"Choice can be anywhere--"
Dumbledore's face was grim, and he repeated quietly what the Sorting Hat had said. The portraits on the wall were eager to discuss the bizarre and yet mysteriously respectful title of "Hogwarts heir," but they were all doing their best not to speak, fearing they might interrupt Dumbledore's thoughts.
"I must express my gratitude to you."
After a long while, Dumbledore's tone lightened up, and he nodded to the Sorting Hat in his chair.
"The wisdom of the four founders is Hogwarts's most precious asset. Tonight, their wisdom prevented me from making a terrible mistake."
Having said these words, Dumbledore rose from his chair, walked around the table, and began to pace the circular office.
"The specific choice at a specific age is truly wise words."
Dumbledore smiled and said, "Even me, can't completely avoid the trap of prejudice, right?"
No one needed to answer; Dumbledore was just muttering to himself.
"--Amorta and Tom are very similar, which is something I have always worried about. This worry is so strong that I know they are completely different people, but I am not able to completely put my mind at ease...I have to admit that the fact that he comes from Slytherin has amplified my concern about their similarities, but actually, this is just a terrible prejudice!"
"That's the way it is, Albus!"
Phineas seizing an opportunity, happily exclaimed,
"We all know that powerful wizards are those with privileges. Although he sometimes disregards the law and doesn't take rules seriously, he is always good-natured. What happened tonight is a powerful proof of this... The incompetent people in the Ministry of Magic can't stand him for long!"
Phineas had a tarnished reputation during his lifetime, and it is clear that he wouldn't be well-liked among the deceased, despite his words carrying some truth. Unfortunately, the respected heads of Hogwarts didn't dare to speak up, neither endorsing nor refuting Phineas's words.
And for Phineas, this was a very powerful encouragement. He boastfully scanned the room around, his dark eyes twinkling with glee.
"For the trivial mistakes committed by such talented young people, we should forgive them and patiently guide them back on the right path."
"What made you act so forgiving and friendly tonight, Black headmaster?"
Dumbledore stopped walking in front of the golden bough of the Fox's habitat, looked up at the portrait of Fenrir, and said gently.
"My meaning is very clear, isn't it?"
Fenrir's goatee trembled with his sly smile, and he cautiously spoke to Dumbledore in a polished tone, "My meaning is very clear, isn't it?"
"Since we can show leniency towards the mistakes Amorta Brynn has made over these years, then, Albus, my wayward great-grandson..."
"Ah ha!"
Amundo Dippet, who had been giving Fenrir a disdainful look for a long time, excitedly called out.
"I knew you were scheming, your conspiracy is exposed!"
Fenrir's misleading behavior caused anger among everyone. The criticism was immediate, and the sound of fiercely denounced voices filled the air. Among the fierce denunciation, Fenriss loudly shouted.
"You are jealous, gentlemen. The noble Black family will endure forever. The noble Black family will never produce a traitor!"
"Please keep calm, everyone. If we continue to argue, I fear Agga might come looking for us!"
Dumbledore shook his silver beard, looking somewhat helpless. In a moment, he even felt a little afraid that one day he might also be hung on this wall, facing the daily commotion of the predecessors, from helplessness to compromise, and even one day being so delighted to join in...
"I think you must understand, Black headmaster,"
Regaining his composure, Dumbledore spoke in a stern tone, "The sins committed by Sirius Black are unforgivable, are they not?"
"I was about to mention that to you!"
Fenrir, pressured by his colleagues, spoke without thinking. He forgot to show respect to Dumbledore and loudly shouted.
"My great-grandson, you all keep saying he betrayed the Potter couple and defected to that dark lord whose name we can't even mention. But you can't produce any actual evidence, can you, Dumbledore? That child grew up under your very eyes. You know what kind of person he is. You've seen how close their relationship is. He couldn't betray the Potter couple; there must be some misunderstanding!"
"Laughable!"
Unsurprisingly, it was the headmaster Amundo Dippet who spoke in a critical tone, "How can you be so sure?"
"Not surprisingly, the one who spoke up with words of rebuke was Headmaster Amundo Dippet. "Your great-grandson sent away thirteen innocent souls in broad daylight with a single spell, one of whom was even his close friend!"
Effective communication was halted once again, and pointless conflicts reignited.
Several former headmasters crowded around the frame of Amundo's portrait, trying to pull Dippet and the Black headmaster apart, but somehow, the attempt to mediate ended up in a melee.
This time, Dumbledore did not immediately speak up to stop it. His brow furrowed, and he muttered softly.
"Even in the days of lies and betrayal, this was a mysterious incident. The truth...the crime was clear..."
"Albus..."
Delores Dewitt was the only headmaster who had not joined the portrait battle. She called out to Dumbledore's name.
"What are you going to do about Amorta Brynn?"
Dumbledore's brow relaxed, and he ignored the chaos of the portrait battle, returning to his seat and assuming the posture of interlaced fingers gazing up at the dome, sinking into long contemplation....
..........
Amorta didn't expect that the enchanted barrier would be able to stop Albus Dumbledore and his phoenix for long. All he hoped was that the spell would give him a few more seconds.
For the next five minutes, he didn't stay in one place for more than three seconds, continuously apparating and erasing magic traces. By the end, even with his considerable magical reserves, he was exhausted from the frantic Apparition and Disapparition.
"Did they really not come after me?"
Amorta stopped in a jungle he had once ventured into during one of his missions, supporting himself against a towering tree and panting slightly.
"Hmph, what does it matter even if they know?" Amorta straightened up and smiled slightly. "A gentleman can be taken advantage of as long as he behaves properly."
The brilliant starlight from the infinite sky and the refreshing cool air of the original jungle at night helped calm down Amorta's racing heart. After thinking for a moment, he changed into his usual wizard robes and apparated back to Hogsmeade.
At night, the misty Hogsmeade was barely visible through the dense fog. The commercial street that runs through the village was shrouded in mist, with numerous dark figures weaving through it. Most of these characters were regulars in the underground world, visiting to trade or post assignments but didn't want to be taken advantage of by shady middlemen like Freddie. They hoped to use the name of Albus Dumbledore to intimidate their trading partners and prevent any misbehavior.
Amorta ignored these wizards and strode past the Wyzards' Fancy Robes shop and the Scholar's Dwelling, heading towards the Three Broomsticks tavern.
"Oh, my god, oh, my god..."
Just as Amorta was about to reach the alleyway leading to his temporary residence, he overheard a muffled whimpering from a dark alleyway on the other side of the tavern. And it sounded familiar.
After a moment's thought, Amorta walked towards the alleyway from which the sound came. He immediately saw a large, solid figure, reeling drunk, leaning against a bin nearby, whimpering ceaselessly.
"Hagrid, how can it be you?!"
Amorta was surprised and he rushed over, holding his breath to avoid the stench, then bending down to lift away Hagrid's fluffy beard,
"What is it that has made you drink yourself into a stupor at night? And what is causing you to weep alone?"
......
Reading Room
