After Link's meeting with Mrs. Flamel and Krell, Krell, who had now learned of Link's rough plans for the future, began throwing his full support behind him.
Large numbers of magical creature hunters were recalled from hunting grounds all around the world back to the Eagle Country, and like the elite hunters before them, they lay low around Hogwarts, preparing for Link's upcoming battles.
Not only that, Krell, who had been silent for years and finally saw hope for the revival of the family, seemed to have entered a kind of manic state.
He not only gathered people, but even wanted to mobilize a batch of heavy hunting weapons, the kind specially used to kill massive magical beasts like fire dragons.
Of course, Link temporarily vetoed this plan.
After all, Link never believed that the movements around Hogwarts could escape Dumbledore's notice.
And Dumbledore had so far not contacted Link about the Death Eater situation. Without Dumbledore's approval, there was no way Link would place weapons of that scale around Hogwarts.
Otherwise, Dumbledore would absolutely go mad.
As for Mrs. Flamel, although she had once said she would help Link find reinforcements, given Link's understanding of her, he didn't believe she could bring in anyone too powerful.
Still, all in all, every force Link could mobilize was now running desperately under his command.
But Link himself, once he had settled his mindset, slipped straight into a salted-fish state. All day long, he either attended classes and flirted with Emily, or else hid in the Room of Requirement, grinding his various skill levels.
Such days continued until the second weekend of March.
That day, since it was a rest day, Link, for once, not only didn't go to the Room of Requirement, he also didn't spend time with Emily. Instead, he curled up in an armchair by the fire in the Hufflepuff common room.
This was one of his fixed habits.
Every time studying wore him out, he would choose an afternoon like this to empty his mind and relax his taut nerves.
But today, Link had barely sat down when John's signature shrill shouting suddenly burst into his ear.
"Link! Professor Sprout's career counseling has started, let's go!"
Startled awake from his half-doze, Link took a deep breath before he barely held back the urge to punch John and instead said, "Career counseling just started. There'll definitely be a ton of people there. We've got a whole week anyway, let's just go in the last few days."
"No way! I can't wait another second!"
"Then you go by yourself. I still want to sleep."
"That won't do either!" John yelled, then quickly lowered his voice. "I'll tell you the truth, I'm actually kind of nervous. So, come on, just come with me, please, Link!"
Hearing that, Link rolled his eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't hit the ceiling.
If he could help it, he really didn't want to join the crowd. Queueing was his least favorite thing in life.
But it was useless, because in the end, after John's endless nagging, he was dragged straight to Professor Sprout's office.
When they arrived, the career counseling session hadn't officially started yet, but just as Link expected, a long line had already formed outside the tightly closed office door.
The little badgers' enthusiasm for this was unexpectedly high.
Unfortunately, judging from the scraps of conversation he overheard, Link found that they didn't really grasp the true purpose of so-called career counseling.
Most of the people here were only queueing out of curiosity and excitement.
But that didn't matter.
Link believed that after Professor Sprout's career counseling, their views on studying, their future careers, and even their dreams would inevitably change, most likely for the better.
After all, that was the whole purpose behind Hogwarts setting up career counseling. And a head of house like Sprout already had plenty of experience persuading students, she knew exactly how to handle these little brats in their rebellious teen years.
Aside from these nearly universal youthful flaws, the little badgers really weren't bad.
At the very least, they respected Link greatly for bringing honor to Hufflepuff. So much so that when Link arrived, the whole scene erupted in a wave of suppressed exclamations.
And then, with all those admiring eyes on him, Link was naturally escorted right to the front of the line.
That made Link quite happy, and even the foul mood left from John dragging him here lightened a lot.
When the clock on the wall finally struck one in the afternoon, the door that had blocked them opened a crack.
Seeing this, Link slipped inside.
Unlike the others outside, Link was completely relaxed.
Because he wasn't one of those starry-eyed kids ready to throw away family and responsibilities to chase some unrealistic dream.
He figured that after graduation, he'd just inherit the family business and then kill Voldemort, and that would be enough.
So, to Link, this whole career counseling thing was more or less pointless.
The only reason he even came was simply to follow Hogwarts rules and go through the motions.
When Professor Sprout saw him come in, she showed no surprise. Instead, she smiled warmly and said, "Link, you're the first one to come see me for career counseling. I'm very pleased about that. Sit down, quickly."
Link had to admit, Professor Sprout was extremely enthusiastic. She even waved her wand and personally pulled out a chair for him.
But Link didn't sit right away. Instead, he engaged Occlumency and looked blankly at the space behind Professor Sprout.
Because Dumbledore was sitting right there.
Both Sprout and Dumbledore had, of course, noticed Link's probing gaze.
The latter chuckled lightly and explained, "Don't feel nervous, Link. I'm just here today to observe how the career counseling sessions are being carried out in each house."
'Yeah right, like I'd believe that!'
Link cursed silently, though outwardly he obediently sat down.
He could more or less guess why Dumbledore was here.
Seeing this, Professor Sprout's smile faded. She grew solemn, pulling out from her drawer a notebook as thick as an adult's head and began flipping through it page by page.
She clearly wasn't, as Link thought, just going through the motions.
She genuinely wanted to help him with career counseling.
And she definitely had the ability to do so.
That notebook recorded all the badgers' grades, personalities, and other details.
That was why she dared to run walk-in counseling without appointments, unlike Professor McGonagall.
Finally, the rustling of pages stopped. Professor Sprout lowered her head to study for a long while before frowning deeply and saying seriously to Link, "To be honest, Link, you're really excellent."
"The records show that over the past year, in every exam for Potions, Charms, and Care of Magical Creatures, you've earned an O (Outstanding)."
"For Transfiguration and Herbology, your grades fluctuate a bit, but generally stay at an E (Exceeds Expectations). That's rare."
"I can guarantee that if you keep this up, you'll be able to continue studying all those subjects at NEWT level, even under the strictest professors, including Snape."
"You might even qualify for Alchemy, one of the high-level subjects only offered at NEWT level."
"But that said, you've got serious problems too."
Professor Sprout paused, flipped another page, then continued, "You're a bit too unbalanced in your studies, Link."
"In History of Magic, Arithmancy, and Astronomy, you've been stuck at A (Acceptable) year after year. With those grades, you won't qualify for NEWT-level courses."
"So, overall, if your grades don't improve, I think a combat-oriented career like Beater might suit you. Of course, Auror is also a good choice."
"Though you'll need at least five O-level NEWTs to even apply for Auror training. You don't qualify yet, but with effort, you could."
"Potion-making is another good option, but your Herbology grade needs to be better. Otherwise, forget being a potion-maker, you might not even qualify as a trainee healer at St. Mungo's."
Finally, she closed the notebook. "Of course, all this is just advice based on your current grades. The real outcome depends on what you want. So tell me, what do you want to do after graduation?"
Hearing this, Link didn't answer right away. Instead, he blinked at her, a little at a loss.
Her advice was professional to the extreme.
It gave Link the feeling that she wanted to encourage him to break away from family obligations and pursue his dreams.
Too bad Link wasn't stupid enough to think like that.
After hesitating for a bit, he finally said softly, "Honestly, I just want to graduate and inherit the Flamel family business. I never thought of being an Auror or a potion-maker."
The moment those words left his mouth, silence fell over the office.
But through Legilimency, Link still noticed that when Sprout heard this answer, she actually let out a breath of relief.
Clearly, she herself agreed with Link's choice.
"That's a very correct choice for you!" Sprout smiled.
"But I do need to remind you, becoming a family head also requires knowledge. So you'll need to keep working hard academically."
"At the same time, I recommend you specialize in Care of Magical Creatures, since that's exactly the business your family is in."
"I understand. Thank you for your advice, Professor Sprout." Link rose as he spoke, and bowed deeply to her.
It was a natural, straightforward bow, because Professor Sprout was a truly responsible teacher.
Seeing this, she also stood and nodded in return. The two exchanged a few polite words, and it seemed the career counseling session was about to end.
But just then, Dumbledore, who had been quietly watching the whole time, tapped twice on the desk. Only when the sharp sound drew Link's attention did he smile and say, "Link, as your headmaster, I also have a question for you."
"Please, ask."
Dumbledore's smile faded as he leaned forward in his chair, speaking gravely, "What do you want to do in the future?"
"Inherit my family," Link frowned, shaking his head at the odd question. "I already said that just now."
"No, no, no, you misunderstand me." Dumbledore shook his head even faster. "Perhaps I should put it another way. Link, what is your dream?"
"My dream?" Link muttered, repeating the question.
"Yes, your dream." Dumbledore stood, speaking in a voice almost like a chant.
"Dreams are humanity's most precious treasure. Because of dreams, great figures in history shone so brightly. Because of dreams, humanity itself has advanced."
"Though in today's age, many young people no longer have dreams, carried forward only by the tides of the times."
"But I still believe, the one thing the youth must have above all is a dream! Only with a dream can a young person move forward like the greats before them, even surpassing them!"
"So, Link, what is your dream?"
Dumbledore's stirring speech even moved Professor Sprout.
But for Link, who had first been a little dazed, Dumbledore's words, so much like empty chicken soup, actually sobered him up.
He gazed at Dumbledore and said flatly, "My dream is to marry Emily, have a few children, take care of Auntie and Uncle Krell, and then live out my life wealthy and in peace."
At those words, Professor Sprout's face immediately turned ashen.
To her, that was basically equivalent to living just to eat and wait for death.
Especially since Dumbledore had just finished his grand speech, and Link now came out with such a decadent answer, how could Dumbledore possibly take that?
Thinking this, she looked worriedly at Dumbledore, afraid he'd be displeased with Link.
But to her surprise, Dumbledore didn't show the slightest trace of anger.
He only pondered for a moment, as if digesting Link's words, before finally saying solemnly, "And what if someone doesn't want you to live a happy, peaceful life?"
At that, Link's eyes instantly sharpened, and a savage, beast-like aura burst from him.
"Who would dare do that?"
As a master Legilimens, Dumbledore's senses were acute. Feeling the dangerous aura rolling off Link, he half-smiled and said, "You'd kill him, wouldn't you?"
Link sneered and said, "I might just kill his whole family."
Professor Sprout's face grew even darker.
She thought Link had gone completely mad, saying something like that right in front of Dumbledore.
She didn't even have time to think, immediately trying to jump in and smooth things over, hoping to salvage Dumbledore's impression of Link.
But this time, Dumbledore's reaction was stranger than ever.
Far from angry, his face lit with a brilliant smile.
On the other side, Link was smiling too.
They stood facing each other.
Both smiling brightly, like the sun, yet to Professor Sprout, the temperature in the office suddenly dropped several degrees.
She couldn't help but shiver.
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