Dumbledore was good at everything, except for one flaw: he had a fondness for assigning roles and stirring up drama.
For instance, asking William to go to the Chamber of Secrets to rescue Harry... Whether or not he wanted to, shouldn't they at least know where the Chamber was first?
"You and your friends have been searching for the Chamber of Secrets, haven't you?" Dumbledore said meaningfully.
Here it was! Hogwarts' ultimate all-seeing eye… If you're buying surveillance equipment, go with the Dumbledore brand!
Spying, tracking, monitoring... 24-hour coverage, zero blind spots, high-definition quality. Standard footage can go straight to the bin!
William strongly suspected that Dumbledore did nothing all day but sit in his office, holding a crystal ball, keeping watch over every corner of the castle.
"We have been looking for it, but... we haven't found it yet, Professor," William said softly.
"Will you be able to find it?"
"Probably... maybe... we might…"
William wanted to say, "No, we can't." But he had a gut feeling that if he gave that answer, the Headmaster would tell him the exact location of the Chamber—and that would be awkward.
"Good. When you and your friends have almost confirmed its location, don't go inside. Come back and wait patiently…" Dumbledore instructed seriously.
"At a certain moment, Fawkes will appear by your side. When that happens, I need you to enter the Chamber immediately and save Harry."
"You believe that when the diary carries out its final objective, it will take place in the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Yes." Dumbledore nodded, "Besides the Chamber, I can't think of any stage more fitting for it to make its grand performance."
William let out a quiet sigh. Judging by everything the diary had done so far, it was definitely the kind of object obsessed with ritual and theatrics.
"But there's a small issue," William pointed out.
"How can you be sure the diary won't act before we find the Chamber?
"There have already been six victims, it only needs one more, and that's Harry.
"It might act as soon as tonight."
"It won't." Dumbledore shook his head, "Not until I've been completely removed from the school."
"…Huh?" William raised an eyebrow.
"The diary has done all of this partly to have me expelled from Hogwarts... That would be a significant accomplishment for it.
"Since Rita has been giving you information, you should know that Malfoy has been contacting the school governors, correct?"
"Yes."
"I happen to have a few reliable friends among the twelve governors, ones who genuinely trust me... They're opposed to removing me from my position as Headmaster.
"At the right time, I'll ensure they change their minds."
The so-called "right time" was, of course, when William and his friends had located the Chamber of Secrets.
William glanced at Dumbledore, momentarily dazed.
Dumbledore had not only anticipated the enemy's intentions but was also using their plans to control the timing of the attacks...
Breaking everything down so methodically, Dumbledore's brilliance was almost supernatural!
William had noticed many of the same details and held just as much information as Dumbledore, yet the Headmaster always thought of things that never even crossed William's mind.
It was a humbling feeling, like his intellect was being repeatedly crushed and ground to dust.
That's why, as a wizard, it's crucial to know your own limits. Never position yourself as an adversary to someone like Dumbledore.
Because he will have your life planned out from beginning to end.
From birth to death, full service, all-inclusive.
...
The situation with Hagrid unfolded faster than anyone had expected.
One day in March, as William and Cho finished their Care of Magical Creatures lesson and headed toward the Great Hall, they saw a large crowd gathered in the entrance hall.
Students who had just finished dinner were spilling out of the Great Hall to see what was happening, while many others crowded on the marble staircase.
"Cedric, what's going on?" Cho asked softly as they approached.
"No idea. A group of Aurors just stormed into the Great Hall," Cedric said in a low voice. "Everyone thought they were here to arrest Professor Snape, but it turns out they're after Hagrid."
Cedric wasn't the only one confused, most of the students were baffled.
The onlookers had formed a large circle, some looking shocked and others visibly uneasy.
William hadn't told Cho or Cedric that Hagrid would be taken away.
What had been discussed in the Headmaster's office that day was strictly confidential at Dumbledore's request.
In the middle of the crowd, Cornelius Fudge stood holding a green bowler hat, dabbing at his forehead with a handkerchief.
"This is awful, Hagrid," Fudge said in a crisp, hurried tone. "Really awful, we had no choice but to come.
"One Squib, three young wizards... Four attacks, it's too much. The Ministry has to take action."
"I didn't do it," Hagrid pleaded, looking desperately at Dumbledore. "You know I didn't, Professor Dumbledore... sir…"
Hagrid's eyes were filled with tears. If anything in the world scared him, it was Azkaban.
When Hagrid was young, he had been imprisoned in Azkaban for a long time... He'd only been a third-year student back then, so the trauma had stayed with him ever since.
It had taken significant influence on Dumbledore's part to get him out of there.
"I hope you understand, Cornelius, I've told you more than once that I have complete faith in Hagrid," Dumbledore said firmly.
"Yes, Albus," Fudge replied awkwardly. "But Hagrid's record doesn't help his case... And someone reported him.
"Lockhart is a recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class. He has some influence in the wizarding world, and he's threatening to contact the Daily Prophet.
"I have to take Hagrid in before this turns into an even bigger scandal. It's for his protection—don't you agree?"
"But not like this—not with this spectacle," Dumbledore said, irritation flickering in his usually calm voice, "If you really want to protect him!"
The crowd parted again as Lockhart approached quickly, a bright smile plastered on his face.
"Sorry, did I miss anything?" Lockhart beamed as he eagerly shook Fudge's hand.
"Minister, Hagrid's the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets... I've protected the students! First Class, surely... Could I at least get the Second Class Order of Merlin?"
Fudge coughed, fiddling uncomfortably with his hat.
Everyone was staring at Lockhart, whispering among themselves.
"If Second Class is out of the question... I'd settle for Third Class..." Lockhart's voice trailed off. "The Hogwarts Special Services Award would do too, I suppose."
He finally noticed the way the other professors were glaring at him, with expressions that could only be described as disgust.
Snape took a step forward, sneering. "Professor Lockhart... Didn't you claim to know exactly where the Chamber of Secrets is located and that you could subdue the monster single-handedly?
"So... your grand plan was writing a complaint letter to the Ministry?"
"I—I... that is, I—" Lockhart stammered, "I just remembered I... have something urgent to attend to."
"Headmaster, you can't let them take Hagrid!" Harry burst through the crowd, shouting in anger.
But no one listened to him. The Aurors had already moved forward and were leading Hagrid away.
Hermione appeared behind William, standing on tiptoe to whisper in his ear.
"William, Rita's replied... She said she'll be here this Saturday."
William nodded slightly.
If Lockhart wanted to play dirty, then he shouldn't blame William for exposing his entire facade.
Let's do this... Let's hurt each other!