Chapter 360

During the days when Draco was detained.

John's side saw no action; he was merely waiting for Grindelwald to appear.

Harry and the others were just like everyone else, curiously tracking news of Grindelwald.

As for Titus, Ryan, and Ethan.

Because Malfoy had moved into the Titus Family, they all knew Grindelwald was in the Kelaoer House.

They also long knew Grindelwald's identity.

However, because John had greeted them beforehand, these days they took no part in any discussion about Grindelwald.

To avoid saying anything careless.

Hermione was sure John certainly knew something, wearing an air of expectation.

So she simply gave up on the matter and read and studied as usual.

Waiting for John to take the initiative and explain to her.

Two days later.

The campus atmosphere remained tense and eerie.

Today there was Magic Potion Class.

After class, John as usual discussed some obscure points with Professor Slughorn.

But this time it was unavoidable that they would discuss the recent turbulent situation.

"The Wizarding World really has not a single peaceful day."

Professor Slughorn shook his head while slowly stirring the crucible with a silver spoon.

"Anyway, since I enrolled, there's never been peace."

John, standing beside, snorted in amusement.

"But I believe it won't be long before all problems are resolved."

Professor Slughorn glanced at John, smiled, and asked.

"This situation, could it not also be your doing?"

"What's with the you‑me distinction? Don't be so distant." John also smiled, not denying.

"But I really don't know what the Headmaster intends to do this time."

John saw the Magic Potion in the pot begin to boil, and he handed the professor the next ingredient.

"With the valuable information you previously provided, we are now only two Horcruxes away from truly destroying Voldemort."

Professor Slughorn raised his eyebrows upon hearing that and said.

"You're moving fast—already found the other four?"

"Hmm, Professor, your arithmetic isn't great either—seven minus two isn't five, is it?"

John heard the professor say "four" but didn't pay much attention, taking it as a slip of the tongue.

After all, the old man tends to avoid talking about Horcruxes.

But this time, Professor Slughorn's actions simply stopped.

"Seven?"

"Have the Death Eaters made another Horcrux?"

The professor asked, face full of surprise, because the number John said differed from his memory.

John then blinked strangely and asked, "Didn't Voldemort make seven Horcruxes?"

"No, I didn't give my memories to Albus, so how could you still get it wrong?"

"Tom Riddle back then said he would split his soul into seven parts; counting his own soul, that means he made only six Horcruxes—where would a seventh come from?"

Hearing that, John froze a moment and furrowed his brow.

"But the Headmaster told me Voldemort thinks seven is a magically powerful number, so he should have made seven Horcruxes."

Professor Slughorn just wore a questioning expression.

"My memory clearly says splitting the soul into seven parts—surely Albus wouldn't misunderstand that?"

John furrowed his brow, immediately sensing something was off.

First, regarding the two consecutive destructions of Horcruxes in front of Voldemort, which triggered Harry's thought link.

But both times, there was no information about a seventh Horcrux.

Second, Dumbledore has been vague about the so‑called seventh Horcrux, only saying he's investigating, has a lead, and will talk after the other Horcruxes are resolved.

Now Professor Slughorn firmly insists his memory holds only six Horcruxes.

If Voldemort made only six Horcruxes, then what exactly is Dumbledore's alleged lead about?

Even the plan causing the recent turmoil, Dumbledore is acting under the banner of seeking the seventh Horcrux.

Could it be that Voldemort really made a new Horcrux?

After all, Professor Slughorn's memory is from decades ago.

Perhaps the Voldemort who died once, after his resurrection, secretly made a new Horcrux.

But why doesn't Dumbledore tell them?

Even if he had a lead, he didn't share the information with them to brainstorm together.

The more he thought, the stranger it seemed; indeed, he might as well go ask Dumbledore directly.

John no longer felt like continuing his Magic Potion studies.

He bid farewell to Professor Slughorn and headed for the XiaoZhangBanGongShi.

Today Hogwarts' weather was overcast and gloomy.

Coupled with the recent atmosphere at the school, it altogether feels somewhat oppressive.

However, John is now more concerned about the Horcrux matter.

He now thinks it seems he hasn't personally gone to see that true memory of Slughorn.

Just listening to Dumbledore's narration.

Previously, because I trusted Dumbledore's judgment, I didn't pay much attention, but now Dumbledore's narration and Professor Slughorn's own memory have contradicted each other.

So I have to go ask for clarification.

Soon he arrived at the XiaoZhangBanGongShi door.

But just as he was about to knock on the door.

Out of nowhere, John suddenly felt a pang of palpitation.

He felt an overwhelming pressure coming from behind.

John turned and looked out the window.

Outside the window, dark clouds roiled, and the sky drizzled lightly.

In the distance, the mountains stretched on, seemingly normal, yet that oppressive feeling grew clearer.

At that moment, a pallid lightning bolt split the clouds!

John's pupils suddenly contracted.

Because in the lightning's illumination, a huge black shadow emerged from the clouds!!

Before John could react, the rolling dark clouds suddenly flashed with blue light!

The next moment.

Boom!!

A blue flame, like a dragon's breath, surged down and slammed straight into Hogwarts' protective shield.

The shield shuddered violently, and its terrifying power instantly enveloped the upper half of the castle.

Even the castle began to tremble slightly, and the window glass emitted a piercing hum.

Whether it was students in class, patrolling Aurors in the corridors, or professors in the office reviewing documents,

all were staggered by this sudden tremor at the same time.

Could it be an attack by Voldemort!?

John steadied his stance while subconsciously speculating.

He quickly drew his wand, leapt straight out of the windowsill, conjured a winding upward staircase, and directly reached the top of the Astronomy Tower, the highest point of the castle.

"Headmaster!!"

Before he even landed, John saw Dumbledore already standing on the tower top and exclaimed in surprise.

At this moment he also had no mind to ask about Horcruxes, after all, someone had already attacked the doorstep.

In response to John's call, Dumbledore did not turn; his silver-white beard fluttered in the gale as he gazed at the blue-lit roiling clouds in the sky.

At this moment, the castle's windowsills, corridors, and doors were packed with students and professors, all looking up at the sky suffused with blue light, their faces filled with shock and bewilderment.

Dumbledore slowly raised his hand, and John quickly stepped to his side.

"John, if Voldemort comes later, just follow the plan."

Dumbledore's voice lacked much inflection, and one could hardly sense any urgency.

John then froze, recalling the plan he and Professor Snape had discussed with Dumbledore in the XiaoZhangBanGongShi earlier.

But he quickly came to his senses and asked: "So, that thing in the sky isn't Voldemort, but..."

John suddenly roughly guessed part of Dumbledore's plan.

"Albus!"

At that moment, a voice laden with disdain for the world exploded from the clouds, like a great bell ringing in the ears, reaching every person at Hogwarts.

Everyone found this voice utterly unfamiliar.

Only Draco showed a look of realization on his face.

"I'm back!"

"You owe me a debt, and it's time to repay it!"

The clouds churned ever more violently, as a bit of piercing blue light pierced through them.

Soon, a blue fire dragon condensed from blue flame, covering the sky, tore through the clouds and landed outside the bridge before Hogwarts Castle's main gate.

Everyone held their breath, gazing at the dragon emanating an indescribable pressure.

An old man stepped slowly from the dragon, his silver-gray robe rustling.

His aged visage showed no sign of decay; instead, it revealed a sharpness and dignity that seemed to pierce through time.

Dumbledore took a step forward, his form vanishing instantly, and when he reappeared he stood at the center of the bridge, facing the old man across the space.

"Who is that?"

"How would I know!"

"Good heavens, what kind of magic is this exactly?"

"Merlin above, this is practically a miracle!"

The students' chatter surged like a tide.

Everyone was guessing the old man's identity.

Until, Draco appeared at the main gate wearing magical shackles, with Professor Snape escorting him behind.

Draco raised both hands, his voice cutting through the clamor.

"He is the revolutionary who personally rewrote the order of Europe's magical world! The sole leader of the Saints!"

"He is the savior of countless people, and the nightmare of countless others!"

"——Gai Le Te Ge Lin De Wo!"