Chapter 292: Horcrux Knowledge
Hagrid didn't stay in the Great Hall long before leaving. Perhaps knowing that Aragog was dead left him too grief-stricken, or perhaps the celebration felt incompatible with someone recently returned from Azkaban. In any case, after accepting this reality, he walked alone towards his small cottage at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
"Did we do the right thing?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Dudley answered calmly.
In the time that followed, everyone immersed themselves in joy. Without end-of-year exams and no need to study, they could spend the remaining school days freely.
As recipients of the Special Contribution Award, Dudley and his friends naturally became the center of attention for the entire school. Everyone wanted to know what they had done, how they found the Chamber, and how they killed the basilisk.
However, regarding these matters, Dudley and the others provided little explanation, simply confirming that they had indeed slain the basilisk and resolved the Chamber crisis, without providing any details.
People couldn't ask further and could only continuously praise the four for their bravery.
"Scar head, you lot stole the show again, didn't you?" Draco and Goyle walked over.
"Malfoy, at a time of celebration like this, spare me your disgusting face. Thanks," Ron shot back directly.
Draco's expression was terrible. After cursing under his breath, he turned and left.
"Did he come looking for a scolding?" Harry frowned.
"Probably not. I saw him clapping when he learned you'd killed the basilisk," a hollow voice said.
"Luna," Dudley smiled.
"Thank you for your contributions to Hogwarts," Luna said with a smile.
"It's my duty," Dudley said with a light laugh.
"You're saying Malfoy actually clapped for us? God, he must have lost his mind, or you must be seeing things," Ron said in amazement.
"I definitely didn't see wrong. Several classmates saw it too," Luna said seriously.
"That's rather strange then," Harry glanced at Malfoy's retreating figure.
"Perhaps this incident affected him as well. After all, Crabbe was petrified. The basilisk didn't follow Slytherin's rules—it didn't only attack those of Muggle blood," Dudley said.
"How rare—to see a glimmer of humanity in Malfoy..." Ron said.
The group didn't worry further about Malfoy's thoughts and began discussing how to spend the remaining time. There was still time before the holidays, giving them ample opportunity to do what they pleased at school.
That evening, after the banquet ended, Dudley headed towards Dumbledore's office. Passing by the tapestry of the trolls, he paused briefly.
Why did Voldemort's soul bring me to the Room of Requirement back then? Dudley wondered. Was it merely to gain my trust, or did he have other motives?
Dudley gazed at the blank wall and pondered. He had already figured out the room's operating mechanism. Whenever he walked past this spot three times whilst thinking of his needs, the room would appear and manifest exactly what he required.
Frankly, Dudley found the room's mechanics fascinating. It seemed to transcend ordinary magic. It needed to extract what was in one's mind and present it perfectly—something no magic Dudley knew of could accomplish.
Correspondingly, Dudley sensed this ability resembled that of the Visionary sequence. Imagined objects would materialise, envisioned kingdoms would descend into the material world, proclaimed futures would unfold as reality.
Of course, the Room of Requirement paled in comparison to the Visionary, but it performed certain rudimentary versions of those abilities.
After a moment, Dudley left and arrived at Dumbledore's office door. After sampling several candies, Dudley found the correct one. A spiral staircase appeared, and he stepped onto it.
Soon, he reached Dumbledore's office and knocked.
"Come in," Dumbledore's voice came.
Dudley pushed the door open and entered.
"I knew you would come. Good evening, Dudley," Dumbledore sat behind his desk, perusing some documents. His condition was much better than it had been last night, appearing far less haggard.
"Professor Dumbledore, how is your arm injury?" Dudley asked.
"Already treated and recovering as you see," Dumbledore showed Dudley his arm covered in medicinal ointment.
"That's much thanks to Professor Snape and Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore said.
"I'm glad to see you improving," Dudley said.
He had originally planned to check Dumbledore's arm himself, but it seemed unnecessary now. Unless it was a permanent curse or damage, Dumbledore should have had ways to manage it.
"How is your research on the Horcrux progressing?" Dudley inquired.
"I've formed some ideas. Also, what do you intend to do with this diary?" Dumbledore pointed to the black notebook lying on his desk nearby.
"To be frank, it possesses powerful abilities to seduce the mind, and the magical power released by the soul fragment can infiltrate another's body. I'm uncertain whether it could sustain Voldemort's resurrection, but this object is certainly extremely dangerous," Dudley said.
"I happen to have a method that can effectively counter Horcruxes. This diary will be properly safeguarded in my possession," Dudley continued.
"In that case, I can entrust it to you with peace of mind," Dumbledore said after a moment of thought.
If it were anyone else, Dumbledore certainly wouldn't release a Horcrux, but Dudley presented no reason for refusal.
"By the way, Professor Dumbledore, does destroying a Horcrux require any special method?" Dudley asked.
He had previously attempted various methods, all of which were unable to harm the diary, suggesting it couldn't be destroyed by ordinary means. Other Horcruxes likely possessed similar properties. Otherwise, Horcruxes would be far too easy to destroy.
"Indeed, ordinary methods can scarcely destroy a Horcrux. However, I know several ways—for instance, basilisk venom and certain terrible dark magic like Fiendfyre," Dumbledore explained.
"I see," Dudley's expression shifted slightly. He had nearly used Fiendfyre on the diary—fortunately, he hadn't. Otherwise, Voldemort's Horcrux would have been destroyed by his own hand, delaying the discovery of the Chamber indefinitely.