Will reflected on his recent actions.
Eating, attending classes, gaining experience; after class, eating, gaining experience; beating up classmates, having a late-night snack, gaining experience.
No problem, right?
It’s perfectly normal Hogwarts student behavior.
Could it be just because of a single Thunderclap Explosion in the common room?
Lost in thought, Will had already arrived at the Principal’s office door and spoke the password, “Lemon Drop.”
Inside the Principal’s office, portraits of former Principals hung on the walls, and on a nearby cabinet sat the still-grimy Sorting Hat; Dumbledore, with his long white beard, was sitting in his office chair, wearing purple pajamas with star patterns, teasing Fawkes, the Phoenix, by his side.
“Professor Dumbledore, I heard you were looking for me?” Will, with a clear conscience, sat opposite Dumbledore, not even using Occlumency.
It wasn’t that Will couldn’t.
Although his Occlumency had achieved some success, he felt he couldn’t resist Old Dumbledore’s Legilimency yet, and his system was like a dead person, not communicating with him at all, only constantly recording his experience growth.
He hadn’t done anything wrong, nor did he intend to; rather than guiltily using Occlumency, it was better to be open and honest.
Also, wouldn’t a young Wizard using Occlumency at this age make him seem more suspicious?
“No need to be so reserved, would you like a slice of chocolate cake?” Dumbledore pointed to the cake on the table.
“Of course.” Will didn’t hold back at all, reaching for a pre-cut slice of cake.
“Delicious, the right amount of sweetness makes one happy.”
“Ah, of course, that’s what Muggles call… dopamine.”
“Dopamine, Professor. You also read Muggle theories?” Will was a little surprised.
“Of course, the Muggles’ progress is evident. They always come up with little gadgets, Mr. Behrens, don’t imagine me to be too rigid; I’m simply keeping up with the magic world. You know, young Wizards used to not take trains to school.”
“Is that so? Then it seems the magic world is making progress, haha…” Will was a bit skeptical.
In the past few years, everything he had read and seen in the magic world indicated it was a stagnant pool.
As for taking trains to school, hah, pure-blood families put no small amount of pressure on the Ministry of Magic back then, but after Dumbledore intervened, no one dared to say much.
The Ministry of Magic progressing?
Old Dumbledore progressing would be closer to the truth.
“Are you settling into Hogwarts well?” Dumbledore poured Will a steaming cup of black tea.
“Quite well, more comfortable than home.”
“Oh, home…” Dumbledore blinked: “Oh, Filius mentioned your situation to me; you are very strong, Will. And in the past week, I’ve seen your diligent attitude towards studying, but you have a long time ahead, you can relax a bit. You know, when I was your age, I hadn’t even read many books. You can make more friends, enjoy your school life. Always being immersed in books and magic might make you miss out on many things. Also, you can spend more time with your classmates.”
Now Will knew why Dumbledore was looking for him.
Perhaps he saw a bit of the shadow of Tom, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, from the Wool’s Orphanage, leader of the Death Eaters, Riddle, in himself.
But could Will be blamed?
He did want to relax.
If Old Dumbledore had gotten rid of the Dual-Control Socket Man early on, he might truly be able to relax; knowing that Lord Voldemort would take over Hogwarts in the future, and many people would die before Harry Potter defeated the Noseless One and saved the world, should he still be complacent?
Was he tired of living?
“Professor Dumbledore, I love reading, and I love learning magic. Every time I acquire new knowledge, it satisfies me, it makes me happy; I just want to learn, to explore; I have my own friends, and I cherish friendship. As for those classmates, if they didn’t call me a Mudblood, I might interact with them properly.”
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then smiled and shook his head: “Everyone says I am the greatest Principal Hogwarts has ever had, but when it comes to educating students, I am absolutely no match for Professor McGonagall; no offense, but I still don’t know how to interact with exceptionally talented young Wizards.”
“You are a great educator.” Will took another slice of chocolate cake; now only half of the cake was left.
“Oh, that’s right, Will, I’m always afraid that my actions will lead them astray, yet I also worry that my inaction will allow them to stray onto the wrong path.” Dumbledore sincerely expressed his thoughts to Will.
“There was once a young Wizard of extraordinary talent, born into humble circumstances, but he was sorted into Slytherin. But he quickly displayed his talent, studying diligently and achieving excellent grades, behaving with great grace, humility, and politeness. Not only did he gain the trust and care of the Professors, but he also quickly gathered a group of followers. If I had discovered his true nature then, perhaps I could have prevented a series of tragedies in the magic world.”
“Oh, Will, you are very brave; not many Wizards dare to speak his name.”
“I’m brave because the most powerful White Wizard in the world is sitting opposite me.”
“Lord Voldemort possesses power I will never have.” Dumbledore picked up a slice of chocolate cake, “Even though many people don’t believe it.”
Dumbledore handed the cake to Will: “When Lord Voldemort studied here, he was polite and excelled in his studies; although we later learned that was his clever disguise.”
“Child, I am very worried about you.”
“Because I’m like Lord Voldemort?”
“No, you are very different from him. You don’t hide your likes and dislikes, you have genuine goodwill towards some people, and you have true friends; compared to Lord Voldemort, I think you are more like someone else. I worry that you might be led astray by power and get lost in the world of magic.” Dumbledore’s tone was wistful.
“Promise me, child, do not try the Dark Arts too early or too easily; they will affect your emotions and psyche.”
“You won’t stop me from dabbling in the Dark Arts?”
“I cannot stop you; you will eventually encounter them. I can only offer you some advice before then.”
Will looked at Dumbledore in surprise for a while: “Thank you, Professor.”
Clearly, Dumbledore had changed his attitude towards “exceptionally talented” young Wizards like Will.
“Go back and get a good night’s sleep, then enjoy your weekend.” Dumbledore popped the last piece of cake into his mouth and sent Will off.
Then Dumbledore’s gaze turned to the Sorting Hat: “Old friend, would you be willing to tell me about Will?”
“An impolite young Wizard.” The Sorting Hat was clearly a bit reluctant, “He actually called me a ‘grimy, rigid hat’.”
“Clearly, he has a straightforward personality.” Dumbledore smiled; he was quite pleased with Will’s unfeigned and undisguised style.
“Oh, Albus, I think he called me dirty because you haven’t cleaned me in many years.” The Sorting Hat’s tone was disgruntled: “As for him personally, he’s very dangerous.”
“Dangerous?”
“Yes, this boy is the kind of Wizard who chases knowledge, and he has no small ambition. If no one guides him, I’m afraid he will eventually walk a terrifying path. Think of Herpo, think of the mad Wizard Lud, those guys were all madmen chasing knowledge.” The Sorting Hat gave two frightening examples.
Dumbledore was silent in thought…