After parting ways with Snape, Leon did not return to his office.
He climbed the spiral staircase to the eighth floor and stopped before an ugly stone gargoyle.
“Password?” the gargoyle asked in a dull voice.
“Super Bubble Gum.” The password changed often, but every member of the Hogwarts staff received regular updates.
The gargoyle leaped aside.
The wall behind it split open and revealed a moving spiral staircase that slowly carried Leon upward.
This was his first visit to the headmaster’s office.
Leon pushed open the polished oak door and entered a large circular chamber filled with strange silver instruments, ancient portraits, and valuable magical objects.
His enchanted glasses reacted almost at once.
There are so many high-level magical items in this room.
The office resembled a private treasure vault.
Leon had already examined the legendary Sorting Hat, but several other remarkable objects rested throughout the chamber.
One of them was the Pensieve, an Epic wondrous item capable of storing and reviewing memories.
A sword gleamed inside a glass case behind Dumbledore’s desk.
Leon focused on it.
[Item: Sword of Godric Gryffindor] [Type: Weapon] [Rarity: Legendary] [Properties] [Goblin-Forged: The blade repels dirt and never requires cleaning.
It is immune to rust, acid, and ordinary corrosion.] [Takes In That Which Makes It Stronger: The sword absorbs beneficial substances and magical properties that strengthen the weapon.] [Trial of Courage: The sword will only answer a true Gryffindor in a moment of genuine need.] “Leon?” Dumbledore descended another spiral staircase near the center of the office.
He wore dark blue pajamas decorated with small silver stars.
“Good evening, Headmaster.” Leon turned and offered a slight bow.
“Please sit.” Dumbledore moved behind his desk.
“I assume you did not come here in the middle of the night simply to inspect my office.” Leon sat across from him.
He ignored the bowl of magical candy Dumbledore pushed in his direction.
“I have important information about the Chamber of Secrets and the person who may be claiming to be Slytherin’s heir.” Dumbledore’s smile faded.
He folded his hands on the desk.
“I’m listening.” “In my homeland, some spellcasters pursue immortality through forbidden rituals.” Leon chose his words with care.
“They separate their souls from their bodies and store them inside enchanted vessels.” “As long as the vessel remains intact, the creature cannot truly die.
Even if its physical form is destroyed, it can eventually return.” Leon looked directly at Dumbledore.
“We call such creatures liches.
The vessel containing the soul is known as a phylactery.” The office became quiet.
Several silver instruments continued to spin and release soft puffs of smoke.
Their faint hissing seemed unnaturally loud.
“What you described resembles one of the darkest forms of magic known to our world,” Dumbledore said at last.
His voice had become low and grim.
“The vessel is called a Horcrux.” Leon nodded.
“The principle is nearly identical.” Dumbledore’s blue eyes sharpened.
“Why are you telling me this now?” “Because I found one.” The answer dropped into the room like a stone.
“There is an old black diary inside Hogwarts.
It appears harmless, but my detection magic revealed a fragment of a damaged soul within it.” Leon’s expression hardened.
“The diary is surrounded by dark spiritual threads.
They are slowly draining the life force of the student carrying it.” Dumbledore straightened in his chair.
“Which student?” “Ginny Weasley.” Leon released a quiet sigh.
“The diary has formed a deep connection with her soul.
If we seize or destroy it without understanding that bond, the fragment inside may defend itself.” Dumbledore’s face became grave.
“It could tear Ginny’s soul apart or take complete control of her body.” “Exactly.
A lich’s phylactery often possesses vicious protections.
The diary may react in the same way.” Dumbledore closed his eyes and tapped one finger against the desk.
“Your caution was justified.” He remained silent for several moments.
“If the diary is truly what we believe it to be, acting too soon could cause the very tragedy we are trying to prevent.” Leon leaned forward.
“The soul inside the diary belongs to Voldemort, doesn’t it?” “Tom Riddle,” Dumbledore said quietly.
“That was his name when he attended Hogwarts.” His gaze moved toward one of the dark windows.
“If the diary is a Horcrux, it answers a question that has troubled me for many years.
It explains why Tom did not die when his own Killing Curse rebounded on Halloween night.” “His body was destroyed, but the Horcrux anchored his soul to the world,” Leon said.
“That allowed him to survive as something less than a ghost.” “It also explains why you were able to destroy him thousands of times in Albania without killing him permanently.” Dumbledore fell silent again.
He rose from his chair and walked toward the window.
Rain slid down the glass beyond him.
“Leon, how many phylacteries would a lich normally create in your world?” “One.” Leon answered without hesitation.
“The soul is powerful, but it is also fragile.
Splitting it once already violates the natural order.
Dividing it repeatedly may provide more protection, but it also destabilizes the original soul.” He paused.
“Enough divisions could destroy the creature’s sanity.” Dumbledore turned back toward him.
A cold light had entered his eyes.
“Tom was never someone who would be satisfied with a single safeguard.” Leon said nothing.
“He may have divided his soul several times,” Dumbledore continued.
“Perhaps into many fragments.” Leon remembered that Voldemort had created multiple Horcruxes, but he could not reveal knowledge he had no reasonable way to possess.
“So even if we destroy the diary, Voldemort may still survive,” Leon said.
“Yes.” Dumbledore’s expression became solemn.
“We must locate every Horcrux before he can be defeated permanently.” “That means patience will be important.” Dumbledore returned to his desk.
“Continue observing Ginny without alarming her.
The diary is feeding on her life force, so there must be a point when the connection becomes complete.” He looked directly at Leon.
“We need to separate them safely before that happens.” “I’ll watch her.” “Thank you.
This information may prove more important than you realize.” Dumbledore looked older than he had moments earlier.
“It seems I have several matters to investigate.” “The safety of the students comes first,” Leon said.
“Especially Harry Potter.” “Indeed.” Dumbledore reached into the candy bowl and selected a Cockroach Cluster.
He ate it without hesitation, and his familiar smile slowly returned.
“It is quite late.
We should both get some rest.” “One more thing, Headmaster.” Leon removed a sheet of enchanted parchment from his robe and placed it on the desk.
“Would you satisfy my curiosity?” His normal detection magic could not reveal Dumbledore’s complete status.
The headmaster’s level and magical protections were too far above the limits of Leon’s spell.
Dumbledore picked up the parchment.
“Is this the magical record that has become so popular among the students?” “That’s right.
Touch it with your wand and say, ‘Adventure begins.'” Dumbledore adjusted his spectacles and lifted the Elder Wand from the desk.
He touched the center of the parchment.
“Adventure begins.” Blue ink spread across the surface.
Leon finally saw Dumbledore’s complete status.
[Name: Albus Dumbledore] [Race: Human] [Class: Wizard] [Level: 15—98%] [Attributes] [Strength: 8] [Dexterity: 11] [Constitution: 11] [Intelligence: 20] [Wisdom: 17] [Charisma: 16] [Traits and Features] [Inspiring Leader: Words and actions can strengthen the courage and confidence of allies.] [Observant: Wisdom increased by 1.
Possesses exceptional awareness and insight.] [Linguist: Intelligence increased by 1.
Fluent in Mermish, Gobbledegook, Ancient Runes, and several other languages.
Capable of creating complex codes.] [Master Alchemist: Possesses advanced knowledge of alchemy and magical item creation.] [Supreme White Wizard: Has mastered nearly every known form of British magic outside the D&D spell system.
Such magic does not consume Wizard spell slots and retains its supernatural properties.] [Master of the Elder Wand: Can release the full power of the legendary Elder Wand.] [Power of Love: Understands the magical nature of love and its ability to create protection that surpasses conventional spellcraft.] [Support Goal: 10 Reviews → +1 Chapter] Your review helps the story grow.