#103 - Confuse
“Let’s go. If I’m not mistaken, you originally came to find me, didn’t you?” Dumbledore said slowly.
“Yes, Professor, there are many troubling questions I can’t find answers to, so…” Anduin sighed.
Dumbledore led Anduin back to the Headmaster's office, and seeing Anduin's low mood, he took the initiative to say, “I didn’t expect such a thing to happen either. It all stems from my negligence. Ask whatever questions you have now.”
Anduin deliberated for a moment, then looked up at Dumbledore. “How is Sirius now? What are the results of your interrogation of him?”
As expected, Dumbledore had guessed that he would ask this question when he saw Anduin rushing to find him early in the morning. “What I can say is that Sirius did not offer any defense for his actions after being arrested and has now been sent to Azkaban.”
“But, but that’s not reasonable! Has Sirius been pretending all along?” Anduin was still puzzled.
“Yes, this world is full of unreasonableness. Often, reality is more magical than the stories in books. No one can know what made Sirius become like this. We trusted someone we shouldn’t have trusted. Although it’s painful, it’s also a fact. I’m sorry, Anduin, for telling you such a cold, hard truth.” Dumbledore also sighed at this point.
“Since even you are so sure, then it really is the truth.” Although Anduin still couldn’t believe it, he could only accept it now.
“Can I see him? I want to hear him say it himself.” Anduin thought for a moment and tried to persuade him.
“I’m sorry, he is now in the safest and most dangerous place in the wizarding world. It’s not a place anyone can go.” Dumbledore looked at Anduin, feeling that he couldn’t be so ruthless. “The only people who can go to Azkaban are the Aurors stationed there, high-ranking Ministry officials, members of the Wizengamot, and some people with prestige. Maybe if you work hard, you might have a chance to ask him for the answer yourself in the future.”
Anduin knew that Dumbledore was trying to comfort and encourage him in a roundabout way, so he had to nod and say, “I understand, Headmaster.”
“Always look forward.” Dumbledore considered slightly, “You are also good friends with the Potter couple. I think you would also want to attend their funeral, to see them off personally.”
“Funeral? We’ve attended enough funerals this year.” Anduin couldn’t help but recall what happened during the summer vacation, and suddenly remembered something, asking, “By the way, how is Harry? Is he safe now?”
“Rest assured, we have placed him in an absolutely safe place. Lily cast a powerful protective magic on Harry before she sacrificed herself, which allowed him to survive the Dark Lord’s attack. I have strengthened that power, and now no one can find him.” In Dumbledore’s eyes, Anduin was a child with a firm will and a sense of justice. His behavior during the summer vacation was worthy of Dumbledore’s trust, so he revealed some things to him.
“Then, what about that Snape, Professor?” Anduin remembered that the last time he saw Snape was before entering Hogwarts, and Anduin was almost hit by his 'Sectumsempra' curse.
“As for him, all you need to know is that he hates the Dark Lord as much as we do. In fact, we have always been grateful to Severus for providing us with information. Now that the Dark Lord has fallen, his identity has been truly revealed.” Dumbledore said, picking and choosing what he could say.
“Oh? So you were so sure that the attack would happen during last year’s Christmas holiday because…”
“That’s right, so I said Snape is trustworthy. You will have to be with him day and night for a long time in the future, so try to maintain a good relationship with him.”
Anduin didn’t understand what the Headmaster meant by being with him day and night, but what came to his mind was information about this Snape.
So that’s how it is. When the Potter family was attacked last time, Headmaster Dumbledore said he had obtained information from other channels. Was it him? Anduin had indeed suspected that Dumbledore had an inside man among the Death Eaters.
Anduin solved a lot of doubts before nodding reassuringly. “I understand, Headmaster. I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble.”
Dumbledore shook his head and said, “I don’t think anyone would blame a kind-hearted child like you. I will have Hagrid notify you before the funeral is held, and don’t forget to attend tonight’s dinner. I know you haven’t eaten dinner in the hall for a while. There is an important announcement tonight.”
Anduin walked out of the Headmaster's office, digesting the large amount of information he had gained in the past two days. Although he had long felt that Lily and her family would not be absolutely safe just because of Dumbledore's protection, he still had a glimmer of hope in his heart. Sirius's betrayal shocked him even more. He didn't understand what had changed Sirius's position, or whether he had really changed his position.
He took out a magical photo from his arms. It was taken at the Potter's house last Christmas. Looking at the happy families on it, and Sirius with a smug look on his face, Anduin couldn't help but frown again.
“Can Dumbledore’s words really be completely trusted? Did Sirius really betray his beliefs? This may be related to what happened during the half year he disappeared. Then let me find out what exactly happened.” Perhaps Anduin wanted to give himself an explanation, or perhaps he wanted to find a goal for himself, he said to himself.
Although he had a skeptical attitude towards all these things and words, he didn't show it. He would bury these doubts in his heart and then find the answers himself.
With a feeling of doubt and speculation, Anduin went straight to class. Anduin was absent-minded in class that day, but the professors who taught the classes did not criticize him, because the other little wizards were even more mischievous. After learning that the Dark Lord had fallen and disappeared, almost all the little wizards had entered a carnival mode. The classrooms were full of noise, and the professors were in a good mood, so they let these excited children go.
In the evening, Anduin followed Dumbledore's advice and attended the dinner that night, and then he heard shocking news.
“What? That Snape will take over Professor Slughorn as the new Potions professor? And will also serve as the head of Slytherin House?” Anduin was stunned when he heard Dumbledore’s announcement.
