met free Chapter 107 Dumbledore's Commission
Chapter 107 Dumbledore's Commission
Chapter 107 Dumbledore's Commission
Cullen's footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, each step striking a chord in his taut heart. Professor McGonagall's unusually solemn expression, and Dumbledore's sudden summons, all pointed to an answer he didn't want to think about but couldn't avoid—the name of Professor Castor swirled in his mind.
Walking through the familiar yet unfamiliar corridor, the usually fascinating spiral staircases and moving portraits have lost their luster.
Karen walked straight to the entrance to the principal's office, where the dripping stone statue stood quietly.
"Lemon Olaf." Karen's voice was a little strained.
The principal's office was still filled with strange, murmuring sounds, and tiny silver instruments on the table emitted smoke as they rotated, emitting a soft glow.
Dumbledore was sitting behind his large desk, his deep eyes fixed on Cullen through his glasses.
"Good evening, Cullen. Please have a seat." Dumbledore gestured to a comfortable, upholstered chair opposite the desk.
"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore." Cullen sat down as instructed, trying to steady his breathing. He noticed that there were no desserts on the headmaster's desk as usual, which further confirmed his premonition—this was not going to be a relaxed conversation.
"Thank you for coming so quickly." Dumbledore pressed his fingers together and leaned forward slightly. "First of all, I must say, Cullen, I am truly pleased, even amazed, by your growth at Hogwarts over this period of time."
Karen was slightly taken aback, not expecting the conversation to start in this direction.
"Professor Flitwick spoke highly of your talent and diligence in spells, especially your breakthroughs in the application of silence spells and protective magic. He described your progress as 'like a carefully polished diamond, its brilliance growing ever brighter.' Professor McGonagall also mentioned to me that your understanding of Transfiguration far surpasses that of your peers, and she was impressed by your thirst for knowledge and—well, the occasional rather challenging questions you posed." Dumbledore's eyes gleamed with genuine admiration.
"And also," he continued, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over the faint outline of the badge beneath Karen's school robe, "your explorations in the field of alchemy, that creativity that ingeniously combines natural observation with magical principles, are truly refreshing. Although Castor is demanding, I know the effort and expectations he has poured into you."
Karen felt a warmth, but his doubts did not dissipate, and he listened quietly.
“It’s not just your personal achievement,” Dumbledore’s tone shifted, becoming more serious, “but also the team you formed with Mr. Cruz, Mr. Brian, and Mr. Griffith—well, the ‘Eagle’s Nest’ team?” A tiny smile seemed to curve his lips, a hint of understanding in his expression. “The caution, cooperation, and respect for the magical ecosystem you displayed during your mapping activities on the edge of the Forbidden Forest are equally commendable. Of course,” he said, his voice slightly somber, “I must emphasize that the Forbidden Forest is always fraught with unknown dangers, even on its edges. The accompaniment of an adult wizard, especially a guide like Hagrid who is familiar with the Forbidden Forest, is an absolutely essential safety guarantee. Curiosity is commendable, but safety is the guarantee for its success.”
“We understand, Professor Dumbledore,” Cullen nodded immediately. “We’ve been very cautious; last time, we only made observations and records on the periphery.” He carefully avoided mentioning the moonmoss and the fantastical moonlit feast, let alone the battle with the eight-eyed spider.
Although he felt that Dumbledore might already know this from Professor Castor.
"I trust your judgment, Cullen." Dumbledore nodded slightly, but then the gentleness on his face vanished like the tide, and the air in the office seemed to freeze.
"However," Dumbledore's voice deepened, each word clear and heavy, "I have summoned you here tonight because of a worrying situation. It concerns Professor Castor."
Karen's heart sank; his worst premonition had been confirmed, and his hands clenched involuntarily.
Dumbledore noticed Cullen's momentary tension. He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully. "Professor Castor's health has recently shown some worrying changes."
Karen felt a tightness in his throat, and the image of the menacing, seemingly alive black lines spreading across the professor's left arm immediately flashed into his mind. He wanted to ask, but dared not interrupt the principal.
"His magical fluctuations have become abnormally chaotic, exhibiting a state of powerful erosion and interference." Dumbledore's wording was very careful, avoiding the direct name of the curse. "This erosion is stronger than the balance he had previously maintained. This has caused him considerable suffering, and, frankly, it poses a significant challenge to his ability to continue fulfilling his teaching duties."
Karen spoke urgently: "Then the professor is now—"
"He's not at Hogwarts right now," Dumbledore immediately added, gesturing reassuringly. "Professor Castor has temporarily left the school to seek more professional help and rest, and has gone to see an old friend we both trust." Cullen immediately understood.
That refers to Nicolas Flamel.
Hearing that the professor was with Nico, Karen's tense nerves relaxed slightly.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, is Professor Castor's condition really that serious?" Cullen's voice trembled without her even realizing it.
“The situation certainly needs close monitoring, Cullen,” Dumbledore said, his tone reassuring, though not evasive. “Nicole is doing everything he can. But you know, some magical ‘corruptions’ require time and a catalyst to heal; they can’t be eradicated simply by powerful magic.” He skillfully avoided the taboo words “curse” and “Helpor.” “Right now, what we need is patience and faith in Professor Castor. He is an extremely powerful wizard, and his experiences have given him a will far beyond that of ordinary people.”
Karen nodded silently, but the heaviness in her heart did not lessen much. Time, Professor Castor needed time the most! Voldemort's curse was acting as a catalyst, accelerating the burning of the professor's already dwindling life force.
"Given that Professor Castor needs to rest and recuperate, he is temporarily unable to fulfill his teaching duties for Defense Against the Dark Arts," Dumbledore continued, his tone regaining its usual composure. "For the time being, I have decided that Professor Snape will temporarily take over the course. I believe that with Professor Snape's knowledge and abilities, he can ensure that your studies are not affected."
"Cullen," Dumbledore said, his gaze becoming incredibly focused after briefly outlining the follow-up arrangements, as if he could see right through people. "Professor Castor values you highly, considering you his successor. He often mentions to me your keen intuition in alchemy and your unique ability to 'observe'." Dumbledore subtly emphasized the word "observation," his eyes seemingly sweeping meaningfully across Cullen's eyes.
Karen's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly understood what the headmaster was referring to—his Eye of Truth! Dumbledore must have discovered something. After all, although he hadn't joined the Ring of Hermes, he should have known a lot about the organization and probably knew about the Eye of Truth.
"During Professor Castor's recovery," Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more solemn, "I hope to use your talents and knowledge to do my part in his recovery—or rather, in stabilizing his condition."
Karen immediately sat up straight, her grey-blue eyes brightening: "Professor Dumbledore, I will do everything I can to help Professor Castor! Please tell me what to do?" Her mentor's safety was her greatest concern at that moment.
"I need you to use your extraordinary talent for 'observation'," Dumbledore emphasized again, his gaze deep, "combining it with your profound understanding of alchemy, especially of the interaction between materials and magic, to try to find it."
He paused, then continued, “Seek out natural magical materials, plants, and even magical nodes that naturally form under specific conditions. I’m not referring to powerful offensive or defensive materials, but rather those that possess properties of ‘soothing,’ ‘harmonizing,’ or ‘stabilizing’ unusual magical flows. In particular,” Dumbledore’s voice lowered, taking a guiding tone, “those substances or phenomena that can deeply ‘resonate’ with the natural magic in the environment and can guide or purify disordered magical fields.”
Karen's mind flashed back to the magical scene under the moonlit Forbidden Forest: Moonmoss unfurling its leaves under the full moon, absorbing and transforming the moonlight; the Bowtruckles dancing, guiding the flow of pure magic; the holy light gathering on the unicorn horns—that harmonious and symbiotic natural magical cycle, the headmaster had known all along, or at least had some guess!
Dumbledore seemed to read Cullen's thoughts and gently added, "For example, some magical plants that you've seen bloom only under certain celestial phenomena, their interaction with moonlight? Or magical creatures like unicorns that are naturally attuned to pure magic. Of course, I'm just giving examples; pure magic itself has no effect on Castor's curse, but such unique mechanisms in nature may contain the clues we need."
"I understand, Professor Dumbledore!" Cullen's voice rose slightly with excitement. "Like some kind of natural stabilizer or resonator, helping to calm raging or corrupted magical flows?"
“A very apt metaphor, Cullen.” Dumbledore nodded approvingly. “That’s exactly what I want you to do: observe and record. Use your talents as the most sophisticated instruments of detection to sense and discover natural wonders that might be of benefit to Professor Castor’s current situation. Record their characteristics, the environments in which they occur, and their specific manifestations of interaction with magic.”
"Of course, this doesn't mean you have to find it immediately, but rather it's a basic, exploratory study. Don't feel too much pressure; we old folks can handle Castor, can't we?" Dumbledore's tone became more relaxed after saying this, as if he wanted to ease Cullen's burden.
Then Dumbledore's tone became extremely serious.
"If you are prepared to conduct research, remember that safety must come first. Any exploration, especially in the Forbidden Forest or other sensitive areas, must strictly adhere to school rules and is best accompanied by an adult wizard. Do not take risks, and do not attempt to touch or collect dangerous items whose nature you do not fully understand. Your safety is important to Professor Castor and to Hogwarts."
"I assure you, Professor Dumbledore!" Cullen solemnly promised, "I will be very careful and will only observe and record."
"Very good." Dumbledore seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, a gentle smile returning to his face. "Share your discoveries, big or small..."
"No matter how insignificant it may seem, report directly to me." He gestured to the phoenix on the perch. "You can come to my office or try calling Fox. Remember, Karen, knowledge takes time to accumulate, and clues need to be connected. Don't rush things; patience and meticulousness are your most powerful weapons right now."
He stood up, walked around the desk, and stood in front of Karen, placing a warm and strong hand on Karen's shoulder.
"Casto has his reasons for choosing you," Dumbledore said, his deep blue eyes fixed on Cullen. "I believe..."
Your wisdom and your heart will guide you in the right direction. Go, Cullen. Focus on your studies, and don't forget to enjoy your time at Hogwarts. Pressure is a motivator, but it shouldn't be everything.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore." Cullen took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed to Dumbledore. The heavy worry in his heart hadn't disappeared, but it had been replaced by a stronger sense of responsibility and a faint glimmer of hope. He had a clear goal and direction.
Leaving the Headmaster's office, the spiral staircase descended slowly. Cullen's feelings were complex and difficult to describe. Professor Castor's worsening condition felt like a boulder weighing on her, but the direction Dumbledore had pointed out was like a lamp lit in the darkness. Gathering her thoughts, she strode towards the Ravenclaw Tower.