Will reflected on his recent behavior.
Eating, attending classes, grinding experience; after class, eating, grinding experience; beating up classmates, having a midnight snack, grinding experience.
There is no problem at all, perfectly legitimate Hogwarts student behavior.
Could it be just because of that Confringo in the common room?
Thinking this, Will had already arrived at the entrance of the Headmaster’s office and recited the password, “lemon sherbet.”
Inside the Headmaster’s office, the walls were covered with portraits of former Headmasters, and the still-filthy Sorting Hat sat on a cabinet nearby; Albus Dumbledore, with his big white beard, was sitting in his office chair wearing purple pajamas patterned with stars, teasing the Phoenix Fawkes at his side.
“Professor Dumbledore, I heard you were looking for me?” Will sat opposite Dumbledore with a clear conscience, not even using Occlumency.
It was not that Will could not do it.
Although his Occlumency had already achieved some results, he felt that he still could not resist Old Dumbledore’s Legilimency, and his system was like a dead person, completely unwilling to communicate with him, only relentlessly recording his experience growth.
He hadn’t done evil, nor did he intend to; rather than using Occlumency with a guilty conscience, it was better to be open and aboveboard.
Besides, wouldn’t a Young Wizard using Occlumency at this age make people feel even more suspicious?
“There is no need to be so restrained. Would you like a piece of chocolate cake?” Dumbledore pointed to the cake on the table.
“Of Course.” Will didn’t stand on ceremony at all, reaching out to take a piece of the sliced cake.
“Delicious, appropriate sweets make people happy.”
“Ah, of course, this is what Muggles call… what-amine.”
“Dopamine, Professor, do you also read Muggle theories?” Will asked with some surprise.
“Of course, the progress of Muggles can be seen, and they can always come up with some gadgets. Mr. Behrens, don’t imagine this old man of mine to be too rigid; I am merely keeping pace with the Wizarding World. You must know that Young Wizards in the past did not take the train to school.”
“Is that so? Then it seems the Wizarding World has made progress, heh heh…” Will was a bit skeptical.
In the past few years, he had come into contact with the Wizarding World, and the books he saw all indicated that the Wizarding World was a pool of stagnant water; they looked down on Muggles, did not want to progress, and only wanted to stick to convention.
As for taking the train to school, heh, back then the Pure-blood families had pressured the Ministry of Magic quite a bit, but after Dumbledore stepped forward, hardly anyone dared to say much more.
The Ministry of Magic progressing?
Old Dumbledore progressing was more like it.
“Quite used to it, more comfortable than at home.”
“Oh, home…” Dumbledore blinked: “Oh, Filius mentioned your situation to me; you are very strong, Will.”
“And over this past week, I have seen your attitude of studying hard. But you still have a long time, you can relax a bit more. You know, when I was your age, I hadn’t even read many books. You can make more friends and enjoy your campus life. Always indulging in books and magic might make you miss many things.”
“Moreover, you can spend more time getting along with your classmates.”
Now Will knew why Dumbledore was looking for him.
He probably saw in him a shadow of Tom – He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named – Wool’s Orphanage background – Death Eater leader – Riddle.
But could this be blamed on Will?
He actually wanted to relax.
If Old Dumbledore had gotten rid of the double-socket hero early on, he might really have been able to relax.
Knowing clearly that Voldemort would take over Hogwarts in the future, and that quite a few people would die before Harry Potter defeated the noseless man to save the world, could he still slack off?
Has he got a death wish?
“Professor Dumbledore, I like reading, and I also like learning magic. Every time I acquire new knowledge, it satisfies me and makes me happy. I just want to learn and explore; I have my own friends, and I also cherish friendship.”
“As for those classmates, if they didn’t call me a mudblood, I might communicate nicely with them.”
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, smiled, and shook his head: “Everyone says I am the greatest Headmaster in the history of Hogwarts, but when it comes to educating students, I am definitely no match for Professor McGonagall; without fear of you laughing at me, even now I don’t know how to get along with exceptionally gifted Young Wizards.”
“You are a great educator.” Will took another piece of chocolate cake; now only half of the cake was left.
“Oh, that’s right, Will, I’m always afraid that my actions will bring them wrong guidance, yet I also worry that standing by and doing nothing will lead them astray.” Dumbledore sincerely poured out his thoughts to Will.
“There once was a talented Young Wizard of humble origin who was sorted into Slytherin.”
“But he quickly showed his talent, studied hard, achieved excellent grades, was extremely graceful and polite in his conduct, not only winning the trust and care of the Professors, but also quickly gathering a group of followers.”
“If I had been able to discover his true face at that time, perhaps I could have prevented a series of tragedies in the Wizarding World.”
“Are you talking about Voldemort?”
“I am bold because sitting opposite me is the most powerful white wizard in the world.”
“Voldemort possesses a power I will never have.” Dumbledore picked up a piece of chocolate cake, “Although many people don’t believe it.”
Dumbledore handed the cake to Will: “When Voldemort was studying here, he behaved politely and excelled in both character and learning; although we all knew later that it was his exquisite disguise.”
“Child, I am very worried about you.”
“Because I am like Voldemort?”
“No, you have a big difference from him. You don’t conceal your likes and dislikes, you have genuine goodwill towards some people, and you have true friends. Compared to Voldemort, I feel you are more like someone else. I worry that you will go astray because of power and get lost in the world of magic.” Dumbledore’s tone was filled with emotion.
“Promise me, child, do not prematurely or lightly try Dark Arts; they will have an impact on your emotions and psychology.”
“You are not stopping me from coming into contact with Dark Arts?”
“I cannot stop it; sooner or later you will come into contact with it, and I can only give you some advice before that.”
Will looked at Dumbledore in surprise for a long while: “Thank you, Professor.”
Obviously, Dumbledore had changed his attitude towards Young Wizards like Will who were “gifted with extraordinary talent.”
“Go back and have a good sleep, then enjoy the weekend.” Dumbledore stuffed the last piece of cake into his mouth and sent Will off.
Afterwards, Dumbledore’s gaze turned to the Sorting Hat: “Old friend, would you be willing to talk to me about Will?”
“An impolite Young Wizard.” The Sorting Hat was clearly somewhat unwilling, “He actually said I was a ‘filthy and rigid hat’.”
“Clearly his personality is straightforward.” Dumbledore wore a smile; he was quite satisfied with Will’s unmasked and unvarnished style.
“Oh, Albus, I think he called me dirty because you haven’t cleaned me in many years.” The Sorting Hat’s tone was dissatisfied: “As for him personally, he is very dangerous.”
“Dangerous?”
“Yes, this kid is the kind of Wizard who pursues knowledge, and he has a considerable ambition. If no one guides him, I’m afraid he will eventually embark on a terrifying path. Think of Herpo the Foul, think of the mad Wizard Luther—those guys were all lunatics chasing after knowledge.” The Sorting Hat gave two frightening examples.
Dumbledore fell silent and thought…