Hogwarts Raven

Chapter 143: Death will not be merciful

Ian thought he would need to discuss the experience of raising a little phoenix with Phoenix Fox in the principal's office, and wait for a long time before he met the old principal who had cleaned up the finishing touches.

He never expected it.

He had used the Dark Phoenix to Apparate, but Albus Dumbledore was still one step ahead of him - or had the headmaster been waiting here for a long time?
Ian noticed what Albus Dumbledore was wearing. Although he was still wearing the standard purple robe, he now had a crimson scarf around his neck.

In addition, there are some differences in appearance and neatness. The Albus Dumbledore in the basement room was obviously unkempt, while the Albus Dumbledore in front of him was neatly dressed.

At least he wouldn't run faster than the little wizard, so he still had time to clean up his face, right? Ian felt a little weird, so he thought about it and asked tentatively.

"Mr Aberforth?"

He thought this might be the best explanation.

"If my information is correct, at this moment, Aberforth has closed his shop because of my disrespectful behavior and is counting my crimes in Ariana's grave in our hometown." Albus Dumbledore shook his head slightly and gestured to Ian to sit down.

"Um, I remember you just told me that you had to deal with Voldemort's affairs with Professor Nick Flamel, and that you would be able to meet me later..."

Ian seemed to realize something suddenly, and he took out his Marauder's Map. However, he only saw an icon of Albus Dumbledore on the Marauder's Map.

At this moment, the icon was still dealing with a group of people from the Ministry of Magic, and even several other deans gathered in Snape's office to investigate the cause of Quirrell's death.

"Very sharp insight. I think the Sorting Hat is right. You possess the qualities that many founders value. Including your strategies and countermeasures when dealing with Voldemort, you also demonstrated your excellence and... cunning far beyond your peers." Albus Dumbledore smiled and glanced at the map in Ian's hand. "However, in the wizarding world, sometimes even your own eyes cannot be trusted. You'd better not trust your map too much."

His words made Ian's expression change continuously.

"It's really a hell..."

Ian stared at the empty headmaster's office on the map, looking a little depressed. "You did something to my map, no, I should say you did something to Hogwarts itself?"

He was really speechless.

After all, there are probably only a few people in the entire wizarding world who can do this, and he happened to meet quite a few of these people.

Isn’t this a coincidence?

"Yes, I played some tricks." Albus Dumbledore did not deny it, but nodded and smiled and spoke frankly.

"After all, you have sold this kind of map to many young wizards. We cannot be sure whether Quirrell will get one of them to monitor the actions of me and other professors."

A very plausible explanation.

Ian didn't even dare to refute.

The maps he sold were contraband in themselves, so it was good enough that he was not held accountable. How could he turn around and accuse Albus Dumbledore of cheating him of the maps?

"Actually, my original intention was just to help those poor classmates who couldn't find the way and had poor sense of direction. They are a vulnerable group in need of help in this cold and huge castle." Ian's voice in defense was not small, but it sounded like he was trying to hide his guilt.

This is not.

Albus Dumbledore really knew everything about him. "Selling a map for more than a dozen gold Galleons, I don't think the truly disadvantaged groups can afford it." Although the old headmaster's voice was still soft, the embarrassment on Ian's face could not be concealed.

"There will be a way. They will find a way to use it."

The little wizard touched his nose to hide his guilty conscience.

In fact, he had already opened up the [Ian Loan] service to his less affluent classmates after the market was saturated.

There is no such thing as 90% out and 13% back, nor is there any annual interest rate of several tens of percent. It is just an additional 5% service fee, which is obviously not the behavior of a dishonest businessman.

He is much kinder than the Muggle banks!
"Your business in school is not a big deal, as long as you don't try to get Nick's illegal machine." Albus Dumbledore did not continue to mention this. After all, the young wizard did not force others to buy things. What he was worried about now was Ian's enthusiasm for the money printing machine.

"Okay, Professor."

Ian hastened to make the promise.

"You can't even learn how to build that machine." Albus Dumbledore seemed to see through the little wizard's heart, and his tone was full of worry and vigilance.

"..."

Ian's expression froze instantly.

obviously.

Albus Dumbledore was indeed an experienced person who had predicted in advance his idea of ​​saving the country by a roundabout way, so that he didn't know how to respond for a moment.

"It seems that I guessed right." Albus Dumbledore smiled bitterly, and then he sighed heavily, "The agreement that we wizards and goblins once signed cannot be broken. This will cause a big mess. Nick almost destroyed the hard-earned peace because of his momentary impulse."

The old headmaster's original intention was obviously to warn Ian.

but.

"The agreement with the fairies..."

The little wizard muttered to himself as if he was thinking about something.

The expression on his face made Albus Dumbledore feel that something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what was wrong. Fearing that Ian would say something shocking again, the old headmaster quickly changed the subject.

"You must be a little tired. Would you like to have a snack?" Albus Dumbledore added hurriedly just after he finished speaking.

"I mean some desserts, not steak or something like that." He obviously still remembered some of the little incidents that happened when he and Ian were communicating in this office before.

"Then roast a whole lamb? Add more chili?" Ian expressed his understanding, and then responded like this. He didn't like to make things difficult for others, so he chose a food that had nothing to do with beef.

"????"

Albus Dumbledore looked a little helpless. "Don't you want to eat some normal desserts? For example, the sizzling honey candy. The sizzling honey candy made by Earl Honey contains the sting of the Billywig bug. It tastes much better than the candies in other stores. I think you will fall in love with it if you try it once."

The old headmaster's strong recommendation did not arouse the little wizard's interest.

"Thank you, but no, I'm afraid of getting cavities. Young wizards my age are most prone to cavities." Ian's polite refusal again caused Albus Dumbledore to remain silent.

The guy who took down Voldemort.

I was actually talking to him seriously about the problem of tooth decay?

"There are also sugar-free desserts." Albus Dumbledore spoke again. He didn't expect that there were sugar substitutes in the wizarding world. He didn't know if it was a magic cast on food that could make people feel sweet.

"Have some roasted whole lamb first, and then have some dessert, which will help you get rid of the greasiness." Ian blinked and looked at the old man in front of him. His words were impeccable and difficult to refute.

"..."

Albus Dumbledore touched his forehead and thought to himself that he would never ask Ian what he wanted to eat out of habit again. His requests were getting more and more outrageous.

"It's not good to eat too much greasy food." Although Albus Dumbledore said this, he still waved his wand to fulfill Ian's wish.

next moment.

A whole roasted golden and crispy lamb appeared on the desk, with a lot of raw peppers on it, and even some thoughtful corn chips and lemonade next to the roasted whole lamb.

This treatment was obviously much better than when Ian first wanted to eat steak - what could Albus Dumbledore do? He only knew that he had to provide for this little ancestor in front of him.

"Transfiguration?"

Ian didn't dare to do anything.

Albus Dumbledore only felt a toothache.

"It's the work of the elves."

He explained with an extremely helpless tone.

Seeing Ian relieved and immediately started to eat heartily, Albus Dumbledore adjusted his expression and spoke to Ian after thinking for a while.

"Is there nothing you want to ask?"

He felt that Ian was more patient than he thought.

Ian gnawed on a leg of lamb and asked curiously, "It's the time-twister, right? The reason you can be in so many places at the same time."

The little wizard already had a guess in his mind, but he was still not sure now.

"Yes, I am indeed using the time converter." Albus Dumbledore did not shy away from saying so and pulled out a peculiarly shaped pendant from the lining of his robe.

"In order to deceive our Tom, I need to make him think that I am really entangled in some of his little tricks and can't get rid of them. Only then will he have the courage to look for what he wants to find."

The old headmaster explained his behavior to Ian. It can only be said that the old fisherman's fishing is really scary. Voldemort, who was complacent and thought he had fooled Albus Dumbledore, probably never dreamed that he had actually been under the watchful eyes of his former professor and had always been played around by the Dark Lord.

"The Philosopher's Stone?"

Ian felt a little sorry for the damage to the Philosopher's Stone. Although he had guessed that the magic power of the Philosopher's Stone might not be much, which alchemist could refuse to study the Philosopher's Stone?

Ugh!
Professor Nick Flamel didn't know if he could make a second piece. The new professor had said that everything could be left to Ian, and the young wizard felt that Voldemort, who was already dead, owed him a lot. Fortunately, Voldemort still had other soul fragments, and Ian felt a little better when he thought of this.

"It seems that you do know a lot of things." Albus Dumbledore looked at Ian deeply, but did not ask Ian why he knew so much.

Some things.

He already had a firm conclusion in his mind based on solid evidence.

"I actually thought you were just fishing with the Philosopher's Stone, but I didn't expect that Noseless Tom actually came back to life. I was really shocked when he entered the room."

Ian's doubts came from the bottom of his heart. He really didn't expect Voldemort to be resurrected. Fortunately, he had made a lot of preparations long ago, and he had nearly a 90% chance of winning when facing Voldemort.

Although it is still very dangerous, the result is still gratifying.

"Only in this way can we see his weaknesses more clearly... Of course, there is also a little selfishness on my part, but Tom is still as disappointing as ever." Albus Dumbledore sighed again. Some of his goals were obviously not achieved, so he showed a bit of helplessness on his face.

"I took a big risk this time. You should at least give me a contribution award, the kind that should be presented to me in public." Ian made an expression with lingering fear.

"You certainly deserve the award. There is no doubt that you have fulfilled your promise to Hogwarts." Albus Dumbledore did not refuse but nodded slightly.

"Which time are you from now?" Ian was also contented and buried his head in gnawing on the leg of lamb. It must be said that the cooking skills of the house-elves in Hogwarts are really good.

The surface of the lamb has a golden and crispy texture, while the meat inside is still tender and fresh. The flavor of the seasoning has completely penetrated into the meat and there is no smell of mutton.

The spiciness of the pepper is just right, and you won’t feel dizzy after eating a few bites.

"Due to some time travel rules, for the sake of safety, this is something I cannot tell you." Albus Dumbledore looked down at the time converter on his chest. This was not the one he asked Nick Flamel to repair, but a modern time converter specially approved by the Ministry of Magic for young wizards.

It is not that difficult to apply for or get the position of headmaster of Hogwarts.

"It must be from the future because you already know what happened in the underground room." Ian made an inference based on the existing information.

Albus Dumbledore nodded noncommittally.

"I didn't expect that in such a small place like Hogwarts, there are actually three of you existing at the same time...my old senior is so miserable." Ian exclaimed in amazement and picked up the lemonade to relieve his greasiness.

however.

But he saw Albus Dumbledore smiling.

"????"

Ian has always been very good at observing people's expressions. He immediately read other information in Albus Dumbledore's smile, and his not-so-small eyes immediately widened a lot.

"More than three!?"

Ian gasped.

Albus Dumbledore's silent response of continuing to smile was more powerful than words.

The little wizard's curiosity was immediately aroused.

"Five? Six? Seven or eight?"

His voice was surprised, and he became more and more confused.

The look in Albus Dumbledore's eyes at this moment made Ian a little confused.

"I'm writing a paper on the study of time travel, so I'm going to try some extreme operations to gain insight into the deeper rules of time travel."

The old principal's evasive response made Ian think more.

"But we all know that the use of a time converter has a price. The more you interfere with time, the greater the price. Throughout history, there have been many people who have lost themselves in time travel."

"No one knows how they disappeared, and no one knows what they tried to do. Countless facts tell us that the time converter cannot change anything." Ian knew that Albus Dumbledore must know more than he did, but he couldn't help but remind the old headmaster. Albus Dumbledore just nodded, "Of course I know the taboo of time travel. The more of myself exist at the same time, the more likely it is to cause unpredictable disasters... However, I don't think I will become an unlucky person lost in time. I know what to do and what not to do."

"There will always be someone who will explore this field. Now that I am a pioneer, I firmly believe that I can thoroughly understand things that have not been understood by others."

Albus Dumbledore's voice was calm and soft, yet it carried an unquestionable strong confidence. Of course, the last thing a person who could reach such a pinnacle position as him lacked was confidence.

"I hope you really know what's going on..." Ian slapped away the hand that was trying to get his hands on the last leg of lamb, tore off the lamb's butt in one piece and stuffed it into Albus Dumbledore's hand.

His behavior of protecting the food made Albus Dumbledore couldn't help laughing.

"Of course, your worries are not wrong. I can't guarantee that there won't be any accidents. That's why you have to face Voldemort today."

Albus Dumbledore put down the lamb's butt, which probably only Aberforth liked.

"See if I can deal with Noseless without you?" Ian gulped down his lemonade again. The peppers he asked the elves to find became hotter and hotter.

"Do not."

Albus Dumbledore shook his head gently. Behind the crescent-shaped frame, his eyes were deep and profound. He just stared at the little wizard in front of him and spoke slowly.

"It's to see if you can... break fate."

There was some relief in Albus Dumbledore's voice. "The facts prove that you have indeed done it. You have torn a hole in the fate that has already been anchored."

"After verifying this, I think many things will no longer be complicated." He saw that Ian's cup was empty, and then he flicked his wand to fill the empty cup.

"There's also a snake and a diary. I can kill them." Ian looked up at the old professor with expectation, and he did not hide the fact that he was really greedy for Voldemort's soul.

The magic runes on his body have gradually extinguished. Ian can feel that his magic power can still grow, but he doesn't know how the so-called legendary road can lead to the legendary status.

"Ok?"

Albus Dumbledore looked at Ian in surprise. He obviously didn't expect Ian to know so much. Even Grindelwald couldn't see Voldemort's Horcrux completely.

"You really... care about your senior." The old headmaster didn't know how to comment on Ian's thorough knowledge of Voldemort. He just understood why Ian was so keen on Voldemort.

"It's okay, it's okay. After all, I have been determined to become a warrior who defeats the Dark Lord since I was a child." Ian's righteous voice was full of passionate emotions.

"..."

Albus Dumbledore found it even more difficult to judge. He recalled the battle between Ian and Voldemort and didn't think it looked like a warrior defeating the Dark Lord.

Rather, it seems as if... the new generation has overwhelmed the remnants of the old era.

"Can you find it? I only know that the diary is in Malfoy's house, but I'm not sure about the other snake." Ian looked eager to try, as if he was still a little unsatisfied.

Albus Dumbledore's eyes flickered. "These are only six. What about the seventh? I think since you can see it so clearly, you should also know something about the last Horcrux."

He looked at the little wizard who put down the roasted lamb with a deep look in his eyes.

"I think you are the only one who knows how to deal with that Horcrux... I can't find a way." Ian's answer made Albus Dumbledore nod slightly.

"It seems that you prefer a better way, which is very good." It must be said that Albus Dumbledore's temptation may appear at any time and anywhere.

The two did not mention the details, but they both knew in their hearts what the last Horcrux was and what options they had to deal with it.

"I still don't understand why Voldemort can be resurrected. Can it really be done by just a sacrifice to the god of death?" Ian recalled the flesh-and-blood Voldemort with powerful magic.

He remembered that Voldemort said that he first used sacrifice to revive, and then used the Philosopher's Stone to restore his former magic power. This situation was beyond the scope of the little wizard's cognition.

If resurrection can really be achieved by killing a servant, then how could the ritual of the servant's flesh and father's bones be used in the normal timeline?

"Sacrificing oneself to the god of death can indeed gain a short life, but it is not without a price, and the price is heavy. I think he must have been driven into a corner by your frequent destruction of his Horcruxes."

Albus Dumbledore spoke slowly and gave Ian a detailed explanation, "In fact, I already knew the magic he performed when I was young."

"But the price of this resurrection is far beyond what any soul can bear. After all, it comes from the mercy of the God of Death. The living sacrifice is just a ritual to start the transaction."

"What one really has to pay to the god of death is the soul of the resurrected person... This is magic from Egypt, and it has been abandoned in history for many, many years."

To be honest, the old headmaster's answer was somewhat unexpected to Ian. He did not expect that the magic ritual used by Voldemort had actually been studied by Albus Dumbledore, who was eager to see his sister.

Obviously, it was because this would cost the soul that Albus Dumbledore did not take action. After all, the fate that would be brought about by such a resurrection might be even more miserable than being a dead soul.

"Perhaps No-Nose is relying on the fact that he has so many remaining souls that he thinks he only needs to pay the price of one soul? Or maybe he thinks he can really gain eternal life and won't have to face the god of death?"

Ian could only try to guess Voldemort's psychology, which was not an easy task. After all, only a psychopath could understand what another psychopath was thinking.

"Perhaps he is indeed planning this, but I believe that the God of Death will not be deceived so easily." Albus Dumbledore seemed to have seen Voldemort's end. "If he was just lost before, he must have fallen into the abyss after casting this magic."

Ian quite agrees with Albus Dumbledore's opinion.

"He's hopeless anyway, so he doesn't care how badly he falls in the end." Ian stood up and looked at the time. It was almost time to add new ingredients to the potion he was brewing.

"Do you have anything else to do?"

Albus Dumbledore looked up at the little wizard who had stood up.

"The medicine is almost burnt out."

Ian didn't hide it either.

"Then you should go and take care of your own business. Anyway, thank you for your trust and everything you have done for Hogwarts and me."

Albus Dumbledore nodded gently.

"It's easy."

Ian made an OK gesture and walked towards the door of the principal's office. Just as he turned the doorknob, he suddenly remembered that there was still a puzzle that had not been solved.

"Who reported you to the Ministry?"

The little wizard turned around and asked curiously.

Albus Dumbledore, who was cleaning up the mess left by Ian after he had eaten and drunk, paused for a moment, and when he raised his head, his eyes were filled with an unfathomable look.

"If I tell you that I don't know, I don't think you will believe it." His voice was still gentle, but it carried a hint of depth.

"Can I pretend to believe it?"

Ian blinked.

Albus Dumbledore laughed and shook his head.

"My child, this involves the influence of time and power on people's hearts. I can only tell you that he is a person who once helped me but is now more afraid of me."

He did not directly answer Ian's inquiry.

Somewhat ambiguous.

"A high position of power?"

Ian raised an eyebrow.

"A high position."

Albus Dumbledore also replied again, unwilling to say more. Seeing that he could not get a definite answer, the little wizard could only leave the headmaster's office with curiosity.

And in the corridor on the eighth floor.

"You look happy?"

The silly Barnabas outside the House of Requirement suddenly spoke.

"Today was a very exciting and rewarding day. The most important thing is that I showed my magical powers and thwarted the conspiracy of the evil forces. You must not understand how rare my achievement is." Ian liked it most when others asked him such questions, so he immediately began to praise himself.

That's not wrong.

He had indeed achieved the rare feat of defeating Voldemort and not waking up in the school infirmary. Ian had his fun pretending, and silly Barnabas began to ask him what exactly had happened.

"You don't understand it."

The young wizard opened the door of the Room of Requirement with satisfaction and walked in.

So, in the corridor, only the silly Barnabas, whose curiosity was aroused by him, was left. He was beaten in the picture frame while scolding the little wizard for deliberately keeping people in suspense.

And on the other side.

The principal's office fell into silence again.

Albus Dumbledore calmed down and touched the time converter on his chest again. He picked up the book that he had been covering on the table.

"Foolish Play of Fate"

The old principal began to study the contents again.

The author's name was clearly visible on the cover of the book he was holding.

Morgan Le Fay.

……

Blurred fantasy.

Under the boundless sky, a vast black sea surged wantonly, like the breath of the abyss, with indescribable oppression and depth. The dark tide, with an ink-like color, repeatedly slammed against the beach of an isolated island, making a dull and powerful roar.

This Black Sea seems to be the gathering place of all darkness and unknown. Its color is so deep that it can almost swallow all light. Even the brightest moonlight seems to be absorbed when it touches the sea surface, leaving only circles of faint ripples, flickering faint light in the endless darkness.

"Hua La La~ Hua La La~"

The sound of the tide is like the whisper of the night.

Echoing at the end of a world that seems to have been forgotten.

"Guaguagua~"

On an isolated island.

A brown chocolate frog was chasing a slug. The slug had a hideous face on its head, and its sewn lips could only emit helpless rage.

It runs.

Chocolate Frog Chase.

It has always been difficult for it to fly.

If the Chocolate Frog could swallow, this slug would have become its food long ago. After all, even if the slug used all its strength, it could only crawl slowly.

"Guaguagua~"

The Chocolate Frog stepped on the slug again. Just as the Chocolate Frog caught the slug, it let go of it playfully, preparing to start the next round of the chasing game.

On the depressing Black Sea, a black cloak floated, as if there was an invisible body hidden in it, but there was nothing inside the cloak except the deep darkness.

On the isolated island barely illuminated by the moonlight, the appearance of the black cloak was like a sudden storm, instantly stopping the operation of all things on the island.

It slowly comes closer.

"Bah~"

Only a tiny and faint cracking sound was left, which seemed particularly harsh in the silent night, and an invisible figure silently crushed the frozen chocolate frog.

A pale hand emerged from the depths of the cloak and gently picked up the slug on the ground. It floated back toward the Black Sea, as if even the rolling waves in the Black Sea were making way for it.

When the figure disappears on the island.

Things on the uninhabited island are back to normal again.

It was as if nothing had happened.

The only witness of this brief and strange encounter was the Chocolate Frog, which had turned into a puddle of mud.

(End of this chapter)