Since that night Armostad entered Hogwarts after Christmas, tonight was his second time in Dumbledore's office. It wasn't that Armostad feared this greatest contemporary white wizard, but as the saying goes, it's not being afraid of a thief stealing, but being afraid of a thief remembering you. Armostad hadn't forgotten how Dumbledore had kept a close eye on him in the days following his encounter with that dark witch in the Forbidden Forest during his fifth year.
The circular office was much the same as when he visited over a month ago. However, the phoenix, which was a small chick at their last meeting, had now entered its juvenile form, covered in dazzling golden-red feathers. At this moment, it was crouched in the brazier, its head hidden beneath its wings, soundly asleep. Not even Armostad's footsteps as he passed by could rouse it.
Dumbledore seemed to be replying to someone's letter. When he saw the somewhat weary Armostad enter, the light shimmering in his cerulean eyes was much gentler than during their first meeting.
"Good evening, Headmaster Dumbledore, I hope I haven't disturbed you," Armostad nodded in greeting. "I heard from Professor Snape that you seem to have something you need to discuss with me."
"Ah, that is indeed the case," Dumbledore gestured for him to sit down, his expression smiling, but his tone carried a hint of reproach. "I regret, Armostad, that this time I likely won't have any proper wine to entertain you, and given your current mental state, I don't think you're suitable for alcoholic beverages either." Armostad smiled, saying nothing. He could tell that the old man was harboring something mischievous.
The pleasantries were nothing new. Dumbledore sincerely thanked him for his noble actions of working tirelessly day and night to guard the young wizards' safety, and subtly expressed concern for his current physical state, as well as asking if Armostad needed a period of rest.
Want me to rest? Could something unknown have happened that made Dumbledore decide to expel me from school early? "Thank you very much for your concern, Headmaster Dumbledore," Armostad cautiously refrained from saying another word.
"Catching the perpetrator of the attacks is a task given to me by the Board of Governors. I must be responsible for my work and for the safety of the young wizards. I will not leave my post without authorization before the culprit surfaces."
"Oh, what noble conscientiousness... The safety of the young wizards is indeed important, but, Armostad, your health is also something I care about," Dumbledore seemed touched by Armostad's reply. He blew his nose, then took off his glasses and wiped away the moisture.
"Severus and Minerva have mentioned it to me several times. They expressed their hidden worries about your overly dedicated work ethic... Both of them hope you won't be so tense. Even if a new attack occurs, it's not your responsibility." Armostad's brow twitched. He was a bit confused. Had Dumbledore called him here just to express his gratitude?
"—Especially Minerva, she believes that, given the lack of further clues, rather than having you spend a lot of time searching for the attacker... cough, cough, she told me she mentioned it to you once during the Christmas holiday. Oh, speaking of which, I truly feel ashamed... She seems to think that the Dark Arts Defense Professor I found is not very competent and has delayed the young wizards' learning."
Sure enough, Dumbledore was holding a grudge! Dumbledore frowned in distress and said nothing more. Armostad's eyebrows were highly arched, and his lips twitched continuously. He did not immediately reply. An awkward and suffocating silence abruptly descended. In the office, only Dumbledore's alchemical instruments, whose purpose was unclear, tinkled like wind chimes.
"I'll ask first, Headmaster Dumbledore—" After a long pause, Armostad was the first to break the awkward silence. "If I refuse your request, you won't arrest me and send me to Nurmengard or Azkaban, will you?"
"Oh, of course not, Armostad," Dumbledore chuckled. "This is entirely my fault, Armostad, I'm here to ask for your help... In fact, sigh, sometimes I really wish someone could empathize with my difficulties.
Finding a qualified Dark Arts Defense Professor is much harder than finding twelve uses for dragon blood—" Armostad pursed his lips, his expression showing no excess emotion. "There's an unconfirmed rumor about the professor of that class, Headmaster Dumbledore..."
"I cannot deceive you, Armostad," Dumbledore's expression grew solemn. He nodded and said, "Although there is no direct evidence, ever since I rejected Voldemort's application for that teaching position, no professor has remained in that role for more than a year." Armostad sat undisturbed, not rushing to express his opinion.
"—However, having two Dark Arts Defense Professors in the school at the same time, and only teaching for a few months, I believe the risk is controllable." You think the risk is controllable? Then why don't you teach it yourself? Armostad secretly rolled his eyes, pondering in silence. "I can pay you for a full year's work, Armostad, if you're willing to help those promising children." Dumbledore's tone was earnest and persuasive.
In the office, Armostad sat in his seat, deep in thought. Regarding Dumbledore's recent request, he neither agreed nor objected, merely stating that he needed to consider it carefully. The Dark Lord had placed a curse on this position, and the power of the curse had not weakened for decades, and even Dumbledore couldn't do anything about it.
One could imagine that the Dark Lord had put some effort into it back then. According to Armostad's thoughts during the Christmas holiday, he would certainly not accept this unpredictable and risky job. As for why he didn't immediately refuse now, it was because Armostad had new considerations.
Before receiving this mission and entering Hogwarts, Armostad subconsciously believed that this commission would only take a few months to resolve. Otherwise, the Chamber of Secrets incident would interfere with the adventures the great savior Harry Potter was destined to experience next school year.
However, the actual situation might not be like that. Because of his intervention, the plot of the original book must have undergone significant changes, which meant that the originally predetermined ending had actually changed. If that heir was truly a very cautious person, then he wouldn't need to provoke Armostad.
If that heir was determined to outwait Armostad, Armostad, passively waiting for clues, was almost destined to fail in this war of attrition, because Armostad couldn't stay at school for this matter forever.
In this situation, the information the Potter team had already acquired seemed very important. As long as he could provide one crucial clue, Armostad was confident he could follow the trail and find the Chamber of Secrets before anyone else.
How to further gain Potter's trust, Armostad had also considered this question, and the result of his consideration was that if he continued to wear the investigator label, it would be difficult for him to break through the psychological defenses of Potter and his two friends.
But if he changed his identity, for example, becoming a professor... then things might be simpler. At the very least, frequent contact opportunities would make his relationship with them more friendly.
"Then." Having made up his mind, Armostad took a deep breath. He waved his wand, cleaning the cluttered desk. "Let me face your curse, Mr. Dark Lord."
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