Hogwarts: My Yorozuya has no taboos!

Chapter 4 Woof!

The hurried footsteps quickly faded away, and the eyes that had been peering into the darkness all retreated. However, a suffocating silence filled the chilly air.

"I never expected to see you here, Professor Dumbledore—"

Ares was the first to look away, his smile a mixture of delightful surprise.

"However, thanks to you, otherwise I would probably be doomed today!"

"Perhaps someone else is doomed, Ares—your punishment of the vampires was both swift and beautiful."

Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the greatest White Mage of our time, and hailed as a living legend, turned to look at Ares. A hint of amusement flickered across his lips, before his sharp, azure gaze, carrying immense pressure, pierced through Ares.

"However—I feel the same way you do, Ares, I mean, about our reunion this time—"

A pleasant smile appeared on Dumbledore's aged face, but his tone carried an undeniable air of authority.

"I suppose you wouldn't mind satisfying an old man's curiosity, Ares—about why you're here—oh, specifically, outside this house."

"No particular reason, Professor Dumbledore—"

Ares's voice was light and cheerful, and his answer was exceptionally fluent.

"I was just wandering around—or you could say I was curious about this ancient city buried deep underground, so I was exploring it."

A sudden silence descended. The two men standing opposite each other in front of the dilapidated house remained silent, each weighing their options and making a judgment—

"So that's how it is—"

After a long pause, Dumbledore nodded and smiled. As soon as he spoke, the cold, hard atmosphere in the air melted away like snow meeting the warm spring sun.

The two walked towards the exit church with perfect understanding, and Ares asked a question he felt he should ask.

"And you, Professor Dumbledore—how could such an upright and noble wizard as yourself appear in... this filthy rat's nest?"

"Oh, thank goodness it's dark here, Ares—I haven't blushed this much since Mrs. Pomfrey said she liked my new earmuffs."

A pool of blood-red muddy water had accumulated on the ground. The two men each moved aside, hugging the walls from either side. Dumbledore laughed.

"Yes, yes—I don't come here often. This time it's because—well, okay, I'll tell you, Ares, I came here for Quirrell."

"Quirk?"

After bypassing the bloody mud pit, the two stood side by side again. Ares blinked, looking on with pure curiosity.

"That's right—"

Dumbledore nodded slightly and said calmly,

"Of course you still remember Professor Quirrell, right? When you were expelled, Professor Quirrell spoke up for you—so you must also know about the terrible crime Quirrell committed two weeks ago?"

"Yes, I've heard about it—but I still can't believe it."

Ares's tone was heavy, and his eyes revealed deep sorrow.

"Is it really true, Professor Dumbledore? Could it be—could it be a mistake?"

"I also sincerely hope that the accusations made by the Department and Gringotts against Quirrell, like the recent accusations made against you by the Department, are entirely a misunderstanding—"

Dumbledore stared straight ahead at the church, his voice calm and unwavering (a shadow of gloom flashed in Ares's eyes).

"But after some investigation, I can conclude that the facts are exactly as we would like to see."

"What exactly happened?"

The two entered the church one after the other, Dumbledore's aged voice echoing in the long, damp corridor.

"Quirok had been plotting this for a long time. He used the Imperius Curse to kidnap a goblin. After entering the underground vault, the Imperius Curse on the goblin was washed away by the True Falls. The goblin gave a warning, and many guards rushed over to stop Quirrell's criminal act."

During the fight, Quirrell's true appearance was revealed—the Daily Prophet's report was largely accurate.

"Basic?"

Ares was the first to step out of the corridor and onto the spiral staircase leading to the hall, which ran along the wall.

"That's right—"

Dumbledore followed Ares, watching his back as he ascended the stairs.

"I think the goblins of Gringotts deliberately omitted some information when they were questioned by the Aurors and interviewed by reporters from the Daily Prophet, in order to prove to people that their defenses were always strong and reliable."

Ares knew Dumbledore would continue to explain, so he didn't press the matter.

"—Besides the fairies, a wizard also came to stop Quirrell's crimes... His name is Lari Gaspar, and he is a businessman."

He rushed over immediately after hearing the fairy's warning and fought bravely with Quirrell—as far as I know, he was the one who knocked Quirrell's cloak off.

"A cunning fairy."

Ares smacked his lips.

"Their behavior is understandable."

Dumbledore followed Ares up into the cathedral hall, where the two sat under a rusty chandelier.

"After all, they are responsible for protecting the wealth of the entire magical world. If people lose faith in them, the consequences will be disastrous for both sides."

The slanting sunlight shone through the gaps in the bronze clock face above, illuminating Ares's profile and concealing the ripples of emotion in his dark eyes.

"So what's the connection between this and your visit to the underground knockdown alley?"

"Oh, that's exactly what I was going to say, Ares—"

Dumbledore's silvery-white beard and hair fluttered in the gentle breeze, his azure eyes clearly reflecting Ares's face—a face that had shed its childishness but still retained a touch of naivety—with a smile on his lips.

"After what happened, I felt I had to take some responsibility—after all, Quirrell was my employee."

I searched Quirrell's office—to be honest, I didn't have much hope.

Because robbing Gringotts is a serious crime, I thought Quirrell probably wouldn't leave any clues, but I didn't expect to be so lucky—”

Dumbledore's smile was evident, and his tone was light and cheerful.

"I found a map in Professor Quirrell's office."

"A map?"

Ares raised an eyebrow, revealing an expression of interest.

"Could it be?"

"Just as you guessed."

Dumbledore nodded.

"It took me a while to figure out what the address marked on the map was—after all, I don't come here often—"

Dumbledore paused for a moment, then continued,

"I think the house we just met might be a safe house that Quirrell arranged for himself beforehand—that's my thinking, in case the worst happens, or if he successfully steals the wealth from the fairies, he'll need a place to hide from the storm in order to avoid being caught."

"A reasonable inference—"

Ares raised his eyebrows even higher as he gazed at the hale and heart-shaped old man before him.

"So, you stayed in that house alone for half a month without going out?"

Bang, bang!

With two crisp pops, Ares and Dumbledore Apparated to the ground. In the bright sunlight, the shadows of the two opposing figures overlapped on the clock face.

"yes-"

Dumbledore's gaze was intense as he looked at Ares's pleased smile, yet his tone carried a childlike distress.

"I admit it wasn't a pleasant time—it was so damp and cold down there that my knees were constantly aching."

Moreover, I think I probably misjudged Quirrell's intentions.

I didn't get to see Quirrell, but by chance I met you, Ares...