bioinnovel Chapter 425 Heart-to-Heart Talk
Chapter 425 Heart-to-Heart Talk
Chapter 425 Heart-to-Heart Talk
"So, the reason Voldemort was hiding all this time was because of the prophecy orb?"
In the principal's office, Belvina stood with her hands behind her back like an old man, her dark eyes showing no sign of flinching.
"Yes, I've already mentioned this at the Phoenix Order meeting. You don't need to come all the way here to ask again—ask it three times."
Dumbledore, sitting behind his desk, was exasperated. Belvina was only thirty years old; how could she forget something he had told her several times in the blink of an eye?
"I can't understand why Voldemort valued that prophecy so much, and just watched the election of Wizengamor be finalized."
Belvina believed that even if Karkaroff's death couldn't provoke Voldemort, it would at least force the Death Eaters to take action.
As a result, the old man didn't fight back or retaliate, and stubbornly accepted Belvina's framing.
Even Yaxley and McNeil made no comment and continued to go to get off work as usual every day.
"I think he probably wanted to confirm the second half of the prophecy," Dumbledore said. "The first half of the prophecy has come true, hasn't it?"
"Even if Voldemort believed in the power of prophecy, why did he have to kill Harry?" Belvina truly couldn't understand. "Couldn't he have just imprisoned him, maimed him, or rendered useless?"
Dumbledore fell silent. Given Belvina's current behavior, it was a real shame she wasn't a villain.
After a while, Dumbledore spoke again, saying, "It's a difference in perception. Voldemort believed that nothing could be worse than death."
"On this point, I quite agree with Voldemort." Belvina nodded in agreement. "Death is the worst thing. Death means the end. When you're dead, everything is gone."
"It was precisely because he was afraid of death that Voldemort created Horcruxes." Dumbledore did not correct Belvina's point of view. "In order to achieve a kind of immortality, he did not hesitate to split his own soul through murder."
"Ew! Splitting one's soul, just thinking about it makes me feel like I'm going to die." Belvina shuddered; she was not only afraid of death, but also terrified of pain.
Dumbledore fell silent again. Someone who was afraid of both death and pain didn't seem quite suited to be a villain.
"Fourteen years ago, he was beaten up by a child," Belvina continued. "Fourteen years later, in order to avoid being beaten up by the child again, he wants to hear the complete prophecy."
That's the logic, but she just felt something wasn't quite right.
Does Voldemort really think that the Ministry of Magic is inferior to a prophecy orb? That's incredibly presumptuous!
"How about I go back and smash the prophecy ball, that'll be the end of it, and nobody will have a second thought!" Belvina said. "What do you think?"
"Calm down, don't be impulsive. Distracting him with the Prophecy Orb is a good idea," Dumbledore said helplessly. "You and Amelia can use this time to reorganize the Ministry of Magic."
The mere mention of the Ministry of Magic filled Belvina with rage; the ugly, mercenary faces of those officials made her nauseous.
"Don't even mention the Ministry of Magic, those old fogies—I'm not talking about you, Professor—they're all infuriating. Every time I have a meeting with them, I'm acutely aware that humans are animals too."
Belvina put her hands on her hips and began to complain angrily.
Although the situation in Wizengamo has been temporarily resolved, many things are still fraught with difficulties.
"That's why you and Amelia need to reorganize the Ministry of Magic and change its corrupt and incompetent state," Dumbledore said. "Winning the Minister's nomination is only the first step."
Belvina was well aware of the meaning behind Dumbledore's words.
The Ministry of Magic is now terminally ill, and drastic measures are needed to cure its deep-seated problems.
Whether it's taking drastic measures or cutting through the Gordian knot, someone needs to step forward and do something that might offend others.
Belvina sat down angrily, then glanced at the Phineas Nigellus Black hanging on the wall.
If nothing unexpected happens, in the near future, he will become "the most unpopular director in the history of the Ministry of Magic".
The title will be given to Blake.
"I thought you were all set to be the executioner," Dumbledore said. "You killed Karkaroff, didn't you?"
Belvina looked up at Dumbledore.
"You killed Karkaroff and dirtied your hands," Dumbledore continued. "You weren't supposed to have done it."
Dumbledore once said that if Karkaroff insisted on not fighting Voldemort, he would become a gift to atone for his past sins.
This gift was supposed to be given to Voldemort by Snape. No matter who Karkaroff dies at the hands of, it will not be Belvina.
However, Belvina took it upon herself to take Karkaroff away without permission, using murder to temporarily gain the support of the neutral faction and help Bones win the ministerial nomination.
This was something Dumbledore didn't want to see; his expectations of Belvina were never those of a blood-stained executioner.
Belvina stared silently at her right hand, her skin fair and delicate, her fingers slender and tender. The amount of blood on her hand wasn't much, but it wasn't insignificant either.
"Everything I've done with my power, including this despicable murder, has been to protect my family and friends," she said softly, her eyes never leaving her hands.
"It seems you're ready," Dumbledore said with a complex expression. "When you're soaked in blood, Belvina, will you still be the same person you are now?"
Belvina stood up, seemingly tired of this roundabout way of communicating.
She said, "Professor, your worries today are completely unnecessary. I know exactly what I'm doing, and I'm sure it's the right thing to do."
Belvina's arrogant expression and tone once again reminded Dumbledore of a young Gellert Grindelwald.
"At times, you really resemble an old friend of mine," Dumbledore said calmly. "Equally brilliant, equally ambitious to change the world, equally ruthless and unscrupulous."
Belvina thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "You're not talking about that person, are you? For the greater good?"
""
"Yes," Dumbledore nodded frankly. "I had this thought in my mind during your first year back at Hogwarts as a teacher."
"Professor, you flatter me too much. I'm far from worthy," Belvina said. "Gellert Grindelwald, that's the devil who once swept across Europe!"
Dumbledore, as if he hadn't heard Belvina's words, continued, "Young Gellert was a charming and brilliant wizard, and his every move was fascinating, which made me turn a blind eye to his danger at first."
Belvina was at a loss for words; it seemed she had stumbled upon some juicy gossip at a time when things should have been very serious.
"Later, he lost control. The unnecessary malice in his heart led him to recklessness to a cruel degree. He became increasingly ruthless and dangerous," Dumbledore continued.
Belvina still didn't know how to bring it up; she really had no experience with matters of the heart.
"Later on, his ideals became more and more extreme, and his style of doing things became more and more extreme, turning him into the Gellert Grindelwald that the world knows."
Dumbledore continued, "I know that he and I are destined to part ways, but sometimes I can't help but wonder if things would be different if I could stay by his side."
Upon hearing this, Belvina, who was just observing, paused for a moment, as if she had heard these words somewhere before.
"Professor, I didn't understand what you said," Belvina said. "Are you going to stop him, or join him?"
"Who knows?" Dumbledore said with a smile. "Maybe two Grindelwalds, maybe two Dumbledores, who knows what might happen."
At this moment, or at least for this second, Belvina felt that the person sitting in the headmaster's office was not the Albus Dumbledore she knew, but a young Albus Dumbledore who had just walked out of Hogwarts.
"Professor, you look so unfamiliar to me," Belvina joked, "like you've suddenly become a hundred years younger."
"If I were a hundred years younger, I should address you as Professor Black," Dumbledore said with a self-deprecating laugh, recalling that a hundred years ago he was a student at Hogwarts.
After saying this, Dumbledore looked at Fawkes, the phoenix perched on a branch. His blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, as if he were seeing Godric's Hollow from his memory again, and that scorching summer.
After a while, Dumbledore slowly withdrew his gaze, his eyes returning to a gentle and peaceful state.
Dumbledore said solemnly, "Belvina, I am delighted to see you break free of your inner shackles. I hope you can soar through the skies like a phoenix."
This left Belvina somewhat bewildered. She admitted that she had once drawn a circle around herself, wanting to live a secluded life, but when had she ever said she wanted to soar through the skies?
Misunderstand!
This is a huge misunderstanding!
Dumbledore must have misunderstood something, which is why he wanted to herd a duck—no, he should have herded a phoenix to heaven.
"I'd be happy to help you," Dumbledore continued. "That was my dream when I was young—to use my talents to change the world."
No, old man, let's talk this out. Don't overthink it!
Belvina stood up, trying to stop Dumbledore from continuing; who knew how outrageous his next remarks would be.
"but--
—
Dumbledore abruptly changed the subject, and Belvina, who had just stood up, immediately sat back down.
When listening to someone, focus on the key points. When someone says "but," the key point is often about to be revealed.
"You must firmly remember what you are like now, remember your current awe of death, and only by understanding the impact of death on others will your behavior be restrained."
Belvina nodded, seemingly confused.
Perhaps Dumbledore saw through her heart before Belvina did.