“…… I wonder if I'm lucky enough to be able to come to your home? ”

Eventually, Slughorn nodded.

Although he was not sure about Maca's intentions, since he was from Hogwarts, it was always the right choice not to take the initiative to go up.

But for Slughorn, since he couldn't avoid others, it actually said a lot.

Maca followed him and walked with him through the back door.

This house is actually quite spacious, but perhaps because its owner has stuffed too many daily necessities, it can't help but feel a little cramped and messy.

In the living room where the maca is entertained, there are soft chairs, stools, and large piles of fluffy cushions, and books, drinks, and snacks are readily available on the coffee table with a blanket.

The fire burned in the big fireplace, making the room warm even in the corners.

If it is neat, it is even a fight with Maca's office; But in terms of the comfort of daily life, I believe that no one will not like this room.

Before reaching the soft couch, Maca took several wine bottles from her waist and placed them on the coffee table as gifts for her visit.

But then, after he sank into the sofa, he asked a question that was enough to bring the room temperature to freezing in an extremely abrupt manner.

"Mr. Slughorn, Voldemort—" The fat old man shuddered as Maca mentioned the name, "...... How much does he pay you? ”

"What are you talking nonsense?" Slughorn immediately frowned, "Also, don't mention that name to me!" ”

"I'm not talking nonsense," Maca smiled, "Originally, I was just here to be a lobbyist today." Next school year, Hogwarts needs a new Potions professor—"

"I'm not going!" Slughorn scrambled.

"No, didn't I say that? That was just my 'original' purpose," Marca explained, "I wouldn't have come to you if Professor McGonagall had come and asked me if I had a suitable candidate......

He paused, but then continued, "But in fact, I started following you months ago...... I say that, do you understand? ”

"Oh - I actually prefer mead!" Slughorn casually picked up the bottle on the table and said perfunctorily as he looked at the label, "What should I understand?" ”

"For a while, you moved around very often—from here to there, but it wasn't long before you bought it from the Muggle owner of this house and lived here for a long time." Maca said leisurely, "I think I can still understand what happened during this period." ”

"I just want to look everywhere and choose a suitable place for retirement!" Slughorn still insisted, "As you can see, when you're old, it's time to enjoy the leisurely life of your old age." ”

"Why bother?" Maca shook her head, "In that case, why don't you show me your arms?" ”

Slughorn's face finally changed, and after a moment of silence, he sighed heavily.

"Listen to you, if Minerva doesn't come to you, you don't plan to come to me?" He put down the bottle in his hand and said a little weakly.

"That's right," Maka nodded calmly, "I think you'll go back to Hogwarts yourself without me coming to you...... Isn't it? ”

"How, how can it be......" Slughorn immediately shook his head, "I believe you know better than I how dangerous Hogwarts has been in recent years—how could I run to find myself miserable?" ”

"Because it's not necessarily safe here," Maca said without hesitation, "you've been in danger from the moment you couldn't refuse—you know, from the moment you couldn't refuse his offer." Although you have always liked to make good friends, being 'excellent' like Riddle will only make you deeply distressed, right? ”

“…… You won't get it. Slughorn stared silently at the pattern on the table carpet for a moment of silence before he spat out the words.

But Maca just smiled calmly.

"Okay!" He nodded slightly, "It's not distress, it's regret—right?" ”

"What?" Slughorn looked up suddenly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Maca thought about it and decided to reveal some unimportant information to the fat old man.

"To dispel your worries—" he said, spreading his hands, "of course, and also to get you to our side as soon as possible, so I'll tell you directly!" ”

At this, Maca deliberately paused again, causing Slughorn to focus again.

“…… Horcruxes, the method of splitting souls, he learned from you, right? ”

"How could you-"

In Slughorn's shock, Maca interrupted him with a wave of her hand.

"Voldemort has seven Horcruxes, six of which are in my possession."

"Really...... Seven times? Slughorn's hand trembled, "How can it be...... Can the human soul withstand seven divisions? ”

"More than that!" Maca said casually, "About thirteen times, to be exact—that's the limit number of splits." ”

"Really?" Slughorn hesitated, "How do you know?" ”

"It's clear what is written in some ancient books," Maka said, shrugging her shoulders, "I have a little bit of research in soul magic. ”

"And how do you know he's only made seven Horcruxes?" Slughorn asked.

"No, in fact, there are only six Horcruxes he has made on his own initiative—" Maka replied, "and every time a soul is divided, it takes a long time to recuperate, and it is impossible for him to make Horcruxes continuously. However, after he made the sixth Horcrux, he ...... You know. ”

“…… Died at Potter's house? Slughorn couldn't help but subconsciously answer.

"That's right!" Maca bowed.

"And what about the seventh?" Slughorn hurriedly asked, "He did another one after he was resurrected?" ”

"Unfortunately, I can't say much about this seventh Horcrux yet...... "but I can tell you for sure that it's in my possession." ”

"Then how can you be sure that he didn't continue to make Horcruxes after his resurrection?" Slughorn asked, confused.

"That's another secret about him," Maca hesitated slightly, "you already know that, right?" After his resurrection, his power became quite unusual. ”

"Yes...... Those horrible black ......," Slughorn recalled with a shudder.

"That's it," said Marka, "because of the new powers he's gotten, he doesn't even dare to make Horcruxes now, dare I say - he doesn't even dare let his soul shake even a little more!" ”

"I can see," Slughorn nodded, "I happened to see him once before, and he was all over his body spitting black smoke out of his body—it must have been the case of his power suddenly bursting out!" ”

Maca looked at him noncommittally, and after a moment, the conversation changed.

"Hmm...... So, now that you've said that, I think you should be able to decide, right? ”

As soon as these words came out, Slughorn fell into deep thought again.

The reason why Maca shared this "important information" with him was well understood.

First, Maca wanted him to know that Voldemort's secret was not a secret in Maca's eyes, and it seemed that everything was under his control; And second, these words will undoubtedly become a kind of restraint on him.

Whichever side he ultimately decides to take, it is impossible for him to tell Voldemort these words. Once he spoke it out in front of Voldemort, not only would there be no reward, but there would be no doubt that he would even be killed on the spot.

After all, when Voldemort was the same Tom Riddle, it was up to him, Horag Slughorn, to explain the secrets of the Horcruxes to the other party.

If Voldemort knew the secrets of the Horcruxes, he would have been revealed, and he would have been the first person to be suspected.

“…… Why would you want me to come back to Hogwarts? Slughorn suddenly asked Maca, "What am I worth?" Need you to trade these secrets in exchange? ”

"Huh?" Maca glanced at him and said, "Although I didn't think it was worth anything...... However, every time Voldemort loses a helper, it will undoubtedly be easier for our side, won't it? ”

"That's it?" Slughorn hesitated.

"Isn't that enough?" Maca asked rhetorically, "If you were to do things for Voldemort wholeheartedly, you would have caused us a lot of trouble—you must have put a lot of effort into Voldemort's invasion of the Ministry of Magic, right?" ”

"Uh...... All said, don't mention 'that person' name to me......" Slughorn touched his nose and looked away a little weakly.

"Look! Didn't I just say it before I came in? Maca laughed, "You have a good reputation in the British wizarding world, and indeed in the global wizarding world. I value your broad and heavy social circle. ”

"So, are you sure you can...... Is my safety guaranteed? Slughorn pondered for a moment, then suddenly craned his neck and asked cautiously.

"Of course!" Marka nodded decisively, "As long as you don't run around and stay at Hogwarts, I don't think there's anything to fear even if Voldemort attacks again." ”

"You're so confident...... Slughorn said with a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"A moderate amount of self-confidence can win people's trust," Maca does not deny, "Sometimes, excessive self-humility can make others unhappy!" ”

"Let me think again!" Slughorn sighed.

"Of course, it's still early for the next school year!" Maca said, suddenly turning her head to the door, "However, for you, I'm afraid there won't be as much time as you think." ”