Chapter 284: What Kind of Enemy Am I Actually Facing?

Ms. Cariman appeared very assertive, and without further discussion convened the other School Governors, and the questioning of Dumbledore began immediately.

"From the very beginning of this matter, there has been a point I could not understand," Ms. Cariman said, "and that is also one of the important issues in this educational Hearing. I want to know, is the Magic Stone the property of Hogwarts? Is it the property of the students?"

"Ms. Cariman, you may speak plainly," Rasim said.

"If the Magic Stone is neither the students' property nor Hogwarts' property, then I want to know why it needs to be protected at Hogwarts?"

"Professor Dumbledore accepted his friend Nikelmei's commission to protect the Magic Stone from the mysterious man's hands; we can understand that. But why place the Magic Stone at Hogwarts? Why have the professors help set traps to protect the Magic Stone?"

"Earlier, through the accounts of several young Wizards and Professor Snape, we can see that among the traps protecting the Magic Stone are a three‑headed hellhound, a Devil's Net, a giant, as well as transformed chess pieces and poison; any one of them could cause a student's death."

"In fact, Mr. Ron was injured by the transformed chess piece, and the giant almost caused casualties among several young Wizards, sparking unrest at the school."

"Protecting the Magic Stone is Professor Dumbledore's personal commitment and responsibility, but ordering the professors to assist—does that abuse the Headmaster's authority? And having the students bear the danger—does that disregard their safety too much?!"

"Professor McGonagall," Cariman looked at Murphy, "I heard you previously gave Professor McGonagall a warning about this, is that right?"

"Yes," Murphy said, "when Professor McGonagall asked me to join the task of protecting the Magic Stone, I mentioned this point: these risks should not be borne by the students."

"Deputy Headmistress McGonagall," Cariman looked at McGonagall again, "as Chair of the School Governors, may I ask you, did you convey Professor Murphy's concerns to Headmaster Dumbledore?"

Professor McGonagall felt that something was amiss, but she had always been upright and never lied; at this moment she said, "Yes, I passed it on to A Bu Si, but the Headmaster has further considerations…"

"Then, Professor Dumbledore, what exactly are those further considerations? What reason could make you, despite the risk of endangering students' lives, still set those traps in the school?"

"Furthermore, there is an extremely important point," Cariman said, "have you already anticipated that the person intending to steal the Magic Stone is the mysterious man?"

"What I mean is, did you knowingly, even though the mysterious man might infiltrate Hogwarts because of the Magic Stone, still decide to bring the Magic Stone to Hogwarts, thereby exposing the students to the mysterious man's threat?"

This accusation is far more serious than the previous one.

After all, as long as the students are given sufficient warning, the danger of the traps need not be prohibited.

The dangers in Hogwarts are not limited to that corridor; the Forbidden Forest is also dangerous.

Yet, knowing that Voldemort intends to steal the Magic Stone, still bringing the Magic Stone to the school—and protecting the Magic Stone is not Hogwarts' responsibility—this is clearly for a personal commitment, while disregarding the students' safety.

Dumbledore remained silent.

He could not answer the question.

If he were to answer, he would have to admit that his purpose was to make Harry face that trial, to have Harry learn early how to confront Voldemort.

But this is also a paradox; to others, his actions seem to be pushing a young Wizard straight in front of Voldemort.

And to explain clearly why he let Harry face Voldemort, one must mention the prophecy.

No, it's still too early.

It is still too early for Harry, and also too early for Voldemort.

If Voldemort's minions learned the prophecy now, when he returns, he might reassess his relationship with Harry… which would likely be detrimental to Harry and to the entire Wizarding world.

Moreover, even if he now explains his motives fully, he still cannot clear himself of the charge of abusing his authority.

This is an overt scheme; he cannot resist it at all.

Dumbledore now fully understood the direction of events; he looked at Murphy, both shocked and deeply puzzled.

The shock lay in the fact that if the opponent refrained from acting it was one thing, but once they acted they struck his most vulnerable soft spot; their method was exquisitely ingenious, their tactics grand and righteous, even leaving him in awe.

The puzzlement stemmed from the fact that he still could not grasp the full picture.

What on earth is going on with Lukas Bratson?

In fact, his actions after the trapdoor were not limited to a fake Magic Stone alone.

The reason for using the Erised Mirror was not only its ability to reflect desire; additionally, he could see everything happening in that room directly through the mirror.

Otherwise, how would he determine Harry's choice?

How would he ensure Harry's safety?

When he previously spoke to Harry about the mirror, he explained that he was hidden in that room; in fact, does that mean he stands by the mirror waiting for Harry every day?

He must keep everything under his control.

The other professors' traps were merely small tests of Harry's mind; he certainly knew they could not stop Voldemort.

The only one who could truly stop Voldemort was himself.

And that mirror was his window to observe developments; once things slipped out of control, he would appear instantly to prevent the worst outcome.

That day, when he saw Lukas suddenly appear through the Erised Mirror, he sensed trouble, but Snape's timely removal of the two gave him relief, making him think that at least Harry was temporarily safe.

With Voldemort absent, Harry's safety was ensured, and he had no further worries.

However, everything that followed completely exceeded his expectations.

Voldemort could not devise a scheme of this magnitude.

None of this should have happened.

All variables ultimately traced back to Lukas Bratson.

To understand Lukas, one must uncover the diary that Quirrell mentioned.

When Quirrell spoke of the diary, Dumbledore found it oddly familiar and instinctively recalled a notebook he had seen years earlier at the Wizengamot court, said to be the Dark Lord's diary.

That item was fake, a tool Murphy used to frame Lucius.

But if it had an original model, why would Lucius act so nervously?

If Murphy told even a sliver of truth in that trial, that notebook might be a tool and preparation Voldemort uses for resurrection.

House‑elf Dobby once said Murphy took that notebook; if Dobby's notebook was the genuine one, it should have been in Murphy's hands since then.

Following that line, and recalling the mysteries surrounding Lukas Bratson—such as his being discovered by Murphy's confidant—Dumbledore felt he was finally grasping a thread of the story.

Is it possible that Lukas Bratson was not controlled by Voldemort, but rather under Murphy's control?

If so, Murphy Darkholm may have set this massive, convoluted chessboard even before the school term began.

And even now, he still does not understand how the other side accomplished it.

What kind of mind is that?!

What kind of method is that?!

What kind of enemy am I actually facing?!

Thanks to California Orange Iced Tea for the tip, thanks to Murloc for the Element Soup 1,000‑point tip, thanks to Rulai Not Coming for the 5,000‑point tip, thanks to Kopcn cutie for a bunch of character tips to Murphy. Thank you all, I will keep working hard~

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(End of chapter)