Chapter 816: Dumbledore's Return
Chapter 816: Dumbledore's Return
Ivan was startled by the sudden voice and quickly turned around, only to find that Snape had somehow appeared behind him.
What concerned him more was Snape's words.
"Professor Dumbledore has returned?" Ivan asked, his voice tinged with surprise and doubt.
"Yes, he is waiting for you in the Headmaster's Office..." Snape nodded, his gaze on Ivan revealing a complex expression.
If he hadn't seen Voldemort's furious and defeated state, Snape would never have believed that this young wizard, barely out of his youth, had been secretly plotting to control the British Wizarding World and had succeeded!
Snape gave Ivan a long, deep look. Even the Dark Lord in his younger days could not have possessed such cunning and resolve. He couldn't imagine what heights the young wizard would reach in a few years and whether it would be a blessing or a curse for the British Wizarding World...
While Snape was lost in thought, Ivan was also deeply contemplative.
Dumbledore had been absent for most of the term, only appearing at the Opening Feast, and now he had suddenly returned, specifically summoning Ivan to the Headmaster's Office. The timing seemed too coincidental.
"Professor Snape, do you know why Headmaster Dumbledore wants to see me?" Ivan asked.
Snape shook his head. "No, I'm just following orders."
Ivan raised an eyebrow. He didn't believe that Snape was as clueless as he claimed.
In the entire Order of the Phoenix, the only one who could possibly guess his plans and inform Dumbledore was Snape.
Ivan's scrutinizing gaze made Snape feel extremely uncomfortable, as if he were being stared down by a vicious Dragon, with its terrifying breath ready to take his life at any moment, making his breathing feel constricted.
But as a former double agent, Snape maintained his composure under the subtle pressure and continued, "The password for the Headmaster's Office is Lemon Sherbet!"
"Got it, I'll go now..." Seeing that he wouldn't get any more information from Snape, Ivan decided not to press further. He said goodbye to Harry and the others and left the Great Hall.
As he walked to the Headmaster's Office, Ivan's frown deepened. Dumbledore's summons at this time was most likely related to the attack on the Ministry of Magic two days ago.
With a mole like Snape in Voldemort's inner circle, Ivan knew his plan to deceive everyone wouldn't fool the greatest White Wizard...
The more he thought about it, the more troubled Ivan became. He kept trying to come up with a solution, but found himself at a loss.
He couldn't exactly tell Dumbledore that he had attacked the Ministry, killed Fudge, to prevent internal conflict and unify all resistance forces against Voldemort, even if it was the truth.
Despite the fact, Dumbledore might not accept such a pragmatic approach to justice...
"This is such a mess..." Ivan sighed in frustration. Dumbledore's sudden return was something he hadn't anticipated. If he had known, he would have made his plans more perfect and covert.
But it was too late now...
Ivan didn't want to be at odds with Dumbledore if he could help it. Despite the significant rift between the White Wizard and his mother, Asia, Dumbledore had indeed provided him with a lot of support over the years...
As he pondered, the massive stone beast loomed into view. Ivan collected his thoughts and shouted the passphrase.
"Lemon ice cream~"
The enormous stone beast immediately began to tremble violently, emitting a series of low, rumbling sounds as it slowly rotated upwards. Moments later, the staircase leading to the Headmaster's Office appeared before him.
Ivan hesitated as he stepped onto the stairs, a sense of unease gnawing at his heart.
In a daze, he couldn't help but recall the Halloween of his first year, when he had approached the Headmaster's Office with a similar mindset, pondering how to justify himself before Dumbledore.
The feeling of losing control was something Ivan found deeply unsettling. He had always yearned for power, partly to avoid such predicaments.
Reaching the final step, Ivan's left hand instinctively caressed the Alchemical Device on his wrist, but the vast Magic within the Philosopher's Stone did little to ease his anxiety.
He knew all too well that with his current strength, he had no absolute confidence in facing Voldemort, let alone Dumbledore, who could single-handedly suppress the Dark Lord.
Worst of all, he couldn't use Apparition within Hogwarts, while Dumbledore could summon the power of a Phoenix to act as a Portkey. If he were to lose, escape would be nearly impossible...
Ivan took a deep breath, pushed the door open, and entered. A slightly raspy voice greeted him.
"You've come, Hals..."
Ivan turned his gaze to Dumbledore, who had been sitting behind the desk. It had been over half a year since their last meeting, and the Headmaster looked markedly different. His eye sockets were deeply sunken, his beard and hair were disheveled, and a patch of charred, black skin was visible on his right neck.
He's dying...
The thought immediately crossed Ivan's mind upon seeing Dumbledore, but when their eyes met, Ivan dismissed it. The eyes are the windows to the soul.
With his mastery of Legilimency, Ivan could easily discern a Wizard's thoughts and mental state from their gaze. Dumbledore's condition was peculiar: his body was withered and decaying, exuding a sense of deep decline, yet his mental state was better than ever, making Ivan feel a shiver of unease just from their eye contact.
Ivan had a premonition that if they were to fight now, the one who would die would be him...
A final burst of energy?
Ivan silently pondered, his steps steady as he walked to the desk and asked, "It's been a while, Headmaster Dumbledore. Did you have me summoned by Professor Snape for something specific?"
"Also, you don't seem to be in the best condition. Should I fetch Madam Pomfrey?" Ivan added, probing.
"No, that won't be necessary. Though it may sound rude, Madam Pomfrey can't do much to help me..." Dumbledore spoke with a light tone, showing no concern for his own health. He extended his uninjured left hand, gesturing for Ivan to sit, and then suggested warmly, "Would you like a cup of hot cocoa?"
As Dumbledore spoke, two cups materialized in front of them.
In the bitter cold of winter, sitting by a roaring fireplace and sipping warm, comforting hot cocoa would have been a delightful experience.
But Ivan had no such inclination. Instead, he was surprised by Dumbledore's demeanor.
Before entering the Headmaster's Office, Ivan had already anticipated how Dumbledore might view him.
Perhaps anger, disgust, and disappointment?
However, Ivan could detect none of these emotions on Dumbledore's face. The Headmaster's expression was serene, his bright blue eyes as calm and deep as the Black Lake outside the school, radiating an eerie stillness.
(End of Chapter)
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