After leaving the judges' table, Dumbledore strolled unhurriedly toward the temporary restroom that had been erected nearby.
From the outside, it was merely a plain grey-blue prefab unit, but inside it had been expanded with the Undetectable Extension Charm. The number of stalls adjusted automatically to meet demand. He lingered for a moment before the mint-scented washbasin, then turned and stepped onto the small, secluded viewing terrace behind it.
Edward and the others emerged from the shadows at that exact moment.
"Welcome back."
Behind his half-moon spectacles, the old headmaster's blue eyes rippled with warmth, his silver beard trembling faintly as he smiled. "It seems you must have gone through quite a lot over there, yes?"
Edward and Audrey exchanged a glance and nodded together. "Yes…many, many things happened."
"Heh. I'm almost impatient to hear about all of it. Unfortunately…" He tilted his head toward the spectator stands. "I may not be able to slip away just yet."
Dumbledore suddenly crouched down, the hem of his robe sweeping across the stone tiles. He winked at the large golden retriever. Susie instantly straightened her back, sitting primly like a proper lady.
"Oh, Miss Susie, welcome back as well! Hm? And where is Miss Lilith? Did she not return with you?"
Susie answered, "No, Lilith…She went to explore the castle with another very important guest."
"Oh? A very important guest?" Dumbledore stood up, visibly surprised.
He knew that Edward bringing Audrey back had already been an accident. A power capable of travelling between worlds was not something meant to be known by too many people.
Edward did not hide anything. He said plainly, "She is a deity."
Dumbledore froze. "I'm sorry?"
"You heard correctly. The one who returned with us is a deity. You may think of Her simply as…God."
The old wizard blinked several times, murmuring, "Oh, Merlin's beard…this is truly…astonishing."
"But rest assured—it is only a sliver of Her consciousness, not a manifestation capable of destroying the world."
Dumbledore sighed. "The way you phrased that did absolutely nothing to reassure me." With a worried expression, he asked, "May I know why She—this deity—has come to our world?"
"Well…You may think of Her as a traveller from another world. Her primary purpose is sightseeing."
Edward hesitated for a moment before adding, "As for the rest, I'll explain everything gradually. To be honest, I returned this time to uncover the secret behind this world's so-called 'God.'"
"You mean… the 'Death' that appeared last time inside the Mirror of Erised?"
"Something like that."
Edward nodded. "I intend to return to that deity's 'dwelling place.'"
"You've found a method to enter that 'dwelling' again?"
"We can simply use the Mirror of Erised."
"But—"
Before Dumbledore could finish, Edward reached into the void and pulled out a massive mirror with a golden frame. Dumbledore immediately recognised it as the Mirror of Erised.
The headmaster hurriedly adjusted his spectacles. "The Mirror of Erised? But it was destroyed—shattered completely. I even tried using magic to repair it, but it failed."
Edward explained, "This is an ability I've recently acquired. You can think of it this way—this isn't the Mirror of Erised from the present, but rather the version that exists within a past point in time."
"A version existing in…a past time."
Dumbledore shook his head in awe. "Oh, I suppose this must be how Muggles feel when they witness magic for the first time."
Edward then turned to Audrey. "Audrey, once Lilith returns, I'll be entering the Mirror of Erised. From then on, stay close to her at all times."
Audrey nodded earnestly. "Understood."
"Edward."
Dumbledore's voice softened. "I recall that in the past, whenever you returned, you treated this place as a temporary refuge. But this time, you seem far more anxious. Is it because of that deity?"
"Not exactly…"
Edward's gaze focused on the Mirror of Erised. "I'm simply eager to uncover the secrets of that 'divine dwelling'…"
WHOOOAAAAA!!!
A deafening wave of cheering suddenly erupted from the spectator stands.
"Snape! Snape! Long live Professor Snape! Professor Snape is incredible!"
On the large magical screen hovering in the air, the eight individual frames had merged into one. Snape appeared at the centre, expressionless, his face enlarged so much that even the twitch of every eyebrow was visible. The so-called saviour, Harry Potter, stood bewildered in the billowing shadow of the man's black robes—much like a frog paralysed before a venomous serpent.
"Uh…Professor, what exactly is happening?" Edward asked.
Edward asked in surprise, "Isn't this the Tri...ahem...Quadwizard Tournament? Why is Professor Snape…?"
"Oh, I made a few minor adjustments to the rules this year," Dumbledore said while stroking his beard. "Instead of students from each participating school, this tournament features professors. Representing Hogwarts are Severus and Filius."
Edward blinked. "Ah—well, I must say…this is certainly a fresh and creative twist."
Audrey asked curiously, "Then why is Harry there as well?"
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes. "The first task requires eight professors from the four Schools to venture into the depths of the Forbidden Forest and rescue the person most important to them—what we call their 'treasure.'"
Audrey was stunned. "Ah…so Harry is Professor Snape's most important…but they…oh. I understand."
Dumbledore laughed. "Just as mandrakes always choose the most unexpected flowerpot to root in, the world is full of delightful surprises."
Edward nearly gave Dumbledore a thumbs-up. You old fox…you're really something.
He squinted and said suddenly, "Professor Dumbledore, I think the heads of the four Schools should also participate."
"…"
Dumbledore remained silent for several seconds, then shook his head. "You want to see me rescue Gellert, don't you? I wouldn't mind. The real problem is…who would be responsible for capturing him, tying him up somewhere in the Forbidden Forest, and having him patiently await the arrival of his white-bearded prince like Sleeping Beauty?"
Pffft.
Audrey burst out laughing.
This old man really has no filter. He dares say everything outright.
"Oh, that's right," Dumbledore suddenly recalled. "Do you remember? The prize for this Four-School Tournament is Slytherin's notebook possessed by Ilvermorny. It may contain clues related to the 'divine dwelling.'"
He glanced at the Mirror of Erised. "Speaking of which—Edward, do you no longer need this mirror?"
Edward nodded. "Mm. I plan to ask that 'deity' directly."
———
Meanwhile, at the edge of the Forbidden Forest—
The Evernight Goddess and Lilith were witnessing the spectacle as well. After learning the context, even this ancient schemer—who had lived for thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of years—was left momentarily speechless.
Only after a long pause did She sigh inwardly: The Brits…really know how to play.
Lilith tugged at Her sleeve. "Amanises, time to go back~"
Evernight Goddess said mildly, "I already told you—there is no need to trouble yourselves over me."
Lilith curled her lip dismissively. "Tch, who wants to bother with you? I'm only watching you so you don't sneak off and do anything shady!"
"…"
Lilith grabbed Her by the arm and dragged Her along. "Come on, let's go."
When the two seemingly youthful girls reached the terrace, Dumbledore was adjusting his silver hair, which the breeze had ruffled. From afar, Lilith waved at him. "Ah, long time no see, Professor White Beard!"
After a brief moment of confusion, his blue pupils shrank sharply. "You are…Miss Lilith?!"
Lilith giggled. "Heehee, that's me~"
"Oh, Merlin's beard, this is truly remarkable."
Though he had heard last time that certain potions might allow animals to take human form, back then it had been purely theoretical. He never expected that upon meeting again, Lilith would actually appear as a human girl.
Wait.
Susie had said Lilith was accompanying an important guest—the deity.
So the little girl being dragged along with a displeased expression…that was the deity?
Meaning…
God is a little girl?
The Evernight Goddess looked Dumbledore up and down. Her gaze seemed to pierce the mists of memory behind his irises. She said calmly, "Oh, this version of Dumbledore is modelled after the first movie. Hm. Passable."
Dumbledore: "???"
Though confused, he did not ask further. He simply nodded courteously to the Goddess. At his age, he had experienced far too much—though the word "deity" still rattled him internally, he no longer reacted with obvious shock.
Of course, it also helped that he had only heard of gods and had never witnessed divine power himself, nor had he ever been a believer.
Lilith interjected, "Don't mind Her—She likes talking nonsense. Just pretend She isn't there."
Then she turned to the historical projection of the Mirror of Erised. "Edward, are you going to look for 'that person'?"
"Yes."
Edward's expression grew solemn. "Lilith, I'll leave everything here in your hands."
"Don't worry!" Lilith thumped her chest, then shot a sideways glance at the Goddess's avatar. "With me around, I'll definitely keep an eye on Amanises!"
"No need. Just keep everyone safe. As for Her Eminence...I trust She knows what She's doing."
"I don't trust Her…"
After that, Audrey stepped forward and took Edward's hand, worry flickering in her eyes. "Be careful."
"I will! I'll be back soon."
Edward lifted the Mirror of Erised. Just as he was about to depart, the Evernight Goddess said mildly, "When you see Him, do ask when He plans to deliver the River of Eternal Darkness He promised Me."
"Of course!"
With that, Edward's figure vanished instantly.
Silence fell.
A moment later, Dumbledore said, "If there's nothing else, why don't we head back and continue watching the tournament? There will be a grand banquet afterwards."
The Evernight Goddess said nothing. Lilith seemed not to have heard. Audrey tensed up again.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Dumbledore hesitated, then pulled a handful of chocolate toffees from his pocket.
"These are my newest favourite chocolate toffees. Would you lovely young ladies like to try some?"
Before any of the three could respond, Susie tilted her head and blinked. "Professor, you do know I'm a dog, right? Eating chocolate will…kill me."
———
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