Hogwarts Raven

Chapter 245 Chapter 244: Using Potter to Make a Nest
The scene just now was very explosive.

Dumbledore, whose muscles expanded and his clothes burst, looked like the protagonist in an old-age hot-blooded anime. However, before Ian could sigh and take out his camera, Dumbledore showed abnormality.

Thanks to the fact that Dumbledore's clothes were torn off, the little wizard was able to catch a glimpse of the changes in Dumbledore. Some strange symbols actually appeared on Dumbledore's skin.

There are two different symbols, silver and black. According to Ian's observation and Dumbledore's explanation, the silver symbol that Ian cannot understand is obviously the power that suppresses the black marks.

The black marks are ominous at first glance.

The shape and arrangement of this mark vaguely resembled the overlapping pattern of the Deathly Hallows - of course, despite his good eyesight and memory, the young wizard could not be completely sure of this. After all, Dumbledore's violent expansion and contraction of his muscles just now also had an impact on this mark.

Just like the same person with the same tattoo looks different when he is fat and when he is thin, the marks on Dumbledore's body also look similar.

This made Ian unsure whether his judgment was correct. However, before Dumbledore covered up the traces, the careful little wizard also discovered some abnormalities. When the silver runes and black runes appeared, Ian noticed that the edge of the headmaster's shadow was unnaturally jagged.

It was as if there were countless tiny black tentacles wriggling.

He then cancelled the magic, and after Dumbledore got up, the unusual scene disappeared again, as if it was just an illusion caused by the little wizard's momentary dizziness.

It's really a bit weird.

"Professor, you..." Ian's voice was stuck in his throat. He opened his mouth and wanted to ask Dumbledore about the origin of these symbols, but when he saw Dumbledore's expression that he was unwilling to talk about it, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He just secretly wondered what was going on in his heart.

There is no doubt that this must be a curse. Although it is not known how Dumbledore suppressed it, the actual situation shows that it still haunts Dumbledore, who has become a legend, like a leech. This also indirectly shows that even a legendary status may not be able to shake this curse.

"Maybe I can help you?"

Ian wants to give the power of paradox a try.

but.

Dumbledore hesitated for only a moment, then shook his head decisively. He waved his wand and straightened his wrinkled robe into a close-fitting shape.

obviously.

The brief pain just now did not affect the old principal's ability to cast spells.

"They're just some old injuries, kid. There's no need to worry too much, and there's no need for any special treatment." When he turned around, that familiar, reassuring smile was on his face again, but Ian clearly saw that the old man's hands were still twitching slightly.

Perhaps the pain hasn't completely gone away.

However, he did not want to let the young wizard know, and his voice returned to its usual gentleness, "As you get older, your body will always have some minor ailments."

"You have to learn to accept it. After all, this is life." Dumbledore was able to speak some philosophical truths at this time. It has to be said that people who work in the teaching profession may have made speaking truths an instinct.

Ian was noncommittal.

Since he had also revoked his magic, the entire valley returned to its dusk state, and the principal's shadow stretched out long in the setting sun.

Many animals that were blessed before have now lost their blessings. The instinctive desire for life also makes them gather here from all directions of the valley.

This is true not only for ordinary animals, but also for magical animals, and even for the timid Bowtruckle. After all, the instinct of any life is to desire a leap in the level of life.

Seeing more and more animals.

"It's getting late, Ian."

Dumbledore looked up at the darkening sky and said, "We should go back. Let what happened today become a dream in the hearts of these animals."

He seemed to be hinting at something.

Before the little wizard could figure out what was meant by that, he saw the old headmaster raised his hand and placed the hand with a ring on it on Ian's shoulder.

The next moment, it was the familiar apparition.

The two went straight back to the headmaster's office at Hogwarts, where the sweet aroma of honey tea and the stale smell of parchment mixed together. The fire in the fireplace crackled slightly, and the candlelight cast flickering spots of light under the refraction of the silverware, casting Dumbledore's shadow on the bookshelf behind him.

The abnormal situation that the little wizard had observed before did not exist anymore.

However, Ian still couldn't help but glance at Dumbledore's collar. The silver runes that he had just caught a glimpse of in the canyon had also disappeared long ago, as if those lines flowing with mysterious power had never existed, and could not even be perceived using magic.

About the little wizard's gaze.

Of course the old principal could sense it.

"I hope you can keep what you saw today completely confidential and not tell anyone." Dumbledore shook his head helplessly.

His voice was still gentle, but Ian noticed that the old man's right index finger was unconsciously tapping the Elder Wand, and the rhythm was completely synchronized with the second hand of the wall clock - this was a rare display of nervousness from Dumbledore.

"It's important."

The old headmaster's voice suddenly became extremely serious, and his blue eyes looked directly at the young wizard. He signaled Ian to sit in the visitor's chair, and he went around behind the desk. When he passed Fawkes, the phoenix suddenly opened a golden eye and made an almost inaudible cry.

It seemed as if he was expressing concern for his master.

"I understand, Professor."

Ian nodded quickly, suppressed his curiosity, and chose to be a good boy. "I just tested my magic, nothing else happened."

This may be a bit of an attempt to cover up the truth.

However, Dumbledore was still slightly relieved. He obviously did not want to explain to Ian why, but directly changed the subject.

"Regarding the changes that have occurred in you, I don't think you need to take any special measures for the time being. Just pay a little attention to it. I will also do my best to investigate the cause of this situation."

Dumbledore's words always have the power to make people feel at ease. He put his fingers together, and his eyes behind his half-moon glasses were thoughtful, as if he was making some kind of judgment.

"I will investigate the origin of your bloodline."

The old headmaster's blue eyes flickered behind his half-moon lenses.

He obviously had some speculation based on rumors.

"..."

In response, the young wizard opened his mouth but couldn't find any explanation.

There's no way. Compared to the fact that I might have once been a bird, maybe being considered a super hybrid is not a bad thing. At least I'm still a human being, right?

Seeing that the little wizard was a little depressed, the portrait of Phineas Black on the wall suddenly laughed, but was immediately stopped by Dumbledore with a look.

"Ah, it's so late." Dumbledore suddenly turned to the magic clock on the wall, the hands of which were pointing to the end of the dinner. "I think we should continue this topic another day. The dinner carefully prepared by the house elves should not be wasted. I remember that they specially prepared your favorite beef for you tonight."

What a far-fetched reason to send someone away.

Ian keenly noticed that Dumbledore might be a little uneasy, so he didn't say much. After hearing this, he stood up and bowed slightly to the old headmaster in front of him.

"Okay, Professor, I'll be leaving now."

When Ian stood up to leave, the brass handle on the oak door was icy cold in his hand. As he turned around, he took a last glimpse through the crack of the door that was about to close - Dumbledore was still sitting behind his desk, the candlelight flickering on his wrinkled face, reflecting the ravines carved by the years very clearly.

That's old age.

It's old age.

There is also a feeling of gloom.

"Good night, Professor." Ian said softly. "Good night, Ian." Dumbledore's voice seemed to come from far away.

“Sweet dreams.”

He whispered a blessing.

The atmosphere in the office became increasingly quiet. After the little wizard left, the smile on Dumbledore's face gradually disappeared, replaced by an extremely complicated expression.

He raised his wand.

The door lock made a "clicking" sound.

The old wand drew a silver-blue arc of light in the air, and twelve magic barriers rose from every corner of the office, wrapping the entire space tightly.

“Sorry, old friends.”

Dumbledore apologized softly to the portraits on the wall, and tapped his wand. All the characters in the portraits froze instantly, even Phineas' half-raised wine glass stopped in mid-air.

This is absolutely an incredible operation.

You know, he could even hide some secrets in these portraits, but now he was wary of the portraits of past headmasters for some reason - of course, this might not be a warning to the headmasters. His distrust might be due to other reasons. Anyway, Dumbledore stood in front of the mirror after he sealed off the office.

He took a deep breath, his expression slightly painful, and slowly unbuttoned his clothes, revealing his chest. At this time, his chest no longer had the explosive pectoral muscles as before.

The skin appears slightly dry and loose.

Dumbledore stretched out his trembling hand and gently wiped his chest. As he moved, when his pale fingertips touched the third rib on the left side, spider-web-like black lines suddenly appeared under the skin. The mysterious black pattern that the little wizard had witnessed before reappeared.

There is also a silver rune next to it that seals the pattern.

It was a terrifying pattern made up of triangles, circles, and vertical lines.

obviously.

Ian was not wrong.

This pattern is 70% similar to the Deathly Hallows symbol, but the difference is that it has more twisted branches, spreading between the blood vessels like some kind of parasitic plant.

"Even the power of the gods cannot weaken it." Dumbledore looked at himself in the mirror, his eyes full of helplessness and fatigue, and sighed slightly.

He stared at the mark on his chest. In the reflection, the black lines were slowly and steadily eroding the silver rune's defenses, like ink spreading on parchment.

Perhaps because he had triggered the pattern again, Dumbledore's expression looked a little painful, and Fawkes from a distance flew directly over.

His crystal tears dripped onto the wriggling black lines. As the Phoenix's tears touched the black lines, they were suppressed and soon completely pressed back by the silver runes.

"Thank you, Fox."

Dumbledore, looking much more relaxed, thanked his companion, while Fawkes gently rubbed the old man's cheek and made a series of worried chirps.

"Yes, yes, I know." Dumbledore forced a smile, "But some prices must be paid, as long as the rewards are rich enough, then it is a worthwhile sacrifice."

His tone was calm.

But with an overly firm belief.

……

The gargoyle on the covered bridge was dozing off when it was suddenly staggered by two precise kicks. It opened its brass eyes angrily but met Ian, who was looking down in thought.

next moment.

The gargoyle jumped away as if it was stressed, making way for Ian to the corridor. The little wizard walked out, but did not forget to turn around and kick the gargoyle a few more times.

The gargoyle shrank its neck in grievance, not daring to protest at all. It could only solidify and become an "alchemical creation" version of a coward.

"Just work hard during working hours. If you neglect your duties once, you will be punished to work for another thousand years in vain." Ian warned the gargoyle before leaving.

Don't even say it.

Dumbledore's opinion of him was indeed quite accurate. The young wizard did have the potential to become a cruel slave owner.

"Old Dumbledore is weird." After leaving the headmaster's office, Ian was still thinking. He believed that the trace hidden by Dumbledore must not be a simple secret.

Maybe even Grindelwald doesn't know?
While pondering and guessing in his mind, Ian walked through the corridor of the castle and headed towards the auditorium. He also caught up with the end of today's dinner.

Candles on the ceiling illuminated every table. Students from various colleges sat around their friends, their laughter and chatter intertwined into a joyful melody.

The air was also filled with the aroma of delicious food. The table was filled with various delicious dishes such as roast turkey, pudding, pumpkin pie, etc. The steaming appearance made Ian's appetite open.

Ian was just trying to find a table to eat.

suddenly.

There was a sudden cry of surprise from the Gryffindor table. Ian looked over and saw Hermione and Longbottom, looking anxious, struggling to help Ron walk out of the hall.

"Cough cough cough~cough cough cough~" Ron's face turned red, his eyes widened, and his hands kept gesturing at his throat, looking very embarrassed.

"Weasley again?" Ian raised his eyebrows and sat down at the empty seat at the Slytherin table. Aurora Grindelwald was cutting a lamb chop gracefully, the silver fork flashing coldly between her fingers.

“This is the sixth time,” Aurora said without looking up, a strand of platinum hair falling beside her pale cheek, “this time I tried to swallow a whole fried chicken leg in one bite.”

She lightly touched the plate with the tip of her knife, put the fat piece of meat into her mouth, and chewed it slowly. "Madam Pomfrey should set up a special bed for him."

The German girl's tone sounded as if she was really giving serious advice.

"This is too tragic." Ian looked at the three people being carried out of the hall. Hermione's curly hair was disheveled like a skrewt because of running, and Neville's round face was full of panic.

The corner of his mouth twitched, and his tone was filled with a sigh that only he could understand, "Gryffindor's new generation of iron triangle doesn't seem that reliable."

Just as Ian started to gnaw on the chicken leg.

Not far from the long table.

The savior Harry Potter also saw him. The boy with glasses quickly put down the cutlery in his hands and trotted to Ian in a somewhat restrained manner.

"Ian, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I really don't know what I would have done... Maybe I would have died, or it might have been worse than death."

Due to the large number of people here and the many different opinions, Harry Potter did not mention too much, but Ian could feel the gratitude from his words.

It is obvious that after Mr. Savior regained consciousness, he knew clearly who saved him.

"Nothing, we are just classmates, it's just a matter of course." Ian put down the knife and fork in his hand, looked at Harry with a smile, showing his magnanimity which was rare.

of course.

Looking at the boy in front of him, Ian couldn't help but think of what he had learned about the Soul Palace in the past. He wondered if he could use Harry Potter to lure out Soul Palace Lily Evans?
"yawn!"

Don't know why.

Ian was clearly plotting against Harry Potter, but suddenly he sneezed. The person who looked around in confusion was Snape, who was sitting in the teacher's seat.

(End of this chapter)