A certain Hogwarts rune professor

Chapter 675 Dumbledore
Harry stooped for some distance, then straightened up and walked briskly towards the door of the Great Hall.

"Hey, Harry!" He heard someone calling him behind him, and Harry looked back, it was Neville, with a puzzled expression on his face, Harry waved him and slipped into the hall.

Dumbledore and his party were gone.

Harry guessed they should have gone upstairs, possibly to the headmaster's office, but he seemed to hear something from outside.With a little balance in mind, he quickly ran to the platform outside the castle and looked into the distance vigorously. It was almost completely dark, and he could barely make out two vague figures.

One was Professor Flitwick, whose height stood out, and the other... Harry thought it was Professor Sprout.He tried to look farther away, there was no one else, and he realized something was wrong: Headmaster Dumbledore's white beard was quite recognizable even in the dark.

So they separated in the foyer?Principal Dumbledore assigned other tasks to the two professors?

With the sound of dense footsteps behind him, Harry realized that the prefects had begun to organize the younger students to return to the common room. He no longer hesitated, and strode towards the headmaster's office. The surrounding was quiet, and he was the only one who The sound of footsteps, he wondered if he had gone the wrong way, and after climbing two more flights of stairs, he heard a faint voice above his head.

It was Headmaster Dumbledore's voice!

Harry felt excited for a while, but his speed inevitably slowed down. Finally, he came to the eighth floor, passed through a door, turned around, and quickened his pace. He knew that he was about to meet the stone monster in the corridor. He was so familiar with the road that he couldn't go wrong even with his eyes closed.

And, he happened to know the password.

A black figure suddenly stood in front of him, Harry was startled, his feet slipped, and he almost fell on his back.

It was Snape.

"What are you doing here, Potter?" he asked coldly.

"I-I'm looking for—wait, you've been kicked out?" Harry asked in surprise, looking past Snape's back at the empty space.

Snape's expression froze.

"You're right, Potter," he said flatteringly, and then his thin lips twisted into a sarcastic smile, "important people talk in it, and unimportant people—like me, Down with equally insignificant fools who don't know it."

"Headmaster Dumbledore sent me!" said Harry angrily.

"When did it happen?" Harry was speechless, and Snape's tone became more cheerful, "I followed behind just now, but I didn't hear Dumbledore talk to any students... I suggest you return to the auditorium immediately Let's go, while Madam Pomfrey is still around."

Harry stared at Snape, resentment simmering in his heart, he took a deep breath, drew his wand, undecided whether to cast the Patronus Charm to tell Dumbledore he was coming.

Snape's eyebrows twitched violently.

He thought Harry was going to attack him, Snape narrowed his eyes and couldn't help muttering: Is that what Dumbledore was after?Allowing himself to piss Potter off so he can be disarmed?Do you want to resist?

But Harry had put away his wand and given up on the idea of ​​using a Patronus to deliver the message.He was quite sure that he read the hint Dumbledore gave him correctly, and last night Dumbledore also clearly told him that he would deal with the soul fragments on his body after dinner.

But since there are other professors present, it means that the principal does have other matters that need to be dealt with urgently.

Not many know the existence of Horcruxes.

"Where did Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick go?" Harry asked Snape calmly. "I saw them go out of the hall."

Snape looked at him quietly for two seconds, and just when Harry thought he was still getting nothing, he said:
"They went to pick up a guy at the school gate. Who was that guy? Oh, Potter, I guess you meant to ask that? You're always curious about things that don't concern you... But, I can tell you, They were ordered to bring the ex-headmaster's brother, I suppose, as a farewell? You see, Dumbledore did want to see someone, but it wasn't you."

Harry paid no attention to Snape's sarcasm, and froze in place.

That's right... Dumbledore is no longer the headmaster, he handed in his resignation.It wasn't until this moment that Harry was in the mood to think about the impact the news had brought to him. An emotion called sadness surged in his stomach, and he couldn't help but recall every bit of his time with Dumbledore.

……

"I'm dying, Minerva, Felix." In the headmaster's office, Dumbledore said softly.

Professor McGonagall was stunned.

Not only because of this news, but like a wonderful drama at the end, all the previous suspense and clues are strung together, and they are about to be answered, allowing her to gain some insight when she is unexpected and overwhelmed:

From Dumbledore's various abnormal behaviors at the beginning of this school year (she is not unacceptable), to Dumbledore's sudden resignation as headmaster this afternoon, and after Dumbledore sent Pomona and Felius not long ago, Baba Professor Saut's attitude is quite wrong.

Professor McGonagall could see that Professor Bagshot was imposing patience.

When only he, Dumbledore, Felix and himself were left in the principal's office, Professor Bagshot finally couldn't hold back and asked Dumbledore loudly what he was going to do.The subsequent development was even more strange. Dumbledore handed him a book of fairy tales with a guilty face to pass the time when he was bored, and said that he would find time to write to him.

Reminiscent of the trip that Dumbledore said in the afternoon, Professor McGonagall barely understood.

But then a nasty thing happened: Felix shot Professor Bagshot in the back, knocking him out.As if they had agreed, Dumbledore stepped forward, hugged Professor Bagshot who was out of control, and staggered him to the sofa.

After Dumbledore stuffed The Tales of Beedle the Bard into the pocket of Professor Bagshot's robe and put a cushion under his neck, he turned to the other two and said the above words.

Professor McGonagall stared intently into Dumbledore's face.

If it was a prank, he would usually compromise at this time, but Dumbledore looked at her without hesitation at the moment.

"It's not April Fool's day, Dumbledore!" she yelled. "If you were hoping to scare me, you did, you did... oh my God..." She choked up suddenly, eyes watering full of tears.

"Tell me, Albus, it's not true," she said weakly.

Dumbledore repeated what he had just said in a weak but firm tone, "I'm sorry, Minerva, but I am indeed going to die."

Tears welled up in his eyes and flowed down Professor McGonagall's no longer young cheeks.

"But—you said—travel—" she asked as if grasping at the last straw.

"That's false," said Dumbledore calmly. "It's a trick I devised. Calm down, Minerva, you're a warrior who has been through two wizarding wars. Look at Felix—"

"Don't take me with you." Felix said bluntly from the side.

Dumbledore shook his head slightly.

"Well. To the sane, death is just another great adventure. I'm not afraid of death. What really scares me is the people in this world who are worth remembering...for that I have prepared this. Phee Lex, can I ask you a favor?"

Dumbledore asked politely. Felix and Professor McGonagall followed his gaze and placed two large boxes on the left side of the long-legged desk.Felix moved his lips and didn't speak, but the two boxes floated up out of nowhere and landed on the open space between the three of them.

"That's it." Dumbledore nodded approvingly, and said, "Excuse me—"

"Click!"

"Click!"

With two crisp sounds, the lid popped open.Felix looked at the box, which was stuffed with letters.

"I was inspired by the incident with Miss Lovegood - as my status is still useful, I hope that after my death, you will keep it secret. These letters will help you, I have deliberately classified them, and they can easily be read. Distinguish clearly. It only needs to send a few letters at a later date, or occasionally mention what I saw on the trip in public, to create a false impression. Oh, yes."

Dumbledore looked at Felix happily: "Your clone magic will probably come in handy. You have experience playing me."

Felix knew what the words meant.He had disguised himself as Dumbledore in the depths of Voldemort's memory, and to some extent, he was indeed experienced.

Professor McGonagall shook violently.

"Albus, why did you keep us here? To send letters after you die, pretending that you are still alive somewhere in the world?" she said loudly, but her face turned pale.

Those blue eyes seem to have infinite tolerance and understanding.

"I know it's difficult, but believe me, I have reasons why I must. After tonight, you can ask Felix for more detailed information."

There was a noise outside.

"Here I come! Albus, let's see what you have to say!" Aberforth's roar came from afar.

"Okay, Minerva, cheer up!" Dumbledore said sternly, and after he finished speaking, he looked at Fox, who was lying on the perch, sickly, and seemed to be covered with black and red. ash.

"Fox," he said softly.

Phoenix stood up and looked at Dumbledore. "Take him to Minerva's office." Fox responded in a low voice, spread his wings and landed on the unconscious Grindelwald. With a flash of fire, one person and one bird disappeared.

Dumbledore turned his head and said to Professor McGonagall: "Minerva, I need you to return to the office now. Pomona will bring some people to see you. They are law enforcement officers of the International Federation of Wizards and have been ordered to transfer—"

"Professor Bagshot?" asked Professor McGonagall in surprise.

Dumbledore nodded.

"Pay attention to confidentiality."

"But, Albus, he's—"

"Let Felix explain to you later," Dumbledore cut off the conversation, "my brother is here, don't let him come up, I'm worried that he will use violence, he has been very critical of me recently...By the way let Ha Li also came over, he should have been waiting for a while."

The noise outside was getting louder, so his words seemed very convincing.Professor McGonagall gave him a deep look, "It's an honor to work with you, Albus."

"Me too, Minerva." Dumbledore smiled at her.

Professor McGonagall left in a hurry, seeming to have tripped at the door, and when the door closed again, there was a clear sound of breathing outside.

The spacious office returned to silence. Although a more irritable person will be ushered in soon, at least it is quiet at the moment.

Dumbledore slowly moved to the edge of the sofa, and sat down close to where Grindelwald had just been lying.

"Put those letters away, Felix. I've never been able to figure out Aberforth's temper. If he insists on reading it, I'll be in trouble."

"Hiding it with him?" Felix asked softly.

"Maybe. In his mind, I have always been an irresponsible brother. It's good to keep this impression, but I can't control it that far. If you plan to tell him, it's better to wait a while."

Felix put away the two boxes of letters.

"I thought you'd survive because—"

"Because of Ariana?" Dumbledore asked softly, Felix nodded at him, and the old man laughed. "You forgot, Felix, there is another me in classroom seven."

"The 13-year-old Ariana should be surrounded by the 17-year-old Albus Dumbledore, instead of waking up with two more old men's brothers. I made my own proposal and didn't let her keep the memory of the last year of her life. , That was too cruel for her, but she has soul power, which makes her different from ordinary memories and ghosts, and is more real... If one day she gets tired, she also has the right to decide her own destiny."

The door burst open from the outside.

"Albus! And that bastard!" Aberforth's burly body rushed in, followed by Harry, Snape and Flitwick. "I don't know what kind of rhetoric you used this time—"

When he found that there were only two people in the room, he froze.

"What about him?" Aberforth asked fiercely, licking his lips.

"Going away," said Dumbledore, closing his eyes.Aberforth made an odd expression, and for a moment Harry next to him thought he was going to yell, but Aberforth just stared sullenly at Dumbledore.

"Forget you..." He muttered, and after a while he said, "Where's the key?"

Dumbledore opened his eyes and looked at Felix.Felix stretched out his hand expressionlessly, countless small ancient runes gathered between his fingers, and finally condensed into a real key.He tossed the key to Aberforth.

"Filius, please make another trip and take Aberforth to classroom seven," said Dumbledore.

"Oh, er, yes, Headmaster Dumbledore," said Professor Flitwick resignedly. "Dumbley - well, follow me please."

Aberforth stared at the key in his hand, then looked at Dumbledore sitting on the sofa, "Thank you." He muttered vaguely, and left with the short Professor Flitwick.

In the office, Dumbledore, Felix, Harry and Snape were left at the moment.

Snape's eyes turned around in the office, and finally fell on Dumbledore, "Do you still need me to guard the door? There are many professors gathered below, and they all want to know more inside information. I don't know if you have heard Hagrid's loud voice...Professor McGonagall walked away in a hurry without saying anything."

"Is Pomona back?" Dumbledore asked.

"As far as I know, not yet," Snape whispered.

"Thank you, Severus."

Snape stared at Dumbledore for a moment, his expression turned cold, he flung off his sleeves, and left the office with a stern face.Without realizing it, Dumbledore beckoned Harry to sit across from him.

"Harry, Harry," Dumbledore almost murmured, "I've thought about it for a long time, and I've been hesitant to tell you directly, maybe you will burst out with great strength if you just passively accept your predetermined fate like this. ..."

"I'm dying?" Harry asked, his voice trembling slightly, but his eyes were calm.

Dumbledore looked at him lovingly, and after a while, he spoke again.

"You'll survive eventually, I promise you, Harry. It's just—yeah, you do need to die once." With some difficulty, he took out the Resurrection Stone ring from his pocket, put it on himself, and Harry and Felix stared at his hand, which, though thin and long, shimmered at the moment.

Dumbledore shook the ring, "Look, I will protect you."

Harry pursed his lips, "What should I do?"

"You have to be killed by Voldemort once, it has to be him, for reasons you can guess without me telling you. Voldemort is now transferred to the Slytherin Chamber of Secrets. Felix and I have made some changes there to allow you to let go Hands and feet. Of course, you can't just appear in front of Voldemort like this, he knows you are a Horcrux, and he can't kill you."

"That--"

"But now there happens to be one person in the school who can appear before Voldemort without fear of arousing any suspicion—I'm not saying that Voldemort trusts him, on the contrary, it's likely—"

"Snape!" said Harry suddenly.

"It's Professor Snape." Dumbledore stopped talking and said with a smile in his eyes, "It seems you understand."

Harry nodded.

"I need a weapon, my own wand won't work."

"Severus is outside." Dumbledore nodded, "Oh, yes, maybe you will use it - Voldemort's wand is in the left drawer of my desk, have you seen it, the handle Like a beast's paw."

Harry was silent for a moment, stood up, walked around the sofa, opened the drawer of the long-legged table and took out a wand from it.

After thinking for a while, Harry put his wand on the table.

"Will you accompany me?" He walked to the door and looked at Dumbledore.

"Yes I will."

Dumbledore smiled and nodded.

The door closed behind him, and Harry heard a crisp phoenix cry.He was in a daze for a few seconds, took a deep breath, and the spiral staircase began to descend. Finally, the wall in front of him cracked and the light from the corridor came in.

There were six or seven professors gathered in the corridor. They were talking in low voices while looking towards the stone monster.

"Harry!" Hagrid yelled, waving his arms at him to beckon him over.

But Harry walked straight up to Snape, and the two stared at each other.

"I need your wand."

Snape looked at him indifferently.

"I need your wand - to avenge her," Harry finished.

Snape slowly took his wand out of his robes, staring at him with blank eyes, his voice hoarse.

"Birch, thirteen and a half inches, with a dragon heartstring core."

"Thanks," said Harry, flicking his wand twice, as if trying to feel it in his hand, and pointing the tip at himself.Hagrid made a loud inhalation sound.

Harry's face began to deform, his stature was elongated, his figure became more slender, his skin color was dull, and the scar on his forehead disappeared little by little...

He turned into Snape.

Then Harry pointed his wand at himself again, and his clothes changed into a baggy black robe.

Hagrid looked shocked and rubbed his eyes vigorously, half of the words were stuck in his throat and he couldn't speak.The other professors were also taken aback.Someone whispered: "Animagus can greatly improve the level of Transfiguration."

"But Potter has only mastered it for less than two months."

Harry was quickly adapting to the changes in his body. He recalled Snape's walking posture in his mind, and found that it was surprisingly familiar. He took a few steps back and forth, and quickly found the feeling——his strides were meteoric, and the black hem of his clothes Raised high, like two deadly poisonous snakes.Hagrid stopped and grinned as he passed.

Hagrid looked as if he had seen a ghost.

(End of this chapter)