Harry Potter: I started checking in from Diagon Alley

Eric didn't answer, but instead asked, "So, Professor, when did you start paying attention to me?"

Dumbledore thought for a moment and said, "If you ask when, it's probably at the very beginning."

"At the beginning?"

"Merkel, the bookstore owner in Diagon Alley, is one of my people."

Eric suddenly realized that he had been targeted by Dumbledore from the very beginning.

He helps Merkel, the owner of Flourish and Blotts, resolve the chaos caused by the monster books in Diagon Alley.

A young wizard of unknown origin with powerful magical talent would naturally attract Dumbledore's attention.

Chapter 129 Arrogance

Dumbledore laughed and said, "It's exactly what you think. Even that travel trunk with the Seamless Stretch Charm was something I arranged for him to give to you."

Eric didn't ask Dumbledore whether he knew about Sirius Black's existence. He had a feeling that even if he did ask, Dumbledore would just pretend to be clueless and fool him.

Dumbledore suddenly asked, "We'll never be able to reach a consensus on Harry's question, will we?"

Eric admitted, "That's right."

Dumbledore thought for a moment, then said, "Eric, I've been in this position for too long, so long that sometimes I've forgotten why I chose to become this person in the first place. The Order of the Phoenix, the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts..."

Eric understood what Dumbledore meant.

Given his position, what he wants to do and what he can do are often not decisions he can make himself.

The same goes for Nicolas Flamel.

For them, when you are at the pinnacle of the magical world, your every move is being watched.

Perhaps sometimes Dumbledore didn't mean it at all, but his actions led others to misunderstand.

In the past, Dumbledore might not have cared.

But now, both he and Eric know for certain that Voldemort may return.

At this point, Dumbledore had to be even more cautious.

For Dumbledore, how to treat Harry was not actually a choice.

He had no choice at all.

Because he wasn't only responsible to Harry.

In a sense, he also needs to be responsible for the entire magical world.

After he falls, there may be no one who can stand up to Voldemort.

Dumbledore simply couldn't afford the consequences.

The same applies to the magical world.

All of Dumbledore's hopes must be seized by Harry, who could be considered the last chance to completely defeat Voldemort.

Eric doesn't have any personal feelings about Dumbledore.

However, I also cannot agree with Dumbledore's approach.

Understanding is one thing, but it doesn't mean Eric will succumb to Dumbledore's theories.

They have different stances after all.

Dumbledore had his own concerns, but that had nothing to do with Eric.

Dumbledore said, "Could you please keep the Horcruxes a secret from Harry?"

“No, I’ll tell him sooner or later,” Eric said.

“Is that so…” Dumbledore nodded. “I know I can’t change your mind, but I still want to try my best to get you to do me a favor.”

Eric asked, "What kind of help?"

Dumbledore said, "If possible, keep this a secret from Harry for at least two years. After two years, you can tell him everything you know."

Eric said, "Is this the deadline you've set for yourself? If you can't find all the Horcruxes in two years, or if you can't kill Voldemort again, you'll give up?"

Dumbledore said casually, "To say I'm admitting defeat would be an exaggeration, but I do have a feeling that in two years, with my abilities, I probably won't be able to do much."

Eric: "Professor, you don't have the limitation of an elixir of immortality."

Dumbledore looked at Eric and smiled, "No, that's not true, but that's because I intend to give everything to you."

Upon hearing this, Eric was momentarily stunned.

What is Dumbledore saying?

Did he hear it wrong?

Eric looked horrified: "What do you mean?"

Dumbledore said, "It's just as you've heard. Now that you understand Horcruxes and know that Voldemort will eventually rise again, I intend to entrust everything, including the Order of the Phoenix, to you. After careful consideration, you are the perfect candidate, Eric."

Eric truly hadn't anticipated this development!

His relationship with Dumbledore was not particularly close.

After all, Eric initially appeared before Dumbledore as if he had fallen from the sky.

Dumbledore's attitude toward Eric was undeniably cautious, which was exactly what Eric had anticipated.

After the duel club and the trip to France, the relationship between the two was no longer one of bitter enmity, but rather one of slight familiarity.

But to say they're that close is absolutely impossible.

And now, Dumbledore actually says that he considers him the heir to his power.

This is more than just a surprise, it's downright terrifying!

Eric couldn't help but ask jokingly, "Why would you think that? Am I no longer a threat to you? I haven't forgotten how you felt when you used Legilimency on me in this office."

Dumbledore said, "You used to be, but then you weren't."

"why?"

Dumbledore closed his eyes and began to think slowly: "Let me think, when did it begin? When did my opinion of you begin to change? I can hardly find a precise point in time, Eric."

Dumbledore said, “But when I learned that you had your own ambitions; when I learned that you began to try to help Harry and others, even though it might have been a small thing for you; when I heard you give your answer to Nico… I also felt from that moment on that you were capable of taking on that responsibility.”

Dumbledore said, "We certainly didn't make a good first impression on each other, so this decision must seem counterintuitive to you."

Dumbledore said, “But if we set aside any personal feelings, you are the most suitable person, Eric. Sometimes you don’t even realize it yourself, but you are gradually becoming the center of attention, becoming a focal point, and eventually becoming a leader.”

Eric didn't answer, but asked with puzzlement, "Was it Nico's opinion of me that made you make this decision?"

It's impossible that Nicolas Flamel and Dumbledore had no communication whatsoever regarding Eric.

The fact that Dumbledore brought Eric to Nicolas Flamel was a mutually beneficial arrangement for all three of them.

Nicolas Flamel gained a student and someone to pass on his knowledge.

Eric gained access to put his ideas into practice.

Dumbledore then used Nicolas Flamel to examine Eric's character and conduct.

“Yes,” Dumbledore said. “If you had shown even the slightest interest in immortality while you were in that manor, I would have killed you without hesitation.”

"Heh," Eric chuckled softly, without continuing.

Dumbledore didn't speak either, but quietly watched Eric.

Eric knew that Dumbledore wasn't joking.

After a long pause, Eric finally said, "Professor, do you know what I hate most about you?"

Dumbledore asked curiously, "Oh? To be honest, I'm also curious. What did I do wrong to make you so wary of me when you first met me? To be fair, I've made countless mistakes in my life, but none of them should have offended you."

Eric laughed and said, "Of course you do. It's the deepest arrogance buried in the hearts of all of you."

Chapter 130 The Greatest Wizard

"Arrogance?" Dumbledore retorted.

"Yes, arrogance, not just you, but most wizards as well."

Dumbledore said, "Let me hear what you have to say, Eric. This is the first time we've been so open with each other."

Eric met Dumbledore's gaze without hesitation, and his eyes startled Dumbledore.

Eric said, "You presumptuously manipulate other people's emotions to protect your own vested interests, and now you put on an air of superiority, as if it's a favor to pass the responsibility to others. Professor, I sincerely ask you, you don't actually think that's cool, do you?"

Eric said, “You would use Legilimency on me without any scruples, and you concealed from Harry the facts you knew about Horcruxes. You are clearly the most powerful person in the wizarding world, yet you refuse to accept that title and are content to develop your own power in the shadows.”

Eric said, “Because of what happened in the past, you are still unwilling to take control of power, and you have only pushed someone like Fudge to the position of Minister of Magic. But your actions tell me that you have not completely given up your desire for power, but you are just unwilling to admit it. And now, you are trying to shift this responsibility onto me.”

Eric continued, "You're afraid, Professor. You're afraid that no one in this world can restrain you, allowing the evil in your heart to run rampant. You know perfectly well that Voldemort is about to return, yet you simply suppress this information instead of making targeted preparations in advance to alleviate people's panic."

"The fact that you can easily use Legilimency on someone is the most obvious proof. In essence, you are still that powerful wizard. When you used Legilimency on me, you didn't understand me at all, nor did you intend to ask for my consent. If you want to know when I started to be wary of you, it was from that moment. I really didn't want you to try to invade my mind just because you had more magic. Unfortunately, you still did it."

Eric had already prepared his speech in his mind, and his words came out like a barrage of arrows.

Upon hearing this, Dumbledore's face turned pale.

Eric said, word by word, "I have no right to criticize your stance, and we have already reconciled about Legilimency. However, you are manipulating those who respect you."

Eric said, “This is what I mean by your unbridled arrogance. You are hurting people, whether they are those you consider less powerful than you or those who love you and are willing to follow you, and you refuse to admit it.”

Eric said, "Professor, what makes you think I'll accept your arrangements now?"

Dumbledore seemed somewhat dazed, unable to comprehend Eric's words: "You don't want immortality, you don't want wealth, and now you've rejected me, Eric, what is it that you truly desire?"

Eric stood up and smiled, "Actually, you know what I really want."

Dumbledore said wistfully, "You are an idealist, Eric, and I used to be one too."

"So what changed you later?"

Dumbledore smiled bitterly and said, "Death and separation, I really don't want to see you go down this path."

Eric didn't answer and turned away.

Aside from Dumbledore himself, Eric was the person who understood him best.