64: Dumbledore must have Alzheimers

Well, that's how Snape comforted himself....

'That's right, it's not that I can't beat him, I just don't want to hurt my students!'

Snape would never admit that even if he used dark magic, he could only rely on Fiendfyre to break the situation. Once Fiendfyre was countered by Ivan, he would be completely trapped in a hopeless deadlock.

"Cherish the present, Miss Know-it-all."

Even if he couldn't beat Ivan, Snape always had to keep up appearances, and his strong-willed, sarcastic nature came through even at this moment: "Although it may be short, at least this is a happy time, isn't it?"

"This, is it really okay?!"

Hermione was terrified by Snape's words.

The thought that Ivan might die early made the little witch feel cold all over.

"It's okay, the professor was just joking with you."

Ivan comforted her, though Snape's words hardly felt like a joke.

"I will always be with you, Hermione."

Ivan could tell that Hermione didn't become distant because of his identity as an Obscurial.

Snape had made it very clear.

Obscurials were incredibly dangerous. If they lost control, it could lead to disastrous consequences for those around them.

But Hermione didn't care.

Hermione only knew that Ivan was her best friend.

"Tsk."

Watching Ivan and Hermione being affectionate with each other, Snape was in a trance, as if he saw himself and Lily...

Once upon a time, they were like this, childhood sweethearts, innocent.

Until, the damn Potter appeared...

'Damn James!'

Snape woke up instantly and gnashed his teeth in his heart: 'Evil Potter, evil shampoo!'

The Potters were the ones who had developed the shampoo potion. Naturally, Snape wouldn't use it!

Never!

"Scoff. So, have you become old and confused, Dumbledore?"

Snape did not hide his targeting of Ivan, but his words were impeccable: "Let an Obscurial stay in the school, surrounded by a group of young wizards, do you know what this means?"

The three Heads of House were also silent at this moment.

They wanted to speak for Ivan, but what was the price?

Ivan was very pitiful. At least in the eyes of the professors, this was a child who needed their love and care!

But other young wizards were also their most important students and children.

"Ivan..."

Hermione was a little scared. She was worried that the professors would drive Ivan away from Hogwarts because of his identity.

At the same time, Hermione completely understood what Ivan meant by what he said before.

The Obscurus, the dark creature that seemed to be able to destroy the world, was inhabiting his body.

'Ivan must be worried that I would be afraid of him after I knew it.'

Hermione felt that Ivan looked down on her: 'I'm not afraid of the Obscurus!'

Ivan was her best friend.

He trusted her so much that he even told her such a secret thing as the Obscurus.

Thinking of this, Hermione held Ivan's hand tighter.

"Severus."

Dumbledore was still so calm, as if nothing in the world could stump him.

"I know that you have always been resentful because of Remus John Lupin."

Dumbledore continued: "As for young Ivan, I will check on him regularly to make sure he can control this power."

The Obscurus is different from the werewolf virus, which makes people lose their minds and spreads to others.

But as long as the Obscurus remains stable, nothing will happen.

At least the Obscurials recorded were cowardly, inferior, and eager to be recognized and loved.

Ariana, Credence.

Unless they are forced to lose control of their emotions, they will not take the initiative to hurt others.

In other words, unless there is a drastic change, Ivan is actually quite stable.

Dumbledore did not finish his words but said tactfully: "How about we give young Ivan some time?"

"Let Ivan continue to stay at Hogwarts, under the watch of the four Heads of House.

If his condition remains stable, it will prove that Ivan is safe and will not hurt anyone.

On the contrary, if the Obscurus in Ivan's body shows any reaction, staying at Hogwarts will allow the professors to treat him immediately and relieve his pain."

Dumbledore's reasoning left Snape without a counterargument.

The three Heads of House were relieved, and they began to think about how to help Ivan.

Of course, the issue of the Obscurus is not something that can be resolved overnight.

And looking at Ivan's situation, it seems that it will take a long time before there is any risk of losing control.

"And I will help you, Ivan."

The little witch almost clung to Ivan, and how could Ivan refuse the sweet and soft little Hermione?

"There is no need to worry so much."

Ivan told everyone about the scene he had foreseen: "I saw myself attending the fourth-year Yule Ball."

"Prophecies are bound to happen," McGonagall said. "Since young Ivan will be attending the Yule Ball in his fourth year, it means that his condition will be stable for at least the next four years."

However, as she thought about it, Professor McGonagall became a little confused.

"Wait a minute."

McGonagall: "Yule Ball? Why would Hogwarts hold a dance?"

According to the plot of the original book, the fourth year includes the Triwizard Tournament, and the Yule Ball is a traditional event of the Triwizard Tournament.

If Ivan can see a fourth-year dance, it means that the Triwizard Tournament will be held as the original plot.

"Are we hosting this event at Hogwarts?" McGonagall thought to herself. "I've worked at Hogwarts for so many years, and yet I didn't know there was going to be such an event?"

"..."

Ivan scratched his head and smiled. "I don't really know about that."

"Perhaps you could ask Headmaster Dumbledore?"

"Albus?"

Professor McGonagall's eyes grew more unfriendly as she began to understand.

Everything that had happened tonight—Ivan's duel with Snape and his identity as an Obscurial—Dumbledore seemed to have known all along.

However!

That old man clearly knew everything, yet he kept it hidden from them.

One month after the start of term, and he hadn't revealed a single clue.

'Alright then.'

McGonagall thought to herself: 'Am I, the Deputy Headmistress, just a decoration here?'

Ivan being an Obscurial is such a significant matter, and she didn't even have the right to know...?

Or did Dumbledore think she would discriminate against Ivan and even drive him away?

Does he see her as an unreasonable and heartless person?

'For so many years, I, McGonagall, have worked tirelessly for Hogwarts...'

'But in the end...'

'I didn't expect it'—Dumbledore, you old crooked-nosed man, truly didn't consider her one of his own.

McGonagall: The grief in my heart will never heal!

Snape: Me too, Minerva!

"Ahem."

Seeing the four Heads of House, along with Ivan and Hermione, looking at him, Dumbledore could only smile awkwardly. "I think the future should always hold some mystery. If we knew everything, we'd lose our sense of expectation."

"Wouldn't you agree?"

Well, truth be told, even Dumbledore didn't know why there would be a Yule ball in the fourth year...

'Dumbledore, you must have Alzheimer's disease.'

Professor McGonagall had an unrealistic fantasy in her heart. Should she find an opportunity to force the truth out of him?

__________

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