and Is Left Horrified 11: Dumbledore Uses Legilimency on Harry…
and Is Left Horrified Dumbledore and McGonagall exchanged a glance before turning their attention to Harry.
Harry’s little face was completely blank.
He had no idea that these two legendary wizards had already decided to use him as the key to uncovering the truth.
Although…
It wouldn’t cause him any actual harm.
Thank goodness.
Charlie quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
He still hadn’t mastered Occlumency.
If someone of Dumbledore’s caliber searched his mind…
Every one of his secrets would likely be exposed.
“My dear Harry…
forgive me.” Dumbledore gently took Harry from McGonagall’s arms.
Harry offered no resistance whatsoever.
Instead, he even giggled happily.
Dumbledore slowly raised his wand.
Pointing it toward Harry.
A stream of magic immediately flowed through the wand and into Harry’s body.
Moments later…
A faint thread of silvery light was drawn out.
Dumbledore closed his eyes.
Quietly digesting the memories.
McGonagall’s expression grew serious.
She patiently waited for Dumbledore’s conclusion.
Everything that had happened in this house was of tremendous importance.
Suddenly…
Dumbledore’s expression changed.
His brows knitted tightly together.
“Albus?” “What is it?” “Did you find the wizard who came to help them?” McGonagall asked anxiously.
“Oh…” “Please give me a moment.” “The memories are still somewhat fragmented.” Dumbledore answered softly.
Out of the corner of his eye…
He glanced toward Charlie.
That little child…
Had possessed an Innate Animagus transformation from birth.
Good heavens…
Such a case had existed only in ancient texts whose authenticity could no longer be verified.
Yet now…
He was witnessing it with his own eyes.
It seemed that the aptitude test Charlie had taken a year ago…
Hadn’t even come close to revealing his true potential.
Then…
A fire dragon appeared within Dumbledore’s reconstructed memories.
Charlie had transformed into a young dragon.
Its aura was terrifying.
Its overwhelming pressure was astonishing.
Its cold eyes radiated boundless ferocity.
Dumbledore slowly let out a long breath.
“Albus?” “What exactly did you see?” McGonagall was becoming increasingly worried.
She had never seen Dumbledore wear such an expression.
Complicated.
Speechless.
Filled with utter disbelief.
“Please…” “Be patient.” Dumbledore steadied himself before continuing to review the memories.
Seeing this, McGonagall chose not to interrupt again.
However…
Her eyes gradually settled on Charlie.
After all…
Dumbledore had already looked toward Charlie more than five times.
Could this baby be the key to everything that happened tonight?
No…
That can’t be right.
He’s only a baby.
What could he possibly have done?
If anything…
He should only have been another burden James and Lily had tried to protect.
That was the only explanation McGonagall could think of.
Dumbledore continued reviewing the memories.
More scenes surfaced.
Charlie…
In his fire dragon form…
Opening his jaws and bathing the surrounding Death Eaters in blazing dragon fire.
Reducing them to ashes.
His actions were decisive.
Without the slightest hesitation.
This time…
Even Dumbledore couldn’t suppress his shock.
His body trembled uncontrollably.
He nearly lost his footing.
He suddenly had an overwhelming intuition.
Everything that had happened tonight…
Centered around Charlie.
McGonagall quietly observed every reaction.
Still…
She didn’t interrupt.
Dumbledore recalled Charlie’s icy gaze.
Even now…
His heart couldn’t help trembling.
He’s only a child.
Even if he retained his consciousness while transformed into an Animagus…
Shouldn’t he still preserve the innocence of a one-year-old?
No one would ever connect such a terrifying fire dragon…
With an infant barely a year old.
Unless…
Could it resemble a werewolf’s transformation?
Losing one’s original nature?
That was certainly possible.
Or perhaps…
Seeing his mother in mortal danger had awakened an instinct to protect his loved ones.
The power of love.
Yes.
That had to be it.
Dumbledore finally settled on that explanation.
Taking a deep breath…
He looked at Charlie with even more complicated emotions.
Charlie noticed Dumbledore’s increasingly strange glances.
He immediately flashed the sweetest, most innocent smile he could manage.
At times like this…
Playing the clueless baby was undoubtedly the safest choice.
After all…
His body was still that of a child.
If he exposed too much…
And some deranged Dark Wizards decided to capture him for experimentation…
Things would become very troublesome.
He was still far too young to take such risks.
Meanwhile…
McGonagall had already picked Charlie up.
She curiously examined him from every angle.
Occasionally pinching his soft cheeks.
Or gently squeezing his tiny arms.
Charlie could only endure it in silent misery.
“Ah!” At that very moment…
Dumbledore suddenly cried out.
Cold sweat covered his forehead.
He began breathing heavily.
“Albus!” “What’s wrong?” “Do you need help?” McGonagall hurried over.
It was the first time she had ever seen Dumbledore lose his composure so completely.
She immediately set Charlie down.
Then rushed to support Dumbledore.
Dumbledore paid her no attention.
He simply continued breathing.
Slowly.
Heavily.
The final memory he had just witnessed…
Was simply too unbelievable.
A child.
Charlie.
Had picked up a wand.
And cast magic…
Against Voldemort.
Furthermore…
It appeared to be…
A spell nearly identical to the Killing Curse.
How…?
How is that even possible?
Could he have learned it…
simply by watching Voldemort cast it once?
There was no way James or Lily would ever have demonstrated the Killing Curse to Charlie.
If that really was what had happened…
Then it defied all logic.
It was nothing short of miraculous.
“Albus!” “Albus!” McGonagall called out repeatedly.
Growing increasingly anxious when he failed to respond.
After a long silence…
Dumbledore finally spoke.
“Professor McGonagall…” “I’m afraid I cannot tell you what I saw today.” “Everything…” “Absolutely everything…” “Must remain the highest level of secret.” “I hope you can understand.” “Let’s first settle everything here.” “James and Lily’s remains…” “And these two unfortunate children.” “My goodness…” “Can all of this truly be real…?” Dumbledore’s heart pounded violently.
The Legilimency he had performed on Harry…
Had completely shattered everything he believed about magical prodigies.
He knew very well what kind of wizard he himself was.
He had every right to be proud of his own talent.
Yet compared to Charlie…
It seemed insignificant.
Who in the world…
Could be this extraordinary while still an infant?
McGonagall stood there in complete confusion.
She had absolutely no idea how to respond.
Dumbledore was acting far too strangely.
And whatever he had learned…
He intended to keep secret from everyone.
Even from her.
“Come.” “Let’s finish dealing with everything here.” After saying that, Dumbledore began cleaning up the aftermath.
[After observing the complete process of Legilimency, your profound comprehension has allowed you to develop the Reinforced Occlumency Technique.] Charlie finally let out a sigh of relief.
There it is.
Without Occlumency…
Facing legendary wizards like these had been far too dangerous.