Hearing the note of respect that had entered Vincent’s tone, Dumbledore’s first instinct was to walk away.
Anyone this respectful toward him definitely had something up his sleeve.
No matter how many thoughts ran through his mind, however, Dumbledore remained standing exactly where he was, without the slightest shift.
Turning tail and running because of a single sentence would have been far beneath the dignity of Hogwarts’s headmaster.
He put on his most kindly, approachable smile, as if Vincent’s strange behavior caused him not the least discomfort.
“What is it, Vincent?
If there’s anything you need, you can tell me.” Dumbledore being this kind-hearted?
Even Vincent now felt that something about the conversation was off.
The two of them faced each other.
Both believed the other meant no good, yet both continued the conversation wearing false smiles.
Since they were going to talk, they might as well move somewhere more comfortable.
Dumbledore asked with a smile, “Would you like to sit in my office for a while?
Perhaps you’d care to try some of the tea I brew, and my favorite sweets—lemon drops.
A comfortable environment helps people relax and makes it easier to express what they truly think.” He had wanted to have a proper talk with Vincent since the boy’s first day at Hogwarts.
But before Vincent had truly felt the school’s charm, anything said would have been useless effort.
Vincent and Headmaster Dumbledore sat across from each other once more.
Sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows of the headmaster’s office created a bright atmosphere; the dappled light and shadow even softened the silent surroundings.
Dumbledore poured him a cup of the tea he had prepared—lethally sweet.
Vincent took a small sip and decided he was not fortunate enough to enjoy it.
Perhaps the man’s real purpose had been to lure him into the headmaster’s office and poison him with this terrifying tea so he could peacefully enjoy his chair again without having to worry about Vincent anymore.
Vincent knew perfectly well that Dumbledore would never have allowed him into Hogwarts if he harbored such thoughts, yet he did not mind continuing the speculation.
It was rather entertaining, wasn’t it?
Dumbledore remained wary of him yet could not actually kill him.
Just watching the old man wrestle with his own tension was amusing.
Vincent was the first to break the silence.
The corner of his mouth lifted in a sly curve that made him look like an entirely different person from the steady boy of everyday life.
“Headmaster Dumbledore, I’ve been thinking about a question.
What exactly does Hogwarts rely on to guarantee its safety?” Hogwarts: A History of course described how special magical enchantments protected the ancient school.
But he was asking Dumbledore.
He wanted to know what ensured internal safety beyond the defenses against external threats.
Dumbledore answered with a smile, completely unperturbed by the question.
“Vincent, Hogwarts’s safety rests on many factors—the unity of its teachers and students, the protection of magic, and our steadfast commitment to justice.” Empty words.
Saying them was the same as saying nothing.
Vincent gave a light nod and pretended to look thoughtful.
“You’re quite right, Headmaster.
Yet I can’t help thinking that sometimes danger may come from unexpected places.
For example… those gazes hidden in the shadows.” The refined phrasing only made the deeper meaning more obvious.
Someone in the shadows is watching me.
I still don’t know who, but I’m telling you now.
You’d better pay attention.
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he had understood the implication.
“Vincent, please don’t be overly tense, and don’t pay too much attention to other people’s gazes.
Hogwarts is a place full of love.
Perhaps others will give you more attention, but I believe most of it is well-intentioned.
You can try to enjoy life at Hogwarts instead of pushing yourself so hard.” It sounded a little too serious, but he would say it first.
A flash of light glinted off the lenses of Dumbledore’s half-moon spectacles.
He has noticed that I’ve been watching him the entire time.
Dumbledore had thought this was already an open secret after they entered Hogwarts.
Why had Vincent suddenly pointed it out?
Did he want to reject the surveillance, or was he planning something in secret and giving a warning?
Inside one high-sounding sentence, Dumbledore’s thoughts had already traveled to a terrifying place.
The previous Riddle had become an uncontrollable Dark Lord because of Dumbledore’s own negligence.
Now, given a second chance, Dumbledore hoped he could use proper guidance to prevent that terrible danger from happening again.
He was old.
The him of years past might have dealt with the problem more directly.
But facing a boy who had done nothing wrong—only full of wariness and curiosity about the magical world—Dumbledore truly had no reason, and no way to convince himself, to strike first.
Vincent failed to catch just how far into terrifying territory the headmaster’s thoughts had wandered.
“That’s wonderful then, Headmaster Dumbledore.
I’m sure you’ll protect me well.
After all, you are the greatest white wizard in the world.” All right, all right.
I know about your surveillance.
I also want to integrate into Hogwarts.
I accept it—as long as you can guarantee my safety.
He put on an even warmer smile, looking more like a well-behaved child.
It was only an equivalent exchange.
Vincent would present the appearance Dumbledore wanted, provided that until he figured out what the threatening target actually was, the headmaster would keep him safe.
Seeking appropriate help before one possessed great power was a necessary action.
Vincent did not consider it shameful—only the most suitable choice based on the actual situation.
See?
He really did belong in Ravenclaw.
He was a clever person.
Irony.
This was pure, naked irony.
He was hinting at the surveillance and expressing dissatisfaction.
Dumbledore’s expression shifted from the earlier kindly warmth to something more serious.
“Vincent, I believe you will be a good child and will have a very bright future.
If you encounter any situation at Hogwarts that you cannot handle, or if anything makes you unhappy, you can tell me, or Professor McGonagall.
She is the deputy headmistress and is very skilled at counseling students.” Minerva was not skilled at counseling students at all.
She only knew the fastest way to stop a student from being curious and to prevent him from acting.
“I’m deeply honored by the headmaster’s confidence in me.” A faint mockery colored Vincent’s tone.
You don’t trust me in the slightest, yet you still have to say something like this.
Can’t we just keep up appearances?
Why force sincerity?
“But I can’t guarantee I won’t fall under certain temptations.
After all, the power of magic is so great that sometimes it becomes hard to resist.” Vincent expressed his dissatisfaction in a roundabout way.
He was certain Dumbledore would understand the implication—and that the final sentence was a warning: if Dumbledore could not protect his safety, he would have to resort to methods of his own.
He still did not know what terrible things the previous Riddle had done to make Dumbledore so wary of him.
But it was also a good thing.
At least Dumbledore would treat him carefully, which gave his safety an extra layer of guarantee.
Dumbledore looked at Vincent with steady eyes, able to see the soul beneath the familiar yet unfamiliar face rather than merely the refined exterior.
“The power of magic is indeed great, but true strength comes from the kindness and courage within one’s heart.
Vincent, you must trust your own heart and not let darkness swallow you.” Do not walk the same path as the previous Riddle.
Vincent was silent for a moment, then said slowly, “Headmaster, that’s easy for you to say.
In a world full of danger and challenge, kindness and courage do not always bring victory.
Sometimes, in order to achieve a goal, we have no choice but to make difficult decisions.” He did not know why he had suddenly spoken those words.
At the beginning he had only intended to exchange empty pleasantries with Dumbledore.
Yet the other man seemed to have become somewhat earnest; his gaze and tone made Vincent return a little genuine truth in kind.
He never made promises he could not keep.
Vincent’s methods might sometimes take unusual paths, but at least he stayed on the path.
He did not lie.
Dumbledore shook his head slightly, still holding to his own view.
“Vincent, difficult choices do not mean abandoning kindness and courage.
We can use wisdom and strategy to solve problems rather than walking the path of darkness.” The pointed meaning here was rather obvious.
“Wisdom and strategy?” A cold smile touched the corner of Vincent’s mouth, as if he wanted to say something in rebuttal, yet he held it back.
Given the current situation, making Dumbledore unhappy would bring him no benefit at all.
Vincent said nothing more, but Dumbledore could clearly sense that the boy had not taken his advice to heart.
A note of scrutiny entered the depths of Dumbledore’s blue eyes, yet the expression remained tolerant.
“Vincent, extreme methods only bring more pain and disaster.
We should resolve conflict with love and tolerance rather than creating more hatred.
Perhaps you cannot fully understand this meaning yet.
You are still young.
When you are older and have experienced more of this world, you will understand.” “Age is not the standard that decides everything, Headmaster Dumbledore.
Your words are certainly reasonable.
The accumulation of years gives us more experience and different perspectives on matters.
But I have always believed that an excellent mind can make up for that deficiency.” Vincent shrugged indifferently.
“Love and tolerance?
In a peaceful world those might be good tools—but only on the premise that it is a peaceful world.” Dumbledore let out a deep sigh.
Love and tolerance were the most powerful forces; they could change the world.
He did not try to persuade further.
He had already said enough today.
Continuing would only make the other person grow annoyed.
As for Vincent—he was the type who responded better to softness than to force.
Dumbledore stopped trying to indoctrinate him.
Instead, from the old man’s weary sigh, Vincent felt a tiny flicker of sympathy awaken.
Vincent was silent for a while, then suddenly asked, “Headmaster, if one day I truly walked down the wrong path, what would you do?” If he really followed the same wrong path as the previous Riddle, would Dumbledore regret having done nothing today?
Dumbledore answered without the slightest hesitation.
“I would do everything in my power to guide you back onto the right path.
I believe every person has the chance to reform.
I am your headmaster.
Hogwarts was founded to educate children.
That is my duty.” If a child at Hogwarts did something wrong, a portion of the responsibility would always belong to Albus Dumbledore.
Vincent looked at him, a complicated emotion flickering through his eyes.
“Headmaster, your kindness is admirable.” Whatever one thought of the philosophy, Dumbledore’s sense of responsibility deserved a word of praise.
Vincent smiled faintly.
“Headmaster, you truly are, as everyone says, the greatest white wizard in the world.” Dumbledore smiled in return.
“Thank you for the compliment.
You are likewise an outstanding young wizard.
I look forward to the day you achieve even greater things—things that will benefit the entire magical world.” Their undercurrent-filled conversation ended, and both of them felt rather satisfied.