The Mysterious Return of Hogwarts

"I think Severus will probably not be able to participate in our next meeting. Minerva, what about you, would you like to go to my office for a cup of tea?"

Dumbledore trusted Minerva McGonagall, and so did she.

But it's strange that he always lets down the people who trust him.

Minerva and Neo retracted their wands at the same time, but the former's expression was still filled with uncontrollable hatred, while Neo was much calmer. Now that he has put on Voldemort's coat, it would be better to get used to such eyes as soon as possible.

Being unknown and being kind to others are only things that mediocre people like.

The war did not start at the moment of the first meeting. The 'One-Eyed' Moody in the shadow breathed a sigh of relief, but he also had an indescribable feeling. He was a key member of the Order of the Phoenix. He learned from Quirrell under Dumbledore. After finding out the truth about the Azkaban incident, he was naturally the first group of people to know.

He came to Hogwarts thinking he was going to help him in the upcoming battle.

But Lucius sent another message from Neo to "sit down and talk."

This old Auror, who risked his life to prevent disaster in the last wizarding war, intuitively felt that the talks were just a conspiracy to cover up some more secret atrocities, but he was very reluctant to ask the local leaders if they were willing to come. Wu Dedi proposed a decapitation operation, and Dumbledore thought about it and decided to try it.

But the old man also said pessimistically: "We can't do anything about Tom. Only when the child grows up can this really end. Everything before this should be regarded as paving the way to eliminate the intensity of the disaster."

Until he saw Snape kneeling on the ground sadly from the principal's office, Dumbledore realized that he was indeed right. The child in front of him was more terrifying than he was ten years ago.

"You are still so good at understanding and utilizing human nature, Tom."

This is an irony. When the young Tom gathered a group of friends in the school, he and Dumbledore said similar things. Dumbledore said at the time that those were not real friends, but Tom was not angry at all except being embarrassed. Didn't listen to his advice.Dumbledore used this sentence to say that Tom has not changed at all over the years and is still a selfish egoist.

Neo folded his hands in front of him, and touched the ring between his index fingers at the moment when his palms crossed. The gold was rough, the obsidian was cold, but the heart was warm and hurtful.

"If you really cared about Severus, you should have appeared next to him right now and handed him a handkerchief instead of saying... sarcastic remarks to me here."

"I am Voldemort, but I have accomplished everything I promised to my friends. What about you?"

Dumbledore found that he could not go to the principal's office, but fortunately the dark corridor in front of him was a suitable place for negotiation.

"So, you attacked Azkaban?"

Neo stroked his fingers. The old man's sudden question was obviously awe-inspiring with magic power. He was indeed angry because of this incident, but Neo chose to come tonight not for boring killings.

Both men understood this.

"I'm just here to talk to you about this matter."

"The Death Eaters are my family. Shouldn't I give them freedom? Principal Dumbledore, if your fellow Order of the Phoenix are in danger, shouldn't you... Oh, I forgot, don't you?" You will help them because you are just an ordinary old man."

Neo's words were heartbreaking, pointing directly at the old man's original inaction, and Dumbledore's face was stained with sadness.

The rolling dark clouds blocked the moonlight, and the flames on the wall lengthened the shadows of everyone. Minerva obviously wanted to say something, but Dumbledore was present, and the only person qualified to confront Neo in that scene could not It's her again.

Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate.

What was there to talk about with this evil executioner and insidious killer in front of her? Minerva looked at Neo at this time. His immature face was prettier than many young wizards she had seen who had just entered school, but she I believe that wrapped under this delicate skin must be a heart more disgusting than snakes and toads.

"Tell me why you're here. It's just weak words. It's not like your usual style." Dumbledore said firmly, "Although the world says that I am different and the only person who makes Voldemort afraid, I don't think you will." I also think so. You could have killed me at Malfoy Manor. That night, I clearly remember being obsessed with the dream about the teacup, but you didn't take action. You also had many opportunities after that... ..”

"Then I have to explain why I don't kill you because you are not afraid of me."

Neo emphasized the word 'fear'.

"Even the Death Eaters can't do this, even if they stand next to me, so close to me, so people can't be alone. I don't mean in meaningless social interactions that waste life, but in meaningless social interactions. When you really want to do something, will you join me, Dumbledore, to make some...good changes in the wizarding world?"

win over?

This was the first time Dumbledore met Tom like this. From the first time they met in childhood, this child had a heartfelt alienation from everyone, so his interactions were always utilitarian. But this time, looking at Neo, he was filled with The expectant look in his eyes was real, he really hoped that he could stand next to him.

He didn't understand that Neo hoped that Peter Pettigrew would accept it, and that he had the same look when he was studying the living Animagus.

Still utilitarian, but more pure, for magic.

"I didn't expect that." Dumbledore calmed down. In addition to wanting to keep Tom here tonight, he also wanted to get some useful information out of him, so he did not directly reject this ridiculous proposal. Questions were raised.

"I don't understand. What is the good change you are talking about?"

Minerva heard the word come out of Dumbledore's mouth and smiled sarcastically, directed at Neo.

He shook his head and understood, which was obviously more difficult to achieve than fear and admiration. Fortunately, he had perseverance and the tolerance to treat other people's prejudices calmly.

"Then let me tell you my plan. You may want to hear this more. The Dark Lord himself tells his conspiracy. Isn't this the prelude for the heroes to defeat him..."

"I love magic. There is no doubt about it. After all, if you don't love magic, you won't be able to have the power you have today."

"So, I often think about how thousands of years have passed since magical civilization. Wizards have gone from conquering magical animals and controlling the natural world to being reduced to bugs in the corner of mainstream civilization...I don't want to express my disapproval of Muggles. hostility, believe me, Grindelwald's old path is not suitable for me... What I want to say is that we are stagnant, and the stagnation of civilization is the same as regression, which makes me very sad."

Neo spoke sincerely, he didn't hurt anyone with his words, nor was he extreme, just sad.

"The ancient magic has not made any big progress today except for being more convenient and using magic wands. Of course, I have enough patience to wait for it to accumulate to a new era. I have imagined that by then magical civilization will once again be Prosperity, wizards may be able to step out...of this world, explore the universe, cross dimensions of space, and dialogue with greater truths..."

Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Moody, who was hiding in the darkness, were a little shocked. They were not moved by Neo's poor sketch, but were shocked that the Voldemort in front of them was so... childish.