Sean always acted according to his meticulously crafted plans, undeterred by wind or rain.
Dumbledore, on the other hand, always relied on his wisdom.
Just like now, he was pulling on a chain, raising a small boat glowing with eerie green light, as if he had known it was there all along.
"You understand Tom very well."
This was Sean's interpretation.
"It is my duty—as a Headmaster. Give me your left hand, please?"
Dumbledore took Sean's uninjured hand.
"Magic always leaves traces, sometimes very obvious ones. I taught Tom Riddle; I know his style."
With a soft bump, the small boat hit the bank on their side of the lake.
Dumbledore stepped aside and carefully helped Sean into the boat.
The space was tight; they would have to squeeze in together.
Sean thought for a moment, then quickly opened the Book of Wizards. An elegant, understated wooden door appeared, standing upright on the small boat. He stepped inside and poked his head out:
"Would you like to come in as a guest?"
"I would be delighted."
Dumbledore stepped inside, eyes twinkling.
And so, the boat set off immediately. All around was silence, save for the gentle rustle of the prow cutting through the water.
The boat moved automatically without their intervention, as if an invisible rope were pulling it toward the green light in the center of the lake.
Soon, the cave walls vanished from sight, and it felt as if they were sailing on the open sea. The only strange thing was that the helmsman of this boat was Pukwudgie the butler.
William puffed out his chest proudly. Even if there were ten thousand hands beneath the lake, he showed no fear.
"Goblins... they possess unique magic," Dumbledore remarked, picking up a glass of pumpkin juice Pukwudgie had left on the table.
(101 Novel Network 101𝙠𝙠𝙨.𝙘𝙤𝙢 full manual typing, error-free site)
"Very unique magic indeed, Headmaster Dumbledore," Sean said, resisting the urge to have a late-night snack, even though Pukwudgie was an excellent cook and always left him delicious food in the wizard's hut.
"I can't wait to hear your stories from Ilvermorny. Though, perhaps it's better told in a dream," Dumbledore said with a smile.
Before Sean could reply, Pukwudgie's dutiful voice rang out:
"Respected Mr. Green, we are almost there."
They poked their heads out. Sure enough, the green light finally seemed larger and brighter. A few minutes later, the boat gently bumped against something and stopped.
Sean raised his lit wand and saw that they had arrived at a smooth rock island in the center of the lake.
The island was about the size of Dumbledore's office: a large, flat slab of black stone, empty except for the source of the green light.
Up close, the green light appeared much brighter.
They saw that the light was emanating from a stone basin similar to a Pensieve, set upon a pedestal.
Sean instinctively moved quickly toward the basin, while Dumbledore followed behind.
They stood side by side, looking into the basin. It was filled to the brim with an emerald-green liquid, emitting a shimmering phosphorescence.
"It seems we must do something?" Dumbledore said, feigning a relaxed demeanor.
Meanwhile, he moved his hand slightly toward the liquid.
He quickly cast several spells around it.
Sean memorized all of them.
"Oh—a liquid. One cannot touch it, cannot part it, cannot scoop it dry or drain it, cannot Vanish it with a spell, cannot Transfigure it, or alter its nature in any other way."
Dumbledore seemed almost absent-minded as he raised his wand again, twirled it in the air, and conjured a crystal goblet, which he caught in his hand.
"I can only conclude this: the liquid must be drunk."
Sean stared at Dumbledore, as if expecting him to suddenly down the entire basin in one go.
Dumbledore stared back at Sean, guessing the boy already wanted to do just that, except the liquid was currently under his control.
"No need for that. I think you already know.
Undoubtedly, this potion is designed to prevent us from taking the Horcrux. It might paralyze the drinker, make them forget why they are here, cause extreme pain, distract them, or incapacitate them in some other way.
If that happens, Sean, I need you to ensure that I keep drinking it," Dumbledore said softly.
Then he saw a clear refusal in Sean's eyes.
"I must emphasize, it is in my hands now, and you cannot snatch it away."
Having said that, he winked mischievously.
"Why can't we let..." Sean began to ask.
"I am much older than you, Sean, and my value is far less than yours," Dumbledore said without hesitation.
"...some animals drink it?" Sean finished his interrupted sentence.
Then Dumbledore saw a group of robust animals walk out of the Book of Wizards.
"Some potions are hallucinogenic; I thought maybe they could counteract each other?" Sean said, shaking a crystal phial in his hand.
In fact, this wasn't just a guess—Professor Snape often mentioned common potion knowledge in the dungeons.
Dumbledore paused, his gaze deepening.
"Firenze was right. Your talent for divination is no less than your other abilities."
He stepped aside, allowing the group of animals—already woozy from the potions Sean had given them—to drink the liquid from the goblet.
Soon the liquid was gone, and the animals collapsed on the ground, asleep. Only a warthog seemed extremely thirsty. Ignoring the water pool Pukwudgie had magically conjured, it turned and gulped down mouthfuls of lake water.
This caused the smooth surface of the lake to churn violently.
Sean looked up. Pale white heads and hands were emerging everywhere from the dark water—men, women, children—all with sunken, sightless eyes, drifting toward the rock island.
—A vast army of Inferi rose from the pitch-black lake.
Dumbledore watched Sean with interest.
In the next instant, Sean drew his wand.
"Dracoalis!"
A gigantic fire dragon descended from the sky. With Dumbledore watching over him, Sean could release his magic without reservation.
The fire dragon grew larger step by step, finally reaching a size not much different from a regular dragon. It guarded the shore, breathing dragon fire.
Destroying the Inferi was as simple as Dumbledore eating a Cockroach Cluster.
"A new spell?" Dumbledore's eyes held a profound depth.
"A trivial modifica..." Sean began, directing the dragon.
"Alright, alright," Dumbledore interrupted him.
However, the Inferi were endless, and Sean felt dizzy after holding the spell for five seconds.
He had been weakened, after all.
"Oh, well then, I..." Dumbledore looked quite relaxed.
"Mm, Will, it's time."
Sean took the locket, allowing Pukwudgie the butler to support his hand.
"Can I take you with us?" Sean asked.
Dumbledore knew that since September a year ago, things had become increasingly unexpected.
But his answer was:
"Why not?"
And so, after Pukwudgie Apparated them away, the cave fell silent once more.