On the back of the photo, a short sentence was written.
Dumbledore could feel the urgency and shock of the writer from the messy handwriting.
"He's here."
At first glance, this sentence was without beginning or end, making its meaning unclear.
But combined with the content on the front of the photo, its meaning was self-evident.
Lord Voldemort, the Dark Wizard widely recognized as the most dangerous in History of Magic, had returned!
While he was busy with other matters, this Dark Lord, who had been unexpectedly defeated ten years ago, had risen again in the shadows, crawled out of his dark lair, and was preparing to stir up a bloody storm in the magic world once more.
Where would he go? What was the purpose of his reappearance?
These thoughts quickly surfaced in Dumbledore's mind when he saw the sentence on the back of the photo.
But he immediately realized that the person who knew the answers to these questions better than him was sitting on the sofa opposite him.
Dumbledore looked at Lynch, realizing that he had, after all, underestimated the young man in front of him.
So he directly asked, "Do you know the purpose of Lord Voldemort's appearance this time?"
"Of course," Lynch replied, "but please allow me to pour you another cup of hot tea first. This tea from the East becomes bitter and unpalatable when it cools."
"Oh, that would be helpful then," Dumbledore extended his left hand, making a 'please' gesture.
Lynch flicked his finger, and a new teacup flew out from the cabinet under the stove, landing on the table in front of Dumbledore, while the cold tea flew into the sink.
The teapot flew up, refilling the empty teacups of both men with tea.
As the delicate fragrance of green tea once again wafted through the air.
Both men took a light sip of the tea in their cups.
Setting down his teacup, Lynch spoke first.
"But first, Headmaster Dumbledore, before I answer your question, you need to answer two questions for me." Lynch held up one finger, "The first question: On October 31, 1981, that night, you found and imprisoned me here. On that same night, Lord Voldemort killed Lily and Potter."
"Why was it that day? And when you found me, you seemed very certain of my identity. Who gave you this information?"
"Don't you think it's a bit too coincidental? Almost the same night you came for me, Lord Voldemort launched his attack."
Dumbledore's gaze flickered. He replied, "Someone I trusted told me that day that he had heard some reports about Glencoe Valley from the Ministry of Magic..."
"Whoever he was, he must have been a traitor." Lynch looked at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore reached up and stroked his long silver beard. "It no longer matters. That person is dead, killed by his own people. How ironic."
"Ironic or not, Lord Voldemort successfully tied you up at Hogwarts that night, and even used you to get rid of me, a stumbling block. Killing two birds with one stone, brilliant."
Lynch let out a sound of admiration, then held up a second finger: "The second question: What exactly happened that night at Lily's house?"
"All the intelligence I could gather told me a simple fact: Lily and Potter died, their one-year-old child survived and became the savior in the eyes of the world, and the most powerful Dark Wizard in the world disappeared from public view after that night."
"Please forgive me for calling him the most powerful Dark Wizard in the world. In fact, if I may be frank, Headmaster Dumbledore, purely in terms of magical attainment, I believe Lord Voldemort is above you."
"You don't need to apologize," Dumbledore said. "Lord Voldemort does possess abilities I can never hope to achieve."
"So, we can basically say—Lord Voldemort is the most powerful Wizard in this world."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement: "That's right."
"Then the most powerful Wizard in the world was defeated by a one-year-old boy?" Lynch pressed.
"No," Dumbledore paused, then continued, "It was Lily. She cast an ancient magic at the cost of her own life—the magic of love."
"This magic successfully protected her child and dealt Lord Voldemort an unexpected heavy blow."
Lynch was silent for a moment. He lowered his head, his left hand loosely clenched into a fist, the second knuckle of his index finger extended and propped against his chin.
He mumbled to himself, his right hand, hanging at his side, unconsciously repeating the action of clenching and unclenching, "So that's how it is, that explains it..."
He looked up at Dumbledore, his tone very certain: "The effect of that magic is still continuing on that child, isn't it?"
Dumbledore picked up his teacup and took another sip. "Your mind is very sharp, Mr. Lynch."
"You've protected that child very well, hidden him very secretly. I believe few people besides you know where that child is now." Lynch paused, then continued, "I think this child is one of the reasons Lord Voldemort has appeared at this time."
Dumbledore sat up straight: "You think he's after the child?"
"How old is that child this year?" Lynch countered, and without waiting for Dumbledore to answer, he provided the answer himself, "He is about to celebrate his eleventh birthday and will be enrolling in Hogwarts this year."
Lynch continued, "Lord Voldemort suffered his greatest defeat in his life at the hands of that child. He is not a man who accepts defeat. He will want to defeat this power that once gravely injured him."
"In ancient East, there's an old saying that if you're bitten by a snake, there's surely an antidote within five steps. Lord Voldemort might be looking for a way to regain his power from that child."
"These are all my conjectures. Perhaps he has other intentions, but I believe he will definitely come to Hogwarts."
"So, Headmaster Dumbledore, let's make an Unbreakable Vow." Lynch stared into Dumbledore's eyes, "You and I will make an Unbreakable Vow. I will promise to only operate within the confines of Hogwarts School, not stepping half a step outside the boundary. I also promise not to kill anyone other than Lord Voldemort. The vow will be broken only if one of the following two conditions is met: first, I receive your permission to leave Hogwarts; second, I successfully help you eliminate Lord Voldemort."
Dumbledore lowered his head slightly, avoiding Lynch's gaze. He leaned back against the sofa, his hands crossed on his stomach, his two thumbs slowly rubbing against each other.
Lynch did not rush him. He picked up his teacup and drank slowly. The bitterness of the green tea was fleeting, and the lingering sweetness became increasingly clear in his mouth.
"I'm afraid I must decline your offer, Mr. Lynch."
