Chapter 572: In Hand
Chapter 572: In Hand (Request for Subscriptions, Favorites, and Votes)
In the center of an empty classroom, Professor Slughorn huddled at the edge of a square table, resembling a fat walrus. Harry knelt before him, his face tilted upward, gazing intently into Slughorn's teary eyes, making it impossible for the Potions professor to turn away.
"You have a point. I truly, truly regret your mother's death", he said softly. "If it could help you... of course, it wouldn't be a problem... but that memory is useless..."
"It's useful", Harry said firmly. "Dumbledore needs to know that memory, and I need to know it too. I believe it's the key to avenging my mother, perhaps the only key."
Harry leaned in closer, his eyes locked on Slughorn's. "I am The Chosen One. I must kill him. So, I need that memory."
Under Harry's intense gaze, the color drained from Slughorn's face. The rosy flush from his earlier drinking had faded, leaving his face pale. Sweat began to bead on his broad forehead. "You are The Chosen One?"
"Of course, everyone here knows it", Harry replied, pointing to Liam and Hermione, who nodded in unison as Slughorn's eyes met theirs.
"But... dear boy... you're asking too much... You're asking me to help you destroy a Dark Wizard no one has ever managed to defeat—"
"It's not as terrible as you think", Harry said, softening his tone to reassure him. "Don't you hate the one who took away your friends, your students, and your normal life, forcing you to hide everywhere?"
"Harry, I do hate him. But—" Slughorn's expression turned to one of sheer terror.
"I know what you're afraid of. You fear he'll find out you helped Harry. But with the Dark Lord's nature, he might not even ask if you've revealed his secrets. He'll kill anyone he deems a threat", Hermione interjected, her voice flat and emotionless.
"But I'm his teacher, his head of house—" Slughorn began, only to be cut off by Liam. "He killed his own father and grandparents, and indirectly killed his uncle."
Slughorn turned back to Harry, his eyes filled with hope. "They can't be telling the truth, can they?"
"They are", Harry said, not giving Slughorn the answer he hoped for. "So, the only way to truly ensure your safety now is to face him as bravely as my mother did, to face this terrible situation head-on."
Slughorn looked as though he were on the verge of collapse. Since Voldemort's resurrection, he had been in a state of constant, heightened anxiety. The alcohol he had consumed earlier only exacerbated his reaction to Harry's sudden, stark reminder of reality. He trembled and sobbed, appearing like a massive, vulnerable infant.
"I feel ashamed..." Slughorn covered his face with his hands and whispered through his fingers, "I'm ashamed of what that memory reveals... I fear I caused great harm that day..."
"It's all right. If you give me the memory, everything will be balanced out", Harry said. "It's a very brave and noble act that can help you overcome your inner turmoil and protect your safety to the greatest extent. So, please, share that secret. It will be good for you and for us."
Harry and Slughorn stared at each other in the dim candlelight for a moment. Finally, Slughorn slowly reached into his pocket, pulled out his wand, and with his other hand, retrieved a small, empty vial from his cloak.
He continued to stare into Harry's eyes, the tip of his wand pressed against his temple. He then slowly lifted the wand, and a long, silver thread of memory emerged. It stretched and stretched until it finally broke, shimmering and floating at the tip of the wand. Slughorn placed it into a bottle, where the silver thread first curled up and then unfurled, swirling like a wisp of smoke inside the bottle. With trembling hands, he sealed the bottle and passed it across the table to Harry.
"Thank you so much, Professor", Harry said sincerely as he took the bottle.
"You're a good boy", Slughorn said to Harry, tears streaming down his chubby cheeks and into his walrus mustache. "You have her eyes... After you see this, don't think of me as a villain, and good luck to you..." With that, Slughorn slumped over the table and fell into a deep sleep.
"Well, I think I should go see Professor Dumbledore now. Would you like to come with me?" Harry put the bottle in his pocket and asked Liam and Hermione.
"Of course, we'll come with you. After all, this memory concerns us too. I think we should know about it", Liam said, then added worriedly, "But won't he be angry and leave Hogwarts after we pushed him so hard today? If he falls into the Dark Lord's hands, we'll be in real trouble."
"No", Harry shook his head. "Felix Felicis told me that Professor Slughorn won't remember anything when he wakes up tomorrow morning."
"That's good, but what about Professor Slughorn now? Are we just going to leave him here?" Hermione glanced at Slughorn, who was snoring on the table.
"We can't leave him here; he'll be in a bad state tomorrow. Let me think—got it." Harry clapped his hands together and whispered to the air, "Dobby, Dobby, I need your help."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a soft pop, and Dobby appeared before them. "Dobby heard Harry's call and is happy to serve Harry."
"Here's the situation, Dobby", Harry said, looking at the house-elf. "We had a gathering with Professor Slughorn, and he drank a bit too much. Could you find some help to carry the drunk Professor Slughorn back to his office? He'll catch a cold if he spends the night here."
"Of course, no problem", Dobby said in his high-pitched voice. "Serving the professors and students of Hogwarts is our duty. Please rest assured, Dobby and his friends will take good care of the professor."
"Thank you, Dobby", Harry said, then turned to Liam and Hermione. "Alright, let's go see the Headmaster. I have a feeling he's waiting for us in his office right now."
As the three of them stepped out of the classroom, the curfew bell rang. They exchanged glances and quickly hurried upstairs, fortunate to encounter no patrolling professors or Filch along the way. A few minutes later, they reached the entrance to the Headmaster's Office. After Harry said "Cockroach Clusters" to the stone gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's door, the gargoyle moved aside, allowing them to ascend the spiral staircase.
"Come in", Dumbledore's voice called out after Harry knocked on the door.
(End of Chapter)
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