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chapter 159 part 1
Chapter 156: Curse Master Tom (Four Thousand Words)
'I got a pile of copies from Mr. Filch for students to transcribe; I never thought I'd have a day where I'd use them myself.'
Looking at the stacks of thick copies of old records piled in the corner of his room, William couldn't help but sigh.
However, he wasn't in a hurry to search for the necessary information from that intimidating pile. Instead, he locked the door and walked straight toward Dumbledore's office—he had read too many stories about people who found a clue, investigated it, and then got killed in the process. Now that it was his turn, he didn't want to tempt fate.
'First, tell Dumbledore my theory, then go confirm it—' William held his wand in one hand, his vigilance at its peak as he walked towards Dumbledore's office.
This was no small matter like the rooster that died last time. When it involved the Dark Lord, going to the Headmaster was definitely the right thing to do.
—
"Headmaster, are you there?"
William knocked cautiously on the door. Although this office was theoretically the safest place in the entire Wizarding World, countless people had fallen just before their final victory.
Fortunately, when the door opened, it was Dumbledore's face that appeared.
"Professor William?"
The greatest white wizard revealed a puzzled smile. "You've come over too?"
What did he mean, "too"?
When William curiously glanced inside, he immediately understood the situation—the office was packed with professors.
There weren't enough chairs in the Headmaster's Office; many professors were simply standing. As William looked inside, these professors also stared out at him.
'Right, Adams pushed all those professors curious about the diadem over to Dumbledore!'
William immediately recalled his previous conversation with Adams—undoubtedly, Adams had done a fine job.
But now, the previously resolved trouble was very likely to become a source of pressure again. A room full of professors waiting here certainly wasn't to reminisce with the Headmaster—especially since some of them didn't even teach classes. Forget reminiscing; they probably wouldn't even care if the Headmaster changed.
"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore, I'd like to talk to you about my personal salary."
Looking at the room full of professors, William instinctively told a bald-faced lie—he really couldn't bear it if Dumbledore passed this buck back to him.
The issue of a personal salary was confidential enough that others wouldn't want to interfere. As long as Dumbledore wasn't determined to pass the buck, William would have a good enough excuse to talk privately for a while.
"Salary?" Dumbledore showed a surprised expression, but quickly composed himself. "Alright, but I'm afraid I don't have much time."
"No problem, Professor, just for a moment."
The two left the Headmaster's Office one after the other and stopped in the corridor.
'This should be far enough—if a conversation with Dumbledore at Hogwarts can be overheard, I'll just accept my fate.'
"Um, Professor, I suddenly had a very interesting thought today," William said softly, standing still and voicing his theory. "Do you think that Tom, the Tom that Helena Ravenclaw mentioned, might be related to the Dark Lord?"
"A very interesting theory," Dumbledore said, looking at William with a relaxed tone. "Although it's just a theory, I can tell you, Professor William, you are very close to the truth."
"However—" Dumbledore's tone suddenly became serious. "You shouldn't investigate that, Professor William. You are still young, and he is far more cunning than you imagine. Ever since Voldemort became famous, countless wizards have tried to trace his past, but every single one of them has died."
"Died?" William frowned.
"He even put a curse on his own name. When he was at the height of his power, many people in the Wizarding World could only refer to him as the Mysterious Person." Dumbledore looked seriously at William. "Although spreading such news would cause panic, I must tell you now that he did not die back then."
"Similarly, the Ministry of Magic's pursuit operation over a decade ago was not entirely successful. Too many of his worshippers are lurking in the Wizarding World," Dumbledore's tone was devoid of any lightness. "To become his enemy, you will face far more difficulties than you can imagine."
"But there are still old-timers like me in the wizarding world. I think I'm trustworthy, right?"
Although the words were spoken in a joking tone, Dumbledore's eyes were full of seriousness.
This wasn't a threat, but protection—William was very clear on this point.
"You are right, Professor."
William nodded in agreement.
"Then it's settled, Professor William. Hmm, I imagine this year's OWL exam results will be quite impressive—" Dumbledore's expression softened. "This is a common understanding between Minerva and me."
—
'Has Dumbledore already figured it out?'
William was speculating in his office—although he had verbally agreed with Dumbledore, he hadn't completely given up on his own plan.
His own life was at stake, and while Dumbledore was entirely trustworthy, doing no investigation and just waiting around wasn't William's style.
'But Dumbledore's warning must be remembered. Dumbledore can conduct all sorts of investigations, target various things, and even boldly present his ideas to give others confidence, but he is Dumbledore.'
'I probably can't openly search for information or ask other professors. Death Eaters…'
William had heard the most terrifying rumors about Death Eaters in Azkaban—that one high-ranking member who could flatten a street with a single spell was a legend even there.
'To maintain self-awareness while under the Dementors' watch 24/7, not even being allowed out for fresh air... Do such beings still exist outside?'
However, William could answer this question himself—in his few memories, there was indeed such a person. That Death Eater infiltrated Hogwarts and single-handedly orchestrated the Dark Lord's resurrection.
'This is what I get for being distracted during the movie!' William wished he could slap himself twice. 'Everyone else was watching the movie, but you were busy looking at people; you can't even remember the plot, let alone all the random names!'
'The castle might not be safe; who knows how many Death Eaters have infiltrated it?'
'Wait, Professor Snape!'
William recalled the card he had drawn. 'Is the system implying that he is a Death Eater?'
'I can't jump to conclusions. Dumbledore trusts Professor Snape, otherwise he wouldn't have made him a Head of House—but what I can confirm is that when Professor Snape was a student, there were definitely Death Eaters at the school.'
'I need to be careful with my inquiries and not tell anyone—fortunately, my collaboration with Professor Binns on compiling the school history was established long ago, so me looking up information on my own won't arouse suspicion.'
'I'll have to do it myself—although it's repetitive work, it'll give me peace of mind. I'll just squeeze out time from my leisure hours to avoid any significant changes in my routine attracting others' attention.'
Having formulated this plan, William began to erase all records of his speculation.
—
'Tom's year of admission is unknown—his age is unknown—one could even say that if Dumbledore hadn't told me Tom was the Dark Lord, I wouldn't even have been able to confirm this.'
Chapter 156: Curse Master Tom (Four Thousand Words)
'I got a pile of copies from Mr. Filch for students to transcribe; I never thought I'd have a day where I'd use them myself.'
Looking at the stacks of thick copies of old records piled in the corner of his room, William couldn't help but sigh.
However, he wasn't in a hurry to search for the necessary information from that intimidating pile. Instead, he locked the door and walked straight toward Dumbledore's office—he had read too many stories about people who found a clue, investigated it, and then got killed in the process. Now that it was his turn, he didn't want to tempt fate.
'First, tell Dumbledore my theory, then go confirm it—' William held his wand in one hand, his vigilance at its peak as he walked towards Dumbledore's office.
This was no small matter like the rooster that died last time. When it involved the Dark Lord, going to the Headmaster was definitely the right thing to do.
—
"Headmaster, are you there?"
William knocked cautiously on the door. Although this office was theoretically the safest place in the entire Wizarding World, countless people had fallen just before their final victory.
Fortunately, when the door opened, it was Dumbledore's face that appeared.
"Professor William?"
The greatest white wizard revealed a puzzled smile. "You've come over too?"
What did he mean, "too"?
When William curiously glanced inside, he immediately understood the situation—the office was packed with professors.
There weren't enough chairs in the Headmaster's Office; many professors were simply standing. As William looked inside, these professors also stared out at him.
'Right, Adams pushed all those professors curious about the diadem over to Dumbledore!'
William immediately recalled his previous conversation with Adams—undoubtedly, Adams had done a fine job.
But now, the previously resolved trouble was very likely to become a source of pressure again. A room full of professors waiting here certainly wasn't to reminisce with the Headmaster—especially since some of them didn't even teach classes. Forget reminiscing; they probably wouldn't even care if the Headmaster changed.
"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore, I'd like to talk to you about my personal salary."
Looking at the room full of professors, William instinctively told a bald-faced lie—he really couldn't bear it if Dumbledore passed this buck back to him.
The issue of a personal salary was confidential enough that others wouldn't want to interfere. As long as Dumbledore wasn't determined to pass the buck, William would have a good enough excuse to talk privately for a while.
"Salary?" Dumbledore showed a surprised expression, but quickly composed himself. "Alright, but I'm afraid I don't have much time."
"No problem, Professor, just for a moment."
The two left the Headmaster's Office one after the other and stopped in the corridor.
'This should be far enough—if a conversation with Dumbledore at Hogwarts can be overheard, I'll just accept my fate.'
"Um, Professor, I suddenly had a very interesting thought today," William said softly, standing still and voicing his theory. "Do you think that Tom, the Tom that Helena Ravenclaw mentioned, might be related to the Dark Lord?"
"A very interesting theory," Dumbledore said, looking at William with a relaxed tone. "Although it's just a theory, I can tell you, Professor William, you are very close to the truth."
"However—" Dumbledore's tone suddenly became serious. "You shouldn't investigate that, Professor William. You are still young, and he is far more cunning than you imagine. Ever since Voldemort became famous, countless wizards have tried to trace his past, but every single one of them has died."
"Died?" William frowned.
"He even put a curse on his own name. When he was at the height of his power, many people in the Wizarding World could only refer to him as the Mysterious Person." Dumbledore looked seriously at William. "Although spreading such news would cause panic, I must tell you now that he did not die back then."
"Similarly, the Ministry of Magic's pursuit operation over a decade ago was not entirely successful. Too many of his worshippers are lurking in the Wizarding World," Dumbledore's tone was devoid of any lightness. "To become his enemy, you will face far more difficulties than you can imagine."
"But there are still old-timers like me in the wizarding world. I think I'm trustworthy, right?"
Although the words were spoken in a joking tone, Dumbledore's eyes were full of seriousness.
This wasn't a threat, but protection—William was very clear on this point.
"You are right, Professor."
William nodded in agreement.
"Then it's settled, Professor William. Hmm, I imagine this year's OWL exam results will be quite impressive—" Dumbledore's expression softened. "This is a common understanding between Minerva and me."
—
'Has Dumbledore already figured it out?'
William was speculating in his office—although he had verbally agreed with Dumbledore, he hadn't completely given up on his own plan.
His own life was at stake, and while Dumbledore was entirely trustworthy, doing no investigation and just waiting around wasn't William's style.
'But Dumbledore's warning must be remembered. Dumbledore can conduct all sorts of investigations, target various things, and even boldly present his ideas to give others confidence, but he is Dumbledore.'
'I probably can't openly search for information or ask other professors. Death Eaters…'
William had heard the most terrifying rumors about Death Eaters in Azkaban—that one high-ranking member who could flatten a street with a single spell was a legend even there.
'To maintain self-awareness while under the Dementors' watch 24/7, not even being allowed out for fresh air... Do such beings still exist outside?'
However, William could answer this question himself—in his few memories, there was indeed such a person. That Death Eater infiltrated Hogwarts and single-handedly orchestrated the Dark Lord's resurrection.
'This is what I get for being distracted during the movie!' William wished he could slap himself twice. 'Everyone else was watching the movie, but you were busy looking at people; you can't even remember the plot, let alone all the random names!'
'The castle might not be safe; who knows how many Death Eaters have infiltrated it?'
'Wait, Professor Snape!'
William recalled the card he had drawn. 'Is the system implying that he is a Death Eater?'
'I can't jump to conclusions. Dumbledore trusts Professor Snape, otherwise he wouldn't have made him a Head of House—but what I can confirm is that when Professor Snape was a student, there were definitely Death Eaters at the school.'
'I need to be careful with my inquiries and not tell anyone—fortunately, my collaboration with Professor Binns on compiling the school history was established long ago, so me looking up information on my own won't arouse suspicion.'
'I'll have to do it myself—although it's repetitive work, it'll give me peace of mind. I'll just squeeze out time from my leisure hours to avoid any significant changes in my routine attracting others' attention.'
Having formulated this plan, William began to erase all records of his speculation.
—
'Tom's year of admission is unknown—his age is unknown—one could even say that if Dumbledore hadn't told me Tom was the Dark Lord, I wouldn't even have been able to confirm this.'
