"Looks like you already know Voldemort will return."
Dumbledore's eyes remained fixed on Liam.
For a brief moment, neither spoke.
Liam had no intention of mentioning Snape.
The warning had come from his friend, and he wasn't about to drag the Potions Master into the conversation.
Based on everything Dumbledore had seen so far, the Headmaster would likely assume the conclusion came from Liam's own reasoning.
Which was perfectly fine.
When Liam remained silent, Dumbledore continued.
"Tell me something."
His expression grew thoughtful.
"Why do you think Voldemort keeps coming back?"
"Eleven years ago, the Killing Curse rebounded when he attacked Harry Potter."
"Yet somehow he survived."
Liam blinked.
Then looked genuinely surprised.
"You don't know?"
Dumbledore chuckled softly.
"Should I?"
The question sounded absurd.
This was Albus Dumbledore.
The most famous wizard alive.
A man many considered legendary.
Yet he was openly admitting ignorance.
"I've read many books," Dumbledore said calmly.
"But not all of them."
"Hogwarts alone contains tens of thousands."
"No wizard could study everything in a lifetime."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"Tom always had a greater interest in dark magic than I did."
"There are undoubtedly areas where his knowledge exceeds mine."
Liam frowned thoughtfully.
That answer was extremely useful.
If even Dumbledore didn't know the secret...
Then Voldemort's method of immortality was probably hidden in some obscure dark text.
Possibly one Dumbledore had never bothered reading.
The realization strengthened a suspicion Liam had been developing.
The answer was likely somewhere inside Hogwarts.
Perhaps even inside the Restricted Section.
After all, Voldemort had attended this school.
Whatever knowledge he acquired must have come from somewhere.
Dumbledore noticed the thoughtful expression.
"What are you thinking?"
Liam answered honestly.
"If Voldemort returns, I'm probably first on his list."
That much was obvious.
He had exposed him.
Helped capture him.
Voldemort wasn't the forgiving type.
A faint smile appeared on Dumbledore's face.
Then he surprised Liam.
"You should search the Restricted Section."
Liam stared.
"You're giving me permission?"
"That's generally how permission works."
The answer was so casual that Liam almost suspected a trap.
"Aren't you worried I'll learn forbidden magic?"
Dumbledore shrugged.
"I visited a few old acquaintances in Knockturn Alley recently."
Liam immediately understood.
People who knew his history.
People who knew exactly what kind of person he was.
"They told me something interesting."
Dumbledore's blue eyes remained calm.
"You only target people who threaten you."
"You've never attacked innocent witches or wizards."
He paused.
"I trust your character."
For a moment, Liam didn't know how to respond.
Trust.
That wasn't something he received often.
Especially from powerful people.
"Thank you, Professor."
The words came out quietly.
Dumbledore smiled.
"Besides."
His expression became slightly amused.
"If I forbid it, you'll sneak in anyway."
Liam coughed.
The Headmaster continued.
"I can't spend twenty-four hours a day guarding the Restricted Section."
"And after seeing that Patronus…"
His eyes drifted toward Liam's wand.
"I'm not entirely certain the professors could stop you if you truly wanted to enter."
Liam couldn't even argue.
Because Dumbledore was correct.
The old wizard chuckled.
"So rather than wasting everyone's time…"
"I decided to grant permission."
He looked directly at Liam.
"And perhaps improve my image in your mind slightly."
Liam rubbed his forehead.
"You really think saying that out loud is a good strategy?"
"Is it working?"
Dumbledore asked.
Liam sighed.
"Unfortunately."
The Headmaster's smile widened.
"Yes."
"It is."
The honesty made it difficult to remain suspicious.
At least temporarily.
Then Dumbledore's expression became serious.
"There is something else."
Liam immediately became alert.
"What?"
The old wizard's eyes lost all traces of humor.
"If you ever walk down Voldemort's path…"
The words came quietly.
"I will stop you."
A chill passed through the room.
"Even if it costs my life."
The statement wasn't a threat.
It was a promise.
Liam stared at him.
Then laughed.
"You're threatening a child?"
"Do you think that's necessary?"
Dumbledore didn't smile.
"You're not the sort of child who can be treated as a child."
That answer actually made Liam pause.
Fair enough.
"Look."
He leaned against a desk.
"I don't enjoy controlling people."
His expression became serious as well.
"I spent years being controlled by Death Eaters."
"I know exactly what that feels like."
The memory still disgusted him.
"I'm not interested in becoming another Voldemort."
"Good."
Dumbledore nodded.
"Then we understand each other."
Liam folded his arms.
"As long as you stop trying to read my mind."
The Headmaster immediately sighed.
"That again."
"Yes."
Liam pointed at him.
"That again."
A brief silence followed.
Then Dumbledore inclined his head.
"You're right."
The apology sounded sincere.
"I was disrespectful."
"I won't do it again."
The answer surprised Liam slightly.
Not because Dumbledore apologized.
Because he apologized without making excuses.
"Fine."
Liam nodded.
"Then I forgive you."
The atmosphere relaxed noticeably.
Dumbledore smiled.
"Wonderful."
Then his eyes sharpened slightly.
"Now can you finally answer my question?"
"Which one?"
"How did you discover Voldemort?"
Liam blinked.
"Oh."
That one.
"To be honest, you already know the answer."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"Do I?"
"When we first met."
Liam tapped his temple.
"I used a modified detection spell on you."
The Headmaster's expression became interested.
"The one that sees magical cores?"
"Exactly."
Liam nodded.
"I use it constantly."
"It helps determine whether I should fight someone…"
"Or run."
Dumbledore laughed.
"A useful distinction."
"It keeps me alive."
Liam shrugged.
"Anyway, I always scan professors first."
"When I checked Quirrell…"
His expression became flat.
"I found two magical cores."
Silence.
Then Dumbledore slowly nodded.
"So my instincts weren't wrong."
"The sensation I felt that day."
Liam smiled slightly.
"No."
"You noticed."
Dumbledore looked impressed.
"An excellent spell."
"That it is."
Liam's grin widened.
"So far, you're the only wizard who's ever detected it."
"Legendary Archmage indeed."
Dumbledore laughed.
"I'm getting old."
"The future belongs to people like you."
Liam snorted.
"Funny."
"A few minutes ago you were threatening me."
"Now you're praising me."
"That's called flexibility."
Dumbledore replied immediately.
"Something you'll appreciate when you're older."
"Unlikely."
Liam shook his head.
The Headmaster chuckled.
Then his expression grew more thoughtful.
"There's one final piece of advice."
Liam waited.
"Don't become obsessed with power."
The words carried genuine sadness.
"Severus made that mistake once."
A shadow crossed his face.
"So did I."
The confession surprised Liam.
"Power isn't evil."
Dumbledore continued.
"But when it becomes your only goal…"
"You begin losing things you don't realize are important."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Liam answered quietly.
"I don't seek power for its own sake."
Dumbledore looked at him.
"I seek power so nobody can control me."
His voice remained calm.
"So I can protect myself."
A brief pause followed.
"And protect my friends."
The old wizard studied him carefully.
Then nodded.
"Good."
His expression softened.
"Just don't forget that reason."
"Because once you do…"
He looked toward the horizon beyond the broken classroom wall.
"You'll lose far more than you gain."
Liam didn't answer immediately.
Eventually, he nodded.
"I'll remember."
Dumbledore smiled.
"Then my work here is done."
A swirl of silver magic appeared around him.
"I have other responsibilities to attend to."
"Good luck with your research."
"Thanks."
The Headmaster inclined his head one final time.
Then vanished.
The room became quiet.
Liam stood alone for several seconds.
Then looked toward the castle.
The Restricted Section.
The place where Voldemort might have found the secret of immortality.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
For once, Dumbledore had actually made his life easier.
Tomorrow night seemed like an excellent time to start searching.
....
Join my P*atreon for 100 premium chapters ahead of the public release.
Link: pa*treon.com/MysticVerse (Remove the *)
Free members also get 2 advanced chapters for free.