Chapter 447: Responsibilities and Burdens

Harry finally burst out the mouth of one of the fireplaces, his feet on the rug. He looked around and found himself in the headmaster's office, which had been vacant since Professor Dumbledore had left.

Everything around was the same as the day Dumbledore left: fine silverware was laid out on the table. Occasionally spews some white mist. The portraits of the headmaster and the headmistress are all taking a quiet nap on the canvas. Harry looked out the window, and there was an elegant gray-green in the sky: dawn was slowly approaching.

The office was quiet, only the occasional snoring or sniffling from a sleeping portrait would break the silence. Harry couldn't bear such an environment, and he was now very worried about the friends who followed him into the Ministry of Magic, as well as the members of the Order of the Phoenix who came to the rescue later. They had been completely dispersed in the previous battle, and Harry could only pray silently that they were all right now.

Just as he stood silently on the edge of the windowsill and looked out the window, an emerald green flame suddenly burst out from the empty fireplace. When Dumbledore's tall figure emerged from the flames, the wizards, men and women on the surrounding walls suddenly awoke, and many of them burst into cheers.

Thank you, thank you everyone, Dumbledore said, taking out Fox, like a newborn chick, from his pocket and gently placing it on a plate with fine ash under a gilded perch. This position is an adult. Fox's usual place to stay.

Oh, Harry, Dumbledore said to Harry finally walking away from the young phoenix, I have one good thing to tell you, most of the people who entered the Ministry of Magic yesterday because of you were Survived. In that absolutely disadvantaged environment, it's a miracle.

Most of them? Harry groaned when he heard the word, and he asked in a trembling voice, Everyone—how is everyone?

Mrs. Pomfrey is treating them, said Dumbledore. You young people can be better. Nymphadora Tonks and Sirius Black may need to spend some time at St Mungo's, but it seems They'll recover quickly too, and Sirius was hit by a Death Eater with black magic and lost his left hand, but I'm sure it won't affect his life.

You just said that most people survived, so who died? Harry said this sentence with difficulty. He felt that when he spoke, it was as if someone else said it through his mouth. It's like floating in the clouds.

Ryan and Hermione. Dumbledore's tone also dropped. Although no one saw their deaths, I went to the house to check the arch after talking to Fudge just now, and I can confirm that both of them crossed the door.

That door— Harry closed his eyes, remembering what Ryan had said before entering the house: Through the veil, people disappear from our world, and no one can Come back alive from behind that door.

They—just gone? Harry said in a shaky tone, and then seemed to be questioning and then answering. They're gone because of me?

I know how you're feeling right now, Harry, said Dumbledore in a low voice. It's a very uncomfortable thing to let relatives and friends die because of my own factors. I have encountered this kind of thing many times in my life-

No, it's not the same. Harry sat there, ten fingers deep into his hair. You used to be just because of your mistakes or mistakes, and this time I'm literally sending my friend to death. I'm thinking now,

If I listened to your words and didn't save people alone, maybe Ryan and the others wouldn't have died.

Harry felt powerless, he said hoarsely. Ryan had actually been against me for taking the risk, but after I decided to save people he chose to go with us because he was worried that we wouldn't be able to face some of the complex magic of the Ministry, and Hermione was Came here with the same thought. They could not have gone, I—I'm sorry for them.

They are really good at understanding magic, and it's not unreasonable to worry. Dumbledore nodded. I checked that arch, and after synthesizing other people's accounts, I can confirm that the two of them resisted the burst of death breath in front of that door. If they hadn't done that, you guys on the stage were basically Impossible to survive. They saved everyone - except themselves.

Having said this, Dumbledore paused: So there is nothing wrong with the two of them following you. You alone can't resist the power of death. I just didn't expect Ryan to go so far in the study of magic. . But I think they saved you knowing what they were going to face, and they did it anyway. They're braver than most adult wizards.

So, it's my fault— Harry muttered with his head down, but Dumbledore interrupted his self-pity. It's not just your fault, it's my fault.

Harry looked up at Dumbledore in surprise, and saw that Dumbledore's eyes were also apologetic. I have been a principal for too long, and this long experience has made me more inclined to look at the problem from a comprehensive perspective rather than from one person's point of view. At that time, after Sirius was kidnapped, I just wanted to find the best solution. Rescue Sirius. At the same time minimize harm to innocents. But I did not consider that he is your only relative right now, and ignored your inner feelings.

Harry, I want to apologize to you for this. I want to apologize to Ryan and Hermione. Dumbledore said word by word, This is an old man's self-reflection of his own mistakes, and I realize that I The long life has given me not only experience, but also some stubborn wrong ideas. As the world's number one white wizard, this honor and responsibility sometimes makes me ignore the feelings of many people. I realize that this is a big mistake Very wrong, I shouldn't forget how ordinary people feel.

The sun had risen; the mountains had a dazzling orange edge, and the sky above was colorless and bright. The light fell on Dumbledore, on his gray eyebrows, on his beard, and on his deep wrinkles. Harry also realized at this time that Dumbledore was indeed old, and those heavy burdens might not have enough energy to think about everything.

By the way, what is the prophecy ball that Voldemort and us are fighting over today? Harry asked him another question after a moment of silence in the office. He wants to know what his friends are getting in exchange for their lives?

This is a long story, Harry. I want to present it to you in a more intuitive way. After speaking, Dumbledore stood up and walked past Harry to a black man standing beside the Phoenix Perch. in front of the cabinet. He bent down. Unlatching the door, he took the Pensieve out, then raised his wand to the temple, took out a few strands of silver, cobweb-like thought fibers, glued them to the wand, and put them back into the stone basin.

Harry buried his head in the Pensieve together with Dumbledore, not raising his head until a quarter of an hour later. He looked at Dumbledore and asked, That's what you've been hiding from me? It's all because of this prophecy? As a wizard who grew up in the Muggle world, Harry had never been very fond of such prophecies. cold. Especially after taking a divination class at Hogwarts. In this case, when he learned that everything in his life was caused by this prophecy, he naturally felt a sense of absurdity.

Yes, even if Voldemort only listened to the first half of the prophecy: the boy's birthday was in July, and the parents defeated Voldemort three times. But he still came and tried to kill you, but he failed under the protection of your mother. But he Also marked you, marking you as his lifelong enemy. Dumbledore said slowly.

The end of the prophecy - it says - both can't live - Harry's heart seemed to sink. We must kill the other one—

Yes, this is the burden you will carry, heavier than anyone I have ever seen. You will see many sacrifices along the way. Family, friends, and even your own. Unfortunate The thing is, Ryan and Hermione are probably just the beginning, and all you can do now is try to minimize tragedies like this.

After listening to Professor Dumbledore's words, Harry stood there silently for a long time—

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