shop, he had heard an incident from Julius, a clerk at Flourish and Blotts - he had seen Lucius Malfoy and Quirinus Quirrell talking that day.

It was also on that day, after Quirrell left Flourish and Blotts, that the books and quills in the store suddenly rioted.

On the same day, he met Gemini and Ron who were there to buy books.

Then, Ryan thought of the second-hand black diary he had seen many times beside Ron. He clearly remembered that there was an initial 'T' on it that was crossed out but still faintly visible.

"Tom..."

Ryan almost understood the source of everything!

"That day, in Diagon Alley... Quirrell placed the diary inside a book in Flourish and Blotts, and Ron bought that book? Did he fall prey to Voldemort's schemes?"

When he told Dumbledore what he knew, Dumbledore also expressed surprise.

"Mr. Weasley… now it all makes sense."

He said happily, "I'm afraid there are only a few details left to clarify - such as what exactly that diary is. However... when Mr. Weasley wakes up, I believe everything will become clear."

And Ryan nodded.

He also knew that more information about the diary would have to wait until Ron woke up.

So, he didn't continue to dwell on Ron's affairs.

Instead, he asked Dumbledore the last question, the one that concerned him the most.

"Voldemort once spoke of Slytherin—he said..."

Ryan still remembered what Voldemort said not long ago.

"Slytherin... I told you long ago that you would regret what you did to me..."

"Your plan couldn't kill me, no one can kill me!"

At that time, the crazy Dark Lord said so.

And there's no doubt about it—Ryan cares deeply about this.

Because he has realized...Voldemort's words are likely related to Slytherin's treasure!

Chapter 102: Ryan: Is there something about Dumbledore? Detailed! (5.5K, with more to come)

"Slytherin?"

After hearing Ryan's question, Dumbledore frowned.

"Do you believe what he said?"

obviously.

Even he felt that what Voldemort said was too unbelievable.

Slytherin had nearly killed him?

This sounds like crazy talk.

but...

"I believe."

Ryan said decisively.

His expression was serious: "Dumbledore... I might be able to guess Voldemort's purpose in taking the Philosopher's Stone."

"Purpose?"

His words undoubtedly piqued Dumbledore's interest. "I do have a guess—if nothing unexpected happens, he should be trying to resurrect himself... but I'm not sure of the specific method."

He looked at Ryan: "But now it seems that his methods may be related to Slytherin?"

"Yes."

Ryan nodded.

He whispered, "Using unicorn blood to stabilize your soul is the first step to resurrection."

"Then he needs to obtain the bones of his father, the flesh of his servants, and the blood of his enemies. This is the second step of resurrection."

"In addition to these three... if an extremely powerful source of magic is used during resurrection, the magic power of the Horcrux's owner can be further enhanced after resurrection. This is the third step in resurrection."

He said this with clear meaning.

He had seen Voldemort drinking the blood of a unicorn in the Forbidden Forest with his own eyes.

And the Philosopher's Stone - this alchemical creation that can make people immortal and turn stones into gold, is undoubtedly a powerful source of magic!

So he could almost conclude that Voldemort wanted to be resurrected in this way.

But the more crucial question is...

"This method of resurrecting a Horcrux did not come from the despicable Herpo..."

Ryan looked at Dumbledore with a stern look.

"This is one of the two methods of resurrection invented by Slytherin after studying Horcruxes!"

This is why Ryan concluded that Voldemort might really be related to Slytherin.

And besides that...

"As evidence, Voldemort knows my identity... I think he may have obtained something related to the Slytherin teacher."

Ryan couldn't let go of this speculation.

Because he knew that if Voldemort really got something related to Slytherin.

Then there is a high probability that the thing is the treasure left by Slytherin!

"..."

After hearing Ryan's words, Dumbledore's expression became serious.

He obviously also realized the importance of this news.

"Don't worry, Ryan—I'll inform Nico soon and have him ready to destroy the Philosopher's Stone!"

"Tom's plan will not succeed."

He said so first.

Then...

"As for Tom's relationship with Slytherin... I'm not sure, but I have some guesses..."

He said this, which made Ryan roll his eyes at the old wizard.

How come this old bee has guesses about everything?

But Dumbledore obviously ignored Ryan's eye roll.

"Do you remember the trophy in the trophy room?"

He asked, and Ryan nodded as a matter of course.

Of course he remembered the trophy in the trophy room - Hermione had told him that it was the 'Special Contribution Award' won by Tom Riddle.

That was also the first information he had received about Tom Riddle.

After getting Ryan's affirmative answer, Dumbledore gave his answer.

"From what I understand, that trophy is linked to a past tragedy – a student died and another was expelled."

"I wasn't the headmaster of Hogwarts at the time, so I don't know the full story...but I know that a rumor was mentioned repeatedly during that incident."

He looked at Ryan and said softly.

"Legend has it that there is a secret chamber in the school...it's called—Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets."

As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp light flashed in Ryan's eyes.

"Can you be more specific, Mr. Principal?"

"Oh...I'm afraid not, Ryan."

Dumbledore shook his head, which was beyond Ryan's expectation: "In fact, I was not involved in the investigation of this matter at that time."

He hesitated, as if he had something to hide.

This made Ryan look at the old wizard with some suspicion - he felt that the other party was hiding something from him again!

But compared to before, Dumbledore's concealment of this matter was unacceptable to him.

But just when Ryan was about to ask more questions...

"Oh, young master, perhaps I can testify for him. Dumbledore was indeed very busy at the time. He and his old friend were at loggerheads after the blood pact was broken. Especially after their battle in Bhutan, it was said that things were very chaotic outside."

"He didn't have the time to investigate the Chamber of Secrets. He doesn't even know as much as Old Hat... Well, I'm just a hat, so I don't know much either."

The Sorting Hat on the shelf nearby made a mumbling sound.

Its words made Ryan pause, and then he realized something.

He remembered it clearly, Hermione had mentioned it - the trophy Tom Riddle received had the exact year on it, 1943.

And he also remembered some of the things he had read about Dumbledore.

[Albus Dumbledore thwarted the conspiracy of the first Dark Lord, Gellert Grindelwald, in Bhutan in 1932, and eventually defeated him in a duel in 1945]

So Ryan almost immediately realized the message revealed in the old hat's words.

Dumbledore and the first Dark Lord, Grindelwald, were actually good friends!?

No, that's not right! Old Hat even mentioned a blood alliance!

This kind of powerful magic contract rarely appears even between close friends, but more often appears between relatives or lovers!

"hiss..."

Ryan smelled the scent of a big melon.

However, as much as he wanted the old hat to explain the situation in detail, he noticed the wide eyes of Dumbledore at this moment.

The Sorting Hat's thoughts were obviously quite jumpy, and it was now talking about another thing.

"Also, Dumbledore lied again - he also has a secret candy box filled with some rare limited edition candies. It's in the third cabinet behind him. The password to open the cabinet is 'Exercise Restraint'."