Hogwarts.

  This majestic castle, with its intricate architecture and om magical aura, has bee the dream school for tless wizards and witches. The outer walls, built from massive gray stones, have withstood wind, frost, rain, and snow, remaining unyieldingly strong, as if each stone has withe rise and growth of tless wizards.

  The spacious halls, winding corridors, the library brimming with books, and the unique headmaster's office are all part of the childhood memories that many wizards cherish, even into old age. Every year, at the start of the school term, people gather here.

  "Fawkes, you've been flying out a lot these days. Is there something new outside that's caught your attention?" Dumbledore asked while watg the fiery red figure soar in through the window.

  With the school term yet to begin, the atmosphere in the castle was somewhat quiet. All the students were on holiday, and even the professors had returo their homes. Only a few, like Snape and Dumbledore, remai the school. They weren't homeless; they just... no longer felt the warmth of home.

  "Screech~"

  The high-pitched call indicated that the Phoenix was in a good mood.

  "The school term is about to start. You 't run around the school; you'll scare the kids." Dumbledently groomed the slightly disheveled feathers of his Phoenix. This was one of his few sourusement.

  For Saying at the school felt no different than being at home. And for Dumbledore, he cked the ce to face Godric's Hollow again. Yes, ce. Many people only see the glory and strength of Albus Dumbledore; few see through his dazzling aura to the lonelihat envelops the headmaster of Hogwarts.

  When a Gryffindor loses ce, it's a clear sign that he has fallen into the abyss, pletely lost.

  "If you really want to find something to do, perhaps you could help me look for the Chamber again." Dumbledore didn't fully uand the nguage of Phoenixes, but that didn't mean the Phoenix couldn't uand human speebsp;

  "Screech! Screech! Screech!" The Phoenix seemed to agree. Dumbledore could sehis emotionally.

  "Thank you." He took out some snacks. However, the fiery red Phoenix perched on Dumbledore's arm, disdainfully ign the treats he offered, instead letting out a clear cry toward the outside of the school.

  "Severus." Dumbledore looked up and sae walking into the school, his demeanor heavy. Judging from the dire he came from, Dumbledore could guess where Snape had been. "You finally went to see that pitiful child."

  Dumbledore's figure vanished from the office window, only to reappear in the castle passage where Snape had ehis was the magic of Fawkes the Phoenix. Although the rules within Hogwarts castle might not necessarily restrict a wizard like Dumbledore, he rarely broke the araditions of the school.

  "That damn kid is not pitiful at all." Snape seemed startled by Dumbledore's sudden appearance, but upon hearing his words, he couldn't help but twitch his face, recalling the horrifying se he had just witnessed. Even dabbling in dark magic— could that really be called pitiful?

  "Don't always suppress your emotions; that child needs your care." Dumbledore's voice carried a peaceful, almost magical quality. He patiently advised Snape. Many believed that Dumbledore only used Snape or felt pity for him.

  However, the truth was that Dumbledore saw his own past reflected in Snape. Perhaps the details were different, but Dumbledore was likely the one who could empathize with She most.

  Both had pursued extreme paths and experienced sudden awakenings due to unforeseen ges. Only, unlike him, Snape now had the opportunity for redemption.

  "I admit that my previous words were somewhat extreme. He only has you as a retive; if even you want to reject him, he will have no oo rely on in this world." Dumbledenuinely hoped to see in Snape what he himself could not hope for.

  Of course, he was also sidering Ian, the orphan. Having a wizard like So rely on would undoubtedly make the future path of a young wizard much easier.

  "..." Snape's eyes flickered slightly, rarely refraining from refuting. "Ian is doing well in Hogsmeade vilge. I see he is adapting... to life in the wizarding world." Snape's expression was slightly unnatural as he spoke.

  Dumbledore didn't mind. "He take care of a group of children; of course, he knows how to take care of himself." After all, Dumbledore had personally ducted a background che Ian. He knew a lot about Ian's situation.

  "Hmph! That kid! He's just taking too good care of himself!" Snape gritted his teeth, the memory of what he had seen making his blood pressure rise.

  "Isn't that a good thing?" Dumbledore chuckled softly, clearly unaware of the full picture.

  "..." Snape shot Dumbledore a strange look, choosing not to say anything else. He simply shook his head, bypassed Dumbledore, and headed back to his office. He still had a potion brewing.

  "Perhaps you should bring him to live with you in the castle," Dumbledore suggested to Snape's retreating figure.

  "I don't want to be driven to madness just yet." Snape's voice was cold as he dragged his robe behind him and tinued walking. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he stopped and turned back. Dumbledore was still standing there, holding the Phoenix.

  "Albus." Snape hesitated before speaking. "What year were you in when you learned plex magid how long did it take?" The Potions professor stared ily at his headmaster.

  This made Dumbledore slightly puzzled. "Although the outside world praises my magical talent, in fact, I am just slightly more talented," Dumbledore replied modestly. "If my old brain remembers correctly, it should have been iernoon of my sed year. That was not the magic I should have been exposed to at the time; it took a whole afternoon."

  For most wizards, this would definitely be Dumbledore's moment of boasting. However, Snape's response was different.

  "Damn, it seems your fame is somewhat undeserved..." Snape sighed, his expression growing more worried as he turo leave.

  "????" Dumbledore was momentarily stuhen, he seemed to realize something. A trace of... horror fshed in his eyes behind his gsses.

  (End of Chapter)

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