"What is left?" said Mrs. Cole, "the woman has nothing left behind—except the child." ”

"You might as well think again, did that woman leave anything strange?" Dumbledore said.

"Everyone will say some nonsense before they die, and when death comes, people will always have all kinds of hallucinations. "Perhaps," said Mrs. Cole, "but I have heard so much nonsense that who will remember what the woman said." ”

"Richard. Harry felt that Richard was eager to make a deception to Mrs. Cole.

"Can you tell us about the kid, then?" said Dumbledore.

Mrs. Cole poured herself another glass of gin almost absent-mindedly. Two blush flushed her cheekbones. Then she said, "He's a quirky kid." ”

"yes," said Dumbledore, "I guessed it too. ”

"He was very eccentric when he was a baby and almost never cried. Later, when he grew up a little, he became very ...... Weird. ”

"What's weird, what's weird?" asked Dumbledore gently.

"That's right, he-"

Madame Cole paused suddenly, and she threw an inquiring glance over her gin glass at Dumbledore, which was not at all dazed or confused.

"He's sure he can go to your school, right?"

"Definitely. Dumbledore said.

"Whatever I say, it won't change that?"

"No, it won't. Dumbledore said.

"You're going to take him away anyway?"

"Anyway. Dumbledore repeated sternly.

Mrs. Cole squinted at him, as if judging whether to believe him or not. Eventually, apparently thinking he could be trusted, she suddenly blurted out, "He's scared the other kids." ”

"You mean he likes to bully?" Dumbledore asked.

"I think so," said Mrs. Cole, frowning slightly, "but it would be difficult to catch him red-handed. There have been some accidents...... Some vicious cases ......"

Dumbledore didn't rush her, but Harry could tell he was interested. Mrs. Cole took another long sip of gin, and the flush on her cheeks deepened.

“…… yes, Tom said he didn't do it, and I don't think he could do it, but that said, the rabbit wouldn't hang himself from the beam, would he?"

"yes, I don't think so. Dumbledore whispered.

"But I can't figure out how he got up there to do this. All I know is that he and Billy had a fight the day before. And later—" Mrs. Cole took another sip of gin, this time spilling some to her chin, "going out on a summer outing—you know, once a year. We took them to the countryside or to the beach -- and since then, we asked. Tom swore they were going on an expedition, but something must have happened in there. I'm sure. And then there's many, many things, weird......"

"What a bastard. Richard said, but there was an indescribable joy on his face.

"Oh, of course he's a bastard boy. Mrs. Cole drank another glass of gin, "I think many people would have applauded when they saw him leave." ”

"I'm sure you'll understand that we're not going to keep him in school all the time," Dumbledore said, "at least he'll be back here every summer." ”

"This is really sad news. Mrs. Cole said.

"If you can. Richard began. "So that he won't bother you. ”

"That's the best—"

"But—"

"Of course I'm qualified to adopt it, Dumbledore—you don't think his uncle would take him in, do you?" ”

"I'm in favor of the idea, if all of them are in line with the procedure. Mrs. Cole said, "But the adoption process will take some time, do you want to see the child now?"

"I really want to, I can't wait to meet this kid. ”。

"Then come with me. ”

Dumbledore had to get up and follow.

Mrs. Cole led them out of the office and up the stone staircase, shouting and reprimanding her helpers and children as she went. Harry saw that the orphans were all dressed in grey tunics. They all seemed to be reasonably well cared for, but there was no doubt that growing up in this place made the atmosphere very gloomy and oppressive.

"Here we are. Mrs. Cole said that they had turned a corner on the third-floor landing and stopped at the door of the first room in a long corridor. She knocked twice on the door and walked in.

"Tom, someone has come to see you. ”

Tips: The new domain name "biquge.info" has been launched by Biquge, and the original domain name is about to be discontinued. Please tell each other, thank you!