Dumbledore gazed at Vid, and the last trace of doubt in his eyes finally faded away.
"Since you've already made up your mind, I won't stand in your way… but Vid, you won't be alone."
Vid was just about to say something when Dumbledore waved a hand and said:
"Of course, I know it will be more convenient for you to act on your own. However, when you depart, Kingsley will be leading a small Auror team to the United States to assist the Magic Congress in investigating the Scourers' assassination incident."
He let a faint smile touch the corner of his mouth and said, "Most of the Aurors won't know that you're in the United States as well, but Kingsley, Alastor, and Tonks—you can trust these three people, and ask them for help when necessary."
Vid nodded and said, "I understand, Professor. But hasn't Professor Moody already retired from the Ministry of Magic? He's still going to take part in this kind of cross-border operation?"
"Although Alastor has retired, that set of skills honed through countless trials has not vanished along with it. In terms of experience and ability, he still surpasses most of the Ministry's active Aurors."
Dumbledore chuckled and said, "So when he asks to participate in a particular operation, the Ministry of Magic isn't foolish enough to refuse. More importantly… you're not the only one angered by what happened this time, Vid."
"Given Alastor's temperament, there's no way he'd be willing to sit safely in the rear after being slapped in the face in public, only to watch the young ones go out and risk their lives."
Vid smiled in understanding. "But that means the school's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will be gone again… It's rare to have a professor who can safely finish a whole year of teaching without some major accident."
A trace of helplessness flashed through Dumbledore's eyes:
"Considering the Curse Voldemort placed on that position, I had already planned to replace the professor. In fact, I've already invited a suitable candidate."
Vid immediately grew curious. "I wonder if I know this new professor you've invited?"
"You certainly do."
At this topic, Dumbledore's mood seemed to brighten. He took out his Magic Wand and tapped the table, summoning a plate of treacle tart up from the kitchen, and only then said with a smiling squint:
"He is Frank Longbottom."
Vid asked in surprise, "Neville's father? His body… has he already made a full recovery?"
Dumbledore shook his head, shared a piece of tart with Vid, took one himself, and then said:
"Not yet. A complete recovery will require a long time. However, Frank's fighting spirit has never been crushed. After he regained clarity, he's been eager to throw himself back into the battle against the forces of darkness."
He took a bite of the tart and continued:
"I had a long talk with him… I told him that training the next generation is just as vital a task, and that the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is temporarily vacant—I need him to help shoulder that burden."
"In the end, he accepted the position. Alice will also come to the school as an assistant to the school nurse. I believe Madam Pomfrey's medical skill will help them recover more fully."
"That's wonderful." Vid was sincerely happy for them, and added, "Neville will be absolutely thrilled."
"Yes, he surely will be…" Dumbledore looked at Vid with gentle eyes and said, "All of this is thanks to you."
Vid shook his head and said:
"No, the credit isn't mine. This miracle belongs to the Longbottom family—"
"It's the result of Neville and his grandmother's perseverance over more than ten years, and of the Longbottoms never giving up on themselves, that they lived to see the miracle arrive."
Dumbledore looked at Vid, let out a soft breath, and said, "And that miracle is what you gave them."
He took a small object from the drawer, carefully wrapped in velvet. After untying the cord, he revealed the stone necklace Vid had once lent Neville.
Dumbledore gently pushed the necklace in front of Vid and said:
"Mr. Longbottom asked me to return this to you. This is a very powerful and ancient piece of Magic Tools, extremely precious… use it well, Vid."
"Yes."
Vid picked up the necklace and wound it around his wrist as he used to, and suddenly felt a measure of calm.
When he lifted his head, though, he paused slightly in surprise.
Dumbledore was staring at the stone necklace on Vid's wrist, and for an instant his gaze grew distant; in those eyes that always seemed to see through everything, unfathomable waves rose, rare and deep.
Vid was blank for a moment, and then he understood.
Back then… if back then in Godric's Hollow, the Dumbledore family had possessed such an artifact, perhaps they could have used it to draw Dumbledore's sister Ariana out of the fog.
If that had happened… she could have returned to normal, wouldn't have had to be kept at home all day; she could have, like other children, walked through the gates of Hogwarts in the sunlight, put on the Sorting Hat in the Great Hall, and made friends her own age…
If that had happened… she might still be alive now, and many people's fates would not be what they are today.
All of a sudden, Vid found he couldn't bear to imagine it—at the moment when he helped Hayley wake Mabel from the brink of death, and drew the Obscurus out of that girl's body, what must Dumbledore have been thinking!
Vid moved his wrist almost unconsciously, letting his sleeve fall to cover the stone necklace.
That fleeting daze surged up like a sudden tide and then swiftly receded. Dumbledore blinked, as if he'd never had that moment of distraction.
He simply took a brand-new badge from the drawer, the silver-blue eagle crest glinting faintly in the candlelight.
"You know?" Dumbledore said with a hint of regret, "I had planned to appoint you as Ravenclaw Prefect in the new school year."
Vid looked at the badge, his gaze resting on it for a moment, and then he smiled:
"Professor, do you really think I'm suitable? To be honest, even among my year-mates in Ravenclaw, at least a third of them—I don't even know what electives they've taken."
Aside from a small number of friends, his attention rarely lingered on other students.
Dumbledore also smiled slightly. "With your abilities, if someone else were to become Prefect… whoever it was, I'm afraid they would face a great deal of doubt."
Vid gently pushed the Level Leader Badge back.
"But my battlefield has long since ceased to be the school corridors. And a Prefect needs prestige, time, and approachability—I don't possess those qualities."
Vid said earnestly, "By comparison, Anthony Goldstein is far more suitable than I am. His marks are excellent, he's fair in dealing with others, and he's very warm-hearted. He can perform the duties of a Prefect far better than I could."
As for Michael, who was closer to him… that fellow was used to being lazy. Mustering the energy to pick up his Magic Wand and practice Spells a few extra times was already the limit of his effort; there was no way he'd go around maintaining order, worrying about classmates who came back late, or mediating endless House disputes.
That badge might be power and honor to others, but to Michael, it would only be a heavy burden.
As Michael's friend, Vid naturally had to respect his nature; he would never push him into a position he didn't want and would even find painful.
Dumbledore's eyes curved. "Anthony is indeed a reliable and upright student. He'll make an excellent Prefect."
Seeing the conversation drawing to a close, Vid rose to his feet and took his leave. "If there's nothing else, Professor, I'll head back now."
Dumbledore inclined his head slightly, but just as Vid was about to go out the door, he suddenly heard the old man say:
"Wait, Vid."