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    Chapter 87: The Despairing Savior

    Forbidden Forest, the massive trees blotting out the sun.

    A milky white orb of light floated in the shadowy woods, its radiance illuminating the surrounding ground. Golden footprints appeared on the dark soil under the orb’s glow.

    Dumbledore stepped forward to examine them.

    “…Indeed, it’s Quirrell!”

    Dumbledore, wand in hand, tapped the ground around the footprints. Starting from the initial prints, a trail of golden footprints materialized. The light orb floated ahead, Dumbledore following behind, slowly tracing the path.

    After about ten minutes, Dumbledore emerged from the Forbidden Forest.

    “Did he go to the castle?” Dumbledore’s expression was grave.

    The footprints, starting from where Professor Tony Don was attacked, stretched towards the castle. Based on this evidence alone, Quirrell undoubtedly snuck back into the castle.

    But Dumbledore didn’t think so.

    Just as Snape understood Lord Voldemort well, Dumbledore understood him even better. He had been studying Voldemort since the Dark Lord’s initial rise to power – his personality, habits, magic, and the secret to his immortality. One could even say Dumbledore knew Voldemort better than Voldemort himself.

    If this operation were orchestrated by Voldemort, he would never have returned to the castle at this time. It would be tantamount to walking into a lion’s den. Even if Voldemort had regained some of his power, he was still only inhabiting Quirrell’s body. He wouldn’t waste his strength unless it was absolutely crucial.

    And at this moment, the professors in the castle were more vigilant than ever. Voldemort simply wouldn’t have a chance.

    “So… what are you going to do, Tom?”

    A glint flickered behind Dumbledore’s spectacles. How would Tom Riddle, Hogwarts’ most brilliant student in a century, deal with his Headmaster this time?

    Even knowing it was all a ruse, Dumbledore continued to follow the footprints. The castle loomed closer. Under the milky white orb’s illumination, the golden footprints extended, leading inside the castle through the main gates.

    “It seems you’re running out of patience!”

    Dumbledore chuckled, shaking his head. He was beginning to grasp the situation.

    Many believed Voldemort was the epitome of cruelty, coldness, and slaughter. But few knew that during his school years, he was not only handsome and refined but also adept at understanding people and cultivating followers. He had formed the core group of Death Eaters during his time at school.

    Comparing Voldemort’s student years with his future self, no one would believe they were the same person. What kind of dark magic could change a person so drastically?

    This close observation of Voldemort finally gave Dumbledore some clues. Dark magic undoubtedly affected a person’s personality and habits, but some things remained unaffected. The young Tom Riddle was incredibly patient; his disguise even fooled all the Hogwarts professors—except Dumbledore. Voldemort, however, was extremely impatient, easily angered by even the smallest things.

    Dumbledore didn’t believe dark magic could alter a person to this extent. Unless… Voldemort had used dark magic to reshape his soul.

    And now, he needed conclusive evidence!

    Dumbledore swished his wand, extinguishing the milky white orb. The golden footprints vanished from the ground. Glancing back at the Forbidden Forest, Dumbledore strode quickly into the castle.

    The Great Hall.

    As Dumbledore appeared, all the young witches and wizards fell silent, the previous hum ceasing instantly. Dumbledore quickly mounted the high table, turning to face the students.

    “Unfortunately, Professor Tony Don, while searching for teaching materials, encountered some trouble in the Forbidden Forest…”

    Dumbledore immediately set the tone for the evening. The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had been defeated by a dark creature!

    A murmur rippled through the hall. Except for a few students, most believed Dumbledore’s fabricated story. The wizarding world had been at peace for ten years. Even those adult wizards who had experienced the war had forgotten its pain, let alone these young witches and wizards who hadn’t.

    They hadn’t witnessed the darkness of the wizarding world, nor could they imagine Voldemort lurking in the shadows, ready to return at any moment. They didn’t even believe Dark Wizards were that terrifying.

    A professor encountering danger in the Forbidden Forest… that was an explanation they could accept.

    “Quiet——”

    After letting the students discuss for a moment, Dumbledore silenced the hall. “Now, the prefects will lead their houses back to the dormitories. We might have an early night tonight. Sweet dreams!” He winked at them.

    “Albus…” Professor McGonagall looked anxious. Don had been subjected to the Cruciatus Curse, driving him to mental instability. Clearly, a Dark Wizard had attempted to approach Hogwarts through the Forbidden Forest.

    While Professor McGonagall didn’t believe anyone could infiltrate the castle, she didn’t think sending the students to their dormitories was a good idea. Keeping the students in the Great Hall allowed the professors to protect them, but once they returned to their dormitories, it would be difficult for the professors to protect them effectively.

    “Don’t worry, Minerva.”

    Dumbledore’s tone was calm. “At least tonight, we can have a good night’s sleep.”

    Snape, in his usual biting tone, said, “I don’t think Don will be having a good night’s sleep. Perhaps… he’d prefer to be dead.”

    Dumbledore fell silent. This was indeed his oversight. Professor Don had indeed been in the Forbidden Forest collecting teaching materials, and his encounter with Quirrell might have been an accident. But subsequent events showed Voldemort had changed his plans on the fly.

    Dumbledore could have patiently waited, guiding Harry through subtle events, leading him to a confrontation with Voldemort. But Harry’s last trip to the Forbidden Forest had been a wake-up call. This was the second time!

    Harry had snuck out of the castle at night and stumbled upon the fourth-floor corridor, only to be caught by Filch because he didn’t know the unlocking charm. Harry had also explored the Forbidden Forest at night and, unfamiliar with magical herbs, stepped on a poisonous mushroom, being knocked unconscious by the emitted toxic fumes.

    How desperate was this situation?

    Dumbledore realized that if Harry Potter, the savior, lacked capable assistance, the only way to defeat Voldemort would be to send him directly to Voldemort. Because relying on Harry alone, he might die from various accidents before even encountering Voldemort.

    “I think we should visit Don in the hospital wing.”

    Dumbledore said slowly. “Minerva, how is Don doing?”

    (End of Chapter)

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