The sun was setting, and night was falling.
Perhaps due to post-summer holiday syndrome, even the Gryffindor common room, usually the most lively place in Hogwarts, lacked its usual energy on this first night of the term. Students hastily washed up and collapsed into their beds.
In less than half an hour, a faint chorus of snores echoed through the Gryffindor dormitory.
Meanwhile, less than ten meters away from the young lions, in the Room of Requirement on the eighth-floor corridor of the castle, Draco Malfoy stood somewhat reservedly in the corner of the room, while Bill Weasley, not far from him, also seemed a little apprehensive.
It was a strange room they had never seen before in Hogwarts, appearing to be four or five times the size of a regular classroom. The walls around the room emitted a faint, cool blue glow, and layers of barriers shimmered within.
In the very center of the room, there was only an old desk, upon which lay an ordinary-looking diary.
Undoubtedly, that was the target of tonight's research—sCp-17-03, [Tom Riddle's Diary].
Although Bill Weasley, as a curse-breaker working at the Gringotts Egyptian branch, had participated in the handling of dangerous magical artifacts before, he had never seen such a high-level and cautious situation.
Apart from him and Malfoy, almost everyone present was a top wizard who could be called a legend in the magical world.
Two makers of the Philosopher's Stone, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, the editor-in-chief of *The Quibbler*, the leading adventurer of the modern magical world, a magizoologist, the supreme Goblin Queen...
Such a luxurious lineup could suppress dozens of goblin rebellions or giant wars. Even dozens of raging dragons might only be able to flee in panic before these wizards.
However, considering the "enemy" they were about to face, such caution was not entirely incomprehensible.
Since the public trial half a year ago, the name Tom Riddle had completely spread throughout the magical world. Unless a wizard was completely isolated from society, anyone with a magical social circle knew about Voldemort's word game.
As such, after Gilderoy Lockhart informed them of the official name of sCp-17-03, Draco Malfoy and Bill Weasley stood quietly in the corner, waiting for Professor Dumbledore and the others to finish their discussion—confronting the most dangerous dark wizard in history and studying the remnant soul artifact of this Dark Lord was something most people could hardly imagine.
Judging from the expressions of the people not far away, the debate seemed to be coming to an end.
"I'm sorry, Miss Kaslana, I don't intend to agree with your dangerous idea."
Nicolas Flamel shook his head. "As an alchemist, I can understand your curiosity. On the other hand, I also believe in your magical strength and wisdom, but this is not a safe experiment to repeat. The uncertainty is too high."
"I have the same opinion. Among all the wizards present, you are the least suitable candidate."
Grindelwald nodded with his arms crossed, unusually agreeing with Flamel's opinion for the second time.
Although he despised Voldemort from the bottom of his heart, Grindelwald had to admit that this second-rate wizard had some strange and sinister aspects in magic, especially those forbidden magic experiments in the realm of the soul.
"You are too old, and your magical power is too strong..."
Elena frowned and said somewhat helplessly, "Tom Riddle is not a fool. Professor Dumbledore should know how difficult he is. If he senses danger, he will definitely hide inside and play dead—"
"Regarding this point, I must point out an extra detail."
Before Elena could finish speaking, Dumbledore smiled and said softly.
"Miss Kaslana, based on the magic in your body now, it is no less than Tom's when he graduated from Hogwarts in my memory. Unless that diary distinguishes danger according to age, you have no persuasiveness."
"I said, in the future I saw, it can only be me..."
Elena's eyes rolled, her face darkened, and she was about to put on an act based on her identity as a 'seer'.
However, to her surprise, Xenophilius Lovegood, who had been wandering around the edge of the discussion in a daze, suddenly interjected. The middle-aged wizard first glanced at Newt, then said somewhat uncertainly.
"But... um... I think Miss Kaslana, you seem to have just made up this story."
"Hmm?!" Elena raised an eyebrow.
This newly promoted "hermit" is getting a little carried away.
And the most outrageous thing was that those guys around her actually believed Xenophilius's intuition. This simply subverted Elena's previous understanding of these top wizards. Can a wizard who worships metaphysics still be called a wizard?!
"In short, let's settle it for now..."
Grindelwald coughed lightly, looking around at the wizards. "O5-level members of the Foundation are, in principle, not allowed to directly contact high-risk containments that may affect their minds unless it is necessary to use force."
"You made this rule yourself, dear Number 0—'Miss Fool'."
The old wizard grinned, revealing a mouthful of new teeth, and said meaningfully.
"Thank you for your kind reminder, 'Mr. Tower', my memory is not that bad."
Elena rubbed her brow, looking at Grindelwald helplessly. Perhaps because their relationship had become closer, this original Dark Lord was becoming more and more controlling, which reminded her of feelings she thought she had forgotten.
The stubbornness of old people can be particularly difficult to deal with, especially when the other party used to be a big shot.
"Regarding tonight's plan, I have already explained it in detail once, right?"
The girl sighed, spread her hands, and explained again to the surrounding old men.
"sCp-17-03 is a Horcrux created by Tom Riddle during his student days. Its memories, knowledge, personality, magic, etc., are likely to be fixed to that period, so the danger is not as high as you think—the way to activate it is simply to open up part of one's own magic and charge it internally to 'revive' some of its power."
Regarding the research on Horcruxes, Elena's side had made some progress before.
After a series of simple attempts, she found that the Horcrux itself did not have much magic. It was more like a lifeless object injected with an 'elemental core'. If a wizard did not input magic into it, it would remain dormant.
In fact, most of the Horcrux's power is mainly reflected in maintaining its own state.
Conventional physical and magical methods are not very effective when facing a Horcrux. It seems to have solidified a layer of spiritualized protective barrier on the surface of the object. Before the magic can be broken, the Horcrux itself is very difficult to destroy.
"In other words, there are two prerequisites for successfully activating the diary."
Elena raised two fingers, looking serious.
"One must have a certain strength to support the appearance of Riddle's spirit, and one must have a strong enough will to maintain oneself during this process, not be controlled by Tom Riddle, and be an in-school student who can interest him."
In the original story, Tom Riddle absorbed Ginny's magic to restore part of his power.
As for his appearance as a spirit in the Chamber of Secrets, he directly began to seize Ginny Weasley's life force—or more precisely, it was no longer a simple spirit. He possessed a different way of resurrection.
This state only appeared in this diary. The self-awareness of the other Horcruxes was obviously much more chaotic.
However, there are many theories that Elena has not yet figured out. Perhaps only after truly contacting Riddle in his student days can specific conclusions be drawn. In the girl's eyes, only Tom in that period can be considered a descendant of Slytherin.
Before that, the simplest and most direct way is to directly summon the seventeen-year-old Tom, just like in the original story.
"Yes, I agree with your judgment—"
Gellert Grindelwald nodded casually, his eyes twinkling, revealing an inscrutable smile.
"But in this room, there are obviously people who are more suitable than you. Those two young gentlemen standing in the corner are the 'Fool's Entourage' of 'Miss Fool's' future direct force, right? I think they are all willing to take risks."
"I can—"
Hearing Grindelwald mention his name, Draco Malfoy straightened his chest nervously.
"Shut up! Draco, this is not the time to ask for your opinion."
Elena glared fiercely at Draco Malfoy, who was about to speak, frowned, and said in a deep voice.
"Professor Apocalypses, I remember we discussed this issue before."
"The students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are not a demon king reserve army, and the grassroots members of the Foundation are not cannon fodder that can be consumed. The reason why they are here today is simply because they have the right to know these things—Mr. Malfoy found the diary for us, and Mr. Weasley is his direct contact."
After pausing for a moment, Elena tilted her chin to the side and said.
"Besides, even if you say so, the headmaster of Hogwarts will not allow such a thing..."
"What if I also agree?"
"...Happened—eh?!"
Elena's expression froze, and she suddenly turned her head to look at Dumbledore, almost biting her tongue.
"I'm sorry, what did you just say? This is not—"
"I said just now, Miss Kaslana, you are obviously not the most suitable candidate."
Albus Dumbledore nodded, repeating the sentence with a serious expression.
"If you are affected by Riddle's diary, this is the last thing we want to see, even if the probability is only one in ten million. There is no need to take risks in this place—the future of the magical world does not only belong to you alone. The best way to grow is to give those who walk with you enough trust."
"If I can't, can they? Professor Dumbledore, you know Voldemort..."
"Legilimency, of course—Tom showed considerable talent in this aspect during his student days, but I have also found a solution to this problem, which can effectively prevent Riddle from entering their brains."
Dumbledore raised his hand, interrupting gently.
A somewhat tattered wizard's hat appeared in the old man's hand.
In the magical world, there are roughly three ways to resist magic: magical protection, magical confrontation, and magical items. Thanks to a certain daring freshman, the Hogwarts Sorting Hat has also been developed with a brand new use.
Due to some unbreakable ancient magic, the Sorting Hat cannot be read thoughts.
In other words, any wizard who wears the Sorting Hat is equivalent to sealing off their brain. Except for the Sorting Hat, no "one" can know what this wizard is thinking in their mind—this is a natural Legilimency resistance item.
"The Sorting Hat can protect their thoughts, don't worry..."
Dumbledore blinked at the somewhat confused Elena, explaining with a look of composure.
As Nicolas Flamel chose to come out of retirement, Dumbledore gradually realized that the changing of the times had begun.
Whether it was him, Gellert, or even Tom, they were all the glory of the previous era of magic. Just like the increasingly clear dreams every night in the past year, before the torch of the new era rises, they should also begin to consider passing it on.
For Dumbledore, letting Elena and her companions avoid some detours was undoubtedly the most appropriate choice.
Next, Dumbledore turned around, beckoned to the two boys standing uneasily in the corner of the room, carefully looked at the eldest sons of these two different pure-blood wizarding families, and a warm smile appeared on his face.
The Malfoy family and the Weasley family, this was a combination he had never imagined.
The contradictions of the previous generation may not be reconciled in a short time, but the new future does not need to bear some past.
Whether it was breaking down the barriers between the houses or easing the relationship between the various families in the magical world, Elena had made progress in less than a year that Dumbledore had spent most of his life failing to complete.
But on the other hand, Elena was still a little too conceited in some ways.
In Albus Dumbledore's view, if there was only this child in the future, it would be too much. She had discovered those peers with potential, and now it was his turn to contribute to the cultivation.
Dumbledore looked at Draco Malfoy and Bill Weasley, who had walked up to him, cleared his throat, and said.
"As you have heard, you will next face a Horcrux created by Tom Riddle before he became Voldemort, a diary that he used during his student days—of course, since you have chosen to enter this room, then courage and loyalty are naturally impeccable—I will give you a little protection and help before that."
"But before that, I have a small question that I need you to answer truthfully..."
Dumbledore's gaze slowly swept across Draco and Bill's faces, smiling and asking softly.
"Do you two have a habit of keeping a diary?"
Keep a diary?
The two were stunned and shook their heads blankly.
Serious wizards, especially serious male wizards, who would keep a diary?
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Big chapter! Big chapter!