The moment Wentworth saw the envelope, his heart stirred slightly. And when he opened it, familiar handwriting leapt off the page:
Three days later, Hogsmeade!
From the handwriting on the parchment, Wentworth was certain that this anonymous letter came from the same person who had sent him the previous message—the one that had read: "I've been discovered. Be careful!!!" The same person who had left a note for him in the Grindelwald family vault at Gringotts.
Holding the letter in his hands, Wentworth found himself lost in thought.
Had this mysterious figure escaped and now sought a meeting?
Or had they been captured, and this was a trap—bait to lure him into Hogsmeade?
After pondering for a long time without reaching a conclusion, Wentworth decided on the simplest course of action: he would report it to his teacher.
When Wentworth arrived at the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, he found Dumbledore dressed in particularly festive robes, happily indulging in some unknown sweets.
Noticing Wentworth's arrival, Dumbledore seemed unsurprised. Instead, he smiled warmly, beckoning him closer and inviting him to share in the treats. With a touch of pride in his voice, Dumbledore explained that these sweets had been sent to him from former students all over the world.
Knowing he had a favor to ask, Wentworth played along, his acting skills on full display as he lavished Dumbledore with flattery:
"Headmaster, you're truly amazing!"
"Your former students still think of you so fondly, Professor Dumbledore."
"I really hope that one day I can become a professor at Hogwarts!"
Dumbledore chuckled at these words, clearly delighted. However, when Wentworth finished his last sentence, the Headmaster narrowed his eyes slightly and asked with a knowing smile:
"Wentworth, do you truly wish to stay at Hogwarts and teach after graduation?"
Wentworth was caught off guard, an awkward smile appearing on his face, but he chose not to answer.
Dumbledore gazed at him intently for a moment before saying, "Staying at Hogwarts may not be such a bad idea, Wentworth."
With that, Dumbledore popped another sweet into his mouth and, seeing Wentworth's embarrassment, chose not to press the matter further. Instead, he asked:
"Wentworth, what brings you here today?"
Wentworth quickly adjusted his expression before replying:
"Yes, Headmaster, today I received a rather special gift—our Grindelwald family's Prophecy Skull!"
He paused for a moment, then added sincerely:
"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore!"
At Wentworth's words, Dumbledore fell silent for a moment before giving him a long, meaningful look. He did not ask how Wentworth had deduced that the gift came from him. Instead, he simply acknowledged it:
"No need to thank me. That item has always belonged to your family—I am merely returning it to its rightful owner. Besides, it was your grandfather who asked me to pass it on to you."
Wentworth stood frozen in place, his mind racing with countless thoughts.
Before he could fully process Dumbledore's words, the Headmaster continued:
"Wentworth, I have debated for a long time whether or not I should give this Prophecy Skull to you. Although you have already displayed an extraordinary gift for prophecy, I hope you understand that the past, present, and future are three entirely different things."
"Most importantly, the past is unchangeable, the present is in your hands, and the future… can still be rewritten."
Wentworth considered these words carefully before nodding solemnly, signaling that he understood.
Dumbledore, satisfied with his reaction, nodded in return. A nostalgic expression crossed his face as he mused:
"I have known too many witches and wizards who, upon hearing a prophecy about their future, became consumed by the idea of preventing it. But they never realized that hearing the prophecy in the first place was fate's bait—one they swallowed without hesitation."
Wentworth's gaze sharpened as he asked, "Tom Riddle?"
Dumbledore met his eyes, nodding before shaking his head slightly. "Not just him."
A moment of silence fell between them.
Eventually, Wentworth set aside the matter of the Prophecy Skull. To others, it might have been an irreplaceable treasure, but to him, it was of little practical use. After all, as a time traveler, Wentworth already knew many of the great events that lay ahead. The only exception would be if the timeline underwent an irreversible shift.
Shaking off these thoughts, he reached into his robes and pulled out the anonymous letter, placing it gently on Dumbledore's desk.
Curious, Dumbledore picked up the letter. Though it contained only a few words, he examined it carefully for a long time.
At last, he set it back on the desk and said:
"It is indeed from the same person who left the note in Gringotts. Wentworth, what do you make of it?"
Without hesitation, Wentworth replied, "Headmaster Dumbledore, I believe there is something wrong here—perhaps even danger."
Dumbledore nodded slightly. "You were wise not to follow the letter's instructions blindly. There is certainly something strange about it. After all, if this person had initially chosen to leave a message in your vault, it suggests they did not want to meet face to face."
"And yet now, they suddenly wish to see you? And the location they've chosen is Hogsmeade!"
Dumbledore paused before giving Wentworth a small, knowing smile.
"Wentworth, you must understand—Hogsmeade is far too close to Hogwarts. Many witches and wizards with… delicate allegiances tend to avoid it."
Wentworth immediately grasped Dumbledore's meaning. He was referring to the Alliance.
Dumbledore continued, "Moreover, the timing is quite intriguing—it coincides with the Christmas holidays. Most students will be returning home, and the majority of the faculty will also be away, celebrating with their families. This is when Hogwarts' defenses are at their weakest."
Fixing Wentworth with a keen gaze, Dumbledore concluded:
"Whoever sent this letter put great thought into choosing both the time and place. There is more to this than meets the eye."
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