Chapter 561: Tom Riddle

Dumbledore seemed somewhat satisfied; he popped a Lemon Sherbet into his mouth and handed one to Sien as well.

"Muggles make this candy, but it's not just popular in Muggle places."

Sien took the Lemon Sherbet. The outer layer was a hard, lemon-flavored candy shell, while the inside was filled with a white center that fizzed once it entered the mouth.

As he ate the Lemon Sherbet, Sien unconsciously glanced at the long table in front of him. The silver platters were piled high with sweets like Lemon Sherbets, Cockroach Clusters, Acid Pops, raspberry jam, and more.

"Minerva isn't very fond of sweets, though she does buy some."

Headmaster Dumbledore said, squinting his eyes.

"Let's go, Mr. Green, follow me."

……

The Chamber of Secrets.

Passing many stone pillars carved with coiled, intertwined serpents, the statue of Slytherin stood right before them.

And the Basilisk, wearing glasses, was curled up inside the statue.

Suddenly, Sien was surprised to hear a sentence in Parseltongue. He turned back, and it was actually Headmaster Dumbledore who had spoken.

"Surprising, do you think this is a difficult thing?"

Sien silently looked away. It seemed Headmaster Dumbledore not only understood Parseltongue but had also dabbled in it.

With that, the enormous stone face of Slytherin began to move. Its mouth opened, wider and wider, until it formed a massive black hole, and an impatient monster slithered out.

"Salazar Slytherin used it to protect the school. As far as I know, for a long time, it simply performed its duty faithfully.

Later, an accident occurred. Do you know what it was?"

Headmaster Dumbledore asked.

"Voldemort used it to kill Moaning Myrtle."

Sien replied.

The Basilisk had already slithered to Sien's feet. Standing tall, it was larger than a hundred Siens, yet at this moment, it was merely affectionately circling Sien.

"It is a tool, child. It cannot be denied that it was not created out of kindness.

But can birth determine everything? Child, I don't think so."

In the gloomy Chamber, Headmaster Dumbledore's voice echoed continuously.

"However, let's return to the subject of tools. In the hands of some, it is lethal, but I see you have settled it quite well.

It is already wearing glasses. I think, when it wears earmuffs, perhaps the sounds it hears will be even more authentic."

Dumbledore blinked.

Sien was somewhat surprised. If it really wore earmuffs, and without hearing Parseltongue, perhaps the Basilisk could truly function as a guardian of the castle.

It was just that, in itself, it probably didn't have much utility.

And so, the Basilisk fell into a deep sleep.

Headmaster Dumbledore led Sien out of the Chamber.

At that moment, a group of young wizards rushed past them, but they didn't seem to see Sien or Headmaster Dumbledore at all, as if they were transparent.

Sien looked down and discovered he was indeed transparent; Headmaster Dumbledore had cast a Disillusionment Charm without him even noticing.

They walked all the way to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore stroked Fawkes and said a name that made Sien pause slightly:

"Tom Riddle……

Few people know that this represents the young Voldemort.

What I didn't expect is that you have dealt with him many times, and each time, you have not lost to him. This is unbelievable."

Headmaster Dumbledore flicked his wand, and a shallow stone basin appeared on the desk. The rim of the basin was carved with runes and symbols, and the center was filled with a silvery substance that, like clouds, was both liquid and gas.

"We are going to enter my memory. I think you will find it not only vivid in detail but also accurate. You first, Mr. Green…… lower your head……"

Sien leaned over the Pensieve thoughtfully. His face plunged into the cold memory in the basin, and then he fell into the darkness……

A few seconds later, his feet touched solid ground. He opened his eyes and found that he and Dumbledore were standing on a busy, old-fashioned street in London.

Dumbledore naturally held his hand, and they entered an orphanage on the street.

"That is me."

Dumbledore said cheerfully, pointing to a tall figure ahead.

Sien inexplicably found it amusing that Headmaster Dumbledore was pointing at Professor Dumbledore while speaking.

And Professor Dumbledore in the memory was talking to a handsome-looking orphan.

"I am here to take you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Dumbledore said.

"Magic?"

The orphan named Riddle repeated softly.

"Indeed."

Dumbledore said.

"Those abilities of mine, are they…… are they magic?"

"What kind of abilities do you have?"

"All sorts."

Riddle lowered his voice, and an excited flush spread rapidly from his neck to his sunken cheeks. He seemed very agitated.

"I can make things move without touching them with my hands. I can make animals obey me without training. If someone makes me angry, I can make them have bad luck. I can make them get hurt whenever I want."

His legs were trembling. He stumbled forward, sat back down on the bed, lowered his head, and stared at his own hands as if praying.

"I always knew I was different."

He said to his trembling hands.

"I always knew I was special. I always knew there was something in here."

"Yes, your thoughts are not wrong."

Dumbledore said. He restrained his smile and looked at Riddle with focused eyes.

"You are a wizard."

Riddle looked up. His face changed instantly:

It revealed a fanatical joy, an expression that was almost beast-like.

Beside Sien, an extremely complex look appeared on Headmaster Dumbledore's face:

"When possessing extraordinary power, wizards always face a choice—at this moment, turning toward evil is very easy."

And so, this memory passed quickly, and another memory appeared—

"Open the wardrobe."

Professor Dumbledore said, pointing to a wardrobe.

Riddle hesitated for a moment, then walked over and yanked the wardrobe door open.

Hanging on the rod were a few ragged clothes, and on the top shelf was a small cardboard box that was shaking incessantly, making a clattering sound, as if a few crazy mice were trapped inside.

"Take it out."

Dumbledore said. Riddle moved the shaking box down, looking at a loss.

"Is there something in that box that you shouldn't have?"

Dumbledore asked. Riddle looked at Dumbledore deeply with a clear, cautious gaze.

"Yes, I think so, sir."

He finally said in a dry voice.

"Open it."

Dumbledore said.

Riddle opened the lid and dumped the contents onto his bed without even looking. ===== CHAPTER 562 =====