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Chapter 1398: A Burden Too Heavy to Bear
Chapter 1398: A Burden Too Heavy to Bear
It was not without reason that young wizards were often deemed untrustworthy. Most students were indeed unreliable, a fact that could be attributed to their prolonged shelter within the ivory tower of Hogwarts.
When Albert returned to the shelter, the Great Hall was bustling with busy bodies, making it seem livelier than ever.
Among the crowd, Kingsley was directing everyone in cleaning and setting up the venue for the Christmas ball, with an efficiency that exceeded Albert's expectations.
"Are you staying for the dinner later?"
Harry, while covering the round tables with tablecloths, caught a glimpse of Albert and approached him, seemingly with something on his mind.
"I'm just here to take a look and also..."
Albert walked over to a Christmas tree and emptied the remaining Christmas presents from his Traceless Bag, piling them up under the tree.
"...to deliver some Christmas gifts."
"Christmas gifts! Oh, is there one for me?" Harry picked up a gift and asked.
"Yes, two for each person. Hmm, there should be enough for everyone."
"Great, they'll all be grateful to you. Christmas without gifts is simply unimaginable." Harry glanced to the side and suggested, "Let's chat over there."
With that, the two of them walked out of the Great Hall, turning into a secluded room after passing through the corridor.
"I can control the Fiery Curse now." Harry said in a lowered voice.
"With the help of Felix Felicis?"
Albert was not surprised. After all, the essence of Felix Felicis was to enhance the user's potential in all aspects.
"Yes, I took Felix Felicis and was able to control the curse with ease." Harry said calmly, "I practiced for a long time following your notes but didn't succeed. Later, I..."
"How many times have you taken Felix Felicis?" Albert interrupted.
"What?"
"How many times have you taken Felix Felicis?" Albert repeated.
"Three or four times, I think."
Harry couldn't remember exactly, but he knew it wasn't many times.
He seemed to realize something and quickly explained, "I took very small doses each time, so there shouldn't be any..."
"Are you planning to take action soon?"
Albert ignored Harry's defense and asked suddenly.
This time, it was Harry who remained silent, the implication clear.
"More practice won't hurt, and you only have one shot." Albert reminded him, "I won't deny the power of Felix Felicis, but I don't think it's a surefire solution for you."
"Why?"
"For you guys, the more powerful the wizard, the better the effect of Felix Felicis, and the higher the success rate." Albert explained, "So, you must succeed in one go. Before that, you need to plan meticulously to avoid any mistakes."
"This..."
Harry's mouth hung slightly open.
"I think Albert's right, we need to be thoroughly prepared."
Hermione's voice rang out from outside the room, accompanied by Ron.
"Harry, Sirius is looking for you." Ron said suddenly.
"What does Sirius want with me?" Harry asked, taking a deep breath.
"He didn't say." Ron shrugged.
"Alright, I'll go see him." Harry left with Ron.
"What's going on?" Albert asked Hermione.
"I think Harry's seeking death." Hermione watched Harry's departing figure and, turning to Albert, said firmly, "You must know the reason, right?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I have a feeling... well..."
Hermione seemed to want to say something but couldn't find the words.
"Are you sure you want to know?" Albert looked into Hermione's eyes and asked calmly, "It holds no value to you or Harry, and are you truly prepared to bear this secret?"
"I want to know." Hermione said seriously.
"Are you certain? It might be a burden too heavy for you to bear." Albert confirmed again, "Moreover, I believe Harry wouldn't want you to know these secrets.
At that moment, Hermione hesitated.
"I want to know," she finally said.
"Very well, Harry is a Horcrux," Albert said, his words echoing like thunder in Hermione's mind.
"How is that possible?" Hermione murmured.
"He can read the Dark Lord's memories," Albert reminded her. "That scar probably holds a fragment of the Dark Lord's soul, making it a Horcrux as well. Harry must have realized this, and if he wants to destroy the Dark Lord..."
"So, Harry...will die!"
Hermione covered her face with her hands, her sobs uncontrollable.
"Yes, Harry will die," Albert said softly. "I believe he has already opened the Golden Snitch and found the Resurrection Stone hidden within. So, Harry has prepared himself for death."
Looking at the weeping girl, Albert felt no remorse. After all, curiosity always came with a price.
"That's why I said it's a burden you can't bear," he added.
"But why tell me?" Hermione asked.
"Wasn't it what you wanted to know?" Albert countered.
Hermione fell silent, at a loss for words.
"It's best that you don't tell anyone else, as it won't bring any benefit to them," Albert advised. "And don't try to stop Harry; it would be meaningless."
"How can you say such cruel things so coldly?" Hermione asked, her eyes red and swollen.
"Why? That's a question for Dumbledore, as I'm merely relaying his secret," Albert replied, offering her a handkerchief. "Also, you're being childish right now. The moment you embarked on the quest for the Horcruxes, you should have been prepared to face death along the way."
Hermione was speechless.
"As I said, you would regret it. And now, you do," Albert said softly. "This is the weight of the truth, and you simply can't bear it. You're too fragile."
"You're despicable," Hermione said, biting her lip.
"Despicable? This was your choice, wasn't it?" Albert reminded her. "Now, it's best to pretend you know nothing and cheer up."
"You..."
"It's your choice," Albert said calmly. "Even with tears, you must continue on your path."
"Is there really no other way?"
"I don't know," Albert replied.
"What do you mean?"
"It seems you haven't suffered enough yet," Albert shook his head. "Of course, if you want to know, I don't mind telling you."
"Then tell me..." Hermione hesitated, but ultimately decided to hear Albert's solution.
"Let the Dark Lord kill Harry, and perhaps Harry will have a chance to survive," Albert said slowly. "As for the probability, I don't know, because no one has tried it before."
Hermione stood there, her mouth agape.
"Are you planning to tell Harry?" Albert asked, as if reading her mind. "I suggest you don't. Of course, it's your choice to tell him or not."
"This is all Dumbledore's..."
"Yes, Dumbledore's plan," Albert confirmed with a smile. "Isn't it a bit unsettling to your perception of him?"
"Knowing too much isn't always a good thing," Hermione said.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Ron asked, having looked for her in the Great Hall.
"It's nothing. We were just talking about something sad," Hermione lied. "My family might not return to Britain anymore."
"Don't worry, you still have me and Harry," Ron comforted her.
"Thank you, Ron," Hermione said, putting the handkerchief back into her pocket and leaving with Ron.
"Women!"
Albert shook his head and made his way toward the Great Hall.
(End of Chapter)
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