Chapter 88: “The Old Man and The Phoenix”
“Snape?”
Harry quickly explained, “We got some news from Hagrid that a three-headed dog guards the Sorcerer’s Stone. Hagrid called him Fluffy, and he accidentally revealed how to tame Fluffy someone else.”
“I also heard that Professor Dumbledore is not in the castle today.” Harry looked at Sean eagerly.
“So, you suspect that Snape will help Professor Riddle to steal the stone?”
“Exactly.” The three nodded.
Sean sighed, “Guys, wouldn’t it be better to just tell the professor about this rather than handle it yourself?”
“I did!” Harry said, a little annoyed, “We couldn’t get in touch with Professor Dumbledore, so we went to Professor McGonagall. But she told us to stay and made sure Snape wouldn’t do such a thing!”
“And that’s why you went out in the middle of the night?”
“Yes,” Harry’s expression suddenly became serious, “In the hope of curing my sister, I have to get the Sorcerer’s Stone before Snape.”
Harry’s intention was indeed good, but he was too reckless.
Just as he was about to continue speaking, Neville said, “Sean, why did you come out in the middle of the night?”
“Maybe the same as yours,” he spread his hands and then interrupted their excited expressions, “but I’m here to find Dumbledore. Do you want to come with me?”
“Together? But Dumbledore isn’t at school.”
That was fake news spread by Dumbledore. The purpose was to let Tom take the bait. Sean wanted to explain this, but a question suddenly occurred to him.
Snape told himself that Dumbledore was away tonight, but he received another note from Dumbledore. But why?
At that time, he didn’t think much about it. After all, only Dumbledore could use the Phoenix to send him that message. Sean is not worried that it is fake news from Tom as he couldn’t have possibly done that.
But after thinking about it, this seems a bit contradictory. Snape is someone who seems to be working with Dumbledore, and he should about a thing or two about Dumbledore’s situation now.
Thinking from another angle, could it be that it was a fake Professor Snape? Or, the note he received did not come from Dumbledore but from someone else.
Sean took a breath and immediately thought of how he was tricked into Nurmengard last time. The note from the flame and a phoenix feather are still in Sean’s bag, but he’s a little hesitant now.
Is this a letter from Professor Dumbledore? But he really wasn’t sure about it.
If not, what is their purpose? What can he do by bringing himself to the principal’s office? They would have done it now if they wanted to do something on the way to the eighth floor.
“Dave! Naja!”
Sean immediately gave the order, and Dave leaped from him and turned into a huge monster, and Naja enlarged her body to protect Sean.
“Protego Diabolica!” The blue ring of fire immediately ignited.
The old man showed a look of nostalgia and sighed and then quietly looked at the Winged Demon who was flying towards him. Dave’s eyes were red, and he opened his mouth to the old man’s head.
A strange sound rang out. Sean saw the old man instantly turn into a large mass of black oily substance, and Dave flinched.
Sean’s eyes widened.
“I have no bad intentions towards you. I didn’t release the curse immediately just now to attack you.” He said.
“You intentionally using the Imperius curse without any evil intention?”
He was controlled by an Imperius Curse before. Although the old man did not show any evil to him, the Imperius Curse itself represents evil. It is one of the Unforgivable Curses anyone could use.
The old man smiled. He stretched out his hand. Fire flashed in the air, and a phoenix cry resounded throughout the room. A fiery red feather appeared on his hand.
Sean’s eyes widened in disbelief. Knowing that Phoenix can only be summoned by someone from the Dumbledore family.
The old man held up the feather and stepped directly into the blue fire ring.
“First of all, I need to apologize to you,” He looked embarrassed, “I’m not as good at thinking as Albus. So in order not to let you ruin Albus’ plan, I’m forced to use this kind of approach.”
Sean stopped Dave.
“I can understand your vigilance, but I have to stop you. Albus told me about you beforehand, and it’s exactly what he just said.” Said the old man.
“Why did you pretend to be Dumbledore and lure me out?” Sean asked.
“Oh, that’s not me. That’s Grindelwald doing.” The old man spread his hands.
Sean’s eyes twitched for a moment. First, he imitates Dumbledore’s writing, and now Grindelwald can use the Phoenix.
“What does he want? What does Professor Dumbledore want?”
“I don’t know. But Albus definitely doesn’t want you to meet Grindelwald again, and only Albus can guess what Grindelwald was thinking.”
He said helplessly, “I’m not good at this. Both Albus and Grindelwald are much better than me in all kinds of planning. So, I’m just here to keep an eye out for everyone that sneaked or walked around the castle this time.”
“Oh, by the way, I haven’t introduced myself.” He turned around, and the old man with the white beard and hair showed a smile that didn’t match his character, “I’m Aurelius Dumbledore.”
