Chapter 225: Dylan, You're So Experienced
"Whether you are that kind of person, I don't know. Just listen to my advice." Dylan laughed. "Besides that, I'll give you three million."
Cedric was stunned. "Three million? Galleons? Isn't that too much..."
Dylan's mouth twitched. This guy really had some nerve. It sounded like he would actually accept it. He completely ignored the sickles and knuts and went straight for the galleons. He wanted everything.
Dylan's face grew serious. "The three million I'm giving you are three wishes: a million blessings that your first encounter will always feel fresh, a million blessings that your time together will be full of tolerance, and a million blessings that your lives will be prosperous."
Cedric's expression was priceless. "That's... that's a very beautiful blessing, thank you." He forced a smile and muttered softly, "So that's what you meant by three million... I thought..."
Dylan's eyes widened. "What did you think? That I would give you three million galleons? Are you crazy?"
Cedric awkwardly touched his nose. "I was a bit surprised, too, that you would suddenly offer me galleons, but I also didn't think you'd be joking." He coughed twice and continued, "And... I really am a bit short on money."
Dylan raised an eyebrow. "You're short on money? How is that possible? I heard that your family works at the Ministry of Magic."
Cedric sighed slightly. "So what? It's not like I work at the Ministry, and the pay there isn't that high. My pocket money is only a small amount, just enough to get by."
Dylan blinked. "Oh, I see. Okay."
Cedric shook his head. "Let's forget about that topic. Dylan, I know you have a very high level of talent in divination, and regarding me and Cho..."
As soon as he started talking, Dylan knew what he was going to say. He shook his head directly. "I'm sorry, I can't fulfill your request."
Cedric paused and blinked, his long eyelashes casting shadows on his cheeks. "I haven't even said what I want yet..."
"You already said it. You said my divination talent is very high."
"Oh, okay..." Cedric sighed softly. "I was being presumptuous. I guess even with a high talent for divination, there must be a price to pay for knowing the future." He added, "It was a mistake for me to ask you to divine what the future holds for my relationship with Cho, and if we'll grow old together. Please forgive me."
Dylan shrugged. "Actually, it's a good thing you're thinking like this. At least you're considering your future with a girl."
Cedric's cheeks flushed slightly. He looked at Dylan, and his gaze shifted a little. Then, he suddenly laughed. "Many people in Hufflepuff are talking about you and that Ravenclaw girl. Are you two..."
Dylan's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Cedric. The two of them stared at each other. Cedric immediately shut up. "Haha, I guess you two must be very good friends."
Dylan narrowed his eyes and nodded. "That's a good way to put it." He wasn't sure if he had any special feelings for Luna. He just felt that being with Luna was much more interesting than being with Harry and the others. Of course, this might also be because Luna had many unique insights and understandings of spirituality. Through these, Luna could give Dylan some feedback on things he couldn't divine. She was also someone Dylan could talk to. Luna could engage in many of the topics Dylan brought up and even understand them, which was a pleasant surprise for him. And since they were the same age, Dylan was naturally willing to spend more time with Luna.
Even with Hermione, although she had read many books, Dylan found it difficult to be on the same logical wavelength with her on certain things. Sometimes, they would be talking about the same thing, but their conversations would be completely unrelated. Ultimately, it was because Hermione was too rational. She was knowledgeable, but only because she read a lot. If something happened that was beyond Hermione's understanding, it was simply because she hadn't read about that part. Even if a book explained a certain situation, not all books were instruction manuals. Knowing how to turn knowledge into power was something that could leave Hermione completely at a loss.
There's a saying: "What you learn from a book is ultimately shallow; you must practice it to truly understand." The knowledge gained from books is superficial. To truly understand something, you must practice it yourself. This was a conclusion Dylan came to after reading so many books and performing so many experiments. Only by fully applying the knowledge from books could you truly own that knowledge and make it a part of your life.
Dylan clicked his tongue and looked at Cedric again. "I understand why you want me to do a divination, but besides those 'three million blessings,' you need to understand something else."
Cedric looked back at Dylan, his expression more serious. "Please tell me?" He didn't act arrogant just because he was a few years older than Dylan. Instead, he looked humble and his gaze held a polite curiosity as he waited to see what advice Dylan would give him.
"Even if two people love each other passionately, there will inevitably be things they need to work out together. How you handle and nurture this relationship fundamentally depends on the effort you both put into it." Dylan continued, "After all, divination can't calculate the mundane details of life, nor can it provide the tolerance and understanding needed to work things out. It's just a premonition, a possibility. So, what really makes a relationship last are the small details of mutual understanding and active nurturing. I think that should be enough to replace the divination you wanted, and answer your questions about your relationship with her."
After listening to Dylan, Cedric gently squeezed his fingers. He lowered his gaze, his eyelashes casting shadows below his eyes. After a few seconds of silence, Cedric's throat moved slightly as he took a breath. A sudden gust of wind lifted his light golden hair. Cedric's eyebrows furrowed and then relaxed, and the corners of his lips moved subtly. He stopped moving his fingers and looked up at Dylan. "I understand. Thank you for the advice. This is truly more useful than divination."
Dylan smiled, pleased that Cedric understood so quickly. "Divination is always just divination. If I were to give you a prophecy that you would spend the rest of your life with her, what good would that do?" He continued, "If because of my prophecy, you suppressed the flaws you saw in her, the parts of her thoughts that weren't a perfect fit for you, and all the things that made you uncomfortable... you might spend the rest of your life with her, but would you truly be happy?"
Cedric nodded. "I understand what you mean. You're saying that love isn't like a Portkey that can instantly take you to a desired moment." He said, "Even if it could be like Apparition, skipping over the arguments, the process of how we got there would still be etched in my life and memory."
Dylan snapped his fingers. "Exactly. The affection between people isn't something that can be instantly filled up like a quick spell. Now, I think you have all the answers you were looking for, right?"
Cedric nodded slightly. "Yes, but there's one thing I still don't understand."
Dylan tilted his head. "What is it?"
"What you said was so philosophical, and your understanding of love seems very profound." Cedric took a deep breath and asked in one go, "So, how many people have you dated to have come up with such a profound perspective?"
Dylan was speechless. It seemed like this person was really asking for it. The expression on Dylan's face almost faltered, but the smile on his lips grew deeper. However, the smile was a bit forced, and it looked more intimidating than friendly.
Cedric seemed to feel the air growing heavy. He cleared his throat and didn't dare to joke with Dylan anymore. "Although I don't think dating is a bad thing, but after all..."
Dylan tightened his grip on his wand. "...you should study more when you're this age and try to master magic before you leave school."
Cedric said earnestly, "Like you, Dylan, studying so diligently every day. You're a role model for all the students at Hogwarts!"
"Oh, am I?" Dylan asked with a cold smile.
Cedric nodded heavily. "Of course!"
Dylan glanced at Cedric and then scoffed. "Even though I've never been in a relationship, I wouldn't deliberately reject one. It's just that I think it would be difficult for me to have a real, intimate relationship."
Cedric was stunned and confused. "Why?"
Dylan rolled his eyes. "If I were your partner right now, even if I could foresee your every move, and even your unspoken fantasies could be detected by my Legilimency, would you still want to be with me?"
"Of course not!" Cedric blurted out without thinking. Then his eyes widened in shock as the possibility Dylan described solidified in his mind, causing his handsome face to crack a little.
"Oh, well..." In that case, living alone didn't seem so bad. In fact, it seemed pretty comfortable. Cedric scratched his head. After he came back to his senses, he looked at Dylan with a strange look, a bit of sympathy in his eyes. He cleared his throat and patted Dylan on the shoulder.
"I think someday, someone will not only be able to block your divination but also master Occlumency to resist your Legilimency. You two will go back and forth, having so much fun, that you'll become closer because of it."
Dylan's eyes moved, and he imagined the possibility. Hmm, maybe it wasn't impossible. After all, there was another saying: "The person who knows you best isn't your lover, but your enemy." Sometimes, lovers can become enemies, but people who see each other as enemies can develop a mutual respect. And even then, they can develop feelings for each other that are hard to describe.
"I hope so," Dylan said, shaking his head and clearing his mind of the clutter.
Cedric pursed his lips and offered more comfort. "Seriously, living alone isn't so bad. We're wizards, not Muggles without magic who have to rely on each other until we die. As long as we master various kinds of magic, lifespan is the only thing that limits us." He continued, "Look at our Headmaster, and look at the Heads of our Houses—I'm not just talking about Hufflepuff, but all four houses. They're all alone and don't have partners, but they're living perfectly good lives, aren't they?"
"..."
Dylan thought to himself, Is this guy crazy? He could understand Cedric's desire to comfort him, to say that even if he ended up alone, it wasn't a big deal.
But!
But!
Did he even realize the nonsense he was spouting? Why didn't that old geezer Dumbledore have a partner? Look me in the eye. Tell me why! Why didn't Professor McGonagall have a partner? Wasn't it because she didn't have one? She was a widow. She remained faithful to her deceased husband and devoted herself to her work, focusing all her energy on teaching students and not accepting any date invitations from other adult wizards. And he was using Professor McGonagall as an example? That didn't seem right.
And Professor Snape. Hahahaha! This was the biggest one! Why didn't that greasy-haired old man have a partner? Why? Why?! His first love died, and he held her dead body in his arms. And he wanted him to find another partner? That was a bit too cruel.
As for Professor Flitwick, a professor with goblin heritage, he was so short. Who could accept him? Did he think he enjoyed being single? It was already an exaggeration that his ancestors were able to marry wizards! Although Professor Flitwick's goblin heritage was not a large percentage, the strong goblin genes still made him retain the short stature of goblins. What adult witch would fall for Professor Flitwick at first sight? Talking like this wasn't just rubbing salt in Professor Flitwick's wounds?
And finally, Professor Sprout. She was the only one who had no external factors interfering with her decision to live alone.
....
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