Chapter 412 Dumbledore's Shock

December in London has entered the coldest month of the year.

A thin mist has begun to spread in the air, shrouding the ancient city with a mysterious atmosphere.

Dudley pulled his hood, and the white breath from his mouth smoked into a ball in front of him. Since drinking the holy medicine, he found that his body temperature was much higher than that of ordinary people, reaching an astonishing 42 degrees Celsius, so that the white breath he exhaled was more obvious than that of others.

He looked back at the quiet cottage at No. 4 Privet Drive, and stepped into the darkness.

The street was empty, quiet as if everyone had fallen into a sweet dream, with only the soles of boots knocking on the ground, making a crisp sound of "da da da".

Occasionally, a car would pass by quickly, playing a midnight broadcast inside, and some imaginative voices came out through the gaps in the glass. Just a few intermittent words made Dudley frown.

The fog was getting thicker and thicker. Dudley looked up at the moon in the sky. He couldn't see it clearly, but it was already hanging high in the sky.

A few drunks staggered out. They saw Dudley in strange clothes with their drunken eyes. They showed strange smiles on their faces and walked towards this side with their arms around each other.

Dudley's eyebrows, which had just been flattened, twisted again. It was hard to imagine that the British Empire, which was well-dressed and full of gentlemen during the day, was actually one of the places in the world with the most drunks.

There were many drunk people at night. Vernon never let Dudley go out late at night before.

Dudley paused and wanted to bypass these people who were already unconscious, but the other party approached him relentlessly.

Tsk, it seems that it will be a while later.

Dudley quietly clenched his fists.

When she came out of the Room of Requirement, Hermione had agreed to dance the opening dance with Malfoy. Just as Malfoy thought, Hermione could bring Ginny into the ball, but Hermione still needed a partner for the opening dance.

With the help of the emotional god of the glove lady, which was as powerful as the Twelve Labors of Love, Hermione finally accepted Malfoy's invitation with embarrassment.

Zhang Xiao said goodbye to the little wizards and walked towards the headmaster's office not far away. The work was done, but Dumbledore still needed to wipe his ass.

In the beautiful headmaster's office, Dumbledore took off his glasses and smiled at Zhang Xiao who pushed the door in, and made a gesture to help himself.

Zhang Xiao was also not polite. He skillfully pulled a chair, put on the tea tray and brewed Gongfu tea.

British black tea needs to be added with milk or sugar and lemon. It's okay to drink it occasionally, but Zhang Xiao can't get used to it if he drinks it for a long time.

It's a pity that the British Robert Fortune (Note 1) stole the tea species and tea making technology from China, otherwise the world would still be dominated by Chinese tea.

The portraits came alive from their rigid movements, stretching their bodies.

The entire principal's office came alive in an instant, and the originally deserted principal's office became lively. The portraits exchanged information, and some even loudly congratulated Zhang Xiao.

"First place, well deserved! Zhang, I know you can do it!" Phineas Black said loudly. If you only look at this sentence, it is just a normal congratulation.

But his next sentence immediately changed the angle: "The excellence of pure blood is reflected in you to the fullest! Facts have proved that the ancient and noble blood is stronger than others!"

Zhang Xiao's mouth twitched, and he didn't know how to respond.

Fortunately, he didn't need to respond himself, because Phineas was soon beaten up by other principals.

After the unknown principal with a turban took off his turban and tied Phineas' mouth tightly, another person with a cabinet in the portrait opened the cabinet and threw him in.

The principals clapped their hands as if nothing had happened. They asked about the details of the competition and congratulated Zhang Xiao for winning the first place.

And they praised the excellent performance of the young wizards of Hogwarts loudly.

Dumbledore was still watching happily. He liked this lively atmosphere very much. He watched the young wizard pour two cups of hot tea with skillful techniques, then picked up the cups and spoke directly to the core:

"What trouble have you encountered again?"

Zhang Xiao held the tea and shook his head:

"It's nothing, but the glove lady in the Room of Requirement said that someone went to the Room of Requirement during the first round of the competition."

Dumbledore's expression became a little serious. He just thought for a moment and asked:

"Did you go to the room where the things are hidden? The room where Tom's Horcrux and Slytherin's remaining materials are?"

Zhang Xiao nodded. Dumbledore's terrifying logical analysis ability was fully demonstrated. It would be easy to communicate with Dumbledore.

Like now, I just said one sentence, and he immediately thought of everything, without having to say more to explain.

"Professor, is there still no movement from Voldemort?"

A trace of haze quietly floated on Dumbledore's old face, and he shook his head:

"No, the Order of the Phoenix has been busy with this matter for more than a year, but they really seem to have disappeared.

If Tom wants to hide it completely, it will be difficult for us to find him.

But this does not match my understanding of him."

Dumbledore finished the tea in the cup and sighed softly:

"Zhang, I'm afraid as you guessed, Tom received considerable help, and this help made up for Tom's mental shortcomings caused by splitting the Horcrux.

Let Tom and his gang become even more secretive."

He paused and added:

"He has also become more cunning."

There was silence in the principal's room, and the portraits were also silent. They exchanged glances with each other, or covered their mouths and whispered.

The situation was originally looking good, but Fudge simply stepped down and Barty Crouch Sr., who had a strong stance and outstanding ability, came on.

The Horcruxes that Voldemort regarded as trump cards and back-ups were unearthed one after another.

The sinister trap in Gunter's old house that specifically targeted Dumbledore was also cracked with Zhang Xiao's hard blow.

As soon as the last snake and Harry's body were solved, everyone could sing a song to welcome the wonderful new future of the wizarding world.

But now Voldemort is uncharacteristically dormant, completely hidden.

The wizarding world was originally prepared as if facing a formidable enemy, but the tense nerves would eventually dissipate in this peaceful atmosphere.

No matter how powerful Old Barty was, he still couldn't keep everyone on high alert when facing Voldemort who looked like he was completely dead.

An old man and a young man drank tea quietly, and Zhang Xiao said softly:

"I feel that if Voldemort really wants to do something, then it is very likely that he will continue to act in the second game."

Dumbledore's blue eyes shone with thought as he shook his head.

"But the problem is we don't know if it's getting what it wants."

Suddenly he seemed to have thought of something, his eyebrows raised suddenly, and then dropped again. He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end it became:

"Although I can't guarantee it, I guess she probably didn't succeed -"

oh? Zhang Xiao raised his head, Professor Dumbledore is so sure?

Or is it something you don’t understand?

Just as the little wizards understand Zhang, if there is something that cannot be said, Zhang will definitely not say it. Zhang Xiao also understands Dumbledore.

If something couldn't be said, Dumbledore wouldn't say it either.

So he simply didn’t ask, but directly stated his arrangement:

"I asked the elves to keep an eye on the corridor on the eighth floor during the second game. If it is as you guessed, Professor, then she will definitely be exposed."

Dumbledore smiled and nodded:

"Proper approach, Zhang. I'm very relieved to leave this matter to you."

The two continued to drink tea. Fox stared at him on the solid gold shelf, with questioning and murderous intent in his golden pupils, but Zhang Xiao pretended not to see it.

Sister Bird, no, Aunt Qing is busy with big things. How can you disturb her with such trivial matters as love at this time?

Oh, by the way, I haven’t asked about the situation in my hometown this month, whether the number of irrational monsters has increased. Zhang Xiao slowly took a sip of clear tea, but his thoughts flew back thousands of miles away. of China.

At this moment, Dumbledore's faint voice floated over, with a teasing tone:

"Tell me, what kind of trouble have you encountered that you can't solve?"

Hiss, the one who knows me is Dumbledore!

Zhang Xiao put down the teacup and smiled sheepishly:

"You are really good at judging people!"

The portraits laughed with Dumbledore. After more than four years of getting along, their understanding of the little wizard was growing day by day.

Unless he encounters unsolvable troubles, the little wizard rarely comes alone to look for Dumbledore.

The Room of Requirement matter was indeed a problem, but Zhang's solution was good. He could have waited until he knew the identity of the intruder.

Dumbledore changed to a more comfortable position and gently placed his fingers on the food box, revealing various exquisite preserves and snacks inside.

Zhang Xiao just took a look and actually found Drunkard's peanuts and broad beans!

Dumbledore picked one up and put it in his mouth, smiling as he waited.

"Actually, it's not a big deal. I just need a partner for the Christmas dance, right?"

"Well, Minerva and Filius also guessed which outstanding little witch you would invite, so Zhang, your dance partner is-"

Zhang Xiao scratched his head in embarrassment:

"That, not the student, is the one from the Room of Requirement, Ms. Gloves."

Dumbledore twisted a peanut again:

"Oh? Not a student? It's a glove——"

Peanut stopped in front of his mouth, and the smile on Dumbledore's face gradually disappeared. This was the first time Zhang Xiao saw him look so shocked.

His long beard was trembling, and his blue eyes were wide open.

? ? ? ?

Dumbledore closed his eyes and began to wonder if he was hallucinating. Soon he opened them again and asked in a very complicated and unbelievable tone:

"Who??"

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Note 1:

Excerpted from: American writer Sarah Rose: "The Tea Thief: Spies, Empires, and the Mystery of Tea That Takes the World"

Australian article - Robert Fortune: Tea robber or tea hero?

Movie: The Tea Thieves - Robert Fortune

Robert Fortune's Autobiography: A Journey to the Tea Countries of China" (1852)

The rest of the information is omitted for the purpose of preventing arguments. It is just a matter of fact and has no malicious intent.