Everything was business as usual in the principal's office, and there was no sign of any movement of the items.

It seems that Professor Dumbledore was so confident about his return that he didn't even think about moving.

At this point, Professor Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, fingers interlocked, and a kind smile on his face.

The old headmasters in the portrait are not pretending to be asleep at all, but are stringing the doors with each other to celebrate the return of Professor Dumbledore.

"Good evening, dear Professor Dumbledore." Hallie took the initiative to say hello, and Fawkes flapped her wings lightly and returned to the side shelf.

"Good evening, Harley. Want some milk? Professor Dumbledore waved his wand, and a chair came out of nowhere.

"No, I just had a big meal in the kitchen."

"That's good." Dumbledore nodded slightly, "I'm looking for you tonight, mainly to talk about your battle this afternoon.

I've seen the footage, but I'd like to get a first-hand look at what happened this afternoon. ”

Harley didn't hesitate and immediately began to narrate as she had prepared it in the kitchen.

Anyway, the old man in front of him has his own battle image, so most of the information does not need to be hidden.

After listening to Harry's words, Professor Dumbledore nodded:

"Harley, thank you for defusing the existential crisis at Hogwarts.

So I want to thank you. I think you deserve a Hogwarts Special Contribution Award.

Also, I have good news for you, you may be awarded a second-class medal from the Order of Merlin for killing the basilisk and protecting your classmates.

After all, there is a precedent for this.

In 1899, Mr. Olevin Drake was awarded the Order of Merlin, Third Class, for killing a fire dragon alone in order to protect a Muggle village.

And based on your age and special status, I think you might even be awarded a Second Class Medal and have the opportunity to compete for the status of the British Youth Representative of the Wizengamot. ”

The old man's voice was very calm, as if he was doing some kind of business. However, several old principals on the wall suddenly applauded, seemingly very excited.

If Hallie remembers correctly, they were both Gryffindor-graduated headmasters. No wonder the principals next to them rolled their eyes.

"Professor, you seem a little upset about this?" Harley didn't pay much attention to the old headmaster's reaction, but tentatively asked Professor Dumbledore a question.

"Not happy? No, dear Hallie, I'm so proud of you. If your parents knew what you have achieved now, I think they would be proud of you too. ”

Dumbledore shook his head,

"I'm just a little worried, a worry based on what happened to me in the past.

Harley, I am not speaking as a principal, but as an old man who had a close personal relationship with your grandfather and parents.

I want you to stay away from politics as much as possible, and even if you do, don't get tainted by the filth of the Ministry of Magic.

Also, although you have achieved a series of identities at a young age, I hope that you will not be complacent or even arrogant because of these honors. ”

Although it was not a long speech, just two simple sentences, Harley immediately understood Professor Dumbledore's concern.

Despite her short time with the Ministry of Magic, Harley has seen Fudge's incompetence, ignorance, and greed.

Even the Minister of Magic is like this, how much better can the people below be?

The Ministry of Magic, which has been controlled by the pure-blood family for so long, is afraid that it has long been rotten from the roots.

I don't know what Professor Dumbledore meant by "self-inflicted concerns".

But he understandably doesn't want to get too much exposure to politics.

As for honor, fame at a young age is always one of the easiest ways to ruin people, and Professor Dumbledore reminded himself that he was understandable.

"Professor, thank you for the reminder." Harley gently brushed the hair behind her ears, "I see what you mean, and I'll pay attention to that." ”

Hearing this, Professor Dumbledore didn't say anything more.

After all, Hallie is so good, and he believes that with Harley's wisdom, he can understand this.

"Professor, so you're looking for me just to inform me about this?" Hallie and Professor Dumbledore had been together for a long time, and they were more open.

She leaned back in her chair, her hands raised in the air, and stretched.

Fawkes saw Hallie's hands raised in the air, and suddenly flew off the shelf and plunged into Hallie's arms.

When Harley reached out to stroke his feathers, Fawkes happily rubbed Harry's fingers with his head.

Harley looked at Professor Dumbledore as she rubbed the bird in her arms.

"Looks like Fawkes really likes you......" Professor Dumbledore smiled at his renegade pet, unconcerned that he was trying to curry favor with others in front of him.

Isn't that certain? Harley secretly thought in her heart that the witch's first impression was not blown.

What's more, according to the information that Hagrid inadvertently revealed, Fawkes has just been reborn once, and presumably his magic resistance during this time is not high.

In addition, when I occasionally met Fawkes at Hagrid's, I would always feed him something good, so the relationship between one man and one bird was very good.

“…… Okay, let's get back to business. My main purpose in coming to you tonight is to get a sense of Tom's conversation with you and your impression of him. ”

"Professor, what's wrong with that?" Harley tilted her head to the side as she curled one of Fawkes's slender tail feathers up with her fingers.

"Of course there is a problem." Dumbledore flicked his wand, and the journal flew out of the cabinet, covered in a golden spherical film.

Harley looked intently and suddenly realized that it seemed to be a phoenix flame, and there were alchemy runes flashing on it.

"As an aside, the curse on the outside of the diary is so subtle that I almost lost it unintentionally."

Dumbledore mentioned it seemingly unintentionally, and then turned his attention back to his journal,

"After getting this diary, I had a guess that was confirmed, and at the same time a new one was proposed."

"What is it?" Harley asked with interest.

Dumbledore hesitated, and instead of answering immediately, he asked Harley a question:

"Hallie, I want you to look me in the eye and answer me, do you long for eternal life?"

Why should I crave? I'm an ageless witch, and I've achieved that!

So I certainly don't desire it, because I don't desire eternal life because I already have it. As for whether you crave it or not, that's none of my business.

The thought crossed Harry's mind, but Harley chose to express only a small part of it: "Professor, I don't want eternal life. ”

Professor Dumbledore stared into Harry's blue eyes, then sighed softly.

"Hallie, I'm sure you're telling the truth." The old man's voice sounded a little tired.

Even Fawkes heard it, flew out of Harry's arms, landed on Professor Dumbledore's shoulder, and rubbed his head against his master.

"You know what, Hallie? I've always been very worried about you.

From the first time we met, you showed an extraordinary talent for the dark arts. The kind of black flame you wield, filled with curse and evil aura.

I've made a few guesses about it, and it's all based on some particularly evil dark magic that Tom has been working on.

So I'm terrified, scared that a gifted kid like you would go down the wrong path like Tom or somebody.

But in the past two years, you have never shown the same inclination as them, and instead you have not been moved by the Philosopher's Stone, and you have not flinched from the basilisk and the young Tom.

I guess that's the difference between you, you're a Gryffindor, and they're Slytherin or ......

Anyway, Harley, I'm really relieved. ”

……

……

(Thanks to the nine-tailed Yanhu and the book friend with the tail number 2617 for the reward!) ）

(End of chapter)