As the old saying goes, the one who knows you best must be your opponent.
Ever since Bryan had entered the magical world of Hogwarts, he had gained a general understanding of the wizarding world through his classes, books, and friends. However, after a fateful night in his fifth year, he realized that his biggest challenge in the future might not be the notorious Dark Lord Voldemort, who was terrorizing the wizarding world with his followers, but the old and wise Albus Dumbledore, who looked at him with a hint of nostalgia and curiosity in his twinkling blue eyes.
To learn more about Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts and one of the most powerful and respected wizards of all time, Bryan had done some extensive research on his life and history. He had found official records, such as newspaper articles, biographies, and awards, as well as unreliable gossip, such as rumors, scandals, and secrets, that all mentioned the friendship between Gellert Grindelwald and Albus Dumbledore in their youth.
Grindelwald was a dark wizard who had once sought to overthrow the International Statute of Secrecy and create a new world order where wizards ruled over Muggles. He was defeated by Dumbledore in a legendary duel that had shaken the wizarding world.
There were even some strange rumors that made Bryan blush. They suggested that there was more than friendship between Grindelwald and Dumbledore. Bryan quickly dismissed them as inappropriate for children, and irrelevant for his purpose.
Bits of information and experiences, like pieces of a puzzle, appeared in front of Bryan. He was able to construct a logical truth, but the most crucial part of it was still shrouded in mystery.
Perhaps the key was in the woman Cliodna, who was like a shooting star, brief and dazzling. She might be able to explain to him the secrets of the chilling Twin-Serpent Staff, and what it had revealed to her, that made her show such a shocked and bewildered expression in the temple on Avalon Island.
Until now, there was still no news from Kakus, who had promised to contact Bryan when he had more information. It seemed that the druids, who had been persecuted by the church for centuries, were very good at hiding their traces.
And as for the 'foreign object' in his soul, after discussing it for so long, Bryan's only conclusion was that the master of the Twin-Serpent Staff was probably the creator of the Dementors, the soul-sucking creatures that guarded the wizarding prison of Azkaban.
"There is something else, I just thought of it–"
Bryan temporarily put aside the root of his own problem, and turned the topic to another issue that he was very concerned about.
"Among the things you just told me, there is one that makes me the most uneasy." Bryan frowned, "Let's not talk about my problem for now, Headmaster Dumbledore. Harry–do you think he is Voldemort's Horcrux, based on a guess, or do you have some evidence?"
"Many years ago–well, I think you should see this first–"
Dumbledore had anticipated this question long ago. He stood up and walked briskly to the silver device that he had placed under a wall of books.
Dumbledore had many titles, but Master in Alchemy might be the least known one. However, the wizards who had visited Dumbledore's office knew that he valued this unpopular discipline very much. His office was full of all kinds of bizarre and incomprehensible gadgets, that made strange noises and emitted colorful sparks.
Under Bryan's curious gaze, Dumbledore placed the device on the table, and after sitting down again, he tapped it lightly with his wand.
"I just told you, Bryan," Dumbledore looked at Bryan, who was examining the shiny silver alchemy device with his magic vision, and said calmly,
"Perhaps the wizards of the wizarding world think that I haven't changed much over the years, but in fact, as I grow older, some of my skills have deteriorated a lot. One of them is being able to see through a person's soul. This device can help me identify some special magic disguises, such as the soul-snatching curse, and the like. I think this is a very useful skill, so when I found that my unique 'perspective' gradually became blurred, I immediately set out to design this device."
"It is indeed interesting, unimaginably complex, but also an exquisite magic design."
Bryan's alchemy skills were not low either. Otherwise, he would not be able to design such an alchemy device as the monitoring mirror, that allowed him to spy on the movements of whole castle. So, after observing it carefully for a while, he had a rough idea of how it worked.
"It passes the connection between magic and soul, and traces it back. Tsk tsk, priceless." Bryan complimented.
"But, the soul is mysterious and unpredictable even to the wizards, so, I guess it can only observe some superficial aspects."
"You are very astute, Bryan." Dumbledore praised him sincerely, as the smoke that came out of the spouts of the silver device formed shapes in the air, like a miniature fireworks display.
"Over the years, you are one of the first wizards who figured out its use by yourself without waiting for me to explain. Indeed, as you said, it can't analyze a wizard's soul deeply, so it can't be used to observe the thing hidden in your soul, but for Harry."
A few strands of light green smoke floated in the air, intertwined with each other, and under Bryan's intense and penetrating gaze, the top turned into a snake head, hissing softly.
"Actually, I lied to you–" Dumbledore suddenly said, while Bryan was observing the snake head with a hint of curiosity, "I told you before, the note you gave me and the crown left by Lady Ravenclaw solved two doubts for me, but in fact, twelve years ago, when Hagrid brought Harry to me after his fall, I already realized that Tom had made Horcruxes–"
"I understand what you mean, Headmaster Dumbledore–" Bryan sighed and looked away, "A soul bound by some kind of dark magic, but still acting as a Horcrux."
The portraits of the former headmasters that hung on the walls of Dumbledore's office were whispering among themselves, wondering why Dumbledore would reveal such vital and dangerous information to this young wizard, who had a reputation of being cunning and ambitious, but the only two living people in this office looked at each other, and the atmosphere was somber and tense.
Dumbledore's ten slender fingers crossed again, resting on his lap, in the still and dimly lit room, his silver-white eyebrows fluttered slightly because of his constantly blinking eyes, that seemed to hide a deep sorrow and a heavy burden.
"About Tom's Horcruxes, Bryan–" Dumbledore opened this topic, "There is one thing that I can be happy about. Although we can't be sure, how many Horcruxes Tom, who was already terrified of death, made, but according to some recent investigations, I was very fortunate to find another clue that might lead us to a Horcrux. Next, I plan to leave the school for a while, to pursue this clue. During this time, the safety of those children can only be entrusted to you, Bryan, I think you-"
He paused, as if he wanted to say something more, but he was interrupted by Bryan, who had no patience for his vague and cryptic words.
"What's the point, Headmaster Dumbledore?" Bryan looked straight into Dumbledore's eyes, sharply pointing to the core of the problem.
"If, the premise of killing Voldemort is, you have to kill Harry first. Is this another grand scheme that is unknown to the world, or, have you found a way to peel off that piece of soul without harming Harry's life?"
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Dear Readers,
As the year 2023 comes to an end, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and encouragement. You have been the source of inspiration and motivation for me to keep writing and sharing my stories with you.
As we welcome the new year 2024, I wish you all the best for your health, happiness, and success. I also look forward to bringing you more stories that will entertain you.
Happy New Year!
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