Chapter 47: Professor, Where Is Your Integrity?
Facing Ivan, who could be moved by his own words, Ron didn't know what to say.
Harry also wanted to comment on what was so touching about it, but seeing Ivan's sincere expression, he swallowed his words.
At that moment, an aged and steady voice suddenly sounded in everyone's ears.
"Facing pain is not shameful, Harry."
It was Dumbledore's voice, and Ivan immediately recognized it. In the next second, he activated his Occlumency to full power and spent 100 Merit Points to activate Scholar Mode, which gave him a sense of security. He then looked behind him.
At the entrance to the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore, with his white hair and long beard, had quietly appeared.
"Professor", Harry said in surprise, then became somewhat uneasy because they had used the mirror without permission.
Dumbledore, however, wasn't looking at them but at the Mirror of Erised. Ivan couldn't discern any clues from Dumbledore's eyes, only that he looked for a moment before coming back to his senses.
Dumbledore stepped forward, placing his hand on Harry's head, and then looked at Ivan.
"Harry was right. This is the Mirror of Erised, which shows us our deepest and most intense desires. In the past, many people have been lost in these false illusions, wasting their days and even becoming obsessed, because they don't know if what they see in the mirror is real or possible."
"I don't want the same to happen to you", Dumbledore added.
"Harry, would you mind telling me what you saw in the mirror?" Dumbledore suddenly asked.
Ivan hesitated for a moment, thinking of an excuse to get by, but after a while, he decided to tell the truth.
"Family."
"Yes, I should have guessed", Dumbledore seemed moved, murmuring softly.
"Professor, what did you see in the Mirror of Erised?" Ivan didn't dare let Dumbledore think too long and quickly asked.
"I saw myself holding a pair of thick woolen socks", Dumbledore replied.
"Socks are never enough", Dumbledore continued. "I thought I might get a few pairs for Christmas, but alas, they insisted on giving me books."
Ivan pursed his lips. Although he understood that Dumbledore was using woolen socks as a metaphor for family, he couldn't help but think to himself:
Who was it that said to face pain just now?
Professor, where is your integrity?
After this delay, Harry, who had been moved and reluctant to leave the mirror after seeing his parents, finally came to his senses. He remembered why they were there and urgently interrupted.
"Professor, we came to report something. A few days ago, a mysterious person in black robes obtained the method to get past Fluffy from Hagrid. He is likely trying to get through the Trapdoor to steal the Philosopher's Stone you placed there."
Harry said this in one breath, but felt that it might not be enough to convince Dumbledore, so he added that his Broomstick had been controlled during the Quidditch match and that he had seen Snape's injured leg after Halloween.
Ron and Hermione also chimed in with details, but in their haste, they spoke somewhat chaotically.
"Don't worry, you can sit down and explain slowly", Dumbledore said, seemingly already aware of the situation. He waved his wand to transfigure four chairs and invited them to sit.
Harry and the others nodded. Once they were seated, Dumbledore asked.
"Could you tell me where you learned about the Philosopher's Stone first?"
Isn't it the clue you left yourself? Ivan thought to himself, but to prevent Harry and the others from saying something they shouldn't, he quickly spoke up.
"We found out from Hagrid that the thing hidden under the Trapdoor was related to someone named Nicolas Flamel, and then we discovered he was the creator of the Philosopher's Stone."
"Do you think anyone would do such a thing?" Dumbledore nodded, acknowledging Ivan's explanation.
"We suspect Snape! Or maybe Professor Quirrell as well", Harry hurriedly added.
This time, Dumbledore did not respond but fell into deep thought.
"Professor, do you not believe us?" Ron asked anxiously.
"No, I do believe you", Dumbledore reassured Ron and the others, then continued in a serious tone, "But I also trust the professors at this school. They would not do such a thing."
Harry opened his mouth to protest but saw Dumbledore wave his hand.
"The Philosopher's Stone is protected not only by Three-Headed Dog Fluffy, but each professor has also set up a protective measure down there, including Snape and Quirrell."
"So the Philosopher's Stone is very safe down there", Dumbledore added.
"If there are no enemies, why did you bring the Philosopher's Stone to the school and set up so many protections?" Ivan easily spotted the loophole in Dumbledore's words and asked.
Since he had the chance to report Quirrell, Ivan was eager to hint to Dumbledore to quickly deal with this potential threat.
Handing over a professor-level enemy with ties to the Dark Lord to them, newly enrolled Young Wizards, wouldn't your conscience hurt, Professor?
Ivan thought to himself but did not forget to rapidly run Occlumency, generating some plausible false memories.
During the Q&A, Ivan keenly noticed that Dumbledore had used Legilimency three times—when Harry recounted the events, mentioned the Philosopher's Stone, and when they asked who they suspected.
Of course, the three memory probes did not last long, probably just to confirm if they were lying or hiding anything.
Thanks to the extraordinary boost from the Scholar Mode, combined with Dumbledore not using his full strength, Ivan successfully concealed his true thoughts.
"That's because I received a message that a very dangerous person was planning to target the Philosopher's Stone, but it's not Snape, nor is it Quirrell." Dumbledore gave Ivan an appreciative look but did not elaborate further. He stood up and looked at the Mirror of Erised.
"In any case, thank you for your warning. I will have the other professors be more vigilant. You should go back now. If you find anything else suspicious, feel free to come and tell me."
"Alright, Professor, we'll leave now", Ivan said, eager to leave as soon as possible after confirming that Dumbledore did not intend to deal with Quirrell immediately. He did not want to stay in Dumbledore's presence for even a second longer.
Harry opened his mouth, with many questions to ask and many things to say, but in the end, he remained silent and left the Headmaster's Office with the others.
After the four left the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore stood in front of the Mirror of Erised, deep in thought for a long time. Then, he suddenly spoke.
"Severus, what do you think?"
(End of Chapter)
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