The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 268: Sudden Concern

The conversation that night not only cleared up Ada's misunderstanding of Tonks, but also allowed Ada to passively gain a friendship from Tonks. The lively and cheerful Tonks was impressive, and she also liked to play pranks. Ada wanted to introduce her to the twins.

After parting with Tonks, Ada also considered her proposal. Ada considered whether she should tell Professor McGonagall about the surveillance she was under and let her help make a decision.

Yes, Ada was thinking of Professor McGonagall, not Dumbledore as Tonks mentioned.

Although the relationship between her and Dumbledore had eased somewhat because of Nurmengard and the Chamber of Secrets, the rift still existed and would take more time to heal.

Ada no longer considered Dumbledore a person she could rely on, and she didn't want to owe him too many favors, because favors must be repaid.

Ada had no such burden towards Professor McGonagall, it was as if Professor McGonagall owed her something.

Whenever she had any confusion, she would always think of her dean first. Professor McGonagall never asked for anything in return, and always helped and cared for her unconditionally.

In this cold world, Ada felt that she was at least lucky because she met so many kind people. Some people might not meet even one of these kind people in their entire lives, but she met many.

It is precisely because of the existence of these people that Ada did not immerse herself in darkness, because her life is full of sunshine, and the road to darkness is also full of stumbling blocks.

Just when Ada was hesitating whether to ask Professor McGonagall for help, Dumbledore suddenly came to her.

That night, just as Ada was about to go to bed, she found Fox the Phoenix in front of her window. Ada quietly put on a black lace dressing gown, put her wand in her pocket, and then went downstairs in confusion.

This was not the first time Dumbledore had come to the Burrow. He had just rescued Ginny, the Weasleys' little daughter. Why didn't he visit the Burrow openly? Why did he have to do it in such a sneaky way, as if it was an underground meeting?

With this doubt, Ada walked out of the Burrow, walked around the bushes growing around the wall, walked through the overgrown weeds and overgrown grass, and finally saw Dumbledore who had "raided" the Burrow at night by the big pond.

"The professor came to visit in the middle of the night and in such a sinful way. Is there some secret that cannot be told?" Ada said softly. The night wind was a little cold, and it blew Ada's words far away.

"There is nothing that cannot be said to others." Seeing Ada's pout, Dumbledore continued, "It's just that some things don't need to be made into a big news, which only adds trouble to others. It's enough for you and me to know it."

After hearing what Dumbledore said, Ada's first reaction was that her murder had been exposed. But then Ada rejected this idea, she was confident that she had done it covertly enough and Dumbledore should not find out.

Besides, if Dumbledore really knew about it, even if he didn't come to call for punishment, he shouldn't have been so nonchalant.

"Why is that?" Ada asked, "Beauty comes from sleep. You and your bird have successfully made me miss the time for my skin to regenerate."

"What kind of theory is this? I have never heard of it before. Is this a new research by Muggles?" Dumbledore was a little curious. Skin regeneration time, what is that?
Of course, Ada couldn't explain anything. She just complained that Dumbledore had delayed her rest. How could she know what this theory was, who proposed this theory, and whether the theory was correct or not?
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse, a rare good day, but what Dumbledore mentioned was not a pleasant thing. He asked, "Someone told me that you were being followed. Is that true?"

"Did Tonks tell you?" Ada turned her head to look at Dumbledore. Tonks had just discussed this matter with her, and Dumbledore came to see her a few days later. Ada naturally thought that it was Tonks who told the headmaster.

"It seems to be true." Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, "Tonks, I remember she was a Hufflepuff student. I didn't know you knew such an enthusiastic girl."

Dumbledore has been a professor for decades. He has taught many students. He cannot guarantee that he remembers every student's name, but Tonks is the kind of person who can leave a deep impression on others. "Tonks and I have just become familiar with each other." Ada said, "I don't know who is monitoring me. It was not until Tonks reminded me that I discovered them. By the way, Tonks is taking Auror training."

Dumbledore looked up at the night sky. He seemed to be more interested in Tonks. His old friend Alastor Moody had mentioned this girl before. He continued, "I'm surprised that you only discovered it after being reminded by others."

"If you go to the Leaky Cauldron, you'll know how good Old Tom's business is this year!" Ida sighed helplessly, "Old Tom seems to have suddenly become ten years younger. He's happier than when he got married."

"Never make excuses for yourself, Ada." Dumbledore's criticism was gentle and much more pleasant to the ear than Grindelwald's.

Ada nodded and accepted the headmaster's criticism. This was indeed her negligence, or perhaps her mentality had expanded after her own strength improved. Ada said, "Such surveillance took place once last year. At that time, I suspected Foley or other pure-blood families, but I did not find any substantial evidence."

"What about this time?" Dumbledore asked. "Any new discovery?"

"The Way of the Dragon," said Ada. "Some of them don't look like British wizards."

Dumbledore said, "It's similar to the news I received. Some of them entered England in a normal way, and some of them were illegal immigrants."

"Like the last time we went to Nurmengard?"

"Yes, but the methods used may be different." Dumbledore replied. No one can tell exactly how many kinds of magic there are in this world, not even Dumbledore. Otherwise, he would not have needed to ask Grover Cecil for help, and he would not have been unaware of the magic that Voldemort had cast on the diary.

"I will get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. If I don't get to the bottom of it, it will be a hidden danger." Dumbledore said. He felt that he didn't quite understand Ada. What secrets did this child have that could attract the attention of so many people?

"Also, do I need protection for you?" Dumbledore asked again. He knew that this question was a bit redundant, but Dumbledore felt that he still needed to say it.

In the entire wizarding world, the person who knows Ada's abilities best is Dumbledore, followed by Grindelwald and Newt Scamander. These two people don't often come into contact with Ada and don't know about her recent changes, but they all have their own understanding and cognition, so these two people are on par with each other.

Professor McGonagall, although she often came into contact with Ada, she did not know Ada's true strength, or did not have a clear and complete understanding of it. After all, Professor McGonagall usually only discussed Transfiguration with Ada, and never talked about other magic.

This was Dumbledore's good intention, a concern from an elder, but Ada wanted to ask Dumbledore: Did he curse? Did you curse? An old man over a hundred years old, why did he have to learn Snape's sarcasm when there were other things to learn?

"Thank you for your kindness, but I can still handle it." Ada had her own considerations, "Besides, there are suddenly more people around me, I'm afraid it will alert the enemy."

Dumbledore was not dissatisfied with Ada's refusal. He knew that Ada must have her own considerations, which is what people say is right. He added: "By the way, I don't know why, but a friend of mine suggested that you should learn French."

"French?" Ada turned to look at Dumbledore in confusion, but found that there was no trace of Dumbledore around her.

Ada's doubts disappeared instantly, replaced by a cold sweat. Dumbledore could disappear silently, so could he also appear silently? Besides him, who else could do this?
The night wind tonight was a little chilly. Ada stood alone by the pond quietly and did not return to the room for a long time.

(End of this chapter)