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Chapter 1252: The Cruel Truth
Chapter 1252: The Cruel Truth
On the first day after Dumbledore's death, the group of wizarding parents with children attending Hogwarts were the first to sense the changes following the loss of their headmaster.
A small fraction of them rushed to the school early in the morning and took their children away, as if something terrible would happen if they delayed.
Their feeble minds failed to realize that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was the only institution of its kind in all of Britain.
Or perhaps they intended to transfer their children to Beauxbatons Academy in France or some other renowned magic school? While they might have had plenty of galleons, they certainly lacked in common sense.
How could they consider studying abroad when they couldn't even master a foreign language? Ultimately, they would have to return to Hogwarts to complete their education unless they wanted to forgo graduating.
Fortunately, the number of such idiots was not significant.
Humans are inherently grateful beings, and many wizards, upon hearing the news, were willing to pay their last respects to Dumbledore.
The Ministry of Magic therefore dispatched a large number of Aurors to Hogsmeade Village to maintain order and prevent Death Eaters from taking advantage of the situation and causing trouble during the funeral.
On the morning of the funeral, Albert arrived early at Hogwarts Castle. As the Hogwarts Express would depart an hour after the funeral, he needed to fulfill his final task as per their agreement.
"Mr. Anderson?"
Professor McGonagall was surprised to find Albert suddenly appearing outside her office. She seemed about to say something, but Albert interrupted her with a raised hand.
"I had warned Dumbledore a long time ago that Snape wasn't trustworthy and that he should be cautious. But obviously, Dumbledore never took my words seriously, and that's why he died." Albert's tone was calm, almost indifferent, as he spoke these words.
"So, you knew this would happen?"
Professor McGonagall stared at Albert, incredulous, unable to believe that he had allowed this to transpire.
"Yes, it was indeed the result of a prophecy." Albert said to Professor McGonagall, "You must have suspected it too, just not in this way."
Professor McGonagall fell silent because Albert was right; they had their suspicions, but they never imagined that Dumbledore would ultimately die at Snape's hands.
"Actually, there's something you've misunderstood."
Albert sat down on the sofa and looked at the professor as she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. "Dumbledore wasn't a fool. Even if he trusted Snape, after receiving my warning, it's unlikely he would have let his guard down and allowed Snape to assassinate him. So his death must have been his own choice. As for the reason, I suggest you ask him yourself."
"You mean..."
Professor McGonagall stared at Albert, shocked.
At that moment, she suddenly felt weary. Many things seemed different from what she had thought, and Dumbledore was still keeping secrets from everyone.
Just then, the door to Professor McGonagall's office was flung open, and Harry, Hermione, and Ron appeared outside, looking as if they had something they wanted to discuss with Albert.
However, upon seeing Professor McGonagall, the trio's expressions became uncomfortable, as if they had just realized how rude their intrusion was.
"Let's discuss our matter later. Could you do me a favor and ask Professor Kareidi Bubaji to come here?" Albert helped ease the trio's embarrassment with a smile. "This is important and concerns Professor Bubaji's safety."
"What have you prophesied now?" Harry asked, breathless.
"Time is precious," Albert reminded them kindly.
Professor McGonagall walked to the fireplace, picked up a handful of Floo powder, and threw it into the recently lit fireplace. She spoke to the suddenly rising green flames, "Kareidi, please come here, there's something important."
Soon, Professor Bubaji stepped out of the flaming fireplace, brushing off the dust from her clothes. She looked at the group in Professor McGonagall's office with confusion, and her expression turned even more perplexed when she noticed that it was Albert who had requested her presence.
"Please take a seat, Professor Bubaji." Albert smiled and gestured for her to sit. "Listen to what I have to say; it concerns your safety."
"My safety?" Professor Bubaji was puzzled but ultimately did not refuse. She knew that Albert wasn't one to joke about such matters, and there must be a reason he sought her out.
"Yes."
Albert signaled for everyone to be quiet and listen. "You may need to temporarily resign from your position at Hogwarts..."
"But isn't the school going to be closed?" Ron asked, confused, growing even more perplexed as he noticed the looks he was getting from the others.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Be quiet and listen to me," Albert said calmly, looking up at Ron.
Ron immediately closed his mouth.
Professor Bubaji was equally puzzled.
"Hogwarts will not be closed," Albert suddenly dropped a bombshell, "The next thing that will happen is that the mysterious person will bring Snape back to take over as headmaster of Hogwarts."
"That's impossible!"
"You three, leave us for now!"
Albert spoke to Harry, Hermione, and Ron in a tone that brooked no argument. Seeing that they didn't seem inclined to move, he took out his wand, gestured lightly at them, and sent them out of the office, closing the door behind them.
"This is the aftermath of Dumbledore's death," Albert said helplessly, "When the mysterious person believes that no one in Britain can threaten him anymore, he will no longer have any misgivings."
Albert looked at the two professors, who seemed hesitant to speak. "I suggest that Professor Bubaji temporarily give up her Muggle Studies position and keep a low profile by leaving the country for a while. Of course, this is just my suggestion."
"What will happen if I don't do that?" Professor Bubaji asked, fixing her gaze on Albert.
"Believe me, the mysterious person and the Death Eaters would be delighted to teach you a lesson in their own way. As for what that way might be, I don't think you'd want to find out." Albert looked up at Professor McGonagall and asked, "Do you have any questions?"
"Will Hogwarts really fall under the control of the mysterious person?" Professor McGonagall found it hard to accept this outcome.
"Why wouldn't he?" Albert countered. "I can't think of any reason why he wouldn't. Next, Muggle-born wizards will suffer greatly, and I remember warning you about this a long time ago."
Professor McGonagall's mouth hung open, unsure how to respond. Indeed, Albert had mentioned this when he published the 'Self-Defense Guide.'
Only a handful of people truly took this matter seriously, but was that part of the prophecy about to come true?
"You three, come in." Albert opened the office door and said to those waiting outside, "I'm about to announce Dumbledore's will, which he left in my care."
Professor McGonagall stared at Albert, clearly surprised that Dumbledore had entrusted his will to him.
"The will is for the three of you, so..." Albert looked at Professors McGonagall and Bubaji, indicating that they should leave the office and give the trio some privacy.
The two professors exchanged glances and left together, closing the door behind them.
"Take a seat," Albert said, gesturing to the sofa in front of them.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other, curious about what Dumbledore had left behind.
As soon as they sat down, Albert waved his wand and conjured a metal box. He opened it, took out a letter, unsealed the envelope, and withdrew a piece of parchment. With the three watching, he unfolded it and said, "This is the last will and testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Listen carefully as I begin to read it."
"My Deluminator shall go to Ronald Bilius Weasley, in the hope that he will make good use of it and remember me when he does so.
My copy of 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' shall go to Miss Hermione Jean Granger. I hope she will find it entertaining and instructive.
I leave to Harry James Potter the Golden Snitch that he caught during his first Quidditch match at Hogwarts, as a reminder that sometimes it is the choices that seem minor that may leave the most lasting effects on our lives.
After speaking, Albert took out a silver lighter from the metal box, leaned forward, and handed the Deluminator to Ron. "Why did Dumbledore leave this to me?" Ron asked, looking bewildered.
"He obviously thought you needed it!" Albert replied nonchalantly, "I also think you'll probably need it, it's precious, and I hope you'll make good use of it."
"Do you know what it's for?" Ron asked, his eyes wide.
"I think it's best you don't know for now, it'll be better for you that way."
Albert ignored Ron and took out a tattered little book from the metal box, handing the old copy of 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' to Hermione. "I suppose Runes won't be a problem for you."
"Why did Dumbledore want to leave 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' to me?" Hermione asked, puzzled, feeling that Albert knew the reason.
If she could, asking was the fastest way to find out.
"He thought you could learn something useful from the stories in that book." Albert took out a walnut-sized Golden Snitch from the box and handed it to Harry, reminding him, "Dumbledore hid something inside the Golden Snitch, but as to what it is, you'll know when you open it."
"How do I open it?" Harry asked, looking at the Golden Snitch in his palm.
"When the time is right, you'll know how to open it naturally. There's no point in trying to open it now." Albert put away the will and looked at the three, asking directly, "Any questions? I'll try to answer one question from each of you."
"Why did Dumbledore leave the Deluminator to me?" Ron raised his hand and asked first.
"Because Dumbledore thought you were the least confident among the trio, and that one day you might leave them for some reason. The Deluminator can help you return to Harry's side when he needs you."
Albert paid no heed to Ron, who was turning red with anger, and looked at Hermione, asking, "What's your question?"
"What did Dumbledore want me to learn from 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard'?"
"The story of the three brothers." Albert revealed, "Some of the stories in 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' are actually true. I've seen the so-called Fountain of Fair Fortune, although it doesn't really bring good luck."
"The story of the three brothers?" Hermione flipped through the pages of the book quickly.
Unfortunately, her skill in Runes was not yet sufficient to read 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' without difficulty.
"Harry, what about you?"
"Why did Dumbledore let Snape kill him?" Harry asked, staring into Albert's eyes.
This question had been nagging at him, and now he could finally get the ultimate answer from Albert.
"That's because Dumbledore planned this whole thing from start to finish." Albert's tone was filled with admiration for Dumbledore, "To be honest, I don't really agree with this method, but I still admire his boldness in sacrificing his life for his plan."
"In a way, Dumbledore is the ultimate winner even in death, as he accomplished many incredible things with his sacrifice."
"Why?" Harry murmured, "Why did he have to go to such lengths?"
"Why?" Albert asked rhetorically, "Of course, it was to pave the way for you, to completely destroy the mysterious man. He believed in your ability to do so, and therefore, he didn't hesitate."
"So, was everything according to Professor Dumbledore's plan?"
After hearing Albert's words, Harry stared at him, feeling that his worldview had been somewhat shaken.
"What about Snape?" Hermione suddenly asked, "According to what you're saying, Snape has been Dumbledore's man from the start, but..."
"He's not a good person. Although he was on Dumbledore's side, you'd better not take Snape for a good man. Otherwise, you'll end up being badly betrayed by him one day."
"What do you know?"
Harry noticed Albert's gaze and felt that this matter might be related to him.
"Yes, I do know some things." Albert smiled, "But I can't guarantee that the story I tell is the absolute truth. If you want to hear it, I don't mind sharing it with you."
"Go ahead, I trust your judgment." Harry took a deep breath and said.
"This story starts with the prophecy about you and the mysterious man, made by Professor Trelawney during her interview for the position of Divination teacher." Albert began to narrate, "Dumbledore was there at the Hog's Head Inn when Professor Trelawney made the prophecy about you defeating the mysterious man. Snape was also there and overheard part of the prophecy before Dumbledore caught and sent him away. However, Snape still told the mysterious man what he had heard..."
(End of Chapter)
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