CH72 : The inescapable prophecy
On the fourth floor of the castle, Felix soon met Dumbledore, who was standing in the corridor on the right. The headmaster stood by the window, waiting quietly.
"Why are you here on the fourth floor? I don't want to meet my end tragically for no reason," Felix joked.
Dumbledore turned around and said, "I need to ask you for a favor."
"Tell me," Felix nodded. He understood the value of the knowledge hidden in the Restricted Section of Hogwarts. As long as Dumbledore's request wasn't unreasonable, he saw no reason to refuse.
"Is it related to Quirrell and today's troll?" Felix inquired.
"Yes," Dumbledore affirmed, turning and leading Felix deeper into the corridor.
After a moment of thought, Dumbledore continued, "Voldemort, or rather, Riddle, is not yet defeated."
His gaze flickered. "You're referring to Riddle, my friend."
"Yes," Felix confirmed, walking alongside Dumbledore.
It appeared that Grindelwald's letter had indeed reached Dumbledore.
The good news was that Dumbledore did read his correspondence.
The bad news, however, was that Dumbledore had no intention of replying.
These thoughts passed swiftly through Felix's mind before he focused on Dumbledore's last statement.
"So Riddle isn't dead. Does that mean Quirrell is allied with Voldemort?"
Dumbledore wore a nonchalant expression, seemingly expecting Felix's lack of surprise.
"I have always suspected he survived. At his caliber, there are numerous ways to evade the killing curse. However, it wasn't until this year that I became certain of his survival."
"Is Quirrell involved?"
"Yes and no. Initially, Quirrell had no connection to Voldemort. But now, he is highly likely to have joined the Death Eaters," Dumbledore explained, reaching the depths of the fourth-floor corridor where they halted before a gate.
"I won't allow a Death Eater to teach at Hogwarts. Quirrell's transformation is undoubtedly linked to his experiences in Albania last year. Perhaps Voldemort once concealed himself there."
Felix glanced at the door, catching the scent of beasts seeping through the wooden cracks, even faintly hearing the snores within.
"It seems trolls are the least of our concerns. Who would have thought there are creatures more terrifying lurking here?" Felix sighed.
"You deliberately made those remarks at the opening feast. Weren't you concerned children might come out of curiosity and cause trouble? The Weasley brothers, for instance. I suspect they've ventured here at least once," Dumbledore remarked.
"Perhaps... though they may not have been able to open the door," Dumbledore added before slowly pushing it open. The clanging of chains filled the air as a three-headed dog stood, eyeing them warily.
"This is Fluffy, one of Hagrid's acquaintances. I've enlisted his help in guarding the Sorcerer's Stone," Dumbledore introduced before turning to Felix. "I've heard you're quite adept in music."
"I merely listen," Felix replied awkwardly. "Would you like some music?"
"It would be most welcome," Dumbledore nodded.
Felix raised his wand, conducting in the air. The eerie melody of a piano filled the space, haunting and discomforting.
Lu Wei, however, seemed unperturbed. Its eyelids drooped, and its menacing growls faded. Eventually, it succumbed to a deep slumber.
Dumbledore shook his head. The music was unsettling, to say the least.
"Music possesses a unique enchantment. What's the name of this piece?" Dumbledore inquired.
"'Halloween Theme,' a soundtrack from a horror movie. Quite fitting for the occasion, don't you think?" Felix smiled, halting the wand's movements.
"You suspect Quirrell with high probability. Have you attempted Legilimency on him?" Felix asked.
"Indeed, I have, but he resisted," Dumbledore admitted. "Few can resist my Legilimency, and Quirrell is certainly not among them."
Dumbledore led Felix over the trapdoor, descending into darkness. Several devil's snares lurched upward, only to be swiftly severed by Felix.
"Pomona's handiwork?" Felix asked.
Dumbledore nodded.
Felix followed, looking suspicious. "I don't believe she doesn't have a better choice. chomping cabbage is better than this, but two underage mandrakes are even more troublesome."
Dumbledore just smiled and did not answer directly. Instead, he led Felix through room after room, until he stepped across the flames and walked to an empty room in the deepest part.
"Although Riddle is not dead, I can conclude that his condition is definitely not good. So in order to lure him out, I made a bold decision."
As he spoke, a golden stone the size of a walnut appeared in his hand.
"Is this the philosopher's stone ?" Felix wondered.
Dumbledore nodded. "That's Vault 713, what I asked Hagrid to pick up. I believe it will definitely attract Voldemort."
"That's true," Felix nodded in agreement, then changed the subject with a disapproving look:
"So, you're using these childish things to hinder Riddle? A devil's net, a group of keys with wings, even equipped with broomsticks. There's also a chess game, a troll, a logic game... Dumbledore, are you kidding me? Don't you think this is more like a breakout game?"
Saying that, Felix looked at Dumbledore. "Who are you setting this game for? Harry?"
Dumbledore hesitated, then nodded. He brought Felix here because he wanted to disclose all of this to show his sincerity. Otherwise, when the matter is finally over, the remaining trust between him and Felix may vanish, possibly even pushing this powerful wizard who suddenly appeared in the opposite direction.
"Why?" Felix suddenly asked. "Is he important? Do you really regard him as the savior who killed Voldemort?"
"Because of the prophecy," Dumbledore said. "Someone prophesied back then that the one who would kill Voldemort would be a child born at the end of July, that is Harry."
"Prophecy? Are you doing this too?!" Felix looked at him in surprise. "If that's the case, I may have to change my view of you."
"You don't understand," Dumbledore shook his head seriously and made a rare rebuttal to Felix. "Felix, I recognize your strength, but you haven't noticed the despair in this world."
"Despair..." Felix was stunned.
This was not the first time he had heard this word. Grindelwald also said this. He no longer predicts the future, because the more he predicts, the deeper despair he feels.
"Despair of the world?" Felix looked at Dumbledore, trying to glean more information from his eyes.
"Yes, the despair of the world," a sense of futility flashed through his old eyes.
"Believe me, no one can ignore the prophecy. Maybe you think this is stupid. But think about it, why do Gellert and Riddle believe so much in it?"
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Translator Note's :
Sorry that i didn't publish translated chapter yesterday my laptop is broken ( i don't know how much time it will take to repair it as it's a backamarket laptop and i have the repair option) and i kinda dislike using my phone doing it but i did it anyway today( and it happened when the graphic card of my main computer reached the end of it's life but it didn't resurrect after 3 days. It was an rx 5600 xt but i could only replace it for a gtx 1660S for the moment, I should receive it at the during the week end or just at the end of the week.