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“Aurelian, be careful during dinner.
Dumbledore is dangerous when he is being pleasant.
He must have something else in mind, so do not let him lead you into a trap.”
On the way to the dining room, Miles pulled Aurelian back a few steps and warned him in a near whisper.
Aurelian nodded almost imperceptibly, then quickened his pace and moved beside Dumbledore as if nothing had happened, chatting and laughing with him naturally.
“Well now, this is a pleasant surprise.”
When they reached the dining room, Dumbledore looked at the table filled with dishes very different from the usual British fare and showed genuine surprise.
“Yes.
Aurelian has been interested in food from abroad since he was little and never cared much for ordinary British cooking.
I found a chef who specialized in these dishes and had him teach our house-elves.”
Miles smiled and explained.
“Miles, your house-elves are quite talented.
I have tasted similar cooking in London, and their skill is not inferior at all.”
After sampling the food, Dumbledore could not help praising it.
“I have always thought the Hogwarts house-elves do admirable work, but compared with yours, it seems they still have some room to grow.”
“Professor Dumbledore, if the house-elves at Hogwarts heard you say that, they might be frightened half to death.”
Aurelian made a small joke.
“Yes.
Those little beings are always so humble, always afraid they have done something wrong, always so frightened of humans.”
Dumbledore did not laugh.
Instead, he sighed.
“But fear, once accumulated to its limit, can turn into resentment.
It may eventually bring about changes no one can control, much like…”
“Professor Dumbledore.”
Miles smiled and interrupted him directly, not allowing him to continue.
“You should know why house-elves fell into their current position.
Cause and consequence cannot be ignored.
If they had not rebelled and slaughtered humans in great numbers, they would not have ended up as they did.
And the fact that no house-elf rebellion has occurred since then proves that our predecessors’ measures were effective.
You worry too much.”
“You are right, Miles. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Perhaps I am being too anxious.”
Dumbledore looked deeply at him, then shifted the conversation elsewhere.
The group finished dinner in an atmosphere that appeared harmonious on the surface but felt strange beneath it.
…
“Miles, thank you for your hospitality today.
It is getting late, and I should go.”
After speaking with Aurelian about magic for a while longer, Dumbledore checked the time and rose to leave.
“We will see you out.”
Miles was visibly relieved to see Dumbledore prepare to go, and he and Aurelian escorted him to the door.
“Miles, there is something I have thought about for a long time.
In the end, I decided I should discuss it with you.”
When they reached the entrance, Dumbledore stopped and fell silent for a moment before speaking with his back to them.
‘Here it comes.’
Aurelian and Miles exchanged a glance.
Their vigilance rose at once.
“Miles, more than ten years ago, I came to you hoping to gain House Pendragon’s support against Voldemort.
You refused, saying House Pendragon does not interfere in the conflicts of the wizarding world.
Today, I ask you again.
I hope House Pendragon will help me resist Voldemort.”
Dumbledore turned, bowed to Miles, and spoke with utmost seriousness.
“Dumbledore, I do not understand what you mean.
Voldemort is dead.”
Miles stepped aside, avoiding the bow, and answered flatly.
“No, you do understand.
With House Pendragon’s abilities, I believe you know what truly happened then.
Voldemort did not die.
One day, he will return.”
Seeing Miles feign ignorance, Dumbledore met his eyes with a bright gaze as he spoke.
After a while, Miles grew uncomfortable under that look and turned his head aside.
“Even if I know that, what does it have to do with House Pendragon?
Dumbledore, my answer is the same as it was then.
House Pendragon will not become involved in the conflicts of the wizarding world.”
He had already sensed the undercurrents gathering in the wizarding world and advised you to stop the threat before it could grow, but you refused.
To keep House Pendragon from being swept into that current, Grandfather sent my father to Beauxbatons.
Before my father died, he warned me sternly to remember our ancestral teachings and never involve the family in wizarding disputes.”
“It is true that my decision then was wrong,” Dumbledore said.
His expression grew somber, but his voice remained firm.
“But I do not regret it.
I have always believed that as long as a person has not fallen utterly beyond redemption, we should give him a chance.”
“Your decision threw all of Britain’s wizarding world, and even Europe’s, into turmoil.
Because of your decision, countless wizards and Muggles lost their lives.”
Seeing that Dumbledore’s position remained the same as it had been years ago, a nameless anger rose in Miles.
As descendants of King Arthur, the heirs of House Pendragon had always believed they bore a duty to protect Britain.
Yet for certain special reasons, House Pendragon was forbidden from participating in wizarding conflicts.
They could only watch as Voldemort ran rampant.
“For that, I am sorry.
That is why I am trying so hard now to mend the mistake I made.
Miles, I hope to have your help.”
Hearing Miles’s accusation, Aurelian thought Dumbledore’s body seemed to sway.
For a moment, he sensed something bleak and exhausted about the old man.
“Dumbledore, two years ago I said something to Lucius: pure-blood families should not become the sword in someone else’s hand.
I am sorry, but the mistake was yours.
You should be the one to correct it.
House Pendragon has no habit of cleaning up after others.”
Miles refused him again, his voice cold.
Dumbledore looked at his unwavering stance, sighed, and prepared to leave.
“Professor Dumbledore, please wait.”
At that moment, Aurelian, who had listened for a long time from the side, suddenly spoke.
“Could you tell me what you were just discussing?”
Although Aurelian carried memories from another life and had heard pieces of the Harry Potter story from friends, he had never read the books himself.
He did not know the details of what had happened.
“Aurelian, this is not your place to speak.”
Miles frowned and glared at him, wanting him to withdraw.
Aurelian stood still, as if he had not understood his father’s meaning.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.