Chapter 56: Second Conversation with the Headmaster

"Professor, seeking benefits and avoiding harm is human nature. The difference is that seers can clearly see, and thus make corresponding choices."

After Dumbledore finished speaking, Ino promptly countered.

"You know, in these few months at Hogwarts, I often stroll through the corridors and discovered a very interesting portrait. He calls himself Sir Cadogan."

"I'm sure you're familiar with his story. So, I just want to say... we can't expect everyone to be as 'brave' as this knight, who fearlessly threw himself into the dragon's maw."

With that, Ino paused.

At the same time, he was now certain that his earlier fortune-telling for Harry had been caught on some hidden surveillance.

He had long suspected Dumbledore could monitor the castle in real-time, which is why he had deliberately used Sir Cadogan as an example.

"Hahaha, yes! The portraits told me about your fortune-telling for Harry," Dumbledore chuckled and winked.

Such a seemingly mind-reading response, coupled with unexpected honesty, made it hard to react for a moment.

"Professor, actually I..."

"No need to explain! Just consider it my way of telling you this. And don't worry, it wasn't Legilimency either," Dumbledore said, preempting Ino.

Before Ino could respond, he heard Dumbledore's slightly puzzled voice.

"Your magic seems very special. It seems to protect you, attacking anything that tries to pry into your mind, whether it's a wizard or an alchemical tool. The frozen mirror is the best proof of that."

Special magic? Hearing this, Ino was momentarily stunned.

But he quickly realized that it might indeed be as Dumbledore said. After all, though the Mirror of Erised could reflect one's innermost desires, it was also a form of intrusion.

"Professor, I have no idea what you're talking about," he said honestly, faced with such a profound issue.

"That's perfectly normal. No one can fully understand the mysteries of magic, myself included. But you can rest assured, your situation, though unique, is harmless. It's like a kind of protective magic."

Dumbledore's tone became somewhat nostalgic as he added, "Just like how the Dumbledore family always receives help from a phoenix in their time of greatest need."

"Protective magic? Bloodline?" Ino muttered, falling into deep thought.

He roughly understood the cause, but it also raised new questions. Could it be that extreme sensibility really equated to capriciousness?

Yet, thinking carefully, it seemed to match the White Witch's character. After all, a person who could get angry over hearing a story was capable of doing incomprehensible things.

Moreover, a true queen probably did everything according to her whims.

Relief, confusion, curiosity, and incomprehension... these thoughts, like weeds in the wilderness, sprang up endlessly.

However, Dumbledore, seemingly possessing true mind-reading abilities, again precisely guessed Ino's thoughts.

"Why not leave the things you can't figure out now for later?"

"Professor, it's not that I have to find the answers because some things simply don't have answers..."

Halfway through his explanation, Ino paused. This was a rehearsed line, but now he realized... it might be true. Some things in life might never have answers.

"See! You didn't even need me to convince you; you convinced yourself," Dumbledore said, spreading his hands, looking somewhat innocent.

"Hahaha, yes! I convinced myself."

After figuring it out, Ino laughed heartily, "If only I had my accordion with me, some music would be perfect now."

"I have one!" Dumbledore said proudly, like a child showing off a new toy to another.

"After leaving the tower last time, I went to Diagon Alley and bought an identical one. But... it never could play that same tune."

Saying this, Dumbledore tapped the table with his elder wand, casting a silent summoning spell.

On the other side, Ino saw an accordion materialize out of thin air, identical in shape and design to his own.

The only difference was that the corners of this accordion were tied with a pink ribbon.

...

Soft music began to play, the accordion's melody weaving a magical moment, blending the past of this abandoned classroom with the present.

The abandoned classroom seemed to come alive with the music, telling its own story.

The young wizards who once had classes here, their laughter, tears, dreams, and disappointments were witnessed by the weathered walls and chaotic desks.

Time seemed to press pause.

After a long while.

"Professor, honestly, I don't really like philosophy. When Socrates was in prison towards the end of his life, he drank hemlock and uttered his final words: 'I go to die, you go to live. Which of us goes to a better thing is known to none but God.'"

Here, Ino paused slightly.

After the conversation, he no longer underestimated the wisdom of this centenarian.

Similarly, the figure who leapt from the tower was truly regrettable.

"Ino, whatever you saw, I want to say that everything that happens in the future is meant to happen."

Dumbledore seemed to understand but did not accept.

These words also made Ino abandon any attempt to persuade him. After all, the future had not yet happened.

Moreover, many things couldn't be changed with just a few philosophical statements.

Ultimately, the real reason for Dumbledore's death was his longing for his family and the toll of half a century's labor, which made him want to give up.

As a top-tier white wizard, could there be many in the magical world who could rival him and not see the curse on the Resurrection Stone ring?

Perhaps family bonds truly triumphed over reason.

In the end, this centenarian embarked on another adventurous path.

Thinking about this, Ino sighed, "Alright, I respect your choice. I respect everyone's choice."

"Thank you, Ino," Dumbledore said.

Though neither explicitly stated it, both knew what they were talking about.

After a moment, Dumbledore seemed to remember something, leaning forward slightly.

"I saw your name on the holiday registration form. I'm sorry, but I wanted to say that if you can't find a place to stay in Hogsmeade, or need my help with anything, remember to write to me."

Hearing this, Ino's eyes lit up slightly.

He had suddenly thought of a not particularly troublesome but very important issue.

"Professor, any kind of help? If so, I indeed have something I need your assistance with."