The twilight soaked into the Forbidden Forest like ink.
The damp mist, filled with the scent of decaying leaves, surged between the trees.
The old man turned to face the Bronze Gate.
"Professor!" Hermione was extremely worried, hesitating, wanting to rush forward, but Snape stopped her. The Professor of Potions, rarely sarcastic, just said softly.
"Don't cause trouble."
His voice was full of helplessness. There was no way; as a mature enough person, Snape knew that this kind of matter was not something he could intervene in.
To some extent.
He and the little Witch beside him were practically on the same level as wizards. If Dumbledore couldn't pass the verification of the Bronze Gate, Snape didn't think his soul was more qualified than Dumbledore's.
In fact.
It was precisely out of respect and admiration for Dumbledore that Snape understood, if there truly was anyone in the world who could bring back Ian, that person would undoubtedly be the Hogwarts Headmaster standing before him.
If the Headmaster couldn't achieve it, then likely no one in the entire Wizarding World could, even if it meant freeing Grindelwald from imprisonment.
After weighing the options.
Snape knew that Dumbledore's decision was definitely the best one in the current circumstances—of course, abandoning Ian was also an option, perhaps even a more prudent choice. However, seeing Dumbledore's demeanor, and considering his own desires, this was not a path that would be taken.
"Dumbledore is always right, trust him."
Snape said to Hermione in a solemn tone.
Wasn't this also a kind of psychological reinforcement for himself?
"But…"
Hermione suddenly realized this might be the last time she would see Dumbledore. The thought made her throat tighten. She wanted to say something, but the words stuck in her throat.
"Don't worry about me, Miss Granger."
Dumbledore seemed to see through her thoughts and turned to Snape: "Severus, please take my collected books back. You can also invite Nicolas Flamel to study the Bronze Gate." He paused, his gaze falling on Hermione, "Of course, first make arrangements for our Miss Granger."
"We can't let her sneak over again."
Although his tone was slightly teasing.
Hermione felt two sharp pairs of eyes looking at her. Dumbledore's gaze was gentle yet unfathomable, while Snape's was his usual scrutinizing look.
"I didn't sneak."
Hermione's voice carried a hint of guilt.
However.
No one cared about that.
"We can't go back, this forest…" Snape still remembered leading Hermione, wandering aimlessly through a forest that seemed pieced together.
"Someone will come to rescue you."
Dumbledore's tone was filled with certainty.
Before Snape could ask who.
He looked at Hermione again.
"I believe you won't mention this to the other students at the school?" Dumbledore softly asked Hermione, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"After all, Gryffindor curiosity can sometimes be more dangerous than the Dark Arts."
It was common knowledge that Gryffindors were notorious for their big mouths, and as an old Gryffindor himself, Dumbledore felt the need to nip it in the bud.
"What?"
Hermione's face flushed instantly.
"Of course not, professor! I swear!" She was truly embarrassed and frustrated, wondering who had been spreading rumors about her, that even Dumbledore thought she had a big mouth.
"It must be Ron! He's the real big mouth!"
The little Witch thought to herself.
Meanwhile.
"Good girl."
Dumbledore nodded and then turned to the Bronze Gate, taking a deep breath, "Well… it's time. I suppose I should embark on a new adventure."
As a Gryffindor.
He certainly wasn't afraid of dangerous adventures.
At this moment.
Snape suddenly stepped forward.
"Albus, you should prepare, or wait—"
Before he could finish.
"Waiting can sometimes be more dangerous than action." Dumbledore did not look back, his voice light yet firm. He raised the Elder Wand, tracing a series of complex symbols in the air. As each golden symbol appeared, the corresponding rune on the Bronze Gate lit up, emitting a deep resonance.
The air was filled with the aura of ancient magic, as if a history sealed for countless years had suddenly been unlocked. This was, in fact, a kind of recollection; Dumbledore hadn't really figured out how to open the Bronze Gate.
How to put it.
It was like exploiting a bug in the design. How the Bronze Gate had operated before, Dumbledore relied on memory to forcefully recreate it.
It's no wonder he's considered the most brilliant magical genius in the world; such an extraordinary feat, throughout history, could probably be counted on one hand.
Of course.
Even with such means, Dumbledore had taken time to study it earlier for a simple reason: he had only seen the malfunctioning version of himself come through the Bronze Gate.
He had never witnessed how Ian triggered the Bronze Gate. So, this was undoubtedly a highly risky act, as it could be troublesome if Ian's triggering method differed.
"I always trust my luck."
Dumbledore's eyes remained deep, revealing little emotion.
"It's activated! It's activated again!"
Hermione held her breath, watching the runes light up one by one. Some shapes reminded her of Ancient Runes but were more complex, while others seemed like some kind of script she had never seen before.