After dinner, the dishwashing was left to the Poppet, and everyone sat together, listening to Lupin narrate the story he had summarized from old newspapers—
"I don't know much about that person either, because their story took place in the United States and France during the 1930s, and there aren't many reports here in the United Kingdom."
This was Lupin's introduction.
"No wonder I've never heard of him..." Sirius mumbled. "We hadn't been born yet!"
He calculated the time and realized his parents had just been born during that era. But Sirius hated his parents and didn't want to mention them.
"Credence Barebone was raised by a Muggle from the Anti-Witchcraft Association. Due to mistreatment from a young age, he became an Obscurial and was fortunate to live to adulthood."
Lupin said, "The reason I wanted to learn his story was that I saw a sentence in an old notebook—Credence Barebone was the only one who could defeat Albus Dumbledore."
Lupin recounted the parts of the story he knew.
Vid, having previously seen that part of the series' memories in the Pensieve, still listened intently.
The same story, when viewed from different perspectives, can be particularly interesting.
Lupin... or rather, the British journalist who wrote the reports didn't know that Credence was also a Dumbledore.
He was Aurelius Dumbledore, the son of Abeforth Dumbledore, separated from his father at a young age, and his mother died early, making his life a great tragedy.
During a tortured childhood, although Credence possessed immense magical potential, he didn't become a Wizard but instead an Obscurial with dark powers, manipulated by Gellert Grindelwald, and eventually died tragically.
The uninformed British media exaggeratedly described the destruction he caused in New York, portraying the fear during Grindelwald's reign in Europe, intending only to highlight Dumbledore's strength and grandeur that ended it all.
To the people of that time, the Savior of the Wizarding World had nothing to do with a little boy with a scar on his forehead; it was Albus Dumbledore who brought peace to the Magic World, hence the unrestrained praise using the most exaggerated words.
But it is conceivable that Dumbledore himself didn't like seeing such reports.
The achievements praised by outsiders were built upon the bones of his blood relatives.
Therefore, at least in the United Kingdom, reports of those deeds weren't extensive or detailed. Even though Lupin deliberately searched for them, he could only understand the surface.
Yet even so, it filled Harry with longing.
He never imagined what the young Dumbledore would have been like, but after hearing Lupin's story, he had only one thought—
This is Dumbledore!
In a perilous war era, he fearlessly defeated powerful enemies, one after another. Regardless of how the enemies threatened, tempted, or intimidated, he consistently adhered to his principles, protecting countless weak and innocent people.
An unspoken desire stirred within him, yearning to become a Wizard like Dumbledore. But such thoughts seemed to require courage just to speak them aloud.
When preparing to head to Diagon Alley, Harry said to Vid:
"Gellert Grindelwald, Credence, Voldemort... it's unimaginable how many wicked Wizards Dumbledore fought against in his life."
"I once heard a saying—" Vid said, "If the heroes of an era are exceptionally brilliant, it indicates that this era is very dark."
"Eh?" Harry was taken aback, which was a perspective he had never considered.
Vid continued, "Peace should be something that all who yearn for it pursue together... If the peace of the entire world rests on one person's shoulders, imagine how burdensome that would be."
Harry fell silent.
During the long period, aside from entering the fireplace, he didn't say a word.
As the green flames flickered, everyone arrived at Diagon Alley once again.
It was the same process as before—withdraw money, purchase necessities, then stroll around and buy things they liked, or have a drink.
These two years, Aslan Magic Workshop had been the busiest shop in Diagon Alley, with many wizards from abroad traveling all the way to the United Kingdom just to stock from Aslan Magic Workshop.
Thus, after buying Magic Potion Materials from the pharmacy, they headed to the Magic Workshop.
From afar, they saw a crowd gathered there.
"Follow me." Lupin said, "I know a side door used by employees to enter."
He often had to represent Vid to contact people from the Magic Workshop, so he was familiar with the place.
Several people followed Lupin, winding around from what looked like the back door of a household, and immediately saw a few people moving boxes.
"Hi, private residence, please don't... Remus?!"
A staff member was about to chase them away, but as soon as he saw Lupin, he broke into a surprised smile.
He quickly walked over, not for a handshake but a strong embrace.
"Long time no see! I've been wondering when we might meet again!"
Vid and the others curiously watched this man. He wore the blue and yellow work uniform from the workshop, tall and lean, with thinning hair, looking malnourished but with an exaggeratedly enthusiastic smile.
"Hello, Will, how have you been lately?" Lupin also smiled, hugging him back.
"Great! Never been so good! Just six months ago, I couldn't even imagine living such a good life!"
Will said happily, also noticing the people beside Lupin: "Who are these folks...?"
"Oh, let me introduce..."
"Wait, wait! Don't say it yet, let me guess!"
Before Lupin could finish, Will interrupted. He scrutinized everyone with his slightly bulging eyes, first noticing Sirius.
Will studied him for a moment, offering his hand: "You must be Mr. Sirius Black! I've always admired you! Your experiences have given me much strength and courage!"
"Uh... thank you?" Sirius awkwardly yet somewhat happily shook his hand.
Then Will lowered his gaze and noticed a pair of emerald green eyes and a lightning-shaped scar on the forehead.
His expression immediately turned to astonishment, looking like a startled frog.
"No need to say! No need to say—Harry Potter! Our Star of Salvation!"
He deeply bowed, shaking Harry's hand vigorously.
Harry felt his scalp tingle, almost jumping up, and quickly said, "Hello, Mr. Will."
"It's an honor to meet you! Could you autograph for me?" Will kept holding Harry's hand.
"Alright, Will, you're scaring him."
Lupin's words rescued Harry from his awkward situation, and Will turned his attention to the last person.
Vid slightly squinted, proactively saying, "No need to guess, I'm Vid Gray, pleased to meet you, Mr. Will."
Will looked at his hand, slowly grasping it, bowing even lower.
"I'm very grateful to you, Mr. Gray."
"You may not know me... but you gave me a second chance at new life."