Chapter 370

The next day.

John came to the XiaoZhangBanGongShi alone.

After yesterday's rest, his spirits were fully restored.

The students on campus were still actively discussing yesterday's events.

But because the school and the Ministry of Magic had done joint public relations, the discourse did not get out of hand.

On the contrary, Dumbledore, using his schemes, defeated Voldemort and subdued Grindelwald—

and John's joint effort with Professor Snape to destroy Voldemort's stronghold also became a topic everyone talked about with relish.

Soon, Yue stood before the XiaoZhangBanGongShi door.

He knocked, and Dumbledore let John in.

"What's wrong, John?"

"I didn't keep resting today."

Dumbledore looked at the suddenly arriving John, smiled, and asked.

"Enough rest."

John waved his hand, said so, and then sat in the armchair opposite Dumbledore.

"Headmaster, I came to ask you something."

Seeing John's serious demeanor, Dumbledore raised an eyebrow: "What is it?"

"About the Horcrux."

John also spoke slowly, voicing his doubt.

"Actually, before Grindelwald arrived yesterday, I was already going to see you."

"But after so many things happened later, I just waited until today."

"Yesterday I talked with Professor Slughorn about the Horcrux."

"He said that, in the old memory, Voldemort claimed to split his soul into seven parts."

"In other words, counting his main soul, there should be only six Horcruxes."

"But Headmaster, why did you say there are seven? Did you discover that Voldemort made a new Horcrux?"

Hearing John's questions, Dumbledore lightly tapped the desk.

He was not surprised by John's question.

"You really did discover it..."

Dumbledore's gaze steadied as he nodded.

"That's right, Voldemort indeed created another new Horcrux."

"Then what have you found?"

John pressed further.

But Dumbledore did not answer immediately; he hesitated.

It seemed he was weighing his words, as if deciding whether to reveal the truth now.

"Headmaster!"

"What era is this, that there's still something we can't say?"

Seeing Dumbledore's indecisive look, John immediately knew Dumbledore wanted to be cryptic again.

So, in displeasure, he slapped the table and rose, shouting at Dumbledore.

"Just one Horcrux left! Once we solve it, we can go kill Voldemort, bring Grindelwald along; that old bastard isn't on our side now, is he?"

"Voldemort can't defeat the three of us together, can he?"

"Once Voldemort is dealt with, the entire Wizarding World will finally enjoy true peace!"

"We'll never have to live in fear, worrying that our families and friends might suddenly be harmed by Death Eaters!"

John grew more and more excited, a rare loss of composure for him.

After all, victory was within sight.

Dumbledore was not angry at John's excitement; instead, he looked at him gently.

He knew John wanted the war to end soon.

Although he was always carefree, his heart always cared for the safety of his family and friends.

Finally, Dumbledore slowly stood and walked to the window.

He watched the scattered students passing through the courtyard.

Sunlight gently fell on their youthful faces, a breeze brushed the window, bringing the pine‑needle scent from the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Everything seemed beautiful.

But in reality, each of them was shrouded by a shadow of possible death.

In the end, Dumbledore compromised and spoke slowly.

"Then, John, if I told you the last Horcrux isn't an object at all, but a living person?"

"... Uh? What?"

Hearing Dumbledore's sudden words, the previously fierce John was clearly stunned.

A bad premonition immediately arose.

Combined with Dumbledore's long‑standing evasiveness and this rhetorical question,

it was clear this person was certainly not a random passerby, nor a disposable Death Eater.

but someone we interact with day in, day out.

A Horcrux contains a fragment of Voldemort's soul.

It will establish a certain connection with Voldemort.

Then among us, the one whose connection with Voldemort is deepest...

"...... Harry...?"

John hesitantly uttered the two words.

Dumbledore said nothing, but slowly nodded.

The air suddenly fell silent.

John gradually regained his composure; although he was indeed shocked for a moment, he did not feel at a loss because of this truth.

His mind was racing.

All of Harry's past peculiarities have confirmed the veracity of Dumbledore's words.

The serpentine accent, the brief communion with Voldemort's thoughts, even the scar on his forehead that never truly healed.

He sat back in his chair, rubbing his chin with one hand.

Thinking about how to handle this thorny problem.

Dumbledore watched him quietly; John did not display the panic and resistance Dumbledore had expected.

It is a good thing, and also not a good thing.

Harry's significance in his mind is not as heavy as imagined.

So much so that he could instantly discard his emotions and instead seek the most rational solution.

"Headmaster, first tell me about your preparations and plans."

"Don't tell me it's been so long; you have no preparation at all?"

John noticed Dumbledore's gaze and turned to pose another question to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore let out a light sigh and sat back in the chair opposite John.

"I do have some preparations, but I've never encountered this situation, so I cannot guarantee it will be flawless."

I had anticipated that; if it could be guaranteed flawless, Dumbledore would not have shown such a solemn expression.

"First, regarding Harry."

"You should know that back then Voldemort broke into Godric's Valley, attempting to kill the infant Harry still in his swaddling."

"But in the end, Voldemort's Killing Curse rebounded, causing his flesh to be destroyed."

Dumbledore slowly recounted Harry's story from those days to John.

This is the part that is vague in books or rumors.

"The reason Voldemort's Killing Curse rebounded was not because Harry possessed some powerful defensive Magic, but because it originated from the Ancient Protective Charm triggered by Lily Potter's sacrifice."

"It is a kind of love Magic, which, through self‑sacrifice, protects Harry from harm."

"This Magic will remain in Harry's bloodline until it dissipates when he comes of age three months later."

"Or......"

Dumbledore paused there.

Then he revealed his first move.

"Or, if Voldemort resurrected through Harry's Blood Resurrection, that protection derived from Lily would continue within Voldemort's body."

Upon hearing this, John immediately thought of the final scene of the Triwizard Tournament.

Harry, battered and bruised, returned to Hogwarts with the trophy, bringing news of Voldemort's resurrection.

"As I wish, Voldemort indeed resurrected using Harry's blood."

"Because Voldemort had no choice."

"He does not know that the love Magic will be lifted after Harry comes of age."

"Therefore, to break through that Magic's protection, he must use Harry's Blood Resurrection to truly harm Harry."