Chapter 287: Mr. Will of Diagon Alley
After dinner, the Magic Golem took care of the dishes while everyone sat together, listening to Lupin recount the story he'd pieced together from old newspapers.
"I don't know much about that person because their story happened in America and France in the 1930s. There wasn't much reported here in Britain," Lupin began.
"No wonder I've never heard of it…" Sirius mumbled. "We weren't even born back then!"
He calculated the time and realized that his parents had only just been born then. However, Sirius disliked his parents and didn't want to mention them.
"Credence Barebone was raised by Muggles in an anti-Wizard association. Because he was abused from a young age, he became an Obscurial and miraculously survived into adulthood," Lupin said. "The reason I wanted to learn his story is because I read a sentence in an old notebook: 'Credence Barebone is the only person who can defeat Albus Dumbledore'…"
Lupin slowly recounted the part of the story he knew.
Wade had seen those memories from the movie series in the Pensieve before, but even so, he listened attentively.
The same story, viewed from different perspectives, could be incredibly interesting.
Lupin—or rather, the British reporters who wrote the articles at the time—didn't know that Credence was actually a Dumbledore too.
He was Aurelius Dumbledore, Aberforth Dumbledore's son, separated from his father at a young age, with his mother dying early. His life was a complete tragedy.
Despite possessing immense Magic potential during his tormented childhood, Credence never became a Wizard. Instead, he transformed into an Obscurial with dark powers, was manipulated by Gellert Grindelwald, and ultimately died a tragic death.
The uninformed British media exaggeratedly described the devastation he caused in New York, and sensationalized the terrifying atmosphere in Europe during Grindelwald's reign. Their true intention was simply to highlight the power and greatness of Dumbledore, who ended it all.
To the people of that time, the Savior of the Wizarding World had nothing to do with a little boy with a scar on his forehead. It was Albus Dumbledore who brought peace to the Wizarding World, and they spared no exaggerated words in praising him.
But Dumbledore himself probably didn't like seeing such reports.
The achievements praised by outsiders were built upon the bones of his own kin.
Therefore, at least in Britain, reports about those events weren't very numerous or detailed. Even with Lupin's deliberate searching, he could only grasp a superficial understanding.
But even so, it had already captivated Harry.
He had never imagined what a young Dumbledore would be like, but after hearing Lupin's story, he had only one thought:
This is Dumbledore!
In treacherous wartime, he fearlessly defeated one powerful enemy after another. No matter how enemies threatened, tempted, or intimidated him, he always stuck to his principles, protecting countless weak and innocent people.
A secret desire arose within him: a longing to become a Wizard like Dumbledore. But such a thought felt like it required courage just to speak aloud.
As they prepared to go to Diagon Alley, Harry said to Wade:
"Gellert Grindelwald, Credence, Voldemort… It's hard to imagine how many evil Wizards Dumbledore fought against in his lifetime."
"I once heard a saying," Wade said, "If a hero of an era shines brightly, it means that era is also very dark."
"Huh?" Harry paused, struck by a perspective he'd never considered.
Wade continued, "Peace should be fought for by everyone who yearns for it… If the peace of the entire world rests on one person's shoulders, it's hard to imagine how hard that would be for him."
Harry fell silent.
For a long time, he didn't say a word except when stepping into the fireplace.
Amidst the flickering green flames, everyone arrived in Diagon Alley once again.
The process was the same as before—withdrawing money, buying necessities, then browsing for things they liked, or having a drink.
For the past two years, Aslan's Magic Workshop had consistently been the busiest shop in Diagon Alley. Many Wizards from abroad traveled thousands of miles to Britain just to purchase goods from Aslan's Magic Workshop.
So, after buying Potions ingredients from the apothecary, they walked towards the Magic Workshop.
From a distance, they saw a crowd gathered there.
"Come with me," Lupin said. "I know there's a side entrance an employee uses to get in."
He often had to liaise with the Magic Workshop on Wade's behalf, so he was very familiar with the place.
Following Lupin, they weaved this way and that, entering through what looked like the back door of someone's house. Inside, they immediately saw several people moving boxes.
"Hey, this is a private residence, please don't… Remus?!"
A staff member was about to shoo them away, but upon seeing Lupin, his face broke into a joyful smile.
He quickly walked over, not to shake hands, but to embrace him tightly.
"Long time no see! I've been wondering when we'd meet again!"
Wade and the others looked at the man curiously. He wore the workshop's blue and yellow uniform, was tall and thin, with sparse hair, looking somewhat malnourished, but his smile was exaggeratedly enthusiastic.
"Hello, Will, how have you been lately?" Lupin returned the hug with a smile.
"Excellent! Never better! Six months ago, I couldn't have imagined I'd be living such a good life!"
Will said cheerfully, then noticed the people with Lupin. "These are…"
"Oh, let me introduce…"
"Wait, wait! Don't say anything yet, let me guess!"
Lupin was interrupted by Will before he could finish. His slightly bulging eyes scanned the group, first landing on Sirius.
Will took a good look, then extended his hand. "You must be Mr. Sirius Black! I've always admired you greatly! Your experiences have given me so much strength and courage!"
"Uh... thanks?" Sirius shook his hand, a bit awkward but also pleased.
Then Will looked down and saw a pair of emerald green eyes and a lightning bolt-shaped scar on a forehead.
He immediately looked astonished, like a startled frog.
"Don't tell me! Don't tell me—Harry Potter! Our Star of Salvation!"
He bowed deeply, shaking Harry's hand vigorously.
Harry's scalp tingled, and he almost jumped out of his skin, hastily saying, "Hello, Mr. Will."
"It's such an honor to meet you! Could you sign something for me?" Will continued, still holding Harry's hand.
"Alright, Will, you're going to scare him."
Lupin's words rescued Harry from his predicament, and Will's gaze shifted to the last person.
Wade narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke first. "No need to guess, my name is Wade Grey. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Will."
Will looked at his hand, then slowly shook it, bowing even lower.
"I am very grateful to you, Mr. Gray."
"You might not know me... but you gave me a second chance at life."
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