https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-320-Grey-s-Residence-on-Spider-s-Tail-Lane-/12946194/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-322-Dolores-Umbridge-s-Dark-Side/12946196/
Chapter 321: Shocking! Umbridge Actually...
Chapter 321: Shocking! Umbridge Actually...
"Vold." Dumbledore paused and said, "I believe you will approach matters with a calm mind, weighing the pros and cons and facing issues with clarity. So, tell me, do you think you've made a mistake?"
Vold contemplated this seriously and then shook his head.
"Then proceed with your plan," Dumbledore said, surprisingly lenient. "I'm not as wise as many believe. Just like when you asked me—is the Secrecy Act right? Is the Ministry of Magic right? Is abolishing the death penalty right?"
"I often wonder, too," Dumbledore continued, "what is right and what is wrong? Perhaps time will eventually provide the answers, but in the midst of it all, we can only see a small stretch of the road ahead."
"So, Vold, do what you won't regret. Every decision has its price, and I hope you won't be like me... Even years later, looking back, don't regret the choices you've made."
Vold stared at him, speechless with awe.
Dumbledore's tolerance and trust in him were more profound than Vold had ever imagined.
Perhaps this was the mark of a truly wise person, as past experiences had left indelible scars on his soul, also granting him immense patience.
He wouldn't make rash decisions or interfere with others' futures. Even when faced with values that contradicted his own, he wouldn't forcefully declare, "You're wrong! Do as I say!"
At that moment, Vold understood why, in the original story, Dumbledore always seemed to yield, whether dealing with Fudge or Voldemort. His methods often appeared overly restrained, even weak.
Because he was always waiting.
Everyone trusted Dumbledore, but Dumbledore didn't trust himself; he had less faith in himself than anyone else.
On the shaded path, the streetlights illuminated one by one, casting a soft glow through the tree shadows.
Dumbledore patted Vold's shoulder. "It's dinnertime; you should head home."
"May I invite you to join us for dinner, Professor?" Vold asked. "Actually, my mother wanted to extend the invitation when we left, but she was too shy to ask."
The invitation was a bit abrupt, but Dumbledore smiled and accepted. "I'd be delighted to join you, Mr. Grey."
The Grey family's dinner, as always, was abundant and full of flavor, aroma, and color.
Especially with a few cookbooks from the East that Vold had purchased at the bookstore, and with the help of his thought-infused puppets, everyone, including the three chocolate-loving puppets, could understand Chinese and were eager to try the dishes.
After some initial waste of ingredients, the table finally began to showcase dishes that suited Vold's taste. Although Mr. and Mrs. Grey initially felt out of their comfort zone, they were keen to support their son's culinary adventures and soon became enthusiastic participants.
At this moment, Fiona felt proud of the meal she had prepared, even if it were to welcome the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
After the initial awkwardness, she eagerly invited Dumbledore to try the dishes.
"This roast goose is amazing! It's glazed with sugar syrup and grilled to perfection—sweet and delicious!"
Dumbledore's eyes lit up at the mention of sugar syrup, and he happily speared a piece of the caramelized goose with his fork.
"Have you tried this honey-glazed barbecue pork? I never knew there was such a recipe for pork besides grilled pork chops and suckling pig! The sauce has honey, sugar, and peanut oil..."
Dumbledore eagerly sampled the dishes, one by one.
Vold knew the Headmaster had a sweet tooth, so the table was filled with desserts, making it easy for newcomers to enjoy as well.
Dumbledore smiled warmly as he dined, observing how the Greys, despite having a house-elf to do the chores, still took the initiative to set the table and attend to other small tasks.
Mr. Grey helped his wife wipe away the soup stains on the table, while Vold stood up to pour drinks for his parents and Dumbledore.
A smile played on his lips, and his blue eyes exuded kindness.
The couple showed mutual respect and understanding, and the love between the parents and their child was palpable, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
So, growing up in such a family, how could Vold be like Grindelwald or Voldemort?
He was born with something Dumbledore never believed he possessed—
Love.
...
Dumbledore left with a dessert prepared by Fiona as a gift, along with some concerns weighing on Vold's mind.
Finally, Vold found time to transform into 'Venal' and contact Claire, the werewolf girl he had neglected for over a week.
Although there was already a bearded werewolf doing the same task as Snape, Vold felt that maintaining this line of communication wouldn't hurt, especially since he only needed to pay a small salary.
Moreover, if they could truly solve the issue of werewolf transformations, it would be a significant help to many.
From Lupin, Vold knew that despite werewolves gaining immense strength during their transformations, it was all torment for them. Perhaps only a tiny fraction with innate anti-social tendencies would enjoy such a state.
During the first contact, Vold didn't meet Claire in person but asked her to send some hair and blood samples taken before and after her transformations.
In the magical world, many curses could be cast through blood or hair. After hearing Vold's request, Claire's werewolf friend backed out, but the girl sent the samples without hesitation.
[I'm not afraid to die.]
She wrote on the parchment, [If it can end this sooner, death would be a blessing.]
Upon receiving the package, Vold felt a slight weight on his shoulders, as if burdened by the girl's expectations.
He kept a portion for magical research and sent the rest to a private laboratory, paying a substantial sum for detailed testing.
For thousands of years, wizards had failed to solve the werewolf problem, and Vold didn't consider himself smarter than the great wizards.
However, perhaps they could try a Muggle approach, analyzing the differences between werewolves and ordinary people at a microscopic level.
On the day before school started, Vold came across a sensational headline in the Daily Prophet:
"The Dark Side of a High-Ranking Official in the Ministry of Magic—Dolores Umbridge, the Untold Story."
Vold nearly choked on his breakfast and quickly took a large sip of water before turning the pages.
"Hmm? I remember this journalist named Rita Skeeter. Her articles are quite provocative."
Ferdinand, a regular newspaper reader, also looked down at the paper and said, "Is Umbridge going to step down? How could they allow such a report?"
Vold: ...
Suddenly, he recalled the words he had spoken to Fudge.
Er... Is Fudge this proactive?
Vold flipped through the newspaper, curious to see what Skeeter had written.
(End of Chapter)
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