The Old Ones of Hogwarts

Chapter 539-548: The Prelude to Destruction 4

This era.

Besides having many followers, Voldemort was also a figure of great interest.

Many people also greatly admire Dumbledore.

He is an idol in the wizarding world.

As Cedric Jorkins approached, head down and lost in thought, he initially paid no attention to the person on the side of the road. It wasn't until he was almost brushing past the tall figure that he noticed him.

He subconsciously glanced up.

That glance froze him in place.

"Professor Dumbledore?!"

Jorkins' voice rose in astonishment, trembling with disbelief.

His eyes widened, fixed on the face that had appeared countless times on Chocolate Frog cards, and was even more deeply etched in his memories of his student days. "Oh, good evening, Headmaster Dumbledore. I... I just wanted some fresh air. Something happened today..." He instinctively didn't want to go into details.

But it also seems to yearn to confide in someone.

Dumbledore seemed to snap out of his reverie. He turned his head and looked at Jorkins, his gaze first revealing a perfectly timed thoughtful expression that then softened into a gentle look of realization and concern.

Even after so many years, and even though the other party is now a very important figure in the wizarding world, that unique air of authority and wisdom that belongs to the Hogwarts Transfiguration professor remains.

It is still clearly discernible.

"Mr. Jorkins, Ravenclaw, Class of 1970?" Dumbledore's voice was as calm and gentle as ever, carrying a reassuring strength. "To be honest, I didn't expect to meet you here. So late, all alone? You look... not so good." He pretended not to know anything.

Upon confirming his identity, Jorgins' heart pounded even faster. This wasn't just a chance encounter with a respected mentor; it was after he had just experienced such a thrilling event involving Death Eaters and a mysterious powerful figure! He felt a dryness in his throat and instinctively straightened up, as if he had returned to his student days when facing his professor.

"Yes, it's me, Professor! You remember me!"

Jorgins' voice was filled with flattered excitement, but it was quickly overwhelmed by an even stronger emotion. "I...I really...Professor, something very terrible and very bizarre happened to me this afternoon!"

Faced with the legend of Dumbledore, Jorkins almost instinctively wanted to confide in him, seeking guidance and protection from this elder known for his wisdom and strength.

He was completely unaware of Grindelwald in the shadows in the distance.

"Hmm?" Dumbledore's concern deepened. He took a small step forward, closing the distance and creating a safe and private atmosphere for conversation.

"Something terrible? Here? Speak slowly, child, there's no rush."

His tone was full of soothing magic.

Under Dumbledore's gentle gaze and encouragement, Jorkins felt as if he had found his anchor, and the fear, confusion, and lingering dread that had been suppressed all afternoon surged up.

He recounted in detail how he discovered the unusual dark magic artifacts at work, how he was hunted by Death Eaters, how he found himself in dire straits in the Muggle neighborhood, and how the mysterious young wizard miraculously saved him and performed various incredible feats, including large-scale memory manipulation.

Jorgins even mentioned that the other party asked him if he was Crouch's subordinate, checked his memory, and left him a pebble token and words about "stains" on his face.

Throughout the narration, Dumbledore listened quietly, his face showing focused understanding, occasionally nodding slightly or giving a soft "hmm" at key points to show encouragement. But inside, however, his heart was stirred with each word from Jorkins. The youthful appearance of seventeen or eighteen…

A single glance intimidated and imprisoned the Death Eaters...

Precise control to defuse all the aftershocks of the battle and protect Muggles...

A meticulously crafted spell of mass oblivion, covering the entire street...

A vast, chilling, and soul-chilling magical pressure...

A powerful yet gentle mental force when examining memories...

The "Raven" mark...

These details, spoken by his former student, a firsthand witness, were far more impactful than any secondhand report or speculation. Dumbledore could clearly see the relief of surviving a close call in Jorkins' eyes, and the almost awe-inspiring reverence for the mysterious savior. When Jorkins spoke of the "raven's" mark and the pebbles left behind, he even carefully took the warm, black stone from his pocket and showed it to Dumbledore. "Professor, look... this is it. He said if anything unusual or if we encountered danger again, we could contact him through this."

Dumbledore took the pebble, feeling its slight warmth and smooth texture. He didn't immediately use magic to probe it, but with the keen senses of the most powerful wizard below the legendary level, he could clearly feel the extremely subtle, resilient, and... "high-ranking" mental link and protective magic attached to the stone. This magical structure was exquisitely crafted, unlike any other school he knew.

"A very...unique magical creation." Dumbledore handed the pebble back to Jorgins, his tone grave. "Mr. Jorgins, the abilities you described...young wizard have indeed far exceeded the ordinary. Could you recall his physical features more carefully? Any detail could be important."

Jorgins strained to recall: "He... he was really young, Professor. He looked like an upperclassman or a recent graduate. Black hair, medium length, very neat. Face... very clean, well-defined, but without any particular expression, always very calm. Eyes... yes, the eyes were the most striking thing!"

"The color is deep, but not black. It's more like... the deep, dark color of a deep pool. When I look at you, it feels particularly... transparent, yet it's as if I can't see anything through you. It's particularly... um... 'empty'? Or 'distant'? I can't say, Professor. Anyway, it's... unlike the eyes of an ordinary person. You're wearing very ordinary dark Muggle clothes, a bit like a trench coat, but not exactly the same."

Johankins tried to describe it.

Dumbledore silently noted down these descriptions.

Young, black hair, deep eyes, calm, ordinary clothes... these characteristics combined with that terrifying strength create an extremely contradictory and dangerous portrait.

"He also mentioned 'raven'?" Dumbledore prompted.

"Yes, Professor! The Death Eater who captured me had some kind of 'mark' left in his soul. He said it was the mark of the 'Raven,' and he even sent the Death Eater back with a message..."

Jorgins repeated Ian's warning. Dumbledore understood. This further confirmed Grindelwald's information. This mysterious being was not only powerful, but also acted with a clear will and purpose, even daring to directly warn Voldemort's forces.

“Mr. Jorkins,” Dumbledore’s tone grew more serious, “what you experienced today is very important and extremely dangerous. The Savior you encountered… his existence and abilities are beyond conventional understanding. I need you to keep everything about him, and the details of your rescue today, confidential from everyone for the time being.”

"Including your boss, Mr. Barty Crouch. This isn't out of distrust, but to protect you and to avoid causing unnecessary panic or...excessive attention from other powers, do you understand?" Perhaps Dumbledore's entrustment also had its own motives, but no one present would know or doubt it.

"Yes, yes, I understand." Jorgins nodded vigorously. "I understand, Professor! That...the master also instructed me not to tell anyone. Don't worry, I absolutely won't tell anyone!"

Facing Dumbledore, who was now the headmaster, he had an instinctive sense of student obedience to his teacher, especially since Dumbledore's advice sounded entirely for his own good.

"Very good." Dumbledore nodded approvingly, and at the same time, an extremely gentle and subtle magic, accompanying his approving gaze, quietly swept over Jorkins' consciousness. This was not a forced forgetting spell or impermanence spell, but a more sophisticated form of mental soothing and subconscious strengthening based on trust and guidance.

He further reinforced Jorkins's resolve to "keep it a secret" and helped him cope with the long-term anxiety stemming from today's trauma. With Dumbledore's skill, this was done almost imperceptibly.

After hearing Dumbledore's words, Jorgins felt his anxiety and unease lessen considerably, and his resolve to keep the secret strengthened. "Thank you, Professor. I feel much better with your guidance."

Johansson thanked him.

Dumbledore smiled gently. "It's getting late. You've been frightened and need some rest. Go back, Mr. Jorgins. Remember, stay alert, but don't live in fear. And be careful with your work at the Ministry of Magic..."

"Yes, Professor! Thank you!"

Jorgins bowed again before turning to leave, his steps much more steady than before. Only after Jorgins' figure disappeared at the end of the path did Dumbledore's gentle expression gradually fade, replaced by a deep, somber look. He slowly exhaled, as if trying to release the shock and worry that had been building up in his chest.

He didn't immediately turn to Grindelwald, but instead closed his eyes, seemingly processing the information he had just received. Jorgins' narration, combined with Grindelwald's earlier speculation, made the image of the "Raven" more concrete, and more...unsettling. The gap between such a young appearance and such unbelievable strength.

It is absolutely the biggest mystery.

"You heard everything."

Dumbledore finally spoke, his voice low, addressing Grindelwald in the shadows.

"Um."

Grindelwald slowly emerged from the shadows of the trees, his steps silent.

His heterochromatic eyes gleamed with a complex light under the dim streetlights. His face was expressionless, but Dumbledore could sense his intense focus. "I heard you," Grindelwald said calmly. "More interesting than I expected. Your student... described it vividly."

"Not just vivid, Gellert." Dumbledore turned, his deep blue eyes fixed on him. "It confirms! It confirms your madness!"

Old Deng raised his voice a little.

Grindelwald did not answer directly. He walked to the riverbank and looked at the area on the opposite bank that was indistinct in the night, as if sensing something.

Grindelwald's voice carried a strange, ethereal quality.

"Perhaps it's just a coincidence."

He himself probably wouldn't believe that statement.

Grindelwald paused, turned his head, and a sharp glint flashed in his heterochromatic eyes: "But more important than his purpose, Albus, is the impact of his very 'existence.' He warned the Death Eaters, which means he has already taken the initiative to intervene in the fight against Voldemort, even if it may just be a side effect."

"Given Tom's character and greed for power, he would never overlook such a powerful, unknown entity that has suddenly appeared. This will make the already chaotic situation even more complicated and dangerous." Grindelwald was clearly also paying attention to the outside world and knew about the rampant second-generation Dark Lord. Upon hearing this, Dumbledore's heart skipped a beat.

Grindelwald is right.

Voldemort would never stand idly by in the face of such a threat (or temptation). Given the Dark Lord's increasingly rampant and unscrupulous behavior, he might take more extreme actions, perhaps attempting to recruit, control, or... destroy this "Raven." Either way, it could trigger a chain reaction.

This will draw even more people into it.

"We must find him."

Dumbledore's tone was resolute: "At the very least, we should try to communicate with him and understand his position. We cannot allow such a huge unknown to remain completely out of our control."

Grindelwald's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile as he teased his old friend: "Communication? Albus, do you think someone like him would easily 'communicate' with people? Especially with people like us... who represent the original order and 'trouble' of this world?" This was clearly a mockery.

But Old Deng didn't know that.

Dumbledore remained silent.

From his perspective.

indeed.

Judging from Jorgins' description and the other party's style of operation, the "Raven" was calm and detached, seemingly following its own logic and rhythm. Making contact rashly could very well backfire.

"But we must try," Dumbledore insisted. "It is our duty."

Just then.

Grindelwald's fingers, which were gripping the railing, twitched slightly, and his heterochromatic pupils suddenly focused, locking onto the opposite bank of the river, towards a simple, dimly lit stone bridge spanning a smaller tributary.

His breathing seemed to have slowed down.

"Perhaps..." Grindelwald's voice was extremely low, carrying a strange tone that mixed with certainty and a sense of destiny, "we don't need to go looking for it anymore."

"Hmm?" Dumbledore immediately followed his gaze. Across the flowing Thames and the hazy night, he saw—in the shadows of the small stone bridge, a tall, slender figure was slowly walking out, stepping into the slightly brighter area illuminated by the streetlights beside the path. Though the distance was great and the light dim, Dumbledore could still make out that it was a young man dressed in dark casual clothes, with black hair and a composed demeanor. As if sensing the two unusual gazes from across the river, the young man paused slightly as he was about to completely emerge from the shadows of the bridgehead. He turned his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the barriers of space and the hazy night, precisely and calmly fixed on the direction where Dumbledore and Grindelwald were!

In that instant, Dumbledore clearly felt that his gaze was fixed on him.

I was surprised.

There's actually joy?

"What's going on?!"

Dumbledore wondered if he was getting old and his eyesight was failing.

How could a complete stranger see me react in this way?