The Principal's Office

What a riddle-like act! Fortunately, Edmund was indeed clever and brave, and he understood what Dumbledore was talking about.

They marveled at it.

Dumbledore actually believed that Elena was worthy of "forgiving" him. This greatly puzzled Edmund.

He was well aware of the feud between the Somans and Dumbledore. But if he had to say, Edmund felt that both "Dumbledore, who was threatened by a distant relative" and "Elena, who was given to Grindelwald because of a distant relative" were victims.

Even though this is a good handle, and could easily stir up a media storm to attack this powerful old wizard...

But when you punch—oh no. When you can shut these clowns up forever with a wave of your wand—do you care what nonsense they're spouting?

Previously, Edmund had always thought that Dumbledore's friendly gestures towards Elena were just for show. Yes, Elena was his mother, and he loved her very much, willing to give anything for her.

However, even Edmund had to admit that Elena was truly a pitiful witch with nothing worth plotting against. Being kind to her would only improve public opinion and demonstrate his own power; it offered Dumbledore no other benefit.

But today, Dumbledore spoke of "forgiveness." This is unbelievable. Does he truly feel sorry? Does he really want to make amends?

What? He could actually be a good person?

The greatest wizard of the century, the hero who fought Grindelwald, the headmaster of Hogwarts—was he a good man?

If it's fake, Edmund hopes it's real.

If it's true,

There's an opportunity...

"Your compliment makes me feel a little embarrassed," Edmund said smugly. "But since you said it, I can't help but feel there's something more to it. Are you implying that you think I'll go to Gryffindor? I heard you don't like Slytherin."

He was indeed quite brave. Very few people could say such "provocative" things under Dumbledore's gaze.

Among the portraits of past principals on the wall, some people let out a contemptuous sneer, while others rebuked Edmond for being too rude.

Dumbledore didn't react much. He adopted a thoughtful posture, and after a while, he answered:

"If I had to say something, Edmund, I initially thought you might be a Ravenclaw. Your inquisitive nature does resemble that of a fearless fledgling eagle; I genuinely admire your courage. But I truly never imagined what would happen if you entered Gryffindor... Ah, I suppose Minerva wouldn't be happy."

Dumbledore laughed again, amused by his own words, and casually directed the candies to stand up, transforming into several miniature musical instruments, as if he wanted to conduct a candy chamber music concert.

Edmund was completely immersed in his role, playing a sharp and extreme young boy. He glared at Dumbledore with displeasure, urging him to continue with his eyes.

"As for whether I like Slytherin or not, that's a good question. I think many people have similar questions, but none of them have the courage to ask me directly."

"To be honest, I don't appreciate many of Slytherin's ideas, but I admire his talent and passion. I also have many friends in Slytherin House—Horace, your Headmaster, is among them—who have taught many Slytherin students that I am very proud of."

Dumbledore paused.

"But, Edmund. In recent years, it's not so much that I dislike Slytherin, but rather that the Slytherin students no longer appreciate this eccentric old headmaster."

The blue eyes behind the half-moon glasses suddenly sharpened.

"The reasons behind this are very complicated, Edmund. I'm glad you don't like that kind of talk either... but I am indeed a crazy old man, because I actually wish you could do better: I wish you could be more lenient and not so harsh on them."

Edmund composed himself and looked back at Dumbledore's serious face.

He certainly shouldn't have underestimated this "greatest wizard of the century." Dumbledore was even smarter than he thought; in just a short while, the old man realized that Edmund was more responsive to gentle persuasion than to force, and that he needed to be treated with the same respect as an adult.

Hmm, speaking of respect...

"There are still many things I don't understand." To express his confusion, he switched to his native language. "Since Slytherin is the problem, and Slytherin is not under your control, why don't you take action against Slytherin? Or have you already taken action, but I just haven't noticed?"

Edmund turned and pointed to the Sorting Hat.

"Did you already make a pact with it to send all the stubborn troublemakers to Slytherin? And to have pure-blood kids like Sirius Black, who are still wavering, pardoned and sent to Gryffindor?"

"Besides, I find it hard to imagine you'd be foolish enough not to communicate with that old hat that can see through memories. Has it already told you all the secrets in our minds?"

Upon hearing this, Dumbledore was not angry at all; instead, he laughed out loud. He replied to Edmund in German, and Edmund felt, perhaps it was just his imagination, that the other man had absolutely no accent.

"You overestimate me, child," Dumbledore shook his head. "I don't know whether I should be touched or not. You even think I can influence Gryffindor's creations, making them completely obedient to me..."

"However, upon closer reflection, I may have had similar misunderstandings and doubts when I was in school."

"At that time, I was very worried that the principal at the time would see all the chaotic memories in my mind, and it would be difficult for me to pretend to be the person I wanted to be from then on."

"It wasn't until I became the headmaster that I was completely free from this question. Headmasters can indeed communicate with the Sorting Hat, informing it of the current situation and other special circumstances. However, they have no right to interfere with its sorting of houses, much less to peek into the secrets it knows."

"Oh, don't condemn me with your eyes, Edmund."

Dumbledore waved his hand, and the jelly bean playing music on the table transformed into a small, pink wizard, looking dejected.

"Give me a chance to explain. Think about it, think about it—you're a gifted little wizard, but because of your painful past, your teachers treat you differently..."

"After you leave school, have new opportunities, achieve great things, and gain greater power, you may still be very unhappy and want to take revenge on those teachers who treated you unfairly."

The candy bean transformed into a much taller wizard, looking extremely angry. He was pointing at a blue-green candy bean with his pink wand, when a flash of red light appeared and the blue-green candy bean shattered into pieces.

"Considering that our faculty and staff will inevitably leave Hogwarts to go home or socialize," Dumbledore picked up the broken candy bean and popped it into his mouth, "this rule isn't just about protecting students' privacy. It's also to prevent faculty and staff who have access to the Sorting Hat from dying because of their curiosity."

That makes a lot of sense, Edmund couldn't help but nod, then a new question arose in his mind.

"Aren't there any young wizards who genuinely harbor malicious intent, whose purpose in enrolling is to cause trouble or act as spies?"

"Ah, very meticulous thinking, Edmund." Dumbledore nodded. "If you're interested, you can read *Hogwarts: A History*. The content may seem somewhat outdated now, but it vividly portrays the personalities of the four founders."

"I believe that at least two of the founders had similar questions to yours, and they ultimately solved the problem with magic—more than a thousand years have passed since Hogwarts was founded, and not a single 'malicious' young wizard has ever successfully infiltrated this ancient castle."

"Ah, of course, 'malicious little wizard' sounds strange too. After all, this is Hogwarts. I dare say it's the most likable school in the world."

Dumbledore smiled.

"Even the suspicious Slytherins only refused to accept Muggle-born students into his house. I think he was more worried that his favorite students would turn against him because of their background. That era was complicated... Oh dear! I'm really rambling on, please bear with all this."

Edmund shook his head tactfully.

"If you've answered my question so seriously, and I'm still going to stubbornly refuse to accept it, wouldn't I be the biggest idiot?"

After saying that, he seemed a little puzzled.

"Your patience and kindness far exceeded my expectations, sir. This puzzles me."

Dumbledore didn't reply. He looked up at an instrument suspended in mid-air, and Edmund realized it was a wall clock.

"It's very late, Edmund."

"Dumbledore said."

"Perhaps you should go back and rest."