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Chapter 363: Borgin & Burkes' Memory
Chapter 363: Borgin & Burkes' Memory
On the top shelf of the cabinet, a row of memory vials sat in place. One of the vials, positioned towards the back, silently released a strand of memory silver from within.
A label was clearly affixed to the vial, bearing a name: Tom Riddle.
In the Wizarding World, almost no one could defend against Sherlock's methods. As long as he found the right spot and the room wasn't completely sealed, he could retrieve items without alerting anyone.
With this skill alone, he could easily become the master thief of the entire European Wizarding World.
Through the narrow sewer exit, the vial containing the memory silver effortlessly fell into Sherlock's hands.
After obtaining the item, Dumbledore and Sherlock did not linger in Knockturn Alley.
Dumbledore summoned Fawkes, and with the Phoenix's unique Apparition, they returned to the Headmaster's Office.
Placing the Pensieve, which belonged to the successive Hogwarts headmasters, on the desk, Dumbledore used his wand to draw the memory silver from the vial and place it into the Pensieve.
In the next moment, a silver-gray whirlpool formed within the Pensieve.
Sherlock stared intently at the basin of memories and asked, "Is there a chance he tampered with this memory?"
Dumbledore shook his head. In this area, he was an absolute master, his skill comparable to his achievements in Transfiguration.
"At least the memory we have is genuine. While someone might be able to tamper with it, they wouldn't escape my notice."
Once they were certain of its authenticity, the two of them did not hesitate and entered the memory in the Pensieve together.
The surroundings spun wildly, and when Sherlock and Dumbledore finally steadied themselves, they found themselves back in Borgin & Burkes Shop.
The shop looked significantly different from their visit that morning.
The environment was less dark, and many obviously abnormal magical items were visible in the store.
There were organs of unknown creatures, human arms, goblin ears, and house-elf heads, all displayed openly on the shelves.
"Actually, I'm curious why you chose to join my obscure little shop instead of the Ministry of Magic, which offers better prospects and benefits."
The voice belonged to a young, ordinary-looking wizard. From his features and tone, one could discern a resemblance to his future, older self.
This wizard, who appeared to be in his early thirties, was none other than Borgin & Burkes from fifty years ago.
"Since you've come here, you should understand the nature of my shop. I don't believe a brilliant Hogwarts graduate would be a fool to apply here and still mistake it for a regular antique magic shop."
Sitting across from Borgin was a handsome young man.
He looked to be no more than eighteen or nineteen, with a charming smile always playing on his lips and eyes that held a depth far beyond his years.
Both Dumbledore and Sherlock could immediately recognize this young man.
After all, Dumbledore had been his Transfiguration professor for seven years, and Sherlock had encountered Tom during the Chamber of Secrets incident.
Now, having recently graduated from Hogwarts, he was only slightly less naive than the image in the Diary.
"To be honest, Mr. Borgin, I have no interest in those so-called generous benefits and high salaries."
Riddle said with a light tone.
"Those are the most superficial pursuits. What I want is knowledge, the most essential knowledge for a wizard. Mr. Borgin, I want to acquire knowledge from you that I cannot get elsewhere. Of course, I am well aware that no knowledge comes for free. In return, I will work diligently in your shop, and you only need to provide me with a salary that covers my basic living expenses."
He did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.
Similarly, Riddle's request was indeed reasonable.
Compared to other jobs, Borgin & Burkes Shop could provide him with knowledge about ancient, ordinary, or dark magical artifacts that no one else could offer.
Dumbledore, standing beside Sherlock, observed the job application scene and spoke thoughtfully.
"From the beginning, when I learned that Riddle had worked at Borgin's shop for a while, I have been wondering what he was seeking."
"If it was powerful Dark Magic, there are many places more suitable than this shop in Knockturn Alley. An unlicensed antique shop, even if it truly harbored some profound Dark Magic artifacts, would require much more effort to decipher the magic on these items than directly learning Dark Magic."
"But now, perhaps I can see the reason."
Sherlock also narrowed his eyes, watching Borgin happily accept Riddle's job application, and he guessed what Dumbledore was about to say.
"You mean that Borgin's shop is an antique shop, and he came here to find the suitable items needed to split his soul and create a Horcrux!"
Dumbledore said calmly.
"Riddle has always been a proud person. After learning from you that he took Hufflepuff's Cup to create his Horcrux, I conducted a thorough investigation into this matter."
"Since he could defile Hufflepuff's legacy, it is impossible that he would leave the other founders' relics untouched. What you might not know is that the Grey Lady, the ghost of Ravenclaw House, was actually Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter."
This was news to Sherlock.
Perhaps it was mentioned in the original story, but he, who could barely remember the general plot, could not possibly recall such a detail.
"After finding Hufflepuff's Cup, I had a detailed conversation with the Grey Lady. Although she was initially hesitant, once I mentioned the Horcrux, she told me everything she knew."
"While Riddle was still a student at Hogwarts, he used his charm and eloquence to successfully win over this lady, and they became close friends who shared everything."
"During one conversation, the Grey Lady revealed a secret to Riddle. She told him that she had stolen her mother Ravenclaw's Diadem and detailed the exact location where she had hidden it."
"That location is in Albania."
Sherlock's brow furrowed involuntarily at this revelation.
(End of Chapter)
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