Chapter 64 Chapter 64
Lucius was ready to leave, but the house-elf behind him was behaving strangely.
His two huge eyes were fixed on Harry, pointing at Dumbledore's desk, then at Malfoy while pounding his head with his fist.
Harry understood what Dobby was trying to tell him.
He nodded to Dobby, and Dobby retreated to a corner, twisting his ears as punishment.
"Mr. Malfoy, wouldn't you like to know how Ron obtained the diary?" Harry asked.
"What?!" Lucius looked at Harry with disgust, "My time is precious, I have no interest in how a twelve-year-old obtained a diary."
Harry raised his voice, "Ron said he took it from Ginny's Transfiguration book, and I remember you picked up Ginny's book at Flourish and Blotts, that must have been when you secretly slipped in the diary. Isn't that right?"
When Mr. Weasley heard this, he jumped up and glared at Lucius angrily. He would have advanced if Mrs. Weasley hadn't stopped him.
Evan noticed Lucius clenching and unclenching his fists.
"Where is your evidence?" Lucius said hoarsely.
"There's no way to provide evidence," Dumbledore smiled and said, "Riddle has vanished from this book, but Lucius, I'd like to give you some advice. Do not deliver any more of Voldemort's items, and if anything else ends up in innocent hands, I believe Arthur will track it back to you..."
Lucius stood still for a moment, his right hand trembling as if about to draw his wand, but he restrained himself.
"I'll remember your advice, Dumbledore." He turned to the house-elf and said, "Let's go, Dobby!"
He flung open the door, and as the elf hurried, Lucius kicked Dobby to get him out. Everyone could hear Dobby shrieking in pain as he was kicked down the hallway.
As Evan watched Lucius's back, he felt a twinge of pity for him, knowing that when the dark lord returns in a few years, he will suffer.
Harry remained silent as he stared at the diary, furrowing his brow and pondering.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Harry said hurriedly, "Can I return this diary to Mr. Malfoy?"
"Of course, you can, Harry," Dumbledore said calmly, "But after that, you must go to the school hospital for Madam Pomfrey to heal your wounds."
Harry grabbed the diary and ran out of the office. Evan thought for a moment, then whispered something to Hermione. She nodded and ran. Ron, Hagrid, and the Weasleys looked worried, so they followed.
In the blink of an eye, only Dumbledore and Evan were left in the office.
"Sit down, Evan," Dumbledore pointed to a chair, "It seems you have something to tell me."
Evan nodded and sat, as he had garnered Dumbledore's attention, it was better not to evade it but to take the initiative.
"Relax, would you like some cockroach clusters?" Dumbledore took a jar of sweets and offered it to Evan.
"No, thank you, professor," Evan shook his head hastily, he had only advertised the candies in the newspaper once and even the ghost knew how much he liked them.
"Indeed, there is something I would like to tell you. Firstly, I must thank you for helping Harry in the Chamber of Secrets." Dumbledore's eyes gleamed, "I haven't seen a young wizard as excellent as you in a long time, excluding Riddle, of course. Seeing you reminds me of an old friend."
Evan remained cautiously secretive even as the other part told him to relax.
He knew Dumbledore's story, and...
"You flatter me, professor. I only know a little more than others in the same year," Evan said modestly, "But in Hermione's words, I'm just a bookworm."
"No eres meramente un devorador de libros; he leído tus escritos y son sobresalientes. Me he suscrito a casi todas las ediciones del periódico Hogwarts' Magic."
"Professor, if you are referring to the articles in the academic research section, I apologize, but Riddle gave them to me before I knew he was Voldemort."
"Yes, those studies were truly profound, and as I mentioned, Riddle was the best student Hogwarts ever had." Dumbledore stared intently at Evan. "You resemble him in some ways, but you are different, and you have friends."
Evan sighed with relief upon hearing Dumbledore's comment.
He knew that his relationship with Harry, his attitude toward power, and his Muggle origins ultimately put the other person on guard.
Otherwise, with Dumbledore paying attention to him, he wouldn't be able to keep a single secret at Hogwarts.
If I am even slightly dangerous, I will likely be found out.
After all, Dumbledore would not allow a third Dark Lord to rise to power.
But then again, Evan has no interest in power, immortality, or the like.
So Dumbledore is only slightly concerned.
As Evan was about to set off in search of Harry, Dumbledore suddenly asked him, "Evan, do you know what this journal is?"
"That's simple, it's a Horcrux!" Evan blurted out without thinking.
'Darn it, it's not wise to expose what I know prematurely, even though I intend to fight against Voldemort, I don't want to become a disposable pawn,' thought Evan.
He didn't know why he said it, but Dumbledore's voice seemed to have a charm, making him unconsciously vocalize his thoughts.
Dumbledore was surprised to hear Evan's words. He didn't think the boy had guessed what it was. He was going to disclose certain information, but he didn't expect Evan to know so much.
"Yes, it is a Horcrux, but can you tell me how you know?" Dumbledore asked kindly.
"Rowena Ravenclaw told me; she said it was a wicked spell capable of splitting the soul."
"What?!" When Evan mentioned Rowena Ravenclaw, Dumbledore was truly stunned.
To avoid suspicion from the other, Evan quickly recounted what had happened, including that the four founders left secret treasures.
"Ravenclaw's Time-Turner is magnificent!" Dumbledore soon regained his composure. "I hope you can find the hidden treasure through the trial of the four founders."
Evan nodded; Dumbledore seemed to believe him.
"You probably already know that Voldemort is the last descendant of Salazar Slytherin; he should be the last Parseltongue speaker, but Harry can also speak Parseltongue. If I'm not mistaken, he transferred part of himself to Harry the night he gave him that scar."
Evan recoiled, wondering what Dumbledore meant. Of course, he knew what the other side was saying and even knew that Harry was a Horcrux.
"I mean that no matter the circumstance, regardless of the incident, you will undoubtedly stand by Harry, won't you?"
"Yes!" Evan responded hurriedly, "He is my friend, and I will support him against Voldemort and anyone else."