"This… this… isn't that Hagrid?"
"Then for what happened back then, didn't the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts punish the wrong person?"
"What exactly is going on? It can't possibly be Harry, right?"
"You're thinking too much, old man. If it was Harry, then how did he get to fifty years ago?"
Lockhart frowned. He was certain he hadn't misheard.
So, the opening of the Chamber of Secrets back then really wasn't Hagrid's doing.
He thought he understood what happened, but now he realized everything he believed was probably wrong.
"So, it really was you, Tom!"
Dumbledore seemed to age in an instant, though he quickly composed himself.
He had made the wrong choice back then.
This time, he would do everything in his power to make up for it—and he wouldn't make the same mistake again.
Because of Grindelwald, Dumbledore had paid careful attention to Tom Riddle during his Hogwarts years.
Riddle had tremendous talent, but a concerning personality.
Dumbledore was strict, cautious, and distrustful, fearing Tom would become another Grindelwald.
Facts proved that his actions back then were not enough.
Because of his indecision, a Dark Lord had been created.
He lacked Grindelwald's vision and ideals, yet was far more brutal, bloodthirsty, and unacceptable to Dumbledore.
Tom Riddle was one of the few regrets of Dumbledore's long life.
Aiden's gaze drifted toward Dumbledore, and the external screen followed, shifting to the old Headmaster.
"Do you think Professor Dumbledore knows the truth about what happened fifty years ago?" someone whispered.
"Of course! Professor Dumbledore has always taught at Hogwarts. He must know who opened the Chamber of Secrets."
"Not necessarily. Don't forget—back then Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic jointly announced that Hagrid was the culprit."
A moment of silence followed, then the argument reignited even stronger.
Many students insisted on their opinions, each arguing endlessly.
Naturally, Slytherin and Gryffindor were the loudest, their rivalry as fierce as ever.
Whatever one side argued, the other immediately opposed.
Aiden multitasked effortlessly—chatting with Cedric, observing the debate, and enjoying the unfolding drama.
And honestly, it was quite entertaining.
"Fifty years ago, I was a professor at Hogwarts."
Dumbledore's voice carried a quiet melancholy. The moment he spoke, the hall fell still.
Everyone leaned in.
With the Chamber of Secrets reopened today, and knowing that a Muggle-born student died the previous time, the tension and fear were palpable.
"I personally experienced this matter."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at him in alarm.
Snape watched silently. Lockhart stared the hardest of all.
Hearing the truth from a direct witness carried far more weight than any rumor.
"At the time, I thought my suspicions were nothing more than wild guesses."
"After all, he was intelligent, studious, polite, deeply loved by professors, and supported by his classmates."
"But now, I realize I was wrong. He hid too deeply. Perhaps I should have realized long ago."
"Hagrid has suffered all these years, bearing a false accusation."
He spoke like an old man reminiscing about his youth.
But of course, he was an old man—one who had lived over a century, carrying far too many burdens and regrets.
The hall remained silent. Everyone watched Dumbledore, listening to his quiet, sorrowful monologue.
"Sometimes I wonder… if I had stepped forward then and voiced my suspicions, would things have turned out differently?"
"But I didn't. Too much time passed. So much that I thought I would take this matter to my grave."
"But it doesn't seem too late to say it now."
Dumbledore looked toward Aiden—or rather, the humanoid figure of light holding the card at the center of the hall.
"Please forgive an old man's long-held regrets."
"It's alright, Professor Dumbledore," Aiden replied softly.
His voice echoed through the hall. "I believe many people want to hear the truth. After all, people go to great lengths to seek it."
Everyone understood the truth was about to be revealed—by none other than Albus Dumbledore.
In the Gryffindor section, Ginny Weasley grew paler and paler.
She wasn't stupid. She had hoped—desperately—that maybe the culprit fifty years ago wasn't Tom Riddle but the towering, gentle Hagrid.
But now… she closed her eyes.
That last shred of hope disappeared.
"I'll throw away the diary when I get back… As long as I throw it away, nothing will happen, right?" she thought frantically.
On the high platform, Dumbledore's final words fell, carrying the truth the entire school awaited.
"Thank you, unknown sir. What you said is indeed reasonable."
"Truth is what people desire most—even when it is painful, even when it lacks the beauty of a fairy tale."
"Since I didn't step forward then… this time, I will reveal the truth."
"I choose…"
Everyone held their breath.
"I choose D. The answer is that Tom Riddle was the one who truly opened the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago."
"Correct answer. Reward issued. Now, please view the analysis."
Aiden clapped first, applauding Dumbledore.
His applause startled everyone, but soon others joined in—first a few, then the entire hall—honoring the man who had finally revealed the truth after fifty long years.
A card appeared on the screen, detailing the reward.
[Prize: Permanently increase body magic content by one-tenth]
[Prize Winner: Albus Dumbledore]
Gasps spread instantly.
One-tenth of a wizard's magic might not seem dramatic for an average person, but Dumbledore was already one of the greatest wizards alive.
Increasing his magic by one-tenth was terrifying.
Milky white light enveloped Dumbledore, and indescribable comfort washed over his face.
[Tom Riddle was an excellent Slytherin student, a renowned figure in the magical world, on par with Dumbledore.]
[At that time, after extensive searching, Tom discovered the thousand-year-old legend of Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets.
He opened the Chamber, controlled a monstrous creature, and prepared to massacre the Muggle-born students of Hogwarts.
However, as soon as he took his first step—killing Elizabeth Warren of Ravenclaw—he drew the attention of all Hogwarts staff and students.]
[Because the incident was too severe, the Headmaster at the time planned to close Hogwarts and send all students home. Tom, unwilling to leave Hogwarts, made a decisive choice…]