Volume 4: The Sea and the Ship Heading North Chapter 246 What to do
Jon took no credit for this.
"This can only be said to be the retribution that the Dark Lord deserves. The time of destroying the contract is exactly when it will hit him the hardest."
Dumbledore smiled and shook his head.
"The timing of destroying the contract may be a coincidence of fate, but being able to find and obtain the contract at such a fast speed depends on your personal ability, Jon. When , they were all very surprised. To be honest, I was also shocked in my heart."
"The main reason for letting you leave Britain is to ensure your safety during the war. Follow the path the Dark Lord has taken before to look for some unknown clues. I and others do not have high expectations for what we can find."
"The diary you found in Azkaban and the two Aurors you captured already surprised us, and the current results are something no one expected."
"McGonagall and Flitwick were very skeptical at first. They wondered if it was right for me to let you lead these children in their exile at sea. They thought that even if they couldn't have a professor accompany them personally, it would be safest to at least have a sixth or seventh grade prefect take charge."
"They don't doubt your ability, they just think that you are only 14 years old after all, and it is a bit too cruel to put such heavy responsibilities and burdens on your shoulders."
Dumbledore's face was full of apology.
"They really care about you, and I think what they said is right. No matter how outstanding you are, you shouldn't be put under so much pressure. But in the end, I still didn't accept their advice, because I have to be responsible for the other students. If there is a candidate who is most suitable to lead them, and I don't make a choice, then I am derelict in my duty as the principal."
He looked at Jon and spoke softly.
"Nick told me about how you finally summoned the Patronus in Azkaban. I began to question the decision I made at that time. The burden placed on you is indeed too much. Even if you are mature and stable, is this really appropriate? Now you can tell me your true thoughts, Jon. You have done enough and well enough. Do you think that what you are carrying now is too heavy?"
John didn't show much thought or worry about Dumbledore's apology and inquiry. He even spoke in a nonchalant manner.
"Don't think like that, Professor. I really don't think this is bad for me. I'm just doing what I think I should do and what I can do. Just like you are already this age, do you really have to bear the expectations and hopes of so many people?"
Dumbledore smiled helplessly at John's question.
"I am only over a hundred years old. For a wizard, this age is not considered very old."
"Well, you are not that old, but you are not that young either, right? You have made enough contributions to the wizarding world when you were young, but why do you want to waste the rest of your years now? Do what you think you should do. This is what you think is right, isn't it?"
Dumbledore looked at him.
"So, you think so too?"
Jon looked into his bright blue eyes and spoke very seriously.
"All the students on this ship think this way, professor. They are all doing what they think they should do and what they can do. If I were them, I would immerse myself in books all day long and try not to be a burden to others. If they were me, they would also be willing to take all the responsibilities and risks and do everything I have done."
The atmosphere fell silent. Dumbledore stared absentmindedly at the restaurant where John was. It was cleaned tidy by the students, and there was not a trace of oil left on any table.
After a long while, he spoke with deep emotion.
"Losing Hogwarts Castle is the biggest failure of my life. But when I see the Hogwarts on the carriage today, I often wonder which one is more like a school, the current Hogwarts or the old Hogwarts."
Jon replied.
"I don't think there is any comparison, Professor. In times of peace, reasonable competition is needed to promote more progress, and in times of turmoil, only unity can overcome the various difficulties that stand in the way. These two points have been very successful in Hogwarts, no matter which period you led."
Dumbledore looked at Jon and laughed.
"Sometimes, what you say is more thought-provoking than what an old man like me who has lived for more than a hundred years can say. Nick told me that you successfully summoned your Patronus, but he also said that your Patronus was a little strange. He also deliberately kept it a secret and said that it would be better for you to tell me about it yourself. So... what did you summon?"
Jon scratched his head about this. He didn't know exactly what to say to Dumbledore.
"What Nick said is right. It is a little different from others, but I can't explain why it is so special. How about I show it to you next time we meet?"
"You are both very good at arousing people's curiosity." Dumbledore pretended to frown, but soon his brows relaxed again. "But the more you do this, the greater the surprise will be when you finally know the answer, right?"
Jon shrugged. He actually didn't know the situation of the two guardians, whether they were surprised or frightened.
"I hope so."
"Okay, that's all for today. I'll have some work to do later that requires me to go there in person. By the way, I can give you some advice on the route you're going to take later."
Dumbledore said with a wink.
"The final destination of this ship is within the Arctic Circle. If you do not follow the originally planned route, you can try to get closer to Norway and continue north along its coastline. There may be someone who can provide you with some help near the coastline where Norway and Finland meet. He also has always wanted to meet you."
As he said this, he looked at the wand in Jon's hand for a while and deliberately kept it a secret.
Jon couldn't help but feel a little distressed. He actually didn't like this kind of half-understood information.
"Professor, can't you explain yourself more clearly?"
Dumbledore laughed happily.
" Since you want to give me some surprises, then of course I can prepare some for you!"
