"Did you agree to his request?"
In the Headmaster's office, Professor McGonagall asked.
"No," Dumbledore replied, standing in front of a Pensieve, drawing strands of silvery thoughts from his mind into the basin.
The silver memories in the Pensieve unfurled, revealing the face of a young and handsome wizard.
"I can't take that risk."
Professor McGonagall nodded in agreement, "Murphy has a questionable reputation. He has ties to the Muggle world and there are rumors of him selling potions to Muggles. Should he get the Philosopher's Stone, he might even consider starting his own Gringotts."
"If only the transaction fees could be a bit lower, maybe that wouldn't be so bad," Dumbledore remarked.
"..."
"What scares me is not his ambition," Dumbledore continued. "He's young, and wizards at that age often want to change the world, usually out of ignorance."
"But Murphy is somewhat different."
"He's not like us," Dumbledore said. "He's very smart, even wise. This intelligence is not just about being quick-witted or thinking fast. It's as if he's undergone much more thinking and examination of time than his age would suggest. He's even more 'mature' than many older wizards."
"He must have been born into a wizarding family, right, Minerva?"
"Of course. He's the child of Sanders and Natalie Darkholm. I taught both of them."
"Did they ever show curiosity about Muggle matters?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"But Murphy is very adept at using Muggle knowledge. His understanding of Muggle 'science' might be stronger than all of us," Dumbledore recalled the paper he had read. "And it seems he has undergone rigorous Muggle scientific training... His logic and even his wording are so... exceptional."
"Even those who truly come from a Muggle background don't have such expertise."
"He joined Hogwarts at eleven and left at eighteen. The most crucial period of his life was spent here. He should be like any ordinary young wizard."
"But it's as if he's lived many years in Muggle society. Where did he acquire such profound knowledge?"
"What do you mean?" Professor McGonagall was shocked. "Are you suggesting he's an impostor?"
"No. I don't know," Dumbledore said, deeply furrowing his brow. "I can't see through him. Murphy is more puzzling than Tom."
Dumbledore sighed, seemingly regretful: "He's right. I indeed can't bring myself to trust him."
"Trust is something that comes after sharing long periods of time and journeying far together, isn't it, Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall said. "You've been betrayed by Riddle before. How can you unconditionally trust someone whose background is unclear?"
Dumbledore nodded slightly but added, "But Murphy is very forthright."
"At least, he doesn't hide his desires."
Dumbledore thought back to Murphy's demeanor at the time, those deep black eyes steady and clear, without deceit or manipulation. He had plainly stated his desires.
The straightforwardness of his manner had almost moved Dumbledore.
"He's different from Tom," Dumbledore said. "Very different."
"Minerva, do you think if I had unconditionally trusted Tom or given him more guidance, instead of just observing and monitoring, he wouldn't have become what he is now?"
"I never taught Tom Riddle," Professor McGonagall said. "But we can't change a wizard's nature. You shouldn't be too hard on yourself."
However, Dumbledore remained silent, still haunted by Murphy's words.
"You don't even trust yourself. How could you trust others?"
Indeed.
Perhaps my skepticism of others is because I know myself too well.
With that thought, Dumbledore sighed again.
Once more, he felt a deep weariness.
...
Dumbledore's refusal was not unexpected.
But Murphy had to ask.
Taking without asking is theft, but stating my need and taking due to necessity can be considered as acting in self-defense.
This logic might not be correct, but for Murphy, it was enough to justify the plan he was about to undertake.
The location of the Philosopher's Stone was still unknown, and there was time. He would continue with the original plan.
But there was another issue that needed urgent resolution: the formula for the Elixir of Life.
If he could get his hands on the method to rebuild his body using the Elixir, that would be ideal.
He had searched for the formula in the library for a long time without any solid leads.
Voldemort certainly knew it, and also how to rebuild the body with the Elixir, otherwise the Stone would be useless to him. But contacting him carried too many uncertainties; he'd consider it as a last resort.
Then, Snape?
Maybe there was a possibility.
Wasn't he known for teaching students how to "stop death"?
With his expertise in Potions and his time with Voldemort, he might have delved into this area of research.
...
The day after talking with Dumbledore, the task on Tom's Guide Book suddenly updated.
"Main Task: Uncover the Secret of the Fourth-Floor Corridor."
"Objective: Find out what is hidden in the fourth-floor corridor."
"Description: You now know the secret of the fourth-floor corridor is related to Nicolas Flamel. Perhaps finding clues about this man will reveal the answer. Seek out information on Nicolas Flamel."
"Reward: Increase in magical power. The flying curse. Legilimency."
He was dining with Harry and others when Hermione complained about not finding any clues about Nicolas Flamel, then the task updated.
"Legilimency?!" Tom was thrilled at the additional reward.
Lately, he had been spending a lot of time in the library, helping Harry find clues about Nicolas Flamel and researching more about Salazar Slytherin's legends.
He was curiously drawn to Hagrid's mention of "the Heir of Slytherin" and the so-called "Chamber of Secrets."
Deep down, unbeknownst to himself, he was eager to prove that he was the Heir of Slytherin.
Additionally, he was learning about Legilimency, even practicing the spell on small animals in secret.
His desire to recover his memories had never ceased.
But Legilimency was a complex spell, and he was only just starting to practice it, not daring to use it on himself yet.
However, mastering a spell through the Guide Book meant immediate proficiency. He might be able to use it on himself right away, bringing him closer to recovering his memories.
This fueled his motivation to complete the "main task."
___________________
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