From behind his towering desk, Dumbledore observed Sasuke Uchiha with a penetrating gaze.
As he listened to Professor McGonagall, he paused before speaking. "I remember hearing that you're not sleeping in your dormitory, Mr. Uchiha."
At this, McGonagall's eyes narrowed as she glared at Sasuke. "Mr. Uchiha, you might not think getting expelled from Hogwarts is a big deal, but I will not hesitate to do so if you can't provide a good reason."
"Minerva, I think you're overreacting," Dumbledore interjected calmly, raising a hand. "Confinement might be a better solution. I do not like expelling students."
Turning his head back to Sasuke, Dumbledore looked him in the eyes. "Why don't you tell us, Mr. Uchiha, why you are not staying in your room every night?"
Sasuke met Dumbledore's gaze, his expression impassive. "The room is too uncomfortable for me, and there's not even a separate bathroom. I don't think the parents of these children would want their children sharing a room with a killer."
Dumbledore's eyebrows raised slightly. "That's a bold statement. If you had killed someone, the Ministry's magic would have informed me."
Sasuke replied in a low, controlled voice, "I don't think they can find out anything about me. Before coming to Hogwarts, I wasn't using any magic. Even now, most of my methods are non-magical."
Dumbledore's expression became more serious. "Is your body-stealing method also non-magical?"
"That's not my method," Sasuke said, his voice tightening. "Someone wants to steal my body, so I know about it."
Dumbledore leaned forward slightly. "Then tell me his name. I believe I can help resolve this trouble for you."
Sasuke's eyes flickered with a mix of defiance and resignation. "I don't think so. Even if I tell you his name, you wouldn't be able to find him. It's better for me to convince him to help me. His only desire is to live long and do research, which is easy to satisfy."
Dumbledore began with a firm tone, "Mr. Uchiha, sometimes seeking help from others is not a sign of weakness."
Hearing this, Sasuke felt a pang of confusion. What is this old man talking about?
Seeing Sasuke's confusion, Dumbledore continued, "I have seen many students who try to act tough and end up doing something they always regret. For example, your strange ritual. Have you ever thought about asking any professor if it was safe? Or if you had a problem with your room, why not ask your Head of House?"
Filtering half of Dumbledore's speech, Sasuke decided to ask, "If you really want to help me, then give me some books on souls, some books on black magic, a few rooms for experiments, and a place to train."
Hearing Sasuke's demands, Dumbledore put forth his conditions. "Before I can consider that, could you explain why you need these things?"
Replying to Dumbledore, Sasuke started to count and explain. "First, the books related to souls—I want to understand how rituals can resurrect people who have already gone through the cycle of rebirth. As for the rooms for training and experiments, I need them to improve my strength and protect those around me."
"That's an interesting question," Dumbledore mused, "but I can't give you those types of books right now. When you become an adult, you can come back and ask again. As for the place to experiment, if you can prove you're not doing anything illegal, I might be able to provide a solution."
Disappointed by the first reply, Sasuke still decided to take the offer. "I promise I won't conduct forbidden black magic experiments," he said, revealing his new transformation to prove his sincerity.
Impressed by Sasuke's transformation, Dumbledore also set conditions to ensure he wouldn't do anything illegal. "After a long discussion, it looks like it's time for you to leave. For now, your punishment will be on hold. I hope I won't receive more complaints."
"I'm not going back to that room," Sasuke declared firmly.
"That's not a problem," Dumbledore replied, his eyes twinkling. "Just don't get caught running around in the middle of the night." With that, he sent Sasuke away.
Sasuke left the office, a mix of emotions churning within him. There was still a lot to sort out, but at least for now, he had a reprieve.
Inside the principal's office, McGonagall began to criticize Dumbledore for his behavior. "Don't you think you're spoiling him, Albus?"
Dumbledore sighed, his expression weary. "Minerva, I don't have much of a choice. Do you know, throughout the entire conversation, he never lied? Even when he talked about killing... I believe him when he says he's taken lives."
McGonagall's face paled. "Then isn't it dangerous for him to stay at Hogwarts?"
"Yes, it's dangerous," Dumbledore admitted, his eyes serious. "But expelling him would be even more dangerous. I can sense different powers within his body, and his eyes—they hold a very dark potential. I just hope that while he's here, he can change for the better. I don't think I could handle two Dark Lords at once."
"What nonsense are you talking about, Albus? He's just 11 years old!" McGonagall exclaimed, her face flushed with anger.
"Haven't you seen his transformation?" Dumbledore asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Even if it's due to some ritual, his transformation in some aspects is more advanced than ours. Given one or two more years, he might surpass us."
McGonagall fell silent, her anger slowly turning to worry. "Then what do we do?" she finally asked.
"We can watch him closely, guide him when needed," Dumbledore replied, his tone resolute. "And i hope that he chooses the right path."