The atmosphere in the Headmaster's office quieted down. Even the portraits of the Headmasters on the wall listened quietly to this story.
Many of them had contact with the Shafiq family when they were alive and knew they were truly mysterious, mostly loners, loved adventure, and didn't make friends easily.
After a long while, Ethan Jones asked softly: "Then, who was the murderer? Death Eaters or Voldemort?"
Dumbledore was somewhat surprised at his courage to say that name, but soon shook his head: "Neither. Although it was indeed when Voldemort was rampant, it really wasn't them this time."
"So, who did it?"
The old man sighed: "Actually, the ones who killed your parents were a group of exiles wandering in the wizarding world. Most of them were wanted criminals from various countries, roaming around in organized groups.
They tried to rob Shafiq Manor—your family's ancestral home. But because your parents resisted desperately, they were repelled, but both were seriously injured.
At that time, you were just born not long ago. Your father unfortunately died on the way to St Mungo's Hospital.
Although your mother sent a message to your grandfather, because she didn't know when he could arrive and had no familiar people to entrust you to, she temporarily put you in an orphanage.
However, your mother unfortunately passed away at St Mungo's, and your grandfather arrived a little late due to some matters, resulting in you being transferred several places and adopted."
Ethan Jones fell silent after hearing this. This was quite different from his guess when he learned he wasn't a biological child.
Although he later thought of this possibility, he was still very sad after Dumbledore revealed the truth.
After being sad, he continued to ask: "What about the other members of the Shafiq family? Why were there only the two of them? Doesn't it say the owner of the Pandanus wand is destined to live long? Why didn't anyone help them?"
"Maybe because the Shafiq family was too mysterious, so Ollivander wasn't clear about the situation of the wand owners.
In fact, by your parents' generation, the Shafiq family population was already very sparse.
On your father's side, there was only Rhett. On your mother Jenny's side, only your grandfather Cyril Shafiq was still alive." Dumbledore corrected Ollivander's wrong information.
"Rhett and Jenny? I see." He repeated these two names:
"What about those criminals? Were they executed?"
His emotions were somewhat unstable, and the red light in his eyes began to flicker.
Dumbledore looked at his eyes, not knowing what he was thinking, and didn't answer immediately.
"Headmaster, were those criminals executed?" He asked again.
The old man said with pity: "Them? They weren't completely wiped out.
Although Cyril has been working hard these years, not only taking action himself but also using his connections to get the Ministries of Magic of various countries to strike at these people, there are still a few murderers roaming around."
Dumbledore finally couldn't help asking: "Ethan, what's wrong with your eyes?"
Ethan Jones was puzzled: "What's wrong? My eyes are fine."
"There's red light flashing in your eyes. Did you never know?"
"I don't know. Headmaster, if there's nothing else, I'll go first." Since the doubts in his heart had been resolved, he didn't want to stay in the Headmaster's office any longer.
"Wait." Dumbledore stopped Ethan Jones who had already stood up.
"This is for you." He took out a wooden photo frame.
"This is? My parents and me?" Ethan Jones looked at the young couple with blond hair and black eyes on it. The woman was holding a baby who had its eyes closed and was grabbing randomly.
"Yes, Cyril gave this to me.
He said if it's confirmed you are the missing Shafiq, let me give it to you.
Also, he asked me to ask you if you are willing to return to the Shafiq family."
Ethan Jones bit his lip and finally shook his head: "Headmaster, please refuse for me.
I admit I am from the Shafiq family, but I don't want to return to the Shafiq family.
I will remember them forever and will avenge them, but giving up my current family to return to Shafiq is unnecessary."
He looked at the photo for a long time, looking at the movements of the three people on it, looking at their smiles.
"Do you really not consider returning to the Shafiq family? Cyril has never stopped looking for you these years.
Even if you don't want to return to the Shafiq family, can you meet this poor old man?" Dumbledore still hoped he could change his mind.
Ethan Jones hesitated. When he knew his parents didn't abandon him intentionally, he had lost the anger of questioning them to prove a point.
As for this grandfather he had never met, he could understand the old man's feelings, but he didn't want to cause misunderstandings and hurt Sofia and Albert's hearts.
He finally rejected this proposal.
Ethan Jones left, but another figure appeared in Dumbledore's office.
"You heard it too, Cyril." Dumbledore said to this old wizard.
This old wizard wore black wizard robes with silver threads embroidered on the cuffs and collar, holding a walking stick. His blond hair was mixed with some white hair, looking somewhat similar to Ethan Jones.
There was a disappointed smile on his face: "It doesn't matter. It's good that he values affection so much. I want to meet his adoptive parents first. Presumably, they will understand a lonely old man like me.
Especially since I don't have many years left to live. I just hope to spend more time with him before I die."
"Is your injury still not healed?" Dumbledore was concerned about him, not only because he had known Cyril for a long time, but Cyril was currently one of the school governors of Hogwarts.
The British Shafiq family had been supporting the operation of Hogwarts. After Rhett died, Cyril temporarily inherited this position.
Cyril shook his head: "It won't get better. Although our family has always used Pandanus wands, we really can't be called long-lived. Even dying at the age of sixty, I count as a long-lived person in the family."
"Thank you, Dumbledore, for helping me find the last descendant of the family. I need to prepare to visit his adoptive parents."
"You're welcome. It was also a coincidence." Dumbledore saw Cyril off to the gate of Hogwarts and watched him Apparate away.
When he returned to the Headmaster's office, he fell into deep thought.
After a long time, he whispered to himself: "The last descendant of the Shafiq family..."