radicalducati Chapter 86 What does it mean... He put the whole school in solitary confinement?
Chapter 86 What does it mean... He put the whole school in solitary confinement?
Chapter 86 What does it mean... He put the whole school in solitary confinement?
Inside the Hogwarts Headmaster's office, a closely guarded investigation continues.
"I believe your argument is wrong from the start, Headmaster Dumbledore."
"For nearly two centuries... and perhaps even the most unpopular headmaster in Hogwarts' history," Phoenix Black said, stroking his beard. "You seem to have a lot of faith in that kid Delfino's judgment that there's a wizard with magic comparable to yours."
To be honest, that kid is pretty good at stopping a runaway train without a wand. I think... well, he's about the same level as Mad-Eye Hoop at best.
But Headmaster Dumbledore, Mad-Eye is probably still a long way from you.
Rarely, Phoenix Black's argument garnered nods of approval from many of his colleagues.
And what he wanted to express was easy to understand.
Given Ares Delphinor's age, his magical skills still had a lot of room for improvement... In other words, he was far from being as good as Dumbledore, and he simply couldn't accurately assess the true level of an outstanding wizard, which is why he mistakenly believed that the wizard he was fighting possessed magical power comparable to Dumbledore's.
Over the years, Dumbledore had become accustomed to people complimenting his magical abilities.
Phoenix Black's subtle praise did not elicit any emotional response from him. He simply leaned back in his office chair, his deep blue eyes behind his half-moon-framed glasses occasionally flashing with light.
To some extent, magical proficiency is almost equivalent to magical knowledge... therefore, Phoenix Black's argument can be considered partially correct.
But to underestimate Delfino because of this... would be unwise.
"Using the interference of the Seamless Extension Spell with space for defense and attack—this is truly a novel approach."
Dumbledore stated his opinion in a flat tone, "I dare say that no wizard before him has been able to extend the effects of the Unseen Stretching Charm to this extent... It is a brilliant, genius idea, and I can even imagine the embarrassing situation I would be in if I had to face such magic."
"you mean-"
Armando Dupette scathingly remarked, "You really think there's someone in the British wizarding world more powerful than you... Oh, seriously, that's ridiculous. If such a person existed, why didn't that wizard step forward when the Mystic was causing trouble?"
"It is impossible for anyone to possess magic power greater than yours, and yet we know nothing about him, Headmaster Dumbledore."
"It's impossible to have absolutely no clue," said Delis Devont gently. "He has to go to school, after all... and we all know who the famous people from Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, and Hogwarts have been over the past century."
"Yes, that's right."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "I believe that Delfino will also get the same results from our discussions here...that's why he approached Nicolas Flamel."
"Well, at least Nico is definitely more mysterious than Grindelwald."
"Since you assume that such a wizard truly exists, Headmaster Dumbledore..."
Evra's voice was hoarse. "What do you think is the reason that such a powerful wizard, who is keen on hiding himself, would seek out Delfino?"
"Is that even a question?"
Phoenix Black exclaimed triumphantly, "The Philosopher's Stone!"
Why would that wizard seek out Delfino?
Delis de Winter glanced sideways at Principal Black.
"Oh, because the current Hogwarts teaching staff are all seasoned and outstanding wizards, so it's not easy to win them over."
Phoenix Black blurted out, "If that mysterious and powerful wizard really exists, then Ares Delphinor is probably the only one he can bribe... You know what I mean... his tarnished past... What do you think, Headmaster Dumbledore?"
"A reasonable inference."
Surprisingly, Dumbledore calmly nodded. "Then the question is, was Delfino bribed?"
"I think it's a given."
Perhaps it was Dumbledore's questioning tone that made Phoenix Black seem even more smug. "You told us, Dumbledore... that chest of gold Delfino brazenly brought into the school that night—it was clearly a bribe Delfino got from that powerful wizard!"
flagrant...
Dumbledore's brow twitched slightly as he slept.
"If they reach an agreement..."
Armando Dippert gave a cold glance to the smug Phoenix Black. "If, as you suspect, that chest of gold was payment for Delphinus to steal the Philosopher's Stone, then why did they even bother with it on the Hogwarts Express?"
"And, no matter how you look at it..."
The decrepit Headmaster Evera stabbed Black in the heart again, and in the end, Delfino saved a whole cart of young wizards.
This brainstorming session ultimately came to nothing.
As dusk approached, Dumbledore strode out of his office to have dinner in the Great Hall.
But his thoughts were still racing.
Besides the mystery surrounding the train ride to school, Ares Delphinore harbors some secrets that Dumbledore cannot fathom.
Judging from their chance encounter in Knockturn Alley, Ares Delfino is likely connected to Quirrell in some way, and Quirrell's goal is clear: the Philosopher's Stone.
Can we infer...?
Meanwhile, two groups approached Ares Delphinor, asking him to steal the Philosopher's Stone from Hogwarts.
Severus reported to him that Delphinus had used the dragon and its egg to learn from Hagrid how to get past Cerberus... but that didn't make sense.
Delphinor has already met Luwei once... The three-headed dog is amusing, but it clearly can't stop a wizard like Delphinor who has pushed magic to unprecedented heights.
He has absolutely no need to curry favor with Hagrid.
Furthermore, what bothered him the most was that if Delphinus's goal really was the Philosopher's Stone, then what about his high-profile behavior since entering the school?
He should act like Quirrell, keeping a low profile and appearing harmless—that's the proper demeanor for a thief.
Instead of leading a student riot as soon as he entered the school.
The biting wind howled through the ancient corridors of Hogwarts, bending the blazing flames of the torches on the walls, but it could not smooth away Dumbledore's deeply furrowed brow.
Throughout his long and eventful life, he encountered many perplexing mysteries.
Even Voldemort, with his understanding of Tom Riddle and some clues, could not be completely without clues about the meaning behind his various actions.
But Ares Delfino's actions... wait!
When Dumbledore came to his senses, he found himself sitting at the faculty and staff dining table in the Great Hall, in his own golden chair.
The faculty and staff who were already seated on both sides were watching him... Of course, that's not the point.
Where have the students gone?
After a moment of surprise at the quietness of the Great Hall during dinner, Dumbledore immediately noticed something strange!
On Friday evening, at dinner time, the magnificent Great Hall, illuminated by thousands of candles, was not empty except for his faculty members!
Dumbledore moved his lips, looking at Minerva in astonishment... Judging from Minerva's ashamed expression, he concluded that she knew the truth.
"Hmm...it's Ares—"
Professor McGonagall pressed her lips together. "As far as I know... in the past week, Ares has been... well, to put it simply, he's put all the young wizards in confinement in class."
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