Chapter 445: A Chance to Save Not to be Missed
Chapter 445: A Chance to Save Not to be Missed
"I understand."
Vide paused, deep in thought, then took a deep breath and said, "Regarding the magic book he gave me... Professor, do you have any suggestions?"
Dumbledore didn't answer immediately. He rummaged through his drawers and then handed over a box of toffee.
"Don't frown, have a piece of candy?" he said. "Sweet treats always bring joy."
"Thank you, Professor," Vide replied.
He took the toffee, unwrapping the paper to reveal a golden-yellow sheen on the candy's surface, emitting a rich aroma and sweetness of caramel.
He popped one into his mouth and realized it was likely the handiwork of Mackie, the house-elf. Unlike its appearance, this toffee had a strong aroma but wasn't overly sweet.
Vide preferred his sweets less sweet and his meats less greasy, and Mackie was the only kitchen house-elf who understood this, adjusting the sugar content according to his taste.
Perhaps one of the house-elves had mistakenly delivered the wrong candy, sending Mackie's toffee intended for Vide to Dumbledore instead.
Vide thought as he savored the candy, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction.
The house-elves in the Wizengamot castle were also skilled in cooking, but they favored pickling and smoking, pairing their dishes with various rich sauces.
Once, they had served him a plate of raw beef mixed with pickled gherkins and raw egg yolk. When Vide saw the mosaic-like dish, he thought it was some strange punishment. Later, when he went to find Volvaret, he discovered the old man enjoying the dish...
Dumbledore sat at his desk, his gaze penetrating through his glasses, quietly observing Vide. His hands were clasped, and his fingers tapped unconsciously, his eyes deep and carrying a hint of unfathomable meaning.
After a long while, he asked, "Do you like this toffee?"
"Of course," Vide nodded.
"Excellent, then take the whole box with you. It's too bland for my taste," Dumbledore said, then pulled out another box. "How about some jelly slugs?"
"I'll pass on those," Vide quickly declined.
"Oh well," Dumbledore said with a hint of regret. "They're just shaped like slugs, but they taste quite good. These are also popular at Honeydukes... But never mind if you don't like them."
After a brief pause, he suddenly said, "As for those books... If you want to learn a thing or two, you can keep them."
Vide was taken aback and looked at him in surprise.
Dumbledore smiled and nodded slightly. "I won't stop you, Vide. Knowledge itself is not wrong; it's people's ambition and desires that lead them astray."
"I believe you've grown into a wizard with discernment. No matter what you learn, you'll always hold onto the light within you... Of course, if you ever feel lost, you can come to me at any time. I'm always willing to listen to your thoughts."
"Thank you, Professor," Vide said gratefully.
"Then, let's go for lunch," Dumbledore stood up and said. "I hope the kitchen has prepared cream cakes for us today."
Vide hesitated, "Professor, I'd like to take a few days off... to go home and check on my parents. They must be worried about me, is that okay?"
"Of course," Dumbledore said gently. "Who could stop a child from visiting their parents? By the way, I suppose you haven't seen your Christmas present yet?"
"No, I haven't," Vide replied.
"Then you should sort through it," Dumbledore said, winking mysteriously. "There's something inside... I think it will surprise you."
...
A flash of phoenix fire, and as Dumbledore was about to leave for lunch, he didn't exit but stood by the window, watching the students hopping on the lawn outside.
The portraits on the wall woke up one by one, some even walking into other portraits, covering their mouths and whispering.
The 200-year-old Healer and former headmaster, Dilys Derwent, spoke bluntly, "Albus, I thought you wouldn't allow your students to come into contact with dark magic, especially a child who seems so easily tempted by it."
Dumbledore remained calm. "I have faith in Vide."
Dumbledore's predecessor, Armando Dippet, hummed and hawed, "To be honest, I once had faith in Tom Riddle, too."
"I also studied dark magic," Dumbledore emphasized. "Only by understanding and mastering it can we better defend against it and use it for just causes. Dark magic isn't as terrifying as it seems."
Phineas Black nodded in agreement. "Yes, the children of the Black family have been exposed to dark magic from a young age."
"But look at Regulus... and Sirius... they were good kids," Finneas hesitated briefly, contemplating which of these two troublesome descendants to remove from his list of praise, but after a moment's hesitation, he decided to include them both.
After all... although both were incredibly foolish, one was already dead, and the other was the last remaining Black. As his great-great-grandfather, he might as well be a little more lenient...
Delores Derwent huffed in annoyance, "But the vast majority of those who dabble in dark magic have their minds twisted and corrupted! Albus, you should have firmly stopped that child from learning dark magic, especially since he listens to you so well!"
Armando Dippet nodded in agreement, "Yes... you can't trust students too much. You never know what they might become decades later."
"I know! I've warned you about this before, remember? Dippet," Finneas Black interjected.
"I told you so! I said Riddle was bad news, but you didn't believe me and told me to shut up!" Finneas Black said with a hint of glee.
Armando Dippet feigned ignorance and turned his face away, unwilling to engage further.
Dippet was willing to admit his mistakes to Dumbledore, the successor who had to clean up his mess, and even advised him not to repeat the same blunders. But when it came to Black, who often brought up past mistakes to ridicule him, Dippet just wanted to kick this annoying fellow into a pit and bury him.
Finneas Black's status as one of the least popular Headmasters was not without reason.
Another Headmaster, Everard, spoke in a gentle tone, "I think they have a point, Dumbledore. Why not take this opportunity to prevent him from getting in touch with those dark wizards?"
Dumbledore remained silent for a moment before asking, "Finneas... if it were you... if, in your youth, your elders forbade you from touching dark magic, would you obediently comply?"
"Huh? Of course not!" Finneas replied defiantly amidst the disdainful gazes of the other Headmasters. "I'd agree on the surface but secretly study it behind their backs!"
Ulpacia Moore couldn't help but chime in, "I've always wanted to ask this while I was alive—Black, why didn't you go to Durmstrang?"
"Do I even need to say it? Of course, it's because that place is too cold! And too strict, not a fun school at all," Finneas Black replied nonchalantly.
The other Headmasters couldn't help but bring up his shortcomings, "You were pretty strict when you were Headmaster, too!"
"And you didn't allow students to voice their opinions about Hogwarts' management, do you remember that?"
"You also favored Slytherin! The other Houses didn't like you!"
"So what?" Finneas Black pretended to clean his ears, speaking nonchalantly, "I'm a Slytherin! If I don't love Slytherin, should I love Gryffindor instead?"
"Dumbledore, do something about this guy who loves dark magic!" protested a red-haired Headmaster.
Dumbledore smiled calmly and explained to the other Headmasters, "I can understand that yearning for the unknown, even if I can prevent Vid from touching dark magic this time, but can I completely stop Grindelwald from contacting my students?"
"If Vid becomes curious about dark magic in the future and gets involved with knowledge he shouldn't, causing his mind and body to go astray... in normal circumstances, he can seek my help."
"But if my attitude now is to firmly oppose dark magic, he's very likely to hide his condition from me and turn to some more dangerous individuals instead."
"So I can't be too harsh," Dumbledore said slowly. "Because I don't want to miss a chance to save him in the future."
A prolonged silence filled the Headmaster's office.
After a while, the Headmasters began to speak one by one—
"You're making it too hard on yourself," Finneas Black muttered. "Good thing I'm already dead."
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"Since you've made your decision, we'll naturally support you," Delores Derwent said gently.
"I hope that child doesn't let your efforts go to waste," said Everard, closing his eyes.
"Albus..." Armando Dippet sighed, "Sometimes I feel that what a person becomes in the future may already be determined at their birth."
One by one, the Headmasters closed their eyes, and soon, a low murmur filled the room.
This time, he must have really fallen asleep.
Dumbledore stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, as if piercing through the scenery before him and landing on an unseen spot.
...
After Phoenix Fox dropped Vide off at home, Vide stood at the door, peering through the window, and saw his parents sitting on the sofa, sorting through a pile of newspapers and letters.
Unconsciously, he quickened his pace, a smile on his lips, and walked over to knock on the door. He had just knocked twice when the door was suddenly flung open.
"Vide?!"
Fiona exclaimed in surprise, opening her arms to give Vide a tight hug.
"I'm back, Mom," Vide said, feeling the hot tears on his neck, and turned his head to speak softly.
Ferdinand hurried to the door, and upon seeing Vide, his expression instantly lit up with excitement. But soon, the man furrowed his brows and fell into deep thought.
Then, he pulled his wife away from Vide, bringing her behind him. With narrowed eyes, he scrutinized the teenager before him.
"Vide... Is it really you?"
Vide sighed and nodded, "Of course it's me, Dad. Do I need to prove myself by telling you two things?"
"Of course not, I would never mistake my own son!"
Fiona wiped her tears and, from somewhere, produced a colorful, childlike scarf. She offered it to Vide, saying, "This is a scarf Mom knitted for you. Try it on to see if it fits."
Vide was about to take it with gratitude, but upon seeing the childish Christmas-like pattern, he retracted his hand and frowned, "Is this really for me? Don't you have something simpler in color?"
Fiona, now smiling through her tears, pushed her husband away and hugged Vide again, saying excitedly, "This reaction... It's definitely Vide!"
Vide: "..."
— Didn't we agree that Mom wouldn't mistake her son? Ferdinand's lips also curled uncontrollably, but his body seemed to have lost all its strength as he leaned against the door, unable to move.
Sensing his parents' silent fear and concern, Vide sighed and raised his hand to embrace his mother, saying again, "I'm really back, Mom."
...
After everyone's emotions settled down, the family sat on the sofa in front of the fireplace, listening to Vide recount his experience.
"...Grindelwald wanted to use the Mirror to spread their message, so he took the opportunity to take me away. While I was there, aside from not being able to leave or contact others freely, the treatment I received was actually not too bad."
Vide demonstrated with a gesture towards himself, "See, am I a little plumper than before? German cuisine is better than British food in terms of taste and variety, but I don't like mustard; sauerkraut is okay."
Fiona, amused and exasperated, patted him, "You, after being kidnapped, are only concerned about food... Did they beat you? Did they use any dangerous dark magic on you?"
"No, because..." Vide coughed awkwardly, "I was quite cooperative. I provided them with the technology they wanted, and taught a few people as they asked. So, I wasn't mistreated."
Ferdinand approvingly said, "There's no need to be embarrassed. That's the right thing to do. Showing a cooperative attitude can avoid greater harm, preserve your strength, and gain more time and opportunities—how did you get back? Did they let you go?"
"This morning, Headmaster Dumbledore came to rescue me," Vide said. "He had a big fight with Grindelwald, and Grindelwald lost. To protect the others, he had to let me go."
Regarding the dark magic that Grindelwald taught him, Vide thought it best to leave it unmentioned, as it would only cause his parents to worry and lose sleep at night.
"That's great, Headmaster Dumbledore is reliable after all."
Fiona expressed her gratitude with a prayer-like gesture and then regretted, "Oh, I should have sent him a Christmas gift too. Vide, does your headmaster like fine wine? Or would a watch be a better choice? I think books are more suitable, but I'm worried that the books I send might already be in his possession..."
Vide thought for a moment and laughed, "Everyone sends him books, but Dumbledore might prefer a pair of woolen socks?"
"Woolen socks?"
Fiona nodded, a bit skeptical at first, but eventually decided to prepare the gift as Vide suggested.
Although it sounded ordinary, Vide had more opportunities to interact with the headmaster and surely understood the old man better than they did.
Fiona even secretly decided to send Dumbledore a pair of woolen socks every year... Perhaps woolen gloves and sweaters would also be good choices?
(End of Chapter)
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