"I understand."
Wade lowered his head in thought for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "Regarding the Magic Books he gave me… Professor… do you have any advice?"
Dumbledore didn't answer immediately. He rummaged through his drawer, then handed over a box of toffees.
"Don't frown, have a piece of candy? Sweets always cheer people up."
"…Thank you, Professor."
Wade took it, unwrapped the candy, and saw that its surface had a slight golden glow, emitting a rich caramel aroma and sweetness.
He ate one and realized that this toffee might be Mikey's handiwork.
Unlike its appearance, this toffee was intensely fragrant but not too sweet.
Sweets that weren't too sweet, and meats that weren't greasy—these were Wade's preferred flavors. Among the House-elves in the kitchen, only Mikey knew this best and adjusted the sugar ratio according to his taste.
Perhaps a House-elf accidentally delivered the wrong box? The candy Mikey prepared for Wade ended up with Dumbledore.
Wade thought, his eyes slightly narrowed in satisfaction from the taste.
The House-elves in the Alliance castle were also excellent cooks, but they preferred pickling and smoking, then pairing dishes with richly flavored sauces.
Once, they even served him a plate of raw minced beef mixed with pickles and raw egg yolk. When Wade saw that mosaic of a dish, he thought it was some weird form of torture. But when he went to find Wawerlett, he found the old man eating it with great relish…
Dumbledore sat at his desk, his gaze passing through his spectacles, quietly observing Wade. His hands were clasped, fingers tapping unconsciously, his eyes deep and holding an elusive profundity.
After a long moment, he asked, "Do you like this kind of toffee?"
"Of course." Wade nodded.
"Excellent, then take this whole box with you. It's too bland for me." Dumbledore pulled out another box and said, "Would you like another Jelly Slugs?"
"I'll pass on that one," Wade quickly said.
Dumbledore said regretfully, "It just looks like a slug, but it tastes very good. This candy is also very popular at Honeydukes… Oh, well, if you don't like it."
He paused, then suddenly added, "Those books… if you want to learn a thing or two, you can keep them yourself."
Wade was startled and looked up at him in surprise.
Dumbledore smiled and nodded slightly: "I won't stop you, Wade—knowledge itself is not wrong; it's human ambition and desire that are.
"I believe you've grown into a discerning Wizard. Whatever you learn, you'll be able to uphold the light within you… Of course, if you ever feel lost, you can always come to me—I'm always willing to listen to your thoughts."
"Thank you, Professor," Wade said gratefully.
"Then, let's go to lunch," Dumbledore said, standing up. "I hope the kitchen has prepared cream cakes for us today."
Wade hesitated. "Professor, I'd like to ask for a few days off first… to go home and see my parents. They must be very worried about me. Is that alright?"
"Of course," Dumbledore said gently. "Who can stop a child from visiting their parents? By the way, I assume you haven't seen your Christmas presents yet?"
"No, I haven't," Wade said.
"Then you should sort them out properly." Dumbledore winked, saying mysteriously, "There are some things in there… I predict they'll surprise you."
…
Fawkes's fiery light flashed. Dumbledore, who had said he was going to lunch, didn't leave but stood by the window, watching the students bouncing around on the lawn outside.
The portraits on the wall, pretending to sleep, all opened their eyes. Some even walked into other portraits, covering their mouths with their hands, whispering.
Dilys Derwent, the Headmaster and healer from over two hundred years ago, said bluntly, "Albus, I thought you wouldn't allow your students to dabble in Dark Magic, especially a child who… seems so easily capable of crossing that line."
Dumbledore calmly said, "I have faith in Wade."
Dumbledore's predecessor, Armando Dippet, grumbled, "To be honest, I also used to trust Tom Riddle a lot."
"I, too, have studied Dark Magic. Only by understanding it, by mastering it, can one better resist it and use it through legitimate means—" Dumbledore emphasized, "Dark Magic is not that terrifying."
Phineas Black nodded in agreement: "Exactly. Our Black Family children have all been exposed to Dark Magic since childhood. But look at Regulus… and Sirius… they are both good children."
Phineas briefly wrestled with himself, trying to decide which of these two wretched descendants to remove from his list of praise, but after a moment's hesitation, he ultimately included both of them.
After all… even though both were excessively foolish, one was already dead, and the other was the last remaining Black. As a great-great-grandfather, he should be more lenient…
Dilys Derwent snorted angrily, saying, "But the vast majority of people who dabble in Dark Magic have their hearts twisted and corrupted! Albus, you should forcefully stop that child from studying Dark Magic, especially since he listens to you so well!"
Armando Dippet nodded in agreement and said, "Yes… you can't put too much trust in students. You don't know what they'll become decades from now."
"I do know! I warned you ages ago, remember? Dippet."
Phineas Black said gleefully, "I told you that Riddle boy didn't look like a good sort, but you didn't believe me and told me to shut up!"
Armando Dippet pretended not to hear, turning his face away, unwilling to engage with him.
Towards Dumbledore, his successor who had to clean up his messes, Dippet was willing to admit his mistakes and warn him not to repeat them; but when faced with Black, who often brought up past grievances to mock him, Dippet just wanted to kick the annoying fellow into a hole and bury him.
There was a reason Phineas Black was listed as the most unpopular Headmaster.
Another Headmaster, Everard, also said in a gentle tone, "I think they have a point, Dumbledore. Why not take this opportunity to prevent him from associating with those Dark Wizards?"
Dumbledore was silent for a moment, then asked, "Phineas… if it were you… if, when you were young, your elders told you not to dabble in Dark Magic, would you have obediently listened?"
"Hmm? Of course not!" Phineas said proudly, amidst the disdainful looks of the other Headmasters, "I'd definitely agree on the surface and secretly learn it behind their backs!"
Euprasia Moore couldn't help but say, "Actually, I wanted to ask when I was alive—Black, why didn't you go to Durmstrang?"
"That goes without saying, of course it's because that place is too cold! And too strict, not a fun school at all." Phineas Black said naturally.
The other Headmasters quickly exposed his flaws: "You were very strict when you were Headmaster too!"
"And you didn't allow students to voice opinions on how Hogwarts was run, do you remember?"
"You also favored Slytherin! The other houses didn't like you!"
"So what?" Phineas Black pretended to pick his ear, saying nonchalantly, "I am Slytherin! If I don't love Slytherin, am I supposed to love Gryffindor?"
"Dumbledore, rein in this fellow who loves Dark Magic!" a red-haired Headmaster protested loudly.
Dumbledore smiled calmly and explained to the other Headmasters, "Actually, I can understand that yearning and pursuit of the unknown. Even if I can stop Wade from touching Dark Magic this time, can I completely prevent Grindelwald from touching my students?"
"If Wade becomes curious about Dark Magic in the future, and delves into knowledge he shouldn't, causing his body and mind to suffer… Under normal circumstances, he could seek my help."
"But if my attitude right now is to resolutely oppose Dark Magic, then he is very likely to hide his condition from me and turn to someone more dangerous."
"So I can't be too strict," Dumbledore said slowly. "Because I don't want to, in the future… miss an opportunity that might save him."
A long silence settled over the Headmaster's Office.
After a good while, the Headmasters finally began to speak—
"You're too exhausted this way," Phineas Black muttered. "Good thing I'm already dead."
"Since you've made your decision, we will naturally support you," Dilys Derwent said gently.
"I hope that child won't let your efforts go to waste," Everard said, closing his eyes.
"Ah, Albus…" Armando Dippet said with a sigh, "Sometimes I actually feel that what a person will become in the future might already be decided at birth."
One by one, the Headmasters closed their eyes, and soon a low snoring sound filled the room.
This time, they really seemed to be asleep.
Dumbledore stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the distance, yet it seemed to penetrate the scenery before him, landing on an unseen place.
...
Fawkes the Phoenix left after delivering Wade home. Wade stood at the door, and through the window, he saw his parents sitting on the sofa, sorting through a pile of newspapers and letters.
He unconsciously quickened his steps, a smile playing on his lips, and walked over to knock on the door. After just two knocks, the door was pulled open abruptly.
"Wade?!"
Fiona cried out in surprise and threw her arms open, hugging Wade tightly.
"I'm home, Mom."
Wade felt the hot droplets fall on his neck and gently tilted his head to say.
Ferdinand hurried over to the door and, upon seeing Wade, his expression instantly became excited. But soon, the man frowned again, lost in thought.
Then, he pulled his wife off Wade and behind him, his eyes slightly narrowed, examining the young man in front of him with a probing, scrutinizing gaze.
"Wade… are you really Wade?"
Wade sighed, nodding. "Of course it's me, Dad. Do I need to say two things to prove it?"
"Of course not, I would never mistake my own son!"
Fiona wiped away her tears and, from somewhere, produced a gaudy, childish scarf. She handed it over and said, "This is the scarf Mom knitted for you. Hurry and try it on, see if it's the right length?"
Wade was about to take it, touched, but seeing the childish, Christmas-gift-like pattern on it, he pulled his hand back, frowning, and asked, "Is this really for me? Don't you have one in a simpler color?"
Fiona burst into laughter through her tears, pushed her husband aside, and hugged Wade again, saying happily, "This reaction… it really is Wade!"
Wade: "…"
—And she said a mother wouldn't mistake her son?
Ferdinand's lips also curved into an uncontrollable smile, but his body seemed to have lost all strength, leaning against the door, unable to move.
Feeling his parents' silent fear and worry, Wade sighed, raised his hand to hug his mother, and said again, "I'm really back, Mom."
...
Once everyone's emotions had calmed down, the family sat on the sofa in front of the fireplace, listening to Wade recount his experience.
"…Grindelwald wanted to use the Streaming Mirror to promote their agenda, so he found an opportunity to take me away. While I was there, aside from not being able to leave freely or contact others, I actually received quite good treatment."
Wade showed himself off, saying, "See, haven't I put on a little weight? German food is better than British food in terms of flavor and variety, though I don't like mustard. Sauerkraut is alright."
Fiona patted him, both exasperated and amused. "You child, you were kidnapped, and all you care about is what you ate… They didn't hit you, did they? Did they use any dangerous Dark Magic on you?"
"No. Because…" Wade coughed awkwardly, saying, "Because I was quite cooperative. They wanted technology, I gave it to them. They wanted me to teach a few people, I taught them, so I wasn't difficult."
Ferdinand said approvingly, "Don't be ashamed, that's the right thing to do. Showing cooperation can prevent greater harm, conserve your strength, and buy you more time and opportunities—how did you get back? Were they willing to let you go?"
"This morning, Headmaster Dumbledore came to rescue me," Wade said. "He had a big battle with Grindelwald, and Grindelwald lost. To protect the others, he had no choice but to let me leave."
As for Grindelwald teaching him Dark Magic, Wade felt it was better not to mention it, otherwise, his parents would surely worry and stay awake all night.
"That's wonderful, Headmaster Dumbledore is reliable after all."
Fiona gratefully made a praying gesture, then regretted, "Oh, I should send him a Christmas gift too. Wade, does your Headmaster like fine wine? Or would a watch be better? Actually, I think books would be more suitable, but I'm worried he already has any book I might send…"
Wade thought for a moment and smiled. "Everyone sends him books, but Dumbledore might prefer to receive a pair of wool socks?"
"Wool socks?"
Fiona nodded skeptically, but ultimately decided to prepare what Wade suggested.
Although it sounded a bit ordinary, Wade had more opportunities to interact with the Headmaster and surely knew the old man better than they did.
Fiona even secretly decided to send Dumbledore a pair of wool socks every year from now on… perhaps wool gloves and cashmere sweaters would also be good choices?
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