Hogwarts: The Savior's Strong Cousin

In any case, looking at the pale bald head in the picture, with an expression even more painful than being hit by the "Cruciatus Curse", Dudley laughed happily.

Although there are many factors that contributed to Tom Riddle's corruption, objectively speaking, he was indeed a born bad person and he did real evil.

As for the wicked, they must be punished, including death, which is what they deserve.

Before that, Dudley didn't mind letting him feel deeply what pain was.

After a few casual words, Ron and Harry both believed Dudley's words - after all, Mr. Dursley's rudeness and impoliteness had already made them feel the stereotype of a simple-minded and strong-limbed person.

Except Harry was a little skeptical.

"It's a pity that Miss Granger is not here. Tsk, tsk, I wonder what she would see?"

Shrugging their shoulders, a few people sneaked back to the dormitory, pretending that nothing that happened tonight had happened.

However, Harry was still addicted to the charm of the Mirror of Erised. After all, it was the Mirror that allowed him to see his biological parents whom he had never met.

"By the way, find a chance to give this gift to Professor Dumbledore."

In the morning, after Ron warned Harry not to look into the magic mirror again, Dudley squeezed over and pressed a wrapped gift into Harry's hands.

"Why didn't cousin give it to him himself?"

Harry didn't understand.

Dudley spread his hands. He didn't really want to break the original story line, but he still remembered what Dumbledore had said back then.

Harry would always faithfully follow Dudley's instructions, so even when he secretly came to the Mirror of Erised again late at night, he did not forget to put the little gift in his arms.

"So—you're here again, Harry?"

Dumbledore's voice came from the darkness, his voice was kind, just like his white-haired face.

"I...I didn't see you, sir."

Harry was startled; he didn't expect to meet Dumbledore so late at night.

"So you, like hundreds of others before you, have discovered the joys of the Mirror of Erised."

"But I guess you already know its magic?"

At least when facing Harry, Dumbledore was still a very kind old gentleman.

"It? Oh, yes, it makes me see my family, my parents."

Harry's voice was still a little stiff. He was afraid that Dumbledore would deduct points from Gryffindor because of his sneaking.

"It also made your friend Ron see himself become student body president."

"how do you know……"

Harry was surprised to find that Professor Dumbledore had noticed their actions a long time ago.

"I don't need an invisibility cloak to be invisible."

As Dumbledore said this, he still thought of the strange scene that night.

He had witnessed with his own eyes the "heartwarming" scene of Dudley Dursley, with whom he had signed a vow, beating up Voldemort in the mirror. It was a restricted scene that was not allowed to be broadcast in children's literature.

Dumbledore had never imagined that the Dark Lord, who made everyone in the wizarding world feel insecure, could actually make such a miserable cry, as if the burly young man who was beating him was the real Dark Lord.

"It doesn't sound like a human voice."

The old naughty boy complained quietly. Harry couldn't hear what he was thinking, but in the dim moonlight, he could still see the extremely strange expression on Dumbledore's face.

The old and the young talked for a few words, and just when Dumbledore decided to put the mirror somewhere else, Harry suddenly thought of a question.

"So... Professor Dumbledore, what do you see in the mirror?"

Dumbledore was stunned for a moment, then smiled gently.

"Me? I see a pair of thick wool socks."

Harry opened his eyes wide and subconsciously touched the gift box in his arms.

"There are never enough socks," Dumbledore said as if complaining. "Christmas comes and goes and I don't get a single pair of socks, and yet people insist on giving me books."

Having said that, there was a hint of imperceptible loneliness in those wise and deep eyes.

Harry mustered up his courage and took out the gift box Dudley had given him.

"Although it's a little late...but, Merry Christmas, Mr. Dumbledore."

Dumbledore looked at the gift box in front of him in surprise. It was tied with colorful ribbons, but the workmanship was very crude, like a brown bear doing embroidery, and it felt very sloppy.

"Oh, thank you, Harry dear, can I open it and have a look?"

He subconsciously weighed the gift box and found it was very light, not like a bulky book. A hint of youthful expectation emerged in Dumbledore's old heart.

"of course."

Harry naturally would not refuse, or rather, he also wanted to see what kind of gift Dudley would give to Dumbledore.

Untie the ribbon, peel off the colored paper, and lift the box. A pair of half-length thick socks that can cover half of the calf appear in front of the old and the young.

Dumbledore's expression was a little dull. He blinked subconsciously and picked up the pair of red and white socks in disbelief.

"It looks like your wish has come true."

Harry laughed.

Then he saw Professor Dumbledore turned around, and his tall body seemed to tremble slightly.

"Professor Dumbledore? What's wrong with you? Are your socks not fitting?"

Dumbledore shook his head, took off his glasses inconspicuously, and wiped his slightly moist eyes.

"Of course not. I haven't been this happy in years."

"So, Harry, did you knit these socks yourself?"

Harry shook his head blankly. He had never touched anything involving needles and thread.

"This was given to me by my cousin Dudley... Oh, I didn't expect to meet you today."

If it were the clever Miss Granger, she would have probably doubted whether Dudley had some ability to predict the future. But for Harry, he just thought it was a beautiful coincidence.

"Thank him for me, and of course, I thank you, too, Harry."

Dumbledore's voice trembled a little, he blinked hard, and then touched Harry's head.

"It's getting late. Why don't you put on that wonderful Invisibility Cloak and go back to bed?"

Dumbledore finished speaking, and his figure seemed to disappear from Harry's sight in an instant.

And until Harry lay in bed and began to think about why Professor Dumbledore had such a reaction, he did not realize a problem.

In the UK, wool socks have a cozy meaning.

Affectionate.

Just like he would sit in front of the Mirror of Erised every night to meet his family.