Chapter 517: Communication
Chapter 517: Communication
The next day was a weekend, and the weather was unusually pleasant. Liam woke up early, went jogging with Hermione, and had breakfast before saying goodbye to her. Then, he walked down the corridor, basking in the brilliant golden sunlight streaming through the windows, heading towards the Headmaster's Office.
Upon reaching the door, he recited the password, "Lemon Drop", to the gargoyle and inwardly grumbled about Dumbledore's choice of candy. Liam then ascended the revolving staircase and arrived at the door of Dumbledore's office, which had a brass knocker. After politely knocking, the door opened automatically, and he saw Professor Dumbledore sitting behind his large desk, fingers steepled in thought.
Seeing Liam at the door, Dumbledore smiled and gestured for him to take a seat.
"Good morning, Professor Dumbledore", Liam said, bowing slightly as he sat down.
"Ah, good morning, Liam. What would you like to drink?" Dumbledore asked with a warm smile, then waved his wand, causing a selection of beverages to appear on the table. "Black tea, pumpkin juice, or some lemonade?"
"Hot black tea, please", Liam replied. As soon as he spoke, two steaming cups of black tea appeared before them. Taking the cup and settling in, Liam looked at Headmaster Dumbledore and asked, "Did you ask me here this morning for something specific?"
"Of course, I have a matter to discuss with you. It's about this", Dumbledore said in his characteristic slow, elderly tone. "I noticed that yesterday, during your little gathering, you were teaching your classmates some magic that might not be suitable for them at this stage. I believe it's important to remind you of this."
"But the magic I taught them is absolutely not Dark Magic", Liam said firmly. "I remember that at Hogwarts, only dangerous Dark Magic is prohibited, not this type of magic."
"You are correct", Dumbledore said slowly. "The magic you taught them is indeed not Dark Magic, but it is quite powerful and can cause various problems for both the learners and others. For instance, I believe that learning such dangerous spells could easily lead to injuries."
"You do have a point; this magic is indeed quite potent, and there is no guarantee of absolute safety while learning it", Liam said, nodding seriously as he looked into Dumbledore's piercing blue eyes. "However, I believe that this is precisely the kind of magic they should be learning right now."
Seeing Dumbledore place his elbows on the desk and lean forward to listen attentively, Liam sat up straight and continued. "I understand that you believe the war against the Dark Lord and his followers is a task for you and a few brave volunteers, hoping to keep the conflict from involving innocent people. This means you've taken on all the pressure yourself—"
"Your praise makes me blush. I'm not as great as you say. I fight against Voldemort to atone for the mistakes I made in my youth", Dumbledore said with a wry smile, shaking his head.
"Regardless, you are at the forefront of the resistance against the Dark Lord, and I respect you for that", Liam said. "However, there is one thing you might have overlooked: the current situation is no longer something that the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry of Magic alone can handle."
Pausing for a moment, Liam continued, "The Dark Lord's attacks on the wizarding world have escalated into a full-scale war, even affecting the Muggle world with random and indiscriminate attacks, causing severe casualties. Moreover, the members of my interest group, due to their family backgrounds, are among the primary targets of the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. Therefore, I believe it is essential to teach them some combat skills."
"You should trust that we and the Ministry of Magic can provide sufficient protection, especially within the school, which should be absolutely safe", Dumbledore said after some thought.
"I'm afraid I find that hard to believe", Liam said, looking at Dumbledore with a sigh. "The bloodbaths caused by the Death Eaters speak for themselves. We want to truly learn how to fight so that if we encounter Death Eaters, we won't be sitting ducks. For example, Neville has said that he would rather die fighting like a warrior than wait to be killed."
"Neville Longbottom?" At the mention of this name, Professor Dumbledore sighed and fell silent for several seconds. "Back then, after Voldemort's disappearance, we were too complacent. It was our mistake, and I owe a great deal to the Neville clan—"
"Old age tends to make one reflect on the past." Dumbledore soon emerged from his reverie and spoke to Liam in a conciliatory tone. "I believe Voldemort indeed poses a danger to everyone, and I hope every student and teacher remains vigilant, without a moment's lapse. Under these circumstances, your desire to learn self-defense is understandable. However, why not focus on safer spells like the Disarming Charm or Stunning Spell, as you did last year?"
After hearing Dumbledore's words, Liam realized that the gap between them wasn't as wide as he had imagined. The Headmaster's concern was purely out of worry for his students, much like how many school principals cancel field trips to avoid any accidents. It wasn't because Dumbledore needed to control everything and suppress any uncertain factors, as Liam had seen in some places in his past life.
Reflecting on it, a person who has earned the widespread praise of the wizarding world couldn't possibly be a megalomaniac. Apart from key figures like Harry, who played a crucial role in the final victory, Dumbledore generally adopted a laissez-faire approach towards most people, including Liam. There was no need to worry about being singled out by Dumbledore.
For instance, the immediate delivery of a note to his hand after the gathering indicated that the Headmaster maintained a high level of control over the school. As a seasoned centenarian, Dumbledore must have seen through the Study Group's intentions. However, his attitude towards the Study Group had always been one of non-interference, only stepping in when there was a real risk of serious harm. Even then, he chose to address the issue through gentle communication.
Since he wasn't being directly targeted, it meant that Professor Dumbledore could be persuaded. With this thought, Liam felt more spirited. "Professor Dumbledore, I don't want my classmates to be in danger. But the world outside is even more dangerous. The Death Eaters won't show mercy just because we are students or minors."
"Even if you learn these spells, you won't be a match for the ruthless Death Eaters. Taking such risks to learn dangerous magic isn't worth it", Dumbledore interlaced his fingers and leaned forward, his voice measured.
"However, by learning these spells, we at least stand a chance to fight back, and there might even be a chance to escape. Without mastering more powerful magic, we would be sitting ducks waiting to die."
Seeing Professor Dumbledore deep in thought, Liam quickly pressed on. "We have no grand ambitions and don't wish to harm anyone. The sole purpose of learning these spells is to survive this war."
"Survive, indeed." Professor Dumbledore sighed deeply. "In my life, I have seen too much death and do not wish to see any more innocent lives lost."
Liam knew this was the Headmaster's genuine sentiment. A significant part of Dumbledore's later life was dedicated to fighting Voldemort, even at the cost of his own life, to atone for his younger self's actions that led to his sister's death. He learned that those who wield power must shoulder responsibility, or else they would bring disaster. His concern for Liam today stemmed from a fear that Liam might be overwhelmed by his own power, but the conversation had greatly relieved his worries.
"I think I can allow you to continue learning these spells, in the hope that more innocent lives can be saved", Professor Dumbledore considered. "But you must ensure your safety. If not, I will have to revoke my permission. Have a pleasant weekend, it's the weekend today."
"Thank you, Professor. I will prioritize everyone's safety, so please don't worry", Liam stood up, bowed respectfully to Dumbledore, and left the Headmaster's Office.
"You don't seem like yourself", Phineas's portrait on the wall remarked as Liam left.
Dumbledore ignored him, looking at the spot where Liam had stood and murmuring, "Perhaps I am getting old. This time, I hope I have enough strength to protect them until they can stand on their own."
(End of Chapter)
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