Quirrell's final ramblings still silenced Lucien.
Alas, he truly was an unlucky man.
If Quirrell had not gone into that Dark Forest, if he had not encountered Lord Voldemort, if he had not been swayed by him… then he should have continued as a Muggle Studies Hogwarts professor, continued to delve deeply into the field of magic, and continued to seek knowledge as an outstanding Ravenclaw graduate. But alas, there are no "ifs."
The black vortex in Lucien's eyes slowly turned as he gazed at the magical circuit within Quirrell's body, now completely shattered.
And Quirrell's barely perceptible breathing showed that both his life force and his soul were nearing their end.
Lucien watched as the light in Quirrell's eyes gradually faded and gently shook his head.
"Lumen."
At Lucien's command, crimson-gold flames engulfed Quirrell's body, purifying his broken flesh and soul.
"Thank you…"
A faint, almost illusory voice rose from the burning net fire, as if thanking Lucien for ending his suffering.
Lucien took a phoenix tail feather from his pocket and let the net fire ignite it, reducing it to ash.
In just two or three seconds, a burst of brilliant red flame appeared in midair.
A tall wizard with silver hair and a silver beard appeared beside Lucien, his bright blue eyes scanning the surroundings through his half-moon spectacles.
Dumbledore took in the chaotic room, Harry lying unconscious on the floor, and the distorted, unstable dragon.
The dragon's presence made Dumbledore's gaze freeze for a moment before it returned to normal.
"Let's take Harry to the infirmary first."
Lucien agreed with Dumbledore's suggestion.
After briefly dealing with the scene, Fawkes teleported the three of them directly to the infirmary.
As soon as Lucien opened his eyes, he saw a woman in a white cap and white uniform gently waving her wand beside a hospital bed, softly comforting someone.
"It's all right. Your friend just took a blow to the head and fainted. He'll be fine soon."
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey…"
Ron lay on the bed with his eyes closed, while Hermione was discussing his condition with Madam Pomfrey.
Noticing the arrival of Dumbledore and the others, both of them looked over at once.
"Merlin's pants, another student injured?"
"Dumbledore, a Dark Wizard has infiltrated the school! As Headmaster, you should be protecting the students' safety!"
Madam Pomfrey, who had been gentle just moments before, immediately turned stern when she saw Dumbledore with the unconscious Harry floating beside him, and she questioned him without mercy.
"Poppy, I'm sorry. This is my mistake. I'll leave Harry in your care for now."
Dumbledore did not even need to give instructions. Madam Pomfrey had already waved her wand, gently lowering Harry onto the bed beside Ron.
Hermione was about to say something to Lucien, but he was already being led out of the infirmary by Dumbledore.
After they had gone far enough from the infirmary, Dumbledore stroked his beard and said helplessly, "Madam Pomfrey is an excellent and highly responsible Healer. When it comes to treating patients, she insists on strict rules, and of course, even I am no exception."
However, before Lucien could respond, Professor McGonagall came around the corner and met them.
"Dumbledore! You're finally back!"
"I heard Longbottom say that Harry and the others went to protect the Philosopher's Stone. This is simply—simply…"
Having found her pillar of support, Professor McGonagall looked at Dumbledore with a mixture of shock and concern.
Dumbledore nodded.
"Harry and the others were right, and very brave. Thanks to them…"
Dumbledore glanced at Lucien and continued.
"The children did protect the Philosopher's Stone, saving it from Quirrell's sinister plot."
At the mention of that name, Professor McGonagall's eyes filled with shock.
"Quirrell? How could it be him?"
"Where are Harry and the others? Are they hurt?"
She asked anxiously.
"Don't worry, Minerva. Madam Pomfrey is already taking care of them."
Hearing Dumbledore's words, Professor McGonagall did not relax. Instead, she quickened her steps toward the infirmary.
She also noticed Lucien standing beside Dumbledore, but seeing that the boy was safe and sound, his robes clean and neat, she instinctively did not connect him to the incident.
So after giving Lucien a nod, Professor McGonagall hurried off to the infirmary.
Dumbledore led Lucien to the Headmaster's Office. By then, the starlight was faint, filtering weakly through the windows.
"Lucien, tonight must have been an unforgettable night."
This time, Dumbledore did not conjure drinks or sweets. He simply clasped his hands and looked at Lucien in silence.
"Indeed, seeing Voldemort with my own eyes was certainly unforgettable."
Hearing Lucien call Voldemort by his name so directly, Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"Heh heh, there aren't many wizards in the magical world who dare to call the Dark Lord by his name."
Lucien's tone remained calm.
"It's just a name, isn't it?"
Dumbledore nodded gently, an appreciative look in his eyes.
"Yes, just a name. Yet many still cannot understand that and continue to harbor fear."
"Tom… Lord Voldemort was also once a student at Hogwarts, Lucien. Before you, he was the most outstanding and brilliant student."
Lucien then feigned appropriate "confusion" and asked,
"Tom? Is that also Voldemort's name?"
"Yes. Tom—Tom Riddle—is Voldemort's original name, inherited from his father's surname and given name."
Lucien continued,
"I saw a medal in the trophy room before, the Special Services to the School Award, and the recipient was Tom Riddle, so…"
Dumbledore glanced once more at the dim, starlit night sky and let out a quiet sigh.
"Yes, it was that Tom Riddle.
"He despised his origins, so he changed his name, wanting to sever all ties with his past.
"His talent was exceptional, his eloquence extraordinary, and he possessed a unique charisma that gathered around him a group of 'companions'—or rather, followers.
"Unfortunately, the path Tom later chose…"
Lucien listened quietly to Dumbledore's recollections, which served as a natural explanation for how he knew the Dark Lord's original name and past.
"Tom was very skilled at manipulating hearts. He always knew how to exploit people's desires and cravings, guiding others to act on his behalf."
After briefly recounting Tom's story, Dumbledore continued in a serious tone.
"Lucien, thank you for your help and involvement in stopping Tom's plot."
"In the end, Harry was the one who defeated Quirrell—or rather, Lord Voldemort—wasn't he?"
Lucien nodded, then silently added in his mind.
Harry did the work; I used Harry as a missile. Hmm, that sounds perfectly reasonable.
"Headmaster, the way Harry defeated Lord Voldemort was very unique. Just by touching him, he caused tremendous damage. What exactly was that?"
Lucien displayed the curiosity and thirst for knowledge appropriate to him.
Dumbledore did not conceal it and answered directly.
"Love. That was the magic of love."
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