The Prisoners of Hogwarts

Chapter 225: Conclusion and New Ideas

Chapter 225: Conclusion and New Ideas (6.2K)

Dumbledore's blue eyes behind his crescent-shaped spectacles were sharp and calm, and his long silver beard seemed to carry a hint of the dust of his journey.

Behind Dumbledore, Snape appeared silently like a dark shadow. His greasy black hair clung to his cheeks, and his black eyes narrowed instantly when he saw the lifeless Harry on the sickbed. His thin lips pressed into a cold, hard line.

"Professor Lynch," Dumbledore's voice remained gentle, but his pace was slightly faster than usual, "How is Mr. Potter?"

"I've been hit by a sophisticated forgetting spell, my consciousness is deeply sealed off," Lin Qi replied succinctly. Then, he turned to Madam Pomfrey, "Madam Pomfrey, please prepare some tranquilizers."

Then his gaze returned to Dumbledore: "You're back so quickly."

"I received an urgent message from Severus on my way back," Dumbledore explained, his gaze never leaving Harry.

Just then, another door on the inside of the ward was pushed open, and Professor McGonagall, pale-faced but with her eyes now clear, walked out, somewhat weak but with firm steps.

She still had a small piece of gauze on her forehead, but her gaze immediately locked onto Lin Qi.

"Professor Lynch," her voice was a little hoarse, "how is the matter—being handled?"

"It's been resolved smoothly." Lin Qi nodded to her. "The secret chamber and the basilisk are no longer a threat, but I'll explain the specifics when I get back. There's still a small matter I need to take care of."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished in a slight distortion of the air.

A few seconds later, the space fluctuated again, and Lynch reappeared, holding another small child in his arms.

The unconscious figure was none other than Toth, the house-elf he had sent to protect Harry.

He gently placed Thors on the hospital bed next to Harry.

"Found in Lockhart's office, also under the Oblivion Curse," Lynch explained.

"Lockhart!?" Professor McGonagall exclaimed in shock, and Dumbledore and Snape also showed surprised expressions, clearly this answer was beyond their expectations.

“That’s right, Gilderoy Lockhart.” Lynch confirmed they hadn’t misheard. “Obviously, after the diary disappeared from Ginny Weasley’s bedroom, it ended up in Lockhart’s hands.”

Next, while Madam Pomfrey began an urgent examination of Harry and Thors, Lynch, facing the questioning and serious eyes of Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape, began to recount everything that had happened at Hogwarts this year—from the initial attack to the change of ownership of the diary, and finally to tonight's conclusion.

Of course, he omitted the existence of Horcruxes and Riddle in his account; these things were not suitable for too many people to know.

When he finally finished speaking, the school infirmary fell silent, with only the faint sound of the wind outside the window and the sound of Madam Pomfrey giving Harry and Thorts sedatives.

A thousand thoughts seemed to race through Dumbledore's deep blue eyes. Finally, he let out a soft breath, breaking the silence.

"Giddro Lockhart—this is a regrettable yet unsurprising ending." His tone was heavy as he glanced at Harry and Thorts on the hospital bed. "The death of a renowned author and member of the Order of Merlin on Hogwarts will undoubtedly prompt the Ministry of Magic to send special investigators to investigate; it won't be a small affair."

His gaze shifted to Lynch: "Professor Lynch, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you again. Before the Ministry of Magic arrives and begins their inevitable, tedious questioning, you need to bring Professor Lockhart's body out of the Chamber of Secrets. Some secrets are best kept secret; it's best if the Ministry of Magic officials don't know too much."

.

Lin Qi nodded slightly, having no objection to the arrangement.

Then, Dumbledore's gaze returned to Harry and Thors, and then to Professor Flitwick and Justin Finley on the other bed, his eyes becoming focused and gentle.

"As for them—the exquisite Oblivion Curse, especially the variants that affect perception and body control, is indeed very troublesome. Even the experts at St. Mungo's might not be able to handle it easily."

He looked at Madam Pomfrey: "Bobby, I need your help. I have some knowledge of magic involving memory and consciousness. Perhaps by combining some ancient spells and some supplementary potions that Professor Snape can provide, we can find a safe way to awaken them."

Professor Snape stirred in the shadows, glanced at Harry on the sickbed, and replied in a low voice, "I will prepare the necessary medicine."

Professor McGonagall leaned back in her chair, weak but lucid, and said, "Professor Dumbledore, please bring them back."

"I will, Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore replied firmly. "Now you should rest and recover as soon as possible; Hogwarts cannot do without you."

Professor McGonagall nodded and went back to her room to rest.

After Dumbledore explained the desired potion effect to Snape, Snape, clad in his black robes, left the infirmary.

Lin Qi remained standing quietly in place.

Dumbledore turned around, and their eyes met briefly. A knowing glint flashed in his silver-blue eyes.

He turned to Mrs. Pomfrey: "Bobby, I'll leave this to you for now. Professor Lynch and I need to discuss some details."

"Of course, Headmaster Dumbledore," Madam Pomfrey replied briskly.

Dumbledore gestured for Lynch to leave the infirmary and go outside to a quiet place.

In the empty corridor. The castle was silent at night, save for the occasional crackling of torches on the walls.

They didn't go far, but stopped beside a huge arched window in the corridor. Moonlight streamed through the stained glass, casting dappled and cold shadows on the floor.

"So, Professor Lynch," Dumbledore turned around, "what do you want to say?"

Lynch didn't answer. He turned and looked around. "We'd better talk in your principal's office."

A hint of seriousness flashed in Dumbledore's eyes: "Of course, come with me."

Without asking any further questions, he turned and led Lynch up the silent corridor toward the top of the castle. The gargoyle-guarded entrance opened automatically as they approached, and the spiral staircase silently led them to the gleaming oak door.

The principal's office maintained its warm, slightly cluttered, and comfortable atmosphere. Phoenix Fox, perched on a golden perch, let out a soft call as it saw them enter.

Dumbledore sat down behind his desk, his fingertips touching, and calmly looked at Lynch. "Now, it's safe enough here, Professor Lynch. Please speak, what is it?"

Lynch walked to his desk and sat down, getting straight to the point: "When the Ministry of Magic comes to investigate Lockhart's death, they will definitely ask for the diary that triggered the incident, but we cannot hand it over."

Dumbledore's gaze sharpened, his eyes behind his half-moon spectacles becoming piercing: "What's the reason?"

Lynch didn't answer directly. Instead, he took an object tightly wrapped in a white handkerchief from his pocket and gently placed it on the empty space between the silverwares in front of Dumbledore. Even through the fabric and layers of seals, the coldness and ominousness emanating from the object seemed to freeze the warm air in the headmaster's office.

Dumbledore's gaze was fixed on the package; he could already sense the chilling darkness it contained.

At that moment, Lynch met his gaze and revealed the answer clearly and calmly: "Because it is a Horcrux, Headmaster Dumbledore." He paused before continuing, "Voldemort's Horcrux."

Dumbledore leaned forward almost imperceptibly, his face grave. "Another one—" he whispered, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely certain." Lynch's tone was resolute. "And unlike the crown, this one—is particularly special, and may even overturn some of our previous understanding of Horcruxes."

"What's so special about him?" Dumbledore's gaze locked onto Lynch, filled with inquiry.

"It possesses a high degree of, almost complete, autonomy and the ability to act," Lynch explained. "It's not just a container for storing soul fragments; it's more like an independent, living consciousness. It can even actively choose a host, absorbing their life force and memories to strengthen itself, and shaping a near-realistic soul projection—Tom Riddle. Riddle can actively communicate with people and cast complex spells—in the secret chamber, he even tried to attack me with Avada Kedavra."

Dumbledore's brow furrowed deeply: "Self-awareness—active spellcasting—this is indeed beyond our observation of the Crown. This means that Horcruxes are not all passive, waiting-to-be-activated inanimate objects; they can—actively commit evil and seek out their own prey." This realization elevated the danger of Horcruxes to a new level.

“That’s right,” Lynch confirmed. “We can’t hand it over to the Ministry of Magic. Not to mention that we need to destroy it to deal with Voldemort, the very fact that it could bewitch, control, or even destroy any wizard who comes into contact with it is enough to cause a huge disaster.”

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, his fingertips touching, lost in thought for a moment. He fully understood Lynch's concerns.

"Therefore, we can't respond to the investigation with the truth that Lockhart died from a dark magic object. We need an explanation that can both conceal the truth and cover up the incident properly."

Lynch, clearly prepared, proposed a completely different scenario: "We can state it this way: After Professor Gilderoy Lockhart accidentally discovered this dark magical artifact imbued with evil intent, he realized its immense threat to the school. Instead of backing down, he chose to step forward and attempt to control and destroy it alone to protect the students. When Harry Potter was unexpectedly drawn into the situation, Professor Lockhart, in protecting him, was unfortunately corrupted by the dark magical forces and ultimately sacrificed himself heroically in the battle against the artifact."

Dumbledore listened quietly.

This explanation is undoubtedly more sophisticated and humane than "experiment failure" or "being harmed by dark magic items."

Lynch added details: "We can set the 'final showdown' in his office, which would be easier to stage as the aftermath of a fierce magical battle. As for why he and Harry were in the Chamber of Secrets, it could be explained that he was trying to lure dangerous objects away from the crowd or trace their source. Harry and Thorts' injuries were caused by stray dark magic forces they encountered while assisting Professor Lockhart in his fight against the darkness."

"An image of a heroic sacrifice." Dumbledore nodded. "This will salvage his reputation, offer solace to his family and friends, and allow the Ministry of Magic's investigation to conclude more quickly, avoiding delving into details we don't want to reveal. More importantly, it will divert public attention from the attack and focus it on the tragic story of a heroic professor."

"Yes," Lynch agreed, "this will minimize any subsequent trouble and keep the real secret hidden beneath the glare of this 'heroic narrative.'"

Dumbledore pondered for a moment, then finally nodded: "Although this is quite different from his actions during his lifetime—in this situation, a truth that is conducive to stabilizing the situation and protecting more people" might be necessary. Let's stick to this version of events.

He reached out and solemnly picked up the white package, feeling the stirring darkness within.

"And this true truth" must be firmly grasped by us. Its "activity" signifies enormous risk, but may also contain crucial information.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to say,” Lynch continued. “Headmaster Dumbledore, as you and I both know, you possess the most powerful Legilimency ability in the wizarding world, but you never use it on people lightly.”

"But I think—Voldemort isn't in this category, is he? Since the soul fragment within this Horcrux possesses such active consciousness and memories, perhaps—you can directly obtain the information we desperately need from it: Voldemort's other Horcruxes, his plans, and even weaknesses from the Tom Riddle era that he himself may have forgotten."

He paused briefly, his dark eyes flashing with analytical light, and continued, "I speculate that it's no coincidence that this Horcrux is so special, possessing autonomy and power far exceeding that of the Crown. It is very likely the first—the first Horcrux Tom Riddle created while exploring the forbidden path of immortality. This means it carries the largest and most complete fragment torn from his original soul. This might explain why it can exhibit the near-independent personality of Riddle," rather than merely the imprint of residual obsession.

Dumbledore paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the white package in his hand, as if he could see through the fabric and into it the fragments of the soul of his most brilliant and most disappointing student.

A complex emotion flashed in his eyes—regret, responsibility, and a pure thirst for knowledge in the face of danger.

Finally, he gently patted the white package, as if soothing a restless soul, or making a solemn decision. He looked up at Lynch, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable resolve: "Before considering more radical methods—I want to talk to 'it' first."

Dumbledore carefully tucked the sealed diary into the headmaster's desk drawer, as if placing a heavy past behind him.

He raised his head, his gaze becoming clear and focused again, and turned to another pressing topic.

"Speaking of Horcruxes," he began, his voice tinged with the weariness of a journey, "I've finally made some progress on this trip. Based on Voldemort's past research, I've traced a clue from his childhood—a specific coastal area."

Lynch's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, but he didn't interrupt.

"In a secluded, remote cave," Dumbledore continued, his eyes growing deep, "I found a very hidden place where I am almost certain that one of his Horcruxes is sealed."

He shook his head as he spoke: "But unfortunately, it is protected by powerful dark magic, so I did not attempt to enter rashly."

As Dumbledore narrated more clearly, Lynch's expression grew increasingly strange.

The expression wasn't one of surprise or approval, but rather a complex mix of realization, understanding, and a subtle embarrassment.

Dumbledore keenly noticed the change in his expression, stopped speaking, and looked at Lynch with inquiring eyes: "It seems that the place I found doesn't surprise you, Professor Lynch."

Lin Qi sighed, met his gaze, and his slightly strange expression turned into one of composure.

"Not surprising at all, Headmaster Dumbledore." He nodded, his tone calm. "The place you found is the one I've always known about, but previously thought the time wasn't right and we shouldn't act rashly, lest we alert the enemy."

Dumbledore sighed softly and leaned back in his chair. "I knew it. Actually, when I stood at the entrance of that cave, I had a vague suspicion of this, which is why I didn't try to go in."

After saying that, he looked at Lin Qi: "Now that I have found the location of this Horcrux, Professor Lin Qi, could you tell me some more detailed information? In order to avoid a situation where we have done useless work again."

Lin Qi nodded: "Now that you've found out, I can naturally tell you more."

"The entrance barriers you've reached require intruders to shed their own blood, and in considerable amounts, to enter. Simply opening the door demands a price, weakening oneself."

"Once inside, you will face the second, and even more deadly, challenge: a vast underground lake, its waters icy cold, its surface cursed by Voldemort to prevent flight. And—" Lynch's expression turned icy as he said this, "the lake is teeming with an immeasurable number of Inferi, all created by Voldemort after slaughtering Muggles."

"These iniquities are enchanted. They usually lie at the bottom of the lake, but once they sense any movement from living beings—whether attempting to swim or using magic to cross—they swarm out. Even the most powerful wizards, when faced with an almost endless sea of ​​iniquities, will gradually lose their strength until they are exhausted and dragged to the cold lake bottom, becoming one of the iniquities themselves. What's even more troublesome is that Voldemort has set up warning spells throughout the entire process."

"That's why I haven't made a move yet. Forcibly breaking the blood curse would alert him, and dealing with an unknown number of Yin Corpses requires thorough preparation. Acting blindly will only lead to failure."

Dumbledore listened quietly, his previous helplessness replaced by a deep solemnity.

He completely understood Lynch's concerns.

"Blood sacrifice, and the Lake of the Infernal—" Dumbledore slowly repeated these defensive measures, a complex light flickering in his eyes. "It's very much like the setup Voldemort would make, cruel and effective. Thank you for telling me this, Professor Lynch."

"Your previous concerns were valid. Any action taken against this cave must be based on thorough preparation and being in good condition; otherwise, it would be tantamount to walking into a trap."

Lin Qi nodded slightly in agreement.

He then turned his attention to the newly sealed diary, his eyes showing a thoughtful expression: "Speaking of the whereabouts of the Horcruxes, this diary provides a clue that we may have overlooked before."

He looked at Dumbledore and said, "According to my investigation, this diary was not hidden in some ancient ruin or dangerous place, but was given to Lucius Malfoy by Voldemort himself during the first period of his power."

"Lucius Malfoy?"

Dumbledore's eyebrows rose in surprise; he hadn't expected that Lucius Malfoy was behind the Hogwarts attack.

Then he recalled Lucius Malfoy's unexpectedly generous donation some time ago.

Dumbledore looked at Lynch with a mocking expression: "It seems Mr. Malfoy's generosity a while ago wasn't due to a change of heart. What a pity."

Lynch didn't respond to that, but instead continued his analysis: "Hordeals are so important to him, yet he entrusted them to someone else, even one of his most trusted Death Eaters. This might indicate that Voldemort's attitude towards Horcruxes has a certain—stratification. Like the one in the cave, heavily protected, it was an absolutely secret anchor point he prepared for himself." The diary, on the other hand, is more like a tool, or even a token. Entrusting it to an influential pure-blood family patriarch is both a symbol of absolute trust and possibly a hidden pawn planted within the pure-blood circle.

He paused, then posed an even more radical conjecture: "If Voldemort could entrust a Horcrux with special functions to Lucius Malfoy, then could he possibly entrust another Horcrux to Lucius Malfoy, either as a way to win over or reward another extremely important and trusted Death Eater?"

"This possibility cannot be ignored." Dumbledore's expression turned serious, and he fell into deep thought, tapping his fingers on the table.

"This is—a very bold, but also extremely insightful, Professor Lynch. I've been focusing my search on Voldemort's history and the traces he left behind, but I may have overlooked the variable of 'the human heart.'"

"Voldemort, though arrogant, also knew how to manipulate and control people. Granting such an important honor and responsibility to his most loyal servants was perfectly in line with his methods of managing subordinates. More importantly, his servants would carefully store the Horcruxes in a safe place that even Voldemort himself wasn't entirely sure of."

Dumbledore raised his head, a hunter's glint rekindling in his eyes: "This provides us with another potential, living direction in our search for the other Horcruxes—to trace his most core, most trusted Death Eaters, especially those who retained considerable power or remained deeply hidden after the First War. They may hold another lifeline for Voldemort."

"It seems that, in addition to continuing the search for those ancient artifacts that may be hidden, we also need to carefully review the list of Voldemort's inner circle."

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