The Pacifist Necromancer of Hogwarts

It was dark outside the window, but the lights in the principal's office were brightly lit. Fox was pecking the tip of the Sorting Hat, while Dumbledore was sitting behind the table wearing a wizard robe woven with golden stars, his long silver beard and half-moon glasses shining in the candlelight.

Welcome, Henry, said Dumbledore. Thank you, Minerva, Severus.

From the moment Anthony's slipper stepped into the principal's office, Fox flew to the top of the cabinet. The cat's eyes followed this big bird that it had never seen before, and it looked very interested.

Albus, not Henry, Professor McGonagall said firmly, He -

Dumbledore interrupted her with a smile, and also stopped Snape who was about to say something: I don't think it's Henry either. He glanced at Anthony's clothes mixed with dust and blood, If you don't mind, , I want to talk to him alone.

Just reminding you, Headmaster. Snape said coldly, The Devil's Net proves that only one person went down.

He walked out with Professor McGonagall, closing the office door behind him.

…

After consuming half the plate of cookies, Anthony finally finished his story, yawned a little, and reached out to pet his cat. The armchair in the principal's office was surprisingly comfortable, and the cat was napping in his lap. With Dumbledore's help, his dressing gown, pajamas and slippers were all clean.

Oh, oh, Dumbledore sighed, Henry, I didn't expect such a thing to happen at all. Let's put it this way, Quirrell is actually Voldemort.

Wha-what?

Quirrell is actually Voldemort. At least he is doing things for Voldemort. Dumbledore repeated, The corridor on the third floor is a trap...well, not exactly a trap. He is very cautious and always suspects that it is a trap, Severus Si threatened him several times to make him believe that we really had something inside - I must admit, we also doubted you - we originally wanted to trap him in a small room... It was very empty and the walls were It has been extra reinforced and there are no students nearby... In short, it is very suitable for arresting people.

But I prevented him from entering the house, said Anthony, sleepily. Gradually he began to understand what was happening. He let Voldemort go.

But the next second, he couldn't help blurting out: Wait, you already knew that he had a problem? Are you planning to catch Voldemort in the school?

Ah, Henry. Dumbledore couldn't help but smile a little, Minerva told me you would say that. Don't worry, we have sufficient evidence to show that he did not dare to confront each other in the school corridor or any classroom. Student. He has more important things to do here. With this greedy desire, I bet you that once he enters the last room, he will never want to leave.

What's in the last room?

Just like he told you, the secret of immortality. Dumbledore said easily, and a magnifying glass of desire. A cage specially prepared for him.

oh……

I think he must be desperate to get rid of the unicorn curse. Dumbledore said. You know, sometimes I really don't understand what he is thinking. He didn't dare to go to Madam Pomfrey, so he chose Attack the unicorn in the Forbidden Forest.

Speaking of unicorns, I guess, he went to my office... Anthony recalled. After coming back from the pet rescue center, my office was a mess and Quirrell was injured. I later found out that he had been My cat scratched me.”

Dumbledore nodded in agreement: Yes, like I said, I think he is a little too impatient.

Do you think... Anthony hesitated, Do you think he killed the unicorn because he was scratched by a cat?

He couldn't restrain himself from thinking about all the what-ifs. If he had not indulged in the warm fantasy, if he had discovered Quirrell's strangeness earlier, if he had not talked to Quirrell about resurrection and the soul, if Quirrell had not been injured, if he had not followed tonight, if he There was no loss of control, if he discovered Voldemort... At every point, he could think of another way things would develop.

As if he knew what he was thinking, Dumbledore said gently: I doubt it, Henry. Voldemort is very weak now, which is why the things in the school have so much appeal to him. Even without yours Cat... He smiled at the ginger cat who was sleeping with his face buried in Anthony's dressing gown. I think he won't be able to hold on for long. By then, he will still choose to kill innocent creatures. This is just It’s a matter of time.”

When the unicorn dies, you know—just know—

No, I must say, I just had some suspicions at the time. Dumbledore said, But, you see, people will have such problems as they get older... I often worry that my suspicions are too severe. . But then again, I also have an old friend who is even more suspicious, and he often scolds me for trusting others too much.

Anthony was speechless for a moment, but luckily his mouse woke up and crawled out of an orange wizard's hat that Dumbledore had placed on the table. Dumbledore gave it half a cookie. The mouse hugged politely but did not eat.

Henry, you did it perfectly. Dumbledore took a bite of the remaining half of the cookie. If there is any problem, it is that Quirinus is unfortunately - or luckily - just the same as you. We bumped into each other, and you are beyond our expectations. I should actually tell you, but... He shook his head and said easily, It doesn't matter, we will have you by our side in the future. I will This is our biggest gain this semester, perhaps even bigger than catching Voldemort.

Anthony was still a little unbelievable: But Professor Quirrell - Quirrell... I even thought Voldemort was dead?

After he entered the magic world, all the history of magic he took during tutoring told him this. To him, Voldemort represented nothing more than a closer goblin rebellion.

Coco testified that he had never imagined eating lamb stew with the sloppy Lara.

Yeah, I guess he's a little tougher than people think, Dumbledore said. He even got me an urgent letter from the Ministry of Magic somehow, otherwise we should have...

At this point in time? Anthony asked, unable to believe that Dumbledore would be transferred by such childish means.

Dumbledore said quietly: Once you interact with them for a while, you will realize that the time makes the letter more credible, Henry.

…

After settling the doubts that nearly burst through his chest, Dumbledore took some time to try and analyze with him what had happened. But Anthony had some resistance to it - at this point, he didn't really want to remember why he hadn't swallowed the weak Voldemort in one gulp, leaving him flailing in his stomach like a toad mint.

Moreover, Anthony found it difficult to describe the scene in words. It's not enough to just say I feel like I'm that troll or I feel like I can eat life right away, he has to try to describe that thing between edible and inedible, and that seems to be a Grow something beyond the Hogwarts Headmaster's recipe.

Beyond that, there's a simpler reason. He didn't want to tell anyone that he almost ate another person. To this day, thinking back to when he tried to drag out Quirrell's soul still made him frightened, even more than letting Voldemort escape.

So he simply said that he used necromancy and other means to scare Voldemort away. Facing Dumbledore's seemingly penetrating gaze, he felt that the old man in front of him must know what he was deliberately hiding, but he repeated guiltily and firmly: Undead magic.

Okay, undead magic. Dumbledore sighed. Before I really face death, I don't think I have anything to comment on it. And, if I must say it, I think Voldemort must be frightened by you. Henry...when he's forced to face what he sadly wanted to escape from, I hope it wakes him up a little bit.

Then, like a bolt of lightning piercing the dark night, Anthony suddenly understood the meaning of the topic that Dumbledore had given him. He suddenly understood why Dumbledore asked him about his research progress many times, and why he encouraged himself to tell him all the methods he thought of every time he asked if he had any ideas.

Because Dumbledore always thought Voldemort would come back.

You told me to study resurrection! Anthony said angrily.

Yeah, Henry.

——But I should actually study immortality! Anthony said, This is not a thing at all!

…

I was a little out of control. Anthony reflected, It was actually very dangerous. I had sworn to myself, but at that moment, I think I almost forgot about it. I don't know if I really let Will my consciousness, dominated by undead magic, be able to wake up like last time? I don't dare to rely too much on probability.

Last time? Dumbledore asked.

You have investigated it. Anthony said, The community I was in before my resurrection, the one that made the Ministry of Magic think I was a bad wizard crawling out of the mud to scare Muggles... There was a Mr. Wright in the community, and I I almost hurt him when I was delirious - I think I almost killed him - only to wake up in time. He said helplessly, I know, I think necromancy can be really scary sometimes. It Too good at killing.”

I hope not all necromancers have such abilities, I really do, said Dumbledore. Fortunately, historically speaking, you probably do seem to be special. Even if I don't know what necromancers usually are. , but by simple assumption, they shouldn't be too difficult for any living creature to fight against. Unfortunately, that means you have to go your own way.

I see.

The sky outside the window has turned from thick darkness to deep blue, and a little light is faintly revealed close to the ground. The birds of the Forbidden Forest began to sing.

If you don't mind, I want to know how you... Dumbledore did not continue, From your description, when you cannot control the undead magic, but are controlled by it, you almost lose your mind. .”

Anthony knew immediately what he was worried about. I have very strict orders not to harm humans, he said.

Dumbledore said softly: But today...

Yes, I was a little out of control today, Anthony said. But - please allow me to defend myself - in my eyes at that time, he was actually not very human anymore.

Dumbledore said seriously: Even so, Henry, even so.

Anthony admitted, Yes, even so. Do you have any advice? Should I restrain myself more carefully, or should I understand myself more deeply?

Ah, good question. Dumbledore mused. How to live with yourself, Henry, is a problem that many people cannot solve throughout their lives. But your situation is a little different... You mentioned that you once You have practiced necromancy with relative restraint, right?”

Anthony nodded. His cat finally woke up, and while stretching, he mercilessly scratched a few holes in Dumbledore's dressing gown, then jumped down, walked around Anthony, and settled on the legs of the armchair. It began to sharpen the claws that had scratched Voldemort.

As if he couldn't hear the harsh scratching sound, Dumbledore said calmly: While practicing, you might as well try to understand magic. You know, magic is not a pool of stagnant water, it is flowing, active, and active. Body temperature—even lost magic, even necromancy.”

Anthony lifted the cat into his arms and ignored the long bloody scratches on his arms: I thought you would suggest that I resign.

What, do I have this option? Dumbledore pretended to be surprised, and then laughed, No, Henry, not when you have done nothing bad, not when you are still looking for your own path. .Hogwarts is a school of magic, and you, from a certain perspective, are still a first-year student.

Anthony stared at him, and Dumbledore said gently: Hogwarts welcomes every lost little wizard.

…

You know, you've been accused of harboring dark wizards and dangerous magical animals? Anthony said before leaving, I sometimes don't even know if I should still be in school, given how dangerous I am.

Dumbledore said calmly: I know, but this is a solid castle and I am the headmaster.

And you're a tough old madman to deal with, Anthony said thoughtfully.

Oh, half right. Dumbledore smiled, Don't worry, Henry, in my eyes, it is very beneficial to have a dedicated professor in the castle, at least it is much better than the replaced snacks in the lounge. , even better than having a dragon in the backyard.”

How - how do you know, sir? asked Anthony in surprise. They did it quite covertly, and Dumbledore wasn't in school at the time.

Dumbledore said slyly: You don't think I really have that many meetings, do you, Henry?