I'm in a crossover anime world, and I've been transported to Hogwarts twice.

Genichi Hanyu turned his gaze back to Aberforth, his tone reassuring, "During the temporary loan period, I can allow Ariana's soul to temporarily appear before Mr. Aberforth, so that he can personally confirm the existence and well-being of his sister's soul, alleviating his deep longing. This will at least prove my sincerity and ability."

He offered a seemingly tempting but ultimately harmful incentive to Aberforth, akin to drinking poison to quench his thirst.

"And you, Professor, the sacred artifacts will eventually return to your hands. All you need is to give me a brief opportunity to study them, a win-win solution, isn't it?"

Genichi Hanyu's words were like a carefully woven spider web, seemingly offering a way out, but in reality setting up a deeper trap.

A short-term loan?

For someone who possesses the divine status of the Grim Reaper and understands the essence of the soul, a day is enough for him to glimpse the deepest secrets of the Deathly Hallows, and may even leave some imperceptible marks or backup plans.

The manifestation of Ariana's soul is a poison that deepens Aberforth's obsession, making him even more dependent on Genichi Hanyu in the future, and giving him a stronger bargaining chip to pressure Dumbledore.

He calmly watched Dumbledore, lost in thought, and Aberforth, whose eyes had been rekindled with a morbid hope, waiting for his prey to step into the trap he had laid out, caught between fate and kinship.

181 Aberforth: Albus Dumbledore, I curse you!

Genichi Hanyu's offer of temporary loan was like throwing a seemingly gentle pebble into a stagnant pond, but in reality, it concealed a turbulent whirlpool.

He considered this to be the greatest concession and understanding he could offer Dumbledore—no need for a permanent separation, just a brief contact, and even a bonus of appeasing Aberforth.

In his cold-blooded calculations, Dumbledore, burdened with a heavy mission and immense guilt, had no reason to refuse such a win-win solution.

This was the most favorable weight he could offer the other party on the scales of fate.

However, Dumbledore's silence, like a cold tide, gradually eroded the confidence in control that Genichi Hanyu had in his heart.

Inside the principal's office, the air seemed to solidify into lead, with only Aberforth's heavy, desperate breathing and Fox's uneasy whimpering echoing through the room.

Dumbledore's deep blue eyes, peering through his half-moon spectacles, were no longer in a dazed state from the shock of immense pain, but had regained a profound light that had weathered many storms and pierced through the fog.

The light was sharp as a knife, carrying a heavy scrutiny and a final decision.

Just as the feigned sincerity on Genichi Hanyu's lips was about to turn into impatience, Dumbledore spoke slowly and with exceptional clarity, his voice low yet carrying an undeniable firmness: "No."

One word, concise and heavy, like a boulder thrown into an icy lake, instantly shattered the carefully constructed illusion of a win-win situation by Genichi Hanyu, and also completely crushed the last faint flame of hope in Aberforth's eyes.

The deliberate gentleness and understanding on Genichi Hanyu's face vanished instantly.

His expression was like the surface of a lake frozen by a cold current—smooth, cold, and without a ripple. Only in the depths of his deep eyes did a very subtle, almost imperceptible hint of surprise and a cold, offended anger flash across his face.

He slowly pulled his hands out of his pockets, straightened his body, and the leisurely and lazy aura around him vanished, replaced by an invisible and suffocating sense of oppression.

He stared at Dumbledore, his voice steady, yet like a poisoned needle: "Professor Dumbledore, are you sure you want to refuse me?"

“I do not intend to take ownership of them, but merely to borrow them for a short time. In fact, I promise to let Ariana’s soul appear before Mr. Aberforth to alleviate his longing.”

He spread his hands as if to present an obvious fact.

"You're not even willing to accept these conditions? Do you agree?"

His voice dropped slightly as he spoke the last few words, carrying a barely perceptible, cold questioning tone.

The temperature in the principal's office seemed to drop a few degrees.

The portraits of past principals on the wall all held their breath, even the most talkative Phineas Nigelles unusually fell silent, watching intently below.

Dumbledore met Genichi Hanyu's cold gaze without flinching. His aged face bore a knowing weariness and a resolute determination.

The Elder Wand in his hand was as steady as a mountain, radiating a restrained yet powerful force.

"I confess that resurrecting Anna is one of my deepest desires."

When he mentioned his sister's name, his voice trembled slightly, but then became even more resolute.

"But it is this desire that makes me stay sober. I don't know what your purpose is in wanting the Elder Wand and the Invisibility Cloak, even if it's just for a short time. Your power, your control over the soul, and your precise exploitation of human weaknesses all make me feel an unprecedented sense of danger."

Dumbledore's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, as if trying to pierce through Genichi Hanyu's calm and placid exterior and look directly into the indescribable, cold essence deep within his soul.

"This danger, more so than Voldemort's brutal ambition, chills me to the bone."

"Danger?"

Genichi Hanyu repeated the word, a clear, playful, and mocking sneer appearing on his face for the first time.

That smile gave his handsome face a touch of sinister charm.

"Professor Dumbledore."

He took a step forward, and an invisible pressure spread outwards.

"You say, I could have easily taken it by force, crushing all obstacles with power, but instead I chose to trade with you, negotiate with you, and even offered what seemed like a concession—a temporary loan. What is the reason for that?"

This question, like a cold trap, hangs between the two of them.

Dumbledore fell into a deeper silence.

He pursed his lips tightly, and his white beard trembled slightly.

Yes, given the mysterious and unpredictable power and the ability to see into people's hearts that Genichi Hanyu has demonstrated, he could very well resort to more direct and violent means.

Why didn't he?

Is it because they fear the protection of Hogwarts?

Or is he wary of the old magic wand in his own hands?

Or perhaps he is pursuing something deeper than just the object itself?

A more unsettling possibility than simply possessing the artifacts arose in Dumbledore's mind.

"Why? Dumbledore! Tell me why?!"

A shrill, distorted scream shattered the silence!

Aberforth has gone completely insane!

His newly ignited hope—that he could exchange a temporary loan for a glimpse of his sister's soul—was mercilessly crushed by Dumbledore's cold "no"!

Like a wild beast that had been completely enraged and lost all reason, he sprang up from the ground and pounced on Dumbledore again without regard for anything else!

His eyes were bloodshot, covered with spiderweb-like blood vessels, his eyeballs almost bursting out, and blood-tinged saliva dripped from the corners of his mouth due to extreme anger and despair.

"Why are you refusing? We can bring Ariana back right now, right in front of us! You selfish bastard, coward, hypocrite!"

He roared, wildly waving his wand, unleashing a barrage of powerful yet chaotic spells like out-of-control fireworks, shooting haphazardly at Dumbledore and the walls and bookshelves around him! A series of massive explosions followed, splinters of wood flew everywhere, pages scattered like snowflakes, and precious magical items were blasted to pieces!

The entire principal's office was instantly turned into a mess!

"Stop! Aberforth!"

Dumbledore shouted sharply, and the Elder Wand was waved rapidly, creating flexible golden barriers that precisely blocked the violent spells, protecting the office from complete destruction.

He defended himself while trying to get closer to his brother, who had fallen into complete madness, his eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness.

"Get away! Don't touch me!"

Abu Fu Si Ru Qun · Liao Qiu Ming Liu Si (VI) Ni Ba Xia Tong, a wounded beast, reacted violently to Dumbledore's approach, and a powerful barrier spell forced Dumbledore back several steps.

He was panting heavily, his chest heaving violently, staring intently at Dumbledore with a hatred so intense it was like a tangible flame, almost burning the other man to ashes!

“You don’t care! You never have! What is Anna to you? Just for your damn, vague sense of danger? Just for a guess?”

He pointed at Genichi Hanyu, then at Dumbledore, his voice distorted and broken by extreme pain.

"You'd rather give up the chance to bring her back! You'd rather watch them forever sink into the cold, dead land! Dumbledore! I curse you! I curse you to live forever in regret! To never find peace!"

Faced with his brother's accusations and curses, which were like poisoned arrows, Dumbledore's body swayed violently, and his face turned as pale as a ghost.

The deep sorrow in his eyes was so intense it seemed to weigh the entire world on him.

If he could, wouldn't he want to do anything to bring his sister back and heal the wounds in his brother's heart that could never be healed?

However, the indifference and manipulation of life, rules, and fate itself that Hanyu Genichi exudes, and the coldness that seems to be looking down on all living beings from a higher dimension, are reminiscent of Dumbledore's work!

It was a fear that stemmed from instinct, a fear even stronger than the fear felt when facing Voldemort, a fear that originated from the very essence of life!

He had a vague feeling that handing over the Deathly Hallows to Genichi Habu, even if it was just a brief encounter, could trigger a disaster more terrible and unpredictable than Voldemort's reign!

The source of that disaster might just be this seemingly calm young man himself!

Because of this premonition, and because of the countless lives that might have been lost due to his wrong choices, he had no other choice.

Even if this choice means pushing my brother into deeper despair, and means that I will suffer in eternal regret.

Just as Aberforth's roar and Dumbledore's silence formed the most stark contrast, Genichi Hanyu's voice rang out again. He offered no questioning, no anger, not even a hint of emotion.

His voice was as calm as if he were narrating an ordinary, predetermined matter that had nothing to do with him, yet it was colder and more piercing than any curse from Aberforth, like the death sentence: "Professor Dumbledore."

Genichi Hanyu (Liao Zhao Zhao)'s gaze fell on Dumbledore's hand, which was gripping the Elder Wand tightly and whose knuckles were white, and then slowly moved to his pained and aged face.

"Just because of your premonition, your guess, can you really be so indifferent to your sister Ariana?"

He stepped forward, his voice still calm and even, yet carrying a penetrating power that pierced the soul. Each word was like a cold chisel, striking Dumbledore's most vulnerable defenses: "Even though Ariana's soul is currently under my control, knowing that her only brother has given up the only chance to bring her back to the world of the living for a vague and dangerous suspicion,"

Genichi Hanyu tilted his head slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through space, landing on something only he could see. His voice carried an almost cruel tone: "Even if she knows that you have abandoned her, can you still be completely indifferent?"

These words, like the final death knell, resounded deep within Dumbledore's soul!

His tall frame jolted violently, as if struck by an invisible giant hammer. He staggered back a step and crashed into the huge desk with a dull thud.

His hand, gripping the Elder Wand, trembled violently. The unwavering will that had sustained him throughout his life finally cracked at this moment, under Genichi Hanyu's seemingly casual yet soul-searching question—a crack so clear it seemed to shatter.

195 Cassandra, I want to weave you into my very bones.

Cassandra leaned lazily against Genichi Hanyu's warm chest, her body sinking into the soft velvet sofa, like a tamed cat that remained alert.

Her slender fingers gently turned the pages of a thick magical tome lying on her lap, its cover inlaid with mithril and emeralds: "The Soul Branding of Ancient Runes and Its Forbidden Applications".

The laboratory's soft, magical lights cast a warm glow on her thick, brown curls, and the air was filled with her usual fragrance, a blend of cool herbs and ancient parchment.

Genichi Hanyu's arms naturally encircled her slender yet powerful waist, and his chin gently rested on the top of her head.

He wasn't reading; instead, he closed his eyes, seemingly immersed in the tranquil warmth, or perhaps simply resting.

His fingers, however, were almost instinctively and possessively entwining and playing with a strand of Cassandra's soft hair that had fallen into his arm, circling it again and again, as if he were playing with a rare treasure.

Just as this tranquility seemed to freeze into eternity, Cassandra's cool voice broke the silence like a pebble thrown into a calm lake: "I can imagine," Dumbledore must be in pain right now.

She didn't even need to witness the silent storm raging in the principal's office.

Snape's desperate yet resolute demeanor, and Dumbledore's inner conflict between duty and personal desire—all of this, under Cassandra's meticulous, alchemical-like mental deduction, had already sketched a clear picture known as "Dumbledore's Purgatory."

"The torment of being silently accused by the souls of loved ones."

Cassandra's fingertips lightly traced a complex runic symbol on the page, as if deciphering a painful code within. 28

"The regret of being torn apart by the deep hatred of his own brother, and the most fatal thing—the deep-seated self-doubt and powerlessness of giving up the only chance for redemption."

She paused slightly, then finally raised her eyes. Her deep, emerald-green eyes looked at Yuzuru Genichi's jawline, which was almost touching hers, with a hint of inquiry: "His soul is probably being torn apart by the venomous snake called regret right now, isn't it? Each bite carries the light of Ariana's dissipating soul."

Cassandra's words were precise and cruel, like the sharpest scalpel, cutting open Dumbledore's deepest wound.

Genichi Hanyu kept his eyes closed, but the corners of his lips slowly curved upwards into a very faint arc, carrying both satisfaction and a hint of cold mockery.

He didn't say much, but the fingers entwined around her hair tightened slightly, a silent acknowledgment of her accurate insight.

He gave Dumbledore a choice.

A brief borrowing of the sacred artifact in exchange for a reunion with Ariana's soul.

That wasn't even a real transaction; it was more like a test, a chance to give the other party some room to make amends.

However, Dumbledore chose the heavy shackles called responsibility.

He rejected the olive branch offered by Genichi Hanyu and personally closed the door to redemption.

Since that's the case, Genichi Hanyu naturally doesn't need to show any mercy.

Genichi Hanyu felt a chill run through his heart.

He never forces anything, nor does he show any pity.

If someone doesn't appreciate kindness, then don't blame him for being ruthless and showing no mercy.

Dumbledore's torment?

That was merely the punishment he deserved for rejecting his kindness; he was an inevitable victim in this cruel game of chess.

Old flame?

It is worthless in the face of absolute power and clear boundaries.

He had long since lost all affection for Dumbledore.

His gaze finally fell upon Cassandra's breathtakingly beautiful profile in the light, nestled in his arms.

Her focus, her wisdom, her proud independence, and the submissive way she nestled in his arms at this moment were like the strongest liquor, constantly provoking the beast within him called possession.