My Hogwarts has a serious problem.

Chapter 432, Section 429: You've Arrived

That morning, Dumbledore showed up directly at Lynn's door.

Lynn got up very early, and since she had nothing to do, she used the steamer basket she had prepared at home to steam buns.

When Dumbledore arrived, Umaru had just woken up, and Lynn placed five baskets of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) on the dining table.

He was wearing an apron, mixing the dipping sauce in his hands, and raised an eyebrow at Dumbledore as he asked.

"Professor, have you had breakfast? If not, would you like to eat something together?"

Dumbledore, without any hesitation, sat down at the dining table with a smile.

"Can you still cook Chinese food?"

"I used to spend my free time figuring out Chinese recipes. I think my cooking skills are pretty good, at least not worse than those chefs in Chinese restaurants. How does it taste?"

Dumbledore, holding a fork, nodded with satisfaction as he savored the freshly steamed xiaolongbao.

"I really like the taste."

"This taste varies from person to person. Some people can get used to Chinese food, while others can't. For example, Kira doesn't like this taste at all and would rather eat dry bread."

Lynn only said that because Kira wasn't here. If Kira had heard him, she would probably have knelt down and kowtowed in fear, saying she was guilty.

After washing up, Umaru came out of the bathroom in her pajamas.

Seeing Old Deng sitting at the table eating steamed buns, her face immediately puffed up with anger, looking just like a big steamed bun.

Kira didn't eat any of the five baskets of xiaolongbao, Lynn only ate two, and the remaining three baskets were originally hers, but now that Dumbledore has arrived, she can only eat two baskets.

However, she still politely walked up to Dumbledore and greeted him.

Good morning, Professor Dumbledore.

Whether it was a habit or simply his nature, a kind smile would appear on Dumbledore's face whenever he saw a child.

"Hello, Miss Bashat, did you have a good summer vacation?"

"I'm so happy, Lynn even took me on a picnic yesterday."

"Haha, going out more is the best thing for a child your age."

Dumbledore was undoubtedly a great conversationalist with children. As they chatted, Umaru completely forgot that his arrival had meant she missed out on a basket of steamed buns.

Fortunately, Xiaomai still got to eat her third basket of xiaolongbao. Lin En only ate one basket and gave the rest to her.

This touched Xiaomai deeply, and for the nth time, she silently wished that Lynn would have plenty to eat every day in the future.

After enjoying breakfast, Lynn gave Kira and Umaru a few instructions while they were watching the house, and then left with Dumbledore.

"How are we going to get there?"

Lynn straightened his robes, looked up at Dumbledore, and asked.

Dumbledore gently raised his arm, and a dazzling golden light flashed as Fawkes appeared on his shoulder.

"That forest is shrouded in an extremely powerful anti-Apparition charm. Even Fawkes can't get there directly. We can only go to the outer edge of the forest first and then walk in."

He grabbed Lynn's arm, and Fox led them away from where they stood, then reappeared in Austria, in a forest surrounded by mountains.

"Follow me, don't get lost. Someone who has never been there before will guide you; outsiders can't find that castle."

Lynn followed behind Dumbledore, looking around at the deep forests.

"Was this place always like this?"

"Of course not. This place used to be much more lively than it is now. Nurmengard was originally built by him to imprison his opponents. There were quite a few people living here back then."

"It's ironic that the prison he built ended up being the place where he imprisoned himself."

"That's true, but he chose this place himself back then, saying he was familiar with it enough and that it was his final resting place."

The topic was too heavy, and Lynn didn't want to talk about it anymore, so she deliberately changed the subject.

What are the requirements for participating in Apparition training and exams?

Dumbledore was also clearly reluctant to recall that unpleasant past.

"You are required to be 17 years old, but I think there is no difference between learning this magic at 16 and 17 years old, given your abilities. I will add your name to this year's Apparition learning list after the start of the school year."

"I should have learned it a long time ago, because I've suffered quite a few times because I didn't know this magic."

"It is indeed very important; it is arguably the most worthwhile magic a wizard can learn in their lifetime."

They walked deeper into the forest while chatting. After walking for about two hours, Lynn finally saw the ancient, mottled, towering tower through the gaps in the trees.

They arrived at the gates of the prison, which from the outside appeared to be a building constructed of black blocks.

At first glance, it gives off a cold and stern aura.

Above the entrance to this tower, there is a line of text that has become blurred and illegible.

For the Greater Good!

As Lynn looked up at the line of text, Dumbledore was also looking at it, his gaze filled with nostalgia for the past and self-mockery.

He was the one who first came up with this idea, but it was Grindelwald who was truly willing to put it into practice, while he himself became the most steadfast opponent.

"Let's go."

Dumbledore didn't linger at the door and led Lynn straight into the prison.

"Aren't there any guards here?"

"Who do you think is qualified to watch over him?" Dumbledore countered, then answered his own question.

"No one but himself can be a guard here, and he is only a prisoner of this prison if he is willing to be one."

They climbed the spiral stone stairs until they reached a wooden door on the top floor, where they stopped—or rather, Dumbledore stopped.

"He wants to talk to you alone, so I won't go in."

Lynn nodded, took a deep breath, and pushed open the wooden door that looked like it was about to rot.

This is a small room, with the floor, ceiling, and walls all made of black stone.

This made the small space feel inexplicably oppressive.

Aside from the stones, the only piece of furniture here is a wooden bed, on which sits an old man with his knees drawn up.

He was emaciated, with thinning hair, and wore a tattered robe. His two feet and hands, which were exposed outside the robe, had joints wrapped in thin skin, making him frighteningly thin.

Hearing the noise, the gaunt old man turned to look at Lynn, who had just walked in. His expression didn't change much, but for some reason, it seemed as if he was smiling.

"You've arrived."

(End of this chapter)