Chapter 409: Obtaining the Locket (55)

Wizard Sean always acts according to his well-planned strategies, rain or shine.

Dumbledore, on the other hand, relies always on his wisdom.

Just like now, he pulled forward a small, glowing green boat, as if he had foreseen its exact location.

“You know Tom well.”

This was Wizard Sean’s explanation.

“It is my duty—well, the Headmaster’s. May I have your left hand?”

Dumbledore took Wizard Sean’s uninjured hand.

“Magic always leaves traces, sometimes very obvious ones. I taught Tom Riddle; I know his style.”

Dumbledore said, as a soft thud signaled the boat bumping against the lakeshore.

Dumbledore stepped aside and guided Wizard Sean carefully aboard the boat.

The space was too small; they might have to squeeze together.

Wizard Sean considered for a moment, then swiftly opened the Wizard’s Book. A modest, elegant wooden door stood on the boat’s deck; he stepped inside and poked his head out:

“Would you care to come in?”

“I would be delighted.”

Dumbledore smiled warmly and stepped inside.

The boat immediately set off. All around was silence, save for the soft hiss of the prow cutting through the water.

The boat moved on its own, requiring no effort from them—as if an invisible rope pulled it toward the green light at the Black Lake’s center.

Soon, the cave walls vanished from view; they felt as if sailing upon an open sea. The only oddity was that the boat’s crew was Puckidge the butler.

Wei Xiong stood with fierce determination, unshaken even if ten thousand hands reached up from beneath the water.

“Goblins,” Dumbledore said, lifting the pumpkin juice Puckidge had left on the table, “have their own unique magic.”

“Indeed unique magic, Headmaster Dumbledore.”

Wizard Sean suppressed the urge to snack, even though Puckidge’s cooking was excellent and always left delicacies in the Wizard’s House for him.

“I can’t wait to hear your stories from Ilvermorny.”

“Though perhaps better told in dreams.”

Dumbledore smiled.

Before Wizard Sean could answer, Puckidge’s dutiful voice rang out:

“Mr. Green, we are nearly there.”

They leaned out—and indeed, the green light had grown larger, brighter. Minutes later, the boat gently bumped into something and stopped.

Wizard Sean raised his lit wand and saw they had reached a smooth, rocky islet at the Black Lake’s center.

The islet was about the size of Dumbledore’s office: a large, flat slab of black stone, empty except for the source of the green light.

Now that they were closer, the green glow appeared far brighter.

They saw it emanated from a stone basin resembling a Pensieve, resting on a pedestal.

Wizard Sean instinctively stepped closer to the basin; Dumbledore remained behind.

They stood side by side, gazing into the basin. It was filled to the brim with emerald-green liquid, shimmering with phosphorescent light.

“Looks like we have something to do?”

Dumbledore appeared relaxed.

At the same time, he moved his hand slightly toward the liquid.

He swiftly cast several spells around it.

Wizard Sean memorized every one.

“Oh—a liquid. The hand cannot reach in; it cannot be separated, scooped out, drained, or vanished by Disapparation. It cannot be transfigured or altered in any way by magic.”

Dumbledore seemed distracted as he raised his wand again, twirled it in the air, and conjured a tall crystal wine goblet.

“I can only conclude: this liquid must be drunk.”

Wizard Sean stared at Dumbledore as if he might suddenly swallow the entire contents.

Dumbledore stared back, guessing Wizard Sean had already considered doing the same—except the liquid was now in his own hand.

“No need for that. I think you already know.”

“Undoubtedly, this potion will prevent us from retrieving the Horcrux. It will likely paralyze the wizard, erase his memory of why he came here, inflict unbearable pain, shatter his concentration, or otherwise incapacitate him.”

“If that happens, Wizard Sean, you must ensure I keep drinking.”

Dumbledore said softly.

Then he saw clear refusal in Wizard Sean’s eyes.

“I must emphasize: it is in my hand now—and you cannot take it.”

He winked playfully.

“Why not let...”

Wizard Sean began.

“I am far older than you, Wizard Sean, and my value is far less than yours.”

Dumbledore said without hesitation.

“Some animals drink.”

Wizard Sean finished his interrupted thought.

Then Dumbledore watched as creatures from the Wizard’s Book emerged—strong, sturdy animals.

“Some potions are hallucinogenic. Perhaps they could counteract each other?”

Wizard Sean shook the crystal vial in his hand.

In truth, this was no guess—he had heard Professor Snape speak of such potion basics in the dungeon.

Dumbledore paused, his gaze deepening:

“Firenze was right. Your talent in Divination is no less than your other gifts.”

He stepped aside, allowing the animals, now dazed from the potion, to drink from the goblet.

Soon, the liquid was gone. The animals collapsed into sleep—except one boar, seemingly still thirsty, ignoring the magically conjured water pool and instead gulping down two mouthfuls of Black Lake water.

The Black Lake’s surface, once mirror-smooth, now churned violently.

Wizard Sean looked up—and saw pale, bony heads and hands rising from the black water: men’s, women’s, children’s, all with sunken, sightless eyes drifting toward the rock.

—A vast sea of corpses surfaced from the black Black Lake.

Dumbledore watched Wizard Sean with keen interest.

The next instant, Wizard Sean drew his wand:

“Dragon of Fire—”

A massive dragon descended from the sky. Under Dumbledore’s watch, Wizard Sean unleashed his full magical power without restraint.

The dragon grew larger and larger, until it rivaled the size of a true dragon, guarding the shore and spewing fire.

Destroying the corpses was as easy as Dumbledore eating Chocolate Frogs.

“A new spell?”

Dumbledore’s eyes grew deep.

“A minor modification...”

Wizard Sean directed the dragon.

“Alright, alright.”

Dumbledore cut him off.

But the corpses kept coming, and after five seconds, Wizard Sean’s head spun.

He had been weakened.

“Oh, then I...”

Dumbledore seemed perfectly at ease.

“Hmm, Wil, it’s time.”

Wizard Sean pulled out the locket and let Puckidge steady his hand.

“May I take you with me?”

Wizard Sean asked.

Dumbledore knew that since last September, things had grown increasingly unpredictable.

Dumbledore knew that since last September, things had begun to grow increasingly unexpected.

“Why not?”

And so, after Puckidge Apparated away, the cave fell silent once more.

Then, after Puck Apparated away, the cave fell silent again.