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Chapter 536: Aftermath
Chapter 536: Aftermath (Request for Subscriptions, Favorites, and Votes)
The loss of an item from Gringotts' highest-security vaults often sends shockwaves through the entire British Wizarding World and even the European Wizarding World. For example, when Voldemort and Quirrell attempted to rob Gringotts during Liam's first year, even though they failed, every newspaper and magazine in the Wizarding World reported on it. The goblins had to spend a great deal of effort to suppress the story and even more to upgrade their security systems.
So, the day after returning from Gringotts, Liam confirmed over breakfast that no one had noticed Dumbledore taking him to retrieve the Golden Cup. The front page of the Daily Prophet was about the Ministry of Magic's latest security decree, which required every wizard entering the Ministry, St. Mungo's, or the International Floo Network departure points to undergo a security check. After flipping through the paper several times, Liam breathed a sigh of relief, certain that there was no news about Gringotts.
"What did you do with the Headmaster yesterday?" Hermione asked, sitting beside Liam and eating a jam roll while using the Phoenix Mark on her arm to communicate.
"We went to Gringotts to retrieve something. The Headmaster believes it might be one of the Dark Lord's Horcruxes", Liam told Hermione straightforwardly. As someone qualified to know about Voldemort's Horcruxes, it was necessary to inform her.
"How many Horcruxes have we destroyed now? The Dark Lord must be insane." Even through the soul link, Liam could hear the surprise in Hermione's voice. Her recent research into the Laws of Death had made her keenly aware of the importance of a complete soul, so she found it hard to believe that Voldemort, who claimed to have gone further on the path to immortality than anyone else, would make such a basic mistake.
"From what I know, the Gaunt family had already fallen into complete ruin by the time the Dark Lord was born. So, even though he is a descendant of Slytherin, he didn't inherit much of Slytherin's legacy, except for the dangerous human transfiguration he obtained from the Chamber of Secrets, which can make people lose their hair and noses. All his knowledge came from his time at Hogwarts and his travels afterward. It's natural that his knowledge would have flaws in such circumstances."
"Just like how we, being from ordinary families, sometimes lack basic knowledge of the Wizarding World", Hermione quickly understood. "At worst, our lack of common knowledge might cause some embarrassment, but a small flaw in the process of enhancing our power could be fatal. Fortunately, the knowledge we've gained is systematic, so we don't have to worry about such issues—hey, why is Hermes here?"
Liam looked up to see a much larger owl than usual flying over and dropping a small note in front of him.
"Who's this letter from?" Liam picked up the note and unfolded it, only to find another note from the Headmaster, asking when Liam could cleanse the Horcrux and if he could allow the Headmaster to observe.
It seems Headmaster Dumbledore still has his doubts, Liam thought. But that's understandable; as the saying goes, the older they get, the wiser they become. Dumbledore, who has lived for over a hundred years, would naturally be cautious about such an important matter. If he hadn't raised this issue, Liam would have been the one to feel uneasy.
Since that's the case, Liam decided there was no need to delay. He took out a quill and a small piece of parchment from his backpack and wrote: This afternoon. Then he had Hermes deliver the note to Professor Dumbledore.
"I think it looks thinner", Hermione said softly as she watched Hermes fly away.
"No, it's just healthier from all the exercise. Remember, it's a large owl capable of international flights. If it just sits in the Owlery and eats all day, it would only gain unnecessary weight, which would harm its health. Look, now that it's been flying to China twice a month to deliver letters to our parents, it looks much better than before."
"You have a point." Hermione nodded and continued eating her breakfast. After morning classes, Liam received a note from the Headmaster, agreeing to meet him in the Headmaster's Office after his afternoon classes. The note ended with today's office password: Chocolate Fudge.
"So eager, are we? But that makes sense. After all, defeating Voldemort is the Headmaster's top priority, and anything related to it will naturally take precedence." Liam thought as he watched the note burn to ashes in his hand.
After his afternoon classes, Liam arrived promptly at Dumbledore's office. The oak door opened, and he saw the Headmaster sitting in his high-backed chair as usual, his eyes fixed on the Hufflepuff Golden Cup on the desk.
"I'm sorry to call you here again today", Dumbledore said apologetically as he noticed Liam's arrival. "You might think I don't trust you, but please understand the concerns of an old man. This matter is far too important—"
"Headmaster, there's no need to explain. I understand." Liam replied. As someone who had experienced war, he knew that when lives were at stake, caution was never excessive. Moreover, as the greatest White Wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, taking the time to explain things directly to a young student was already a significant gesture.
At least Liam felt this was better than the treatment of Dumbledore's prized student, Harry, who only discovered the truth after the Headmaster's death.
"Ah, thank you for your understanding." Dumbledore smiled. "Very well, where do you think we should start with the Golden Cup?"
"I hope it's a place where we won't be disturbed", Liam said seriously. "Removing a piece of soul isn't easy with my abilities alone, so I'll need to use external forces, which will cause a significant disturbance."
"I see." Dumbledore nodded. "If you're ready, let's go."
"Having a Phoenix as a pet is certainly a great advantage. At least it makes travel convenient." After appearing on a cliff with a burst of flames, Liam looked at Dumbledore's Fawkes with a hint of envy. He knew that Dumbledore's possession of Fawkes was due to his clan's legacy; there was no other private Phoenix in the magical world.
"Where are we?" Liam asked, looking around. He realized they were on an isolated island surrounded by dark, murky waters.
"This is an island in the North Sea", Dumbledore explained. "It doesn't appear on Muggle maps and was once used as a stopover for ships delivering supplies to Azkaban. However, it was abandoned after the Floo Network became widespread. I discovered this place by chance, so I can assure you that no one will disturb us here."
"Then there's no problem." Liam got to work, setting up an altar and drawing runes. He placed enough materials, such as large piles of Sunlight Crystals, silver plates inlaid with golden runes, and obsidian carved with runes. Dumbledore stood quietly by his side, watching until Liam indicated that he was ready.
"Alchemy is always so complex, yet each time I watch, I feel a sense of extraordinary beauty", Dumbledore remarked. "Is there anything you need me to do now?"
"Hand me the Golden Cup, and that will be enough", Liam said. "I will use an Alchemy ritual array to separate the soul from the magical artifact, and then destroy the soul with Heavenly Thunder."
"Sounds excellent." Dumbledore nodded, took the Golden Cup from a box, and handed it to Liam. He also drew the Elder Wand. "I'll keep watch for any disturbances. You can focus on the ritual, and I promise no one will interrupt you."
(End of Chapter)
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