Chapter 104: The Patronus Charm and Fidelius Charm
"Professor Dumbledore, what season is it now?"
"The summer solstice, I believe."
"Then, do you think it will snow heavily in Hogwarts tomorrow?"
"From the perspective of natural laws, I think that's unlikely."
Dumbledore stood by the window, his figure outlined by the warm sunlight. His gaze behind the half-moon spectacles passed through the clear glass, looking towards the distant blue sky.
At this moment, the sunlight poured down unreservedly, and the temperature in the air had gradually risen.
—After tomorrow's end-of-year feast, the students would all begin to enjoy the wonderful summer vacation. The possibility of snow at this time was extremely low.
Dylan's lips curled into a slight smile upon hearing this.
"That's it. The temperature tomorrow seems to be even higher, so how could it possibly snow?"
Dylan's eyes flickered, looking at Dumbledore's back, but his gaze was completely unfocused.
"However, shouldn't this also be considered us foreseeing the future?"
"Oh? A very interesting way of putting it."
A hint of surprise flashed in Dumbledore's eyes.
Although he hadn't personally taught Dylan, he had heard far too much about Dylan's various deeds, whether it was from his usual bickering with Severus or his conversations with Minerva.
In fact, he had long wanted to have a good heart-to-heart talk with this young wizard.
The first time Hagrid came to him for help, just so this young wizard could keep Umbra, he had become curious about this child.
He had even asked Hagrid to pass on a message, hoping Dylan could visit him when he had time.
—Not to mention thanks, at least a greeting would be nice, right?
But this young wizard actually didn't take him, the Headmaster, to heart at all. After getting the permit to keep Umbra, he completely forgot about the Headmaster who had helped him.
Regarding this, Dumbledore only felt a bit surprised and novel, because no young wizard had ever completely disregarded him after receiving his help.
—Most young wizards would be somewhat apprehensive, like a flock of timid quail, coming to visit him.
In fact, very few young wizards even had the opportunity to step into his office.
Dumbledore wasn't angry about this.
And later, more and more things happened regarding Dylan.
He had single-handedly dealt with a troll—something Dumbledore found somewhat difficult to comprehend.
He also studied diligently, almost every professor had been pulled in to give him extra lessons, and he had an excellent reputation among every professor who had privately tutored him.
—Even Severus was willing to spend a large chunk of time each week to guide this young wizard.
This made Dumbledore's curiosity about Dylan grow even stronger.
Due to his negligence back then, a Dark Lord had been taught in Hogwarts.
This time, another exceptionally talented young wizard had appeared, and he didn't want this one to follow Tom's old path.
—Even though he had previously used the Mirror of Erised to reflect Dylan's true heart.
And this time, he had even used the Philosopher's Stone to once again confirm that Dylan was unlikely to become the same kind of being as Tom.
But he still couldn't help but want to have a face-to-face conversation with this young wizard.
He always believed that words were an important way to influence a person's thinking.
"Continue," Dumbledore looked at Dylan, his gaze kind.
Dylan didn't hide anything. "I think it's easy to understand what it means to foresee the future."
"It's like we can deduce from the morning glow that it probably won't rain today, or we can infer from the dense clouds that it might rain today, perhaps even with a gust of wind."
"This is the objective law of the development of things. By obtaining information and mastering the laws, we can naturally have the ability to predict the future."
"Then, in a certain sense, isn't divination precisely using a person's talent and magic to dig out information that is usually difficult to detect, thereby predicting the possible direction of the future?"
Dylan directly told Dumbledore his most fundamental understanding of divination.
"Actually, Professor, in the Muggle world, those who don't know any magic and have no magical power can also use their own methods to predict many things."
"To put it bluntly, although they are complete idiots when it comes to magic, Professor—everyone has their own way out."
"Although Muggles don't know magic, they also divine—the weather forecast is one of them."
Dumbledore's chest rumbled with laughter upon hearing this.
"For example, is death also something everyone can foresee?"
Dylan pursed his lips and smiled slightly. "Of course."
"You know, Dylan, your ideas are quite unique."
Dumbledore left the window and slowly walked to the bookshelf filled with magical objects, gently stroking an old and worn book.
"I've never really believed that divination is real, and I don't believe that those tea leaves and crystal balls that look like they're just for show can influence a person's true destiny."
"In my opinion, divination is just a means of inferring the future based on known information—your statement coincides with my thoughts."
"However..." Dumbledore paused, his hand withdrawing from the book, "I know that divination is real."
This was something he had to admit.
His life and destiny had been verified by divination—or rather, divination had, to a large extent, influenced him.
"Is it because of your friend?" Dylan asked.
A hint of reminiscence touched Dumbledore's eyes, and then he nodded. "Yes, that former friend of mine."
Dylan almost twitched his lips.
The wording was really rigorous.
However, he also wanted to see if he could pry out some information about Grindelwald from Dumbledore's mouth.
Dylan continued, "Regarding your... former friend, what did he predict?"
Dumbledore sat back down in his seat.
"Yes, he foresaw a big trouble—a big trouble concerning the Muggle world and the wizarding world."
"In order to solve this trouble and prevent the wizards of the wizarding world from perishing because of it, he devoted his entire life to it."
—Even he, at that time, had been attracted by the youth's vigor and ambition, until he fell in love and devoted himself to it, fighting alongside him to try and achieve this goal.
"Sounds like a rather dangerous and difficult prophecy to solve."
"Yes, he was a natural-born seer. Sometimes I think it would have been better if he wasn't."
Dumbledore sighed, but didn't intend to delve deeper, instead changing the subject.
"Dylan, do you think the results of divination are always correct?"
Dylan blinked. "Always is too absolute. The results of divination are usually closely related to the diviner's talent."
"The more talented the diviner, the more the results of their divination will naturally overlap with the scenes that might occur in the future, which means they are more accurate."
"And divination talents also vary. Some people can see images, some can hear voices, and some can divine some unknown information to infer the future..."
At this moment, Dumbledore asked, "What about you? I heard from Professor Trelawney that your divination talent seems to be very strong."
"I..."
How could Professor Trelawney talk nonsense like that? And even mention it to Old Dumbledore.
Dylan clicked his tongue.
However, he also knew that this was likely the result of Old Dumbledore specifically asking Professor Trelawney.
"My talent is more direct. It allows me to foresee certain fragments of the future without needing to know too many details."
"I've tried changing some thoughts and behaviors, and the future scenes also change accordingly."
"Obviously, the future is not immutable—at least not for me."
Dumbledore nodded slightly, his large white beard making him look utterly non-threatening, and also making people unable to resist lowering their guard.
However, Dylan kept his eyes lowered, focused on his own thoughts, and sat obediently on the stool, honestly answering Old Dumbledore's questions.
"So the future is definitely changeable, right?"
"No, perhaps some futures are destined to be unchangeable—no matter how hard one tries."
Dylan replied, "Some diviners' talents might yield definite prophecies, which are unchangeable prophecies."
"Whether you work hard or not, your actions are all pushing the events in that prophecy forward."
Dylan's words made Dumbledore narrow his eyes.
Definite prophecies?
There was a very fitting example, and that was Tom.
After the prophecy appeared back then, didn't Tom choose to believe that half of the prophecy, which ultimately led him to become a fragmented soul?
However, that was what Tom did after choosing to believe the prophecy.
—What if he hadn't chosen to attack Harry back then?
"Future prophecies are only supplementary additions to the present. If you don't trust prophecies, your present will naturally not be affected by any prophecy."
Dylan said, "For example, me, I will only choose to trust the prophecies that I divine myself—after all, who knows if what others say is true or false?"
Dylan smiled. "Maybe someone will jump out, claiming to be a great diviner, just to deceive me."
Dumbledore chuckled again upon hearing this.
"Although you are only just over ten years old, your thoughts are already more mature than many adults."
"That might also be related to me reading many books. I love reading and I love learning."
Dylan smiled shyly and then took the initiative. "I wonder if I could ask you a few questions, Headmaster?"
"Oh, of course, no problem at all."
Dumbledore blinked his eyes and sat up straight. "I've been asking you all along, and you should indeed ask me some."
Seeing Old Dumbledore agree, Dylan, with the mindset of "since I'm already here," slowly began to speak.
"I've been wanting to research the Patronus Charm, including the Fidelius Charm—Professor Snape recently taught me Legilimency, so the function of the Fidelius Charm has also become very interesting to me."
"It seems you've made good progress in learning Legilimency and Occlumency."
Dumbledore's lips curved into a soft smile as he looked directly at Dylan.
However, the latter didn't take the bait at all, just looking at the heels of his shoes.
Quite a wary little wizard.
Dumbledore said, "You are absolutely qualified to learn these two spells now, and I am very happy to teach them to you."
"First is the Fidelius Charm—if you want to learn it, then you must be clear about who can truly be loyal to you with their very soul."
"This is an extremely profound and exquisite defensive spell. It can deeply hide the existence of a secret within the heart of a Secret-Keeper you have chosen."
"Once the spell is cast successfully, unless the Secret-Keeper willingly reveals the secret, no matter what magic is used to probe, no one can touch that secret."
Dumbledore's voice was like the resonant ringing of an ancient bell, steady and magnetic.
"Imagine, Dylan, you have a most cherished secret that you don't want anyone to know."
"Through the Fidelius Charm, you can lock this secret in an invisible safe, and the Secret-Keeper is the only one who possesses the key."
Dumbledore paused slightly, his gaze deep, his tone slowing.
"Back then, the Order of the Phoenix cast the Fidelius Charm on the address of Harry's family to protect them."
"Tom, that is Voldemort, and his followers, even if they were nearby, could not find that house, let alone harm the people inside."
Dylan blinked, not expecting Old Dumbledore to talk to him about the events of that time.
Although these things weren't exactly secrets anymore, since those who should have died had died, and those who should have run away had run away.
But for Old Dumbledore to talk about these things with a first-year wizard like him still made Dylan feel a bit surprised.
He followed Old Dumbledore's words and continued, "Then if the Secret-Keeper betrays, does that secret also..."
Dumbledore sighed softly, a hint of regret flashing across his expression.
"Yes, if the Secret-Keeper betrays, the protection of this spell will instantly collapse, and the secret will be exposed without reservation."
"Therefore, choosing a Secret-Keeper must be done with utmost caution. It is a entrustment of trust, and the cornerstone of magic."
Dylan scratched his head, sitting on the chair, leaning forward slightly. "Headmaster, I have another question."
"Go ahead."
"Does the Secret-Keeper have to be a person?"
Dumbledore was taken aback, then the corners of his lips turned up, revealing a kind smile.
He gently clasped his hands in front of him, supporting his chin.
"That's a very interesting question... Usually, normal wizards would not try to use the Fidelius Charm on other things."
Dylan: (・_・;)
Who is he indirectly scolding?
Is he implying that his idea is abnormal?
Thought is the precursor to action, theory is the guide to practice!
If you don't boldly imagine first, how can you break free from the reins of thought and cross the fence in front of you?
You little Old Dumbledore!
Dylan's thoughts flashed through his mind, but he didn't dare to dwell on this aspect too much.
If Dumbledore directly caught these emanating thoughts, it would be terrible.
"Professor, why is that?" Dylan put on an innocent expression.
Dumbledore thought for a moment. "I wonder if you can understand if I explain it a bit complexly..."
"Please, just tell me," Dylan said seriously.
What a joke, when he discussed Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall, he could occasionally leave Professor McGonagall speechless.
—Like every time he wanted to discuss aberrant transfiguration.
You old Dumbledore, how profound can you be?
Are you going to speak astronomy instead of language!
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and shrugged.
"Alright, because humans possess more complex thinking and stronger will. To achieve the powerful protection of the Fidelius Charm, the most basic prerequisite is—the Secret-Keeper must be able to understand and uphold the secret."
"Only in this way can a stable magical link be established with the caster."
Dylan stroked his chin. "So, Professor, you mean that if the Secret-Keeper doesn't understand the secret I'm talking about at all, or even if they understand it but don't take it seriously, they are very likely to inadvertently reveal the secret?"
He suddenly thought of Hagrid.
—This was definitely someone who couldn't be a Secret-Keeper.
Choosing Hagrid was worse than choosing a magical creature.
Dumbledore nodded. "That's right, just like if you choose a magical creature, even if it understands the secret, its mind can easily be invaded."
"Then your secret will become an undisguised and most conspicuous existence."
Speaking of this, Dumbledore paused and placed his hand on the table again, his fingers lightly tapping the surface.
"Of course, if you can find a magical creature with enough intelligence to communicate effectively with you and capable of holding the secret—theoretically, it could also become a Secret-Keeper."
"I understand," Dylan nodded lightly. "Then... the Patronus Charm?"
Dumbledore's voice was like a murmuring stream, falling into Dylan's ears without being harsh at all.
"The Patronus Charm is an extremely special, highly defensive magic, and also a powerful weapon we use to resist darkness."
Dumbledore gently waved his wand, and a silver phoenix flew out from the tip of his wand, circling gracefully in the room.
Dylan's eyes widened, and he couldn't bother with his unfocused gaze anymore, staring straight at it.
"It allows you to summon a guardian spirit formed from your happy memories and strong will."
"This guardian spirit can help you resist the attacks of Dementors and other dark creatures, as well as other evil magic."
"—You know what Dementors are, right? Creatures that can suck away people's happiness and hope. Their presence plunges the surrounding world into endless darkness and despair."
"But when you summon a Patronus, it will be like a light, dispelling the darkness and giving you strength and protection."
"The incantation of the spell is not difficult to learn. The key is to gather your happiness, love, and hope."
"You can imagine those moments that made you feel incredibly happy, whether it was the warm time spent with family, the sincere friendship with friends, or the sense of accomplishment after completing a difficult task."
"When you say the incantation, you must pour all your attention and emotion into it, then your magic will resonate with these beautiful memories, thereby summoning your own Patronus."
Dumbledore raised his hand and gently touched the silver phoenix.
"Everyone's Patronus is unique. Its form reflects your personality, inner qualities, and deepest desires."
Dylan nodded.
Regarding the Patronus Charm and the Fidelius Charm, he had some understanding of the incantations, but his mastery was not deep, so his self-study progress was slow.
This time, Old Dumbledore's detailed explanation had benefited him greatly.
"Don't rush to try it. You can go back and experiment properly later."
Dumbledore smiled.
"Alright, Professor."
(End of chapter)
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