Chapter 200: The Headmaster’s Trust
Sir Cadogan was completely defeated the first time he faced the two-legged dragon; his warhorse was eaten, and his wand, lance, and armor were damaged. But Sir Cadogan did not give up. He mounted a squat pony on the nearby grassland and charged again. When he was swallowed into its mouth, the broken end of his wand pierced the dragon’s tongue, causing a dragon flame explosion, and he luckily won the victory.
The story consisted of only two paragraphs and did not take up too much banquet time. When the moon emerged from the clouds, the stage had reached the final act, with lines delivered resonantly.
“Even if my lance was melted by lava, and my warhorse fell, I am still willing to charge forward!
“That pony grazing over there, charge at the two-legged dragon with me!
“…”
The banquet had not yet started serving food, but there was plenty of milk, pumpkin juice, and butterbeer. The little wizards held their porcelain cups and sipped slowly, watching the performance on stage with relish.
Across the Gryffindor House table, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat facing each other, their expressions slightly different.
Ron and Hermione had no barriers; they were immersed in the story. One was a child raised in a pure-blood family, growing up listening to stories of Sir Cadogan, and the other had read the book and knew Sir Cadogan’s experiences.
Only Harry looked slightly bewildered. No one at the Dursley’s home told him wizard stories, and he did not read much in his spare time. Over the past two months, he had only occasionally heard his roommate Neville mention some of the plot.
Sitting under the stage watching the projection mirror now, the drama club’s backstory explanation was not clear enough.
“Merlin’s friend, one of the Knights of the Round Table…”
Harry asked softly, “Is Sir Cadogan one of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table? Why haven’t I heard of him?”
“His name was struck from the record.”
Hermione explained softly to him, “Sir Cadogan was born into a pure-blood family in the Middle Ages, graduated from Gryffindor House, his wand was made of blackthorn wood with a troll whisker core, which made him hot-tempered, arrogant, and reckless. He left many brave and mad stories during his post-graduation travels. Even after becoming a Knight of the Round Table, he only obeyed Merlin’s orders. In his later years, he quarreled with King Arthur multiple times, once pointing his wand at the princess, angering King Arthur…”
Harry nodded thoughtfully: “And then he was expelled.”
“Yes, but King Arthur’s power could not bind the Wizarding World. In the stories passed down among wizards, he still stands alongside Lancelot, Bedivere, and Percival. Even now, old wizards use 「 riding Cadogan’s pony 」 to express handling thorny difficulties.”
Hermione nodded toward the stage, “And the most famous feat among them is defeating the two-legged dragon at the risk of his life.”
“You’re wrong, Hermione…”
Ron next to her said mysteriously, “Sir Cadogan is most famous not for being a Knight of the Round Table or defeating the two-legged dragon, but for being married three times and having 17 children.”
Hermione ignored his trivia. Harry just silently glanced at his friend and opened his mouth, but said nothing.
Actually, the Weasley children were numerous too.
“…”
On stage, the two-legged dragon was made of iron-blue hardwood, spewing orange-yellow flames from its mouth and nostrils. The villagers scattered and fled, while the only silver-armored knight facing the dragon’s mouth stood straight. The squat pony, full of reluctance, shuffled its hooves. Urged by the knight, it ran, turning into a blur as it crashed into the two-legged dragon’s mouth.
The fearless charge abandoning life received the blessing of the goddess of luck. The black giant beast shuddered and cried out in pain, blood splashing from its mouth and nostrils. Its wings and sharp claws flailed wildly as it clutched its mouth, then spewed dragon flame skyward.
As the knight launched his fearless charge abandoning life, the students between the house tables gasped and applauded. The professors at the high table watched very seriously, praising their transfiguration work and the clever idea of combining the Flame Charm with the Whirlwind Charm to create the dragon flame effect.
In the corner of the Great Hall by the wall.
Hagrid poured half a cup of honey mead into his mouth and asked curiously, “Professor, the performance is over, why are you still leaning against the wall?”
“It’s nothing.”
Kettleburn rubbed his leg: “I got too absorbed watching and stood too long, forgot to switch crutches, this leg is a bit numb.”
“Shall I help you back?”
“Never mind, I’ll rest a bit.”
“Then I’ll wait with you.”
“Never mind, let’s walk and wait.”
Kettleburn nodded and slowly shuffled toward the high table, one hand supported by Hagrid, sighing with emotion, “The drama club is back.”
…
In the picture frame by the window frame.
The Fat Lady, the nun group, Violet, and other portraits crowded into one picture frame, 《 magical principle 》 Wofflin’s picture frame. This was the best viewing position. The many portraits squeezed together, making it a bit cramped. Cadogan had even brought his own pony, refusing to move despite others’ complaints.
Just like the brave and stubborn image on stage.
“Sigh, what did you think? I think it’s good, it only showed half of my heroic posture, but that’s still pretty good.” Cadogan said with a smile, his mouth grinning almost to his ears.
“You didn’t say that before. That Professor Levent, when picking Marietta and that one to be in charge, you clearly said the drama club was doomed, but when they chose to perform your story, you actively joined in.” Violet rolled her eyes.
“Do you think the drama club will adapt our stories in the future?” the Fat Lady asked.
“What story do you have? Were your life experiences exciting?” Cadogan’s smug look was very annoying.
“…”
The other portraits stared absentmindedly at the actors bowing on stage. Wofflin watched them exit, saying wistfully, “I think my life experiences were quite exciting. Those traditionalist wizards suppressed my theories, yet I wrote the principles of magic amid their slanders, boosting Hogwarts’ reputation.”
After a slight pause, he continued, “Not only can it be staged in the school, but it could also be shown on the projection mirror.”
…
“So moving, truly so moving, this is Gryffindor’s courage…”
Dumbledore sniffed, his bright blue eyes shimmering with tears, as if deeply moved.
Snape gave him a ghostly glance. The drama club students were just a group of children after all; the performance was not brilliantly spectacular, and the plot of defeating the two-legged dragon was not particularly thrilling. He did not understand what was so moving about it.
Melvin also thought the old headmaster’s acting was a bit clumsy. How could a wizard just over a hundred years old make himself cry?
“Ding ding…”
Dumbledore tapped his goblet with a silver spoon and cleared his throat:
“Thank you to the drama club for the wonderful performance. I know you have a lot to say, but now, let us begin enjoying the delicacies!”
The headmaster waved his wand, making the crystal lamps illuminate the entire Great Hall. The magical dome’s starry sky shimmered with flowing lights. Hundreds of candles swirled above the dining tables, their flames flickering. Various dishes and delicacies suddenly appeared on golden platters, their aroma filling the air.
After the drama club actors returned to their seats, discussions about the performance peaked.
The children from Gryffindor House and Hufflepuff House were already talkative, and gathered together they chattered even more. With the lead actor and person in charge sitting right there, the roast meat on the table seemed less appealing. They crowded around Cedric and Neville, asking about the performance.
“That performance was amazing! When you jumped into the fire dragon’s mouth, Hannah screamed in fright! How did you do it?”
“Isn’t the warming flame blue? How did you make it spew orange-red flames without burning yourselves?”
“And that big explosion, how was it done?”
“That charge scene was so cool! Can we keep the silver armor as a souvenir? I want the helmet!”
In the Wizarding World without films or TV, the last time the students felt such shock was when Harry and the others guarded the Philosopher’s Stone last year. Today’s Sir Cadogan knight brought another kind of shock.
It directly showcased a wizard’s battle scene against a fire dragon, no longer the levels of dark wizards and professors, no longer twisty puzzles and chess games. Clad in silver armor, one hand holding a lance, the other a wand, charging at an invincible enemy—the explosion scene laid bare, with brilliant flames and gorgeous fireworks stimulating the senses.
It might seem a bit crude to the professors, but to the little wizards, this was the coolness they pursued!
“They all say this performance will be shown on the projection mirror, is that true? Will you be on screen?” Seamus was extremely envious, his words tinged with sourness, “Like Harry and them last year, on the newspaper, the whole Wizarding World would chant your names.”
Dean reminded from the side, “When the Daily Prophet was reporting the basilisk series, they were already on the newspaper!”
…
“Yes, Headmaster, this performance will be shown on the projection mirror, not the ones in taverns everywhere, but household projection mirrors connected via the Floo Network. No tickets needed, watchable at home, and it will replay repeatedly.”
Melvin took a sip of honey mead and answered the headmaster’s question, “Moreover, the names of all drama club actors and backstage members will scroll in the opening credits. Not just in Britain—even wizards in Romania and Hungary will see it.”
“Sir Cadogan will probably be smug until next year.” Dumbledore said with a chuckle.
Melvin pondered slightly, asking with some curiosity, “Aren’t you worried this will have a bad influence on the students? They’ll become famous before graduating—praise, flattery, criticism, slander, letters from unknown sources will overwhelm them.”
“Melvin, I believe you can handle these matters. You’ve proven it.” Dumbledore laughed heartily, looking up into his eyes, the bright blue eyes reflecting candlelight, “But I think what you really want to ask is not this, right?”
“Alright, it’s indeed not this.”
Melvin shrugged; the headmaster’s trust made him a bit unaccustomed, “I want to ask about Riddle. I’ve had that Professor Gaunt substitute for almost a month. Students gossip about it in the corridors and Great Hall after class, ghosts have seen him multiple times, not to mention the wall-side portraits. But you and Professor McGonagall have no reaction—don’t tell me you don’t know.”
“Yes, Melvin, I know about this.”
Dumbledore swallowed a piece of beef rib, beaming with a hint of smugness, “But I don’t think it’s worth making a fuss. The Gaunt assistant teacher you brought in is very dutiful, the class effect is good, the children learn knowledge—not just from textbooks—and the school doesn’t pay an extra salary. He’s practically the most dutiful Defence Against the Dark Arts professor in recent years. If not for worrying about disrupting your arrangements, I’d even hand other years’ Defence Against the Dark Arts classes to him.”
Melvin hesitated for a moment: “But he is… Riddle?”
“I know he is Tom Riddle, the Mystery Man, Dark Lord, Black Magus, and Voldemort. I’ve quietly sat in on your class and saw Hufflepuff’s Goblet.”
Dumbledore said smilingly, “I know you’ve found a new Horcrux, but Melvin, I don’t plan to interfere with your actions.”
Melvin picked up the honey mead on the table and took a gulp: “Why?”
“Because I’ve encountered Horcruxes myself, whether the diary or the diadem, the results were dismal, and I still have no leads on other Horcruxes. I have to rethink ways to investigate Horcruxes. Perhaps contacting Voldemort, you are the better choice.” The headmaster paused slightly, “Rather than the wary Dumbledore.”
Seeing the wine glass empty, he picked up the jug and refilled it: “You found the diadem, you found the diary, now you’ve found the goblet. I think you possess a magic power I don’t have.”
Dumbledore winked playfully, somewhat an eyesore.
Melvin was stunned for a moment, looking at the liquid in his goblet, his expression a bit odd.
Teaching at Hogwarts, and Dumbledore pouring me wine?
…
Mid-April, before the summer solstice.
The weather throughout the Easter holiday had been good. The sky and lake surface turned a bright light blue, sunlight warm on the skin, the temperature just right—warm but not scorching.
Leaving the castle, Harry and the others walked on the grounds path.
Passing the greenhouse, Neville parted from them. In the distance, Professor Sprout could be seen leading him to tend a bed of biting cabbages, like blooming flowers in clusters, all baring teeth, looking a bit scary.
Harry kicked a pebble on the ground and said lazily, “We finished homework but haven’t played much, and the holiday is ending. Sigh. By the way, have you filled out your third year elective forms? Professor McGonagall said to hand them in Monday morning.”
“Not yet. I think this needs careful consideration; it will affect our entire future.” Hermione’s little face was tense, serious and solemn.
Harry turned his head away. Such tone, such expression—Hermione always reminded him of Professor McGonagall: “If only we could drop Potions class.”
“I want to too, but it’s impossible.” Ron sighed, “The original subjects are mandatory, required until fifth year. We still need to choose at least two electives.”
“Care of Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Divination…”
Hermione tallied these subjects, “Magical Creatures is very interesting, and Professor Levent said Professor Kettleburn is retiring, to be taught by Hagrid. We must choose this.”
“Mm…” Harry and Ron nodded.
“Muggle Studies is Professor Levent’s class, of course we choose it.”
“Right.”
“Ancient Runes is important, I’m also interested in Arithmancy. Professor Trelawney for Divination seems a bit unreliable, but George and Fred highly recommend it, so I want to try…” Hermione showed a troubled expression.
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, not daring to speak.
They did not have so many subjects they were interested in.
