The banquet ended very quickly. The other students seemed to be unsatisfied, while Malfoy prepared to return to Slythrin's dormitory to catch up on his sleep. Too many things had happened in the past few days, and he was very tired. Especially the day when he destroyed a soul tool, it was truly thrilling.
But just as he was about to step out of the dining hall, a tall black figure blocked his path.
"Mr Draco, Professor Dumbledore would like to speak to you alone due to your actions outside the school." Malfoy looked up and saw Snape's sallow face. But his tone was different from when he was making things difficult for Gryffindor. Malfoy even felt a trace of kindness.
"The principal's office is on the eighth floor. You can go there yourself later." Snape looked hurried, as if there was something waiting for him to do.
"Oh, right." Snape had already turned to leave, but as if he suddenly thought of something, he turned back and said, "The password is butter beer, don't forget it." Then he strode out of the dining hall, heading in an unknown direction.
"What will come will come." Malfoy felt a little powerless.
"Are you alright?" Pan Xi hit his shoulder. She had clearly heard the conversation just now.
"Silly girl, what can happen to me?" Malfoy stroked Pan Xi's hair and comforted her. "He probably just asked some random questions. Don't worry, the Ministry of Magic has already issued the punishment."
"Alright." Pan Xi puffed up her cheeks, clearly not satisfied with this answer. Her intuition told her that things were not so simple.
"Hurry up and go to sleep. Girls need sleep." Malfoy used his trump card.
"Oh right!" Pan Xi suddenly slapped her own cheeks. "I was crazy until very late on Christmas Eve. I have to make up for it earlier today." She hurriedly ran towards Slythrin's dormitory. While running, she did not forget to turn back and say, "If you are criticized, I will properly comfort you tomorrow, so don't worry."
"Why do I feel that she can't wait for me to be criticized?" Malfoy stroked his chin and pondered.
Malfoy then walked up the stairs to the eighth floor. The corridor was empty, with only a stone monster standing at the side. It was very eye-catching.
Malfoy slowly approached the stone monster.
"Butter beer!" he said. The stone monster jumped aside, and the wall behind it split in half, revealing a moving spiral staircase behind it. Malfoy stepped onto it, and as the staircase spiraled higher and higher, he finally came to the door of Dumbledore's office with the brass knocker.
"What a strange taste," Malfoy muttered as he looked at the gryphon-shaped brass door knocker.
"Knock, knock, knock." Malfoy lightly knocked on the door three times.
"Please come in." It was Dumbledore's voice.
"Good evening, Professor," Malfoy said as he approached Dumbledore's office.
He carefully observed everything around him. It was a wonderful room, spacious and full of style. The most amazing thing was that the room was round, and the walls were covered with portraits of the old headmasters and headmasters of the past. They were all snoring softly in their respective frames. There was also a huge table in the room. The legs of the table were shaped like claws. There were many exquisite silverware on the table. They were spinning and puffing out small puffs of smoke. His pet, Fox, was perched on the shelf behind the door.
"Sit down, child. Relax," Dumbledore said kindly.
"Headmaster, I'm sorry for what happened." Malfoy did not sit down. Instead, he bowed to Dumbledore.
"Oh, I believe it's just a misunderstanding." Dumbledore waved his hand, the blue eyes behind his glasses flashing constantly. Malfoy could not tell what he was thinking.
"I called you here today because I wanted to talk to you. I seem to have been so focused on Harry that I almost forgot about the best student in our first year." Dumbledore put his ten fingertips together as he spoke. It was his habit.
"You flatter me, Professor," Malfoy said humbly. Malfoy felt a chill in his heart. "Old Glass, you should care less about me. Your Harry is about to steal the Philosopher's Stone." Of course, he did not show it on his face.
"Hmm …" Dumbledore fell into deep thought, as if he was thinking about something.
Dumbledore suddenly stood up and walked to the corner of the room. As Dumbledore moved, Malfoy's gaze followed.
"I think you'll find it interesting." Facing the corner of the wall, Dumbledore whispered a spell. The black cloth hanging on an object suddenly flew away, revealing the object that was covered.
It was a very imposing mirror, reaching to the ceiling. It had a gorgeous golden frame and was supported by two claw-shaped feet. Engraved on the top was a line of words: Erisstraëhruayt Ubikafruayt Angvohs.
"The Mirror of Eris," Malfoy quickly concluded.
"Go near it and tell me what you see." Dumbledore's voice was still gentle.
"Yes, Professor," Malfoy could only agree.
It was a mirror that allowed people to see their deepest, most urgent, and most intense desires. Harry saw his family in it, and Ron saw himself as the president of the student union, holding the School Cup and the Quidditch Cup in his hands. The short distance seemed to be very long. Malfoy walked very slowly, his thoughts running wild. "Voldemort probably saw an omniscient and omnipotent god in the mirror. Then what is my desire?"
No matter how long the road was, it would eventually come to an end. Besides, this place was too close.
Malfoy stood in front of the mirror. He first closed his eyes, then slowly opened them.
"Haha." Seeing the scene in the mirror, Malfoy could not help but laugh awkwardly.
"Child, what do you see?" Dumbledore's voice slowly floated over. It seemed to have a magical power that made people unconsciously want to speak. Malfoy couldn't help but turn his head. Dumbledore's eyes were fixed on Malfoy. His gaze was sharp, bright, and penetrating.
"I see …" Malfoy's answer seemed to be about to slip out, but his eyes suddenly began to struggle. After a short moment, his eyes became clear.
"Mind Retrieval?" Just as Malfoy was about to blurt out the answer, he regained his senses. At the same time, he clenched his fists, the flames of anger burning in his chest.
"My thoughts are not to be read by anyone," he thought. "If you want to see, then go ahead." Malfoy held his breath and decisively closed his mind. Then, he visualized a scene that seemed both real and illusory.
"Cough, cough." Dumbledore suddenly coughed violently. His silver-white beard could not help but tremble. The pupils under his blue eyes rapidly shrank. Apparently, he was shocked by the image.
"Professor, I think it's not a good habit to use Mind Retrieval on a student." Malfoy sneered.
"You actually learned Brain Seal." Dumbledore was a little embarrassed. He pushed up his glasses.
"Otherwise, my secret would have been exposed today," Malfoy said angrily.
He could understand Dumbledore. The current magic world absolutely could not tolerate the rise of a new Voldemort. This would be a devastating blow to the entire wizarding society. It was understandable that Dumbledore wanted to nip the bud in the bud. However, understanding was one thing, and tolerating was another. Besides, this was related to his biggest secret. He could not open his memories to Dumbledore. He could only choose to resist.
"You are very similar to someone," Dumbledore said faintly. "You are even better than him." After saying that, Dumbledore seemed to have lost all his strength. He sat down on the chair as if he had aged a few years.
"I am different from him. I have love in my heart." Malfoy said faintly and turned to leave. Today's exchange was not a good experience for both of them.
"What was that scene about?" Dumbledore suddenly asked.
"You can understand it as a dream of mine."
"He won't do that."
"Who knows? Maybe the one he hates the most is not the Dark Lord, but you! " Leaving the last sentence, Malfoy slammed the door shut with a loud bang. It was as if the whole floor was shaking. Even Fawkes, who was on the shelf, seemed to feel the unusual atmosphere and began to sing loudly.
The song of the Phoenix had magical powers. It could strengthen the courage of the pure-hearted and release the fear of the filthy.
After a while, Dumbledore's mood calmed down. However, his expression was still complicated. He quietly looked at his collection of silverware. No one knew what he was thinking, but the corners of his mouth curved into a faint smile from time to time.
"I hope so," he muttered softly.
-----
There was still a commotion in Gryffindor's lounge. Students in school and returning home were talking about what they had seen and heard on Christmas.
"Hermione, you didn't know because you weren't in school. Harry and I saw a magical mirror. That mirror was magical," Ron said excitedly at the table.
"Yes." Harry nodded. "I also saw my parents in front of that mirror."
"I saw that I became the president of the Student Union and won the School Championship and the Quidditch Cup!" As if he wanted to show off, Ron described the scene he had seen.
"Ron, that's just an illusion," Hermione said.
"I know, but it still looks great, doesn't it?" Ron continued to chatter.
"People can't live in dreams. Don't rely on dreams and forget about life, right?" Hermione said.
"Dumbledore said the same thing. I think so too. It's just an illusion after all." Harry nodded again and said, "We should face reality, but Ron, my dream may never come true. There may still be hope for your dream if you work hard." Then Harry encouraged Ron.
"Let him learn how to do his homework seriously first." Hermione didn't seem to be in a good mood. She stood up and left. It seemed like she was going back to the dormitory.
"Can't she say something nice?" Ron slapped the table, obviously very unhappy.
"Actually, I think what she said makes sense," Harry said softly.
"Harry, even you say so." Ron covered his forehead in pain. "Alright, I know. I'll work hard."
Hermione was about to step out of Gryffindor's lounge and return to the female dormitory when she was stopped by a weak voice.
"Hermione!"
"Neville? What's the matter? "Hermione turned her head and realized that it was Neville calling her.
"I heard what you said just now. I think you're right," Neville said slowly.
"What did I say?" Hermione was puzzled.
"About what happened in the restaurant just now. I know you're talking about Malfoy." Neville lowered his voice. "I also believe that he wouldn't do such a thing."
"How do you know? Do you trust him that much? "Hermione's expression changed, and she asked.
"He helped me."
"You're a pure-blood."
"But as a pureblood, I'm not even much stronger than a normal Muggle." Neville continued, "He helped me find the toad and took the crystal ball. I believe that he's definitely not that kind of person." He paused. "Hermione, you think so too, right? Malfoy is a good person. "
"I'll explain to Harry and the rest when I have the chance. I believe in him," Neville said slowly and firmly. He raised his fist and walked out of the door.
"A good person?" Hermione muttered. "I'm not even as good as Neville?" Hermione had mixed feelings. She admired Neville's courage, but she also regretted her cowardice.
Back in the dormitory, Hermione sat in front of the table and fiddled with the piece of paper under the orange light of Weibo.She stared blankly at the few lines of words on the paper. No one knew what she was thinking.
It seemed like tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.