"People always thought I was always right, all-powerful, Amorthus..."
In the distant horizon, at the center of infinite darkness, a faint halo of light had already risen near the horizon. At this moment, just before dawn, Dumbledore removed his glasses and wearily rubbed his forehead.
"But I always believed that the mistakes I made were far more serious than my trivial contributions."
Dumbledore gazed at the young, outstanding wizard beside him, his eyes filled with sorrow.
Amorthus remained silent, waiting for Dumbledore to give him a reasonable explanation. If Dumbledore couldn't justify his actions, it could create an unbridgeable chasm between the two of them in their hearts. It could even make them enemies in the future one day.
"—Few people know that I personally admitted Tom to Hogwarts..."
Dumbledore was clearly aware that he needed to give Amorthus an explanation as soon as possible. He didn't beat around the bush, directly started explaining.
"When I first met him at the orphanage, the innate dominance and cruelty in his personality, as well as his exceptional magical talent, made me uneasy. But I assure you, Amorthus, I never in my wildest dreams expected that the boy with such a tragic background would later commit such unforgivable crimes..."
Voldemort was also raised in an orphanage?
Amorthus' eyelids twitched slightly, and he probably understood what Dumbledore intended to convey.
"---In the eyes of all the professors, he was a polite, quiet young wizard with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, handsome, gifted, and well-mannered... In short, from his entry into Hogwarts until his graduation, many staff members, including then-School Headmaster Amundio Dippet, believed that his future achievements were boundless..."
Tragic origin, outstanding magical talent, and the ability to hide oneself.
Amorthus let out a cold, incomprehensible laugh. So it seemed that he and Voldemort had many similarities. With this precedent, it's no wonder that since Christmas of the fifth year, Dumbledore has been paying him a high level of attention.
"I think you understand now, Amorthus..."
Dumbledore's voice was filled with sorrow.
"I have always feared that history might repeat itself, but I also know that I cannot make assumptions about your future. Since you left school, I have been in a dilemma. On one hand, I wish you to live within my sight. But at the same time, I know that you are a wizard with strong convictions. If I were to overstep and interfere too much through Severus, then in a few years, Voldemort's past might become your future."
"Honestly, I haven't had such doubts in many years, Amorthus. I have tried to convince myself that, through these years of observation, I believe there is a fundamental difference between you and Tom. You have love in your heart, no desire for power or status, nor do you want to be feared... "
But I've always been reluctant to fully relax, the painful history in the past indicates that on critical issues, I will always make serious mistakes. Considering my age, I think I won't have another chance to correct my mistakes..."
To be honest, all along, Amorthus had a deep respect for Dumbledore.
This old man, who is a living history of the modern magical community, has certainly stood at the pinnacle of magic. But for so many years, he must have had no days of comfort, always working tirelessly with his wisdom to plan for the peace and stability of the magical community. Amorthus considers himself to be without such great aspirations.
"---I don't want to deceive you, Amorthus. Lupin's letter asking about your conflict with the werewolves under Greyback and your background has added to my worries. I am very afraid that the worst possible thing I don't want to see will happen to you..."
"I have my principles, Dumbledore."
Amorthus understands Dumbledore's concerns, but when the object of suspicion is himself, he does feel very helpless.
"Doesn't accept any assignments related to wizards or Muggles, right?"
Dumbledore twitched his beard, gazing at Amorthus who had furrowed his brow, and he sighed.
"Don't blame Cakes Fry, Amorthus. I was the one who approached him to help me keep an eye on your activities in the underworld... Indeed, your rule made me understand that you try your best not to harm innocent lives, and it's precisely because of this rule that I have more patience, I mean, respecting your choice..."
"So, Dumbledore, why now do you want to go to great lengths to bring me back to Hogwarts?"
In the somber night breeze, there was a touch of warmth, but Amorthus' thoughts grew increasingly complex.
To worry that I might fall into the abyss of darkness, he's created this farcical fiasco to get me back to Hogwarts? The Reading Room
Amorthus didn't know whether to hate or be grateful for Dumbledore's actions towards him...
"Maybe you think you can always stick to your principles, Amorthus."
At this moment, Dumbledore's eyes again regained wisdom. The deep blue orbs shone with the wisdom of over a hundred years of life.
"But I believe that if you continue like this, darkness will sooner or later consume you; there is no doubt about that... How long has it been since you stood in the world of light with everyone, basking in the sunshine?"
The sky, a sliver of translucent gold through the night's veil, shone on Amorthus' slightly confused violet eyes. In the midst of the forest's swaying, Dumbledore sincerely requested that Amorthus stay on at Hogwarts to continue teaching... even if he didn't want to, hoping he could adopt a different lifestyle, not continuing to oscillate between light and darkness. Because if he continued like that, sooner or later, he would fall into darkness.
This long night will finally come to an end, but the indelible image has been etched into the hearts of many. The castle has begun to stir, with the news of Ginny's rescue and the termination of the Chamber spreading from the infirmary at an astonishing rate.
"Stop the medication for Loathbrock, Dumbledore."
Amorthus threw the glass bottle containing the enchanted snake to Dumbledore, ignoring the bitter look on the old man's face, and turned to walk towards the castle.
"Wait, Amorthus..."
Dumbledore is not an all-knowing saint, he doesn't know what kind of person Amorthus will become in the future. But he knows that if he forces himself to interfere now, he will only push this talented young man into a deep abyss...
"This is what you deserve, Amorthus..."
Dumbledore handed over the money bag again, keeping all his unease and worries deep inside, smiling warmly.
"Honestly, Amorthus, even though the school board has offered me a decent salary, the amount is still enough for me to spend... So, I also can't afford to take out more galleons to express my thanks!"
"What do you think of me, Dumbledore, that I'm only interested in money?"
Amorthus looked at the money bag and didn't reach for it, "You're not young anymore, keep it for your old age."
"As..."
Dumbledore persisted, "For the children in the orphanage."
Amorthus' breath suddenly quickened, and several lines of black sweat appeared on his forehead. It seems that this old man knows me very well indeed! If I stay at Hogwarts, I very much doubt Dumbledore will ever let me forget my underpants color!
"We're even now, Headmaster Dumbledore."
Amorthus took the money bag, then reached into his chest again, pulled out something, and threw it to Dumbledore before turning around and walking off in a determined stride.
Staring at the broken, blackened crown in his palm, Dumbledore standing by the lakeside in the wind, silently opened his mouth in shock...
PS: Wishing everyone a prosperous Year of the Rabbit. May you have smooth sailing in all aspects of life, work, and studies in the new year!
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