Hogwarts' Golden Glory

"What's the reason?"

Snape asked curiously.

He was undoubtedly conflicted at this moment. On the one hand, he wanted Peter Pettigrew to be tried, and on the other hand, he did not want Sirius Black to be released from prison.

For him, it would be best if both of them were locked up!

"Programming issue."

Dumbledore turned a gold-red sealing wax seal toward them, bearing the griffon emblem of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

"Rotten program," Kane cursed.

After all, it was just a trial, and with Lucius's heavy bribery, it should naturally be over quickly.

Now they're talking about procedural issues, which clearly shows that some people don't want Sirius Black to be released from prison.

"However, sometimes, outdated procedures can actually be a protective shield."

Dumbledore said meaningfully, "At least for the next three months, Sirius will not be kissed by Dementors."

Kane's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He sensed the unspoken message—Dumbledore knew something, and chose to remain silent.

He wanted Sirius Black for the other party's old house and Voldemort's Horcruxes.

Even though Sirius is no longer in Azkaban, he still can't get what he wants.

"As for Peter Pettigrew..." The old headmaster's gaze suddenly sharpened, "I think he will be safe under your 'care'."

"certainly."

Kane calmly replied, "He's living much more comfortably now than he did in Azkaban."

If Peter, who was fast asleep at that moment, had heard this, he would have shouted!

He'd rather go to Azkaban than be a drug test subject for Kane!

What kind of life does he lead every day now?!

Dumbledore stood up with a smile, his gaze behind his half-moon spectacles gentle yet unyielding.

"Well then, I think we'll leave it at that. You should go back and prepare for your exams in a few days, Kane. Good luck!"

Kane stood up, his robes drawing an elegant arc behind him.

He paused at the doorway, his grey-blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Aren't you going to ask about what happened in the Forbidden Forest last night?"

"Do I need to ask?"

Dumbledore countered, tapping his temple with his finger, "Sometimes, it's safer not to know than to know."

Kane's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile as he turned and left the principal's office.

After the heavy oak door closed, a portrait on the wall—Phineas Nigelles with silver curls—suddenly muttered, "This kid is even more difficult to deal with than his grandfather."

Less than three seconds after the door closed, Snape's face turned so dark it seemed to drip ink.

"You're just going to let him go like that?"

Snape's voice sounded like it was being squeezed out between clenched teeth, "Aren't you going to ask him why he was in the Forbidden Forest last night? Aren't you going to ask him why he knew Voldemort was there? Aren't you going to ask him—"

"Severus".

Dumbledore calmly interrupted him, "If I asked, what do you intend to do to him?"

Snape's pupils suddenly contracted.

Yes, what can he do? Besides, he watched this child grow up.

Over the years, I have taught the other party almost everything I could.

The other party is just too mysterious.

From childhood, it's as if I already knew everything about myself!

He even knew perfectly well about his relationship with Lily.

It's hard not to suspect that the other party might have some other identity!

He really wanted to know what the other party's purpose was in doing all this!

Should they join the Death Eaters like the other man's father, or follow Dumbledore's orders?

Dumbledore walked to the Pensieve and gently stirred the silvery substance inside: "You know, Severus, some people are born to guide the world."

"Harry? I don't see anything different about him." Snape immediately thought of Harry.

"No, I was talking about Kane," Dumbledore continued.

Snape was somewhat surprised to hear this.

"So? Are you sure he'll end up like you? What if his actions disrupt your plans?"

"Of course not," Dumbledore sighed. "But just as I chose to believe you back then, some people's paths take time to become clear."

These words struck Snape like an invisible blow, leaving him instantly silent.

"Three months." After a long silence, Snape finally spoke hoarsely, "If anything unexpected happens before Sirius's trial..."

Snape snorted and turned to leave, his black robes billowing like waves behind him.

At the doorway, he paused, without turning around: "You'd better be right, Dumbledore. I don't want Lily's child to be the next one lying in St. Mungo's permanent ward."

Harry's mental state has been poor ever since the Forbidden Forest incident.

Inside the Gryffindor dormitory.

Harry woke up from another nightmare, his forehead scar burning with pain.

He sat up abruptly, his pajamas soaked with cold sweat.

Ron's snoring came from the other side of the four-poster bed, so steady it was irritating.

Outside the window, a mournful howl faintly came from the direction of the Forbidden Forest—Harry wasn't sure if it was his imagination.

Since witnessing the black-robed man bending down to drink unicorn blood last week...

This sound often echoed in his dreams.

"You're awake again." Neville's voice suddenly came from the foot of the bed, startling Harry.

"Do you want to go to the school clinic?"

"No need." Harry subconsciously touched his forehead; the stinging pain from the scar had lessened, but the burning sensation remained. "I'm fine."

Neville pulled a small bottle of pearly liquid from his pocket: "A potion Kane gave me. I forgot the name, but he said it can alleviate the effects of dark magic..."

"No," Harry interrupted a little too quickly.

He saw that Neville was almost in tears. "I mean... it's not serious."

Harry knew perfectly well that he hadn't been struck by the other's spell like Neville had that day.

Therefore, he was unwilling to use this potion.

Just then, Ron suddenly mumbled in his sleep, "Scabbers... don't bite my wand..."

Not only was he not getting enough rest, but he also wasn't in good spirits in class.

Especially in Potions class.

"Potter!"

Snape's voice lashed out like a whip, "If staring at a clock could turn your potions silver, I think all the Potions Masters in the world would be out of a job."

In Harry's cauldron, the liquid that should have been silvery-blue was now bubbling with eerie green bubbles.

He frantically added the last handful of moonstone powder.

But then he heard the Slytherin wizard's mocking voice behind him: "Potter couldn't even make basic potions properly, how did he become the savior?"

When the bell rang, Harry practically rushed out of the classroom.

He didn't go to the auditorium for dinner, but went straight to the restricted area on the fourth floor.

His heart finally settled down a little when Lou Williams' three heads lifted up at the same time.

"Harry, why are you in such a hurry?"

His friends behind him were panting heavily; Harry's training these past few days had clearly been effective.

At least in terms of physical fitness, they are already far ahead of their teammates.

"Still here..." Harry muttered to himself, listening to the three-headed dog howling behind the door.

At least the Philosopher's Stone is still safe.