Dumbledore paid no attention to whether Professor McGonagall was upset.
At the moment, his mind was completely occupied by the cultivation method published in Magical Research.
Of course…
He had no idea that Charlie was connected to it.
Over the years…
Dumbledore had occasionally kept an eye on both Charlie and Harry.
But his only concern had been whether they were growing up safely.
Whether they were happy.
Whether they were healthy.
As long as nothing was seriously wrong with their lives…
That was enough for Dumbledore.
After all…
Once they turned eleven…
They would both receive their Hogwarts acceptance letters.
At that point, the two boys would be under his watch.
For now…
The most important thing…
Was speaking with Snape.
The brilliance of this research…
Was simply too exciting.
Not long afterward…
Dumbledore arrived outside Snape’s office.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
He rapped gently on the door.
“Come in.” Dumbledore slowly pushed the door open.
Though he appeared aged…
His movements remained calm and deliberate.
“Severus.” “I believe we should have a chat.” Dumbledore began.
Snape had apparently expected Dumbledore’s visit.
He poured him a cup of tea.
“I assume you’ve come because of the article in Magical Research?” Snape asked directly.
“Oh, yes.” “You’re wonderfully straightforward.” “Conversations with you always save a great deal of unnecessary trouble.” Snape nodded slightly.
“That research…” “Wasn’t completed by me.” “I proposed some of the theoretical concepts.” “But the actual breakthrough…” “And that exquisite cultivation method…” “Were never something I could have devised.” He answered honestly.
Indeed…
The detailed cultivation method…
Even down to every strand of magical flow…
The timing of each pause…
The circulation of every cycle…
Everything had been arranged with astonishing precision.
One mistake…
And the entire method would fail.
Snape simply couldn’t claim it as his own work.
“I see.” Dumbledore didn’t appear surprised.
He merely nodded.
He understood the value of what had been published.
Dumbledore believed that even if he resigned as Headmaster…
And devoted himself entirely to magical research…
He still might never achieve something of this caliber.
His original assumption had been…
That someone had discovered an ancient lost manuscript.
Then refined and completed it.
“Would you like to know who entrusted this research to me?” Snape asked bluntly again.
This time…
Dumbledore didn’t answer.
But the look in his eyes already revealed everything.
Yes.
That’s exactly why I’m here.
“I’m sorry, Albus.” “I can’t tell you.” “I hope you’ll respect my decision.” Snape shook his head.
“Is there truly no room for compromise, Severus?” Dumbledore asked quietly.
“No.” “You know me.” After a long silence…
Dumbledore slowly rose to his feet.
“What a pity.” “I’d hoped to discuss several magical theories with this great scholar.” “It seems you both have your reasons.” “My apologies for being so presumptuous.” “Severus…” “I respect your decision.” “Thank you for your time.” “I should return to work.” Snape nodded.
Dumbledore was a man of principle.
Once he accepted an answer…
He wouldn’t secretly interfere or investigate further.
Snape trusted him on that much.
“Oh, by the way…” Dumbledore suddenly changed the subject.
“I heard you’ve visited Charlie recently.” “How is the boy?” Snape’s brows tightened almost imperceptibly.
Then his expression immediately relaxed.
“I merely wanted to see how he was doing.” “After all, he’s growing up in an orphanage.” “Fortunately…” “He’s doing quite well.” “The orphanage treats him kindly.” Snape replied calmly.
“Oh.” “That’s good to hear.” “I haven’t visited him myself in several years.” Dumbledore smiled.
“Let me tell you a little secret.” “Charlie’s magical talent is exceptionally high.” “When the time comes…” “You might consider helping guide him into the world of magic.” Snape’s heart skipped a beat.
His expression, however, remained perfectly composed.
Has Dumbledore become suspicious?
Impossible…
Who could possibly connect a breakthrough like this…
To a ten-year-old child?
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Snape answered evenly.
“Thank you.” “You’re every bit as kind-hearted as ever.” Dumbledore nodded.
Then he left Snape’s office.
For a brief instant…
He had noticed the subtle change in Snape’s expression.
A startling thought flashed across his mind.
Could this research…
actually have something to do with Charlie?
But almost immediately…
He dismissed the idea.
Ridiculous.
Nine years ago…
Charlie had certainly astonished him.
But during those nine years…
The boy hadn’t even been exposed to magic.
As far as Dumbledore knew…
Charlie didn’t even know his own origins.
He had probably only just begun noticing traces of magical power within himself.
Perhaps he was still scratching his head in confusion.
Even if…
Charlie’s innate magical power truly was extraordinary…
There was no way he could have produced research like this.
The subject was far too profound.
Its theoretical foundation required decades of scholarly study.
Only researchers who had immersed themselves in magical academia for years…
Could even hope to approach such a topic.
“Heh…” “I’m getting old.” “My imagination is running away with me.” Dumbledore chuckled at himself.
Shaking his head…
He walked away.
He needed to consider extracting this cultivation system from Magical Research…
And creating an entirely new course around it.
It would be an excellent addition to Hogwarts’ curriculum.
“Thank you…” “For your contribution to the wizarding world…” “And to magical scholarship.” Dumbledore silently offered his gratitude.
Several days passed.
Charlie had been waiting for word from Snape.
But day after day…
Nothing arrived.
Finally…
One morning…
A letter from Snape was delivered.