Chapter 306: Voldemort's Intelligence
"Oh?"
Dumbledore looked surprised.
Dudley offered no explanation, and Dumbledore did not press him. By unspoken agreement, they let the topic drop.
Afterward, Dumbledore asked about Dudley's studies and offered several constructive suggestions. Problems that had stumped Dudley were explained clearly in simple language. This was the teaching skill of one of the magical world's finest wizards.
Half an hour later, Dudley stepped out of Dumbledore's office.
"What exactly is hidden in his memories?" Dumbledore murmured to himself.
He moved to the Pensieve, pressed his wand to his temple, drew out a silvery strand of thought, and let it fall into the basin.
"Dudley, you are becoming more and more like them. The only consolation is that I do not see that suffocating madness in you," Dumbledore said softly. Then he lowered his head into the Pensieve and sank into memory.
When the day's lessons ended, Dudley did not hurry back to Gryffindor Tower. Instead, he slipped out of Hogwarts via a secret passage. Dumbledore wanted him to speak to Borgin and Burkes when the time was right about Voldemort. As it happened, Dudley had not seen Borgin since they dealt with the basilisk. Now was as good a time as any.
"Apparition."
Dudley Apparated from the passage. When he reappeared, he was standing in a corner of Knockturn Alley. Pulling a black robe tight around himself, he headed for Borgin and Burkes.
Knockturn Alley was as filthy and chaotic as ever. A sharp, acrid stench filled the air, distinct even along the main way. In the shadows along both sides of the street lurked many wizards, their gaunt figures and raking eyes sweeping over passers-by like hunters looking for prey.
To prevent anyone from deciding he was easy to provoke, Dudley deliberately released the aura of authority from within. That oppressive pressure radiated from him, and several of the wizards lurking in the dark flinched in alarm and backed away at once. Others, though fearful, did not run. They continued to watch him, but none dared to step forward and try anything.
Soon, Dudley reached the door of Borgin and Burkes without incident.
Ding-ling...
The bell at the counter chimed. The shop floor was empty.
"Borgin certainly trusts his front room. Not the least bit afraid of thieves, is he?" Dudley said with a quiet smile.
Since Borgin was not present, Dudley began to wander, seeing if anything new and interesting had appeared. Before long, Borgin shuffled in through the back with his bent frame. He glanced at Dudley and said, "We are closed."
He turned to leave.
"Not even interested in my business?" Dudley's voice drifted over.
Borgin's face changed at once.
"Mr. Dursley! I did not realise it was you. Please, come in. If I had known you were coming, I would have waited here to receive you," Borgin said, all his earlier coldness gone, replaced with warm deference.
Dudley smiled. "I am only out for a stroll. No need to keep watch for me."
"How are you getting on with the basilisk matter?" he asked.
The basilisk's body was still stored in the Mirror of Erised. Dudley had not yet passed it to Borgin. There was no rush. A corpse that size could be purchased by only a few buyers. It was better to contact more people and compare offers.
"Several buyers have made preliminary bids, but I have not accepted any," Borgin said. "Most wizards only want to purchase a portion. I believe selling the body as a whole is most profitable."
"Fine. There is no hurry. Take your time finding the right buyer. Leave the basilisk's corpse with me for now. If a suitable buyer appears, let me know," Dudley said.
They were not short on money. Waiting was no problem.
"Understood," Borgin said, beaming.
"In addition, there is something I wanted to ask you," Dudley said, turning to him.
"I am very willing to assist," Borgin replied with a smile.
"I have heard Tom Riddle once worked in your shop for a time. Is that true?" Dudley asked.
At the name Tom Riddle, Borgin's smile stiffened. He knew exactly who that was, and he knew who had asked Dudley to come here for this conversation.
After a brief pause, Borgin nodded. "You are correct. He did work here for a while. But I treated him like any other assistant. We did not have much direct contact."
"Is that so?" Dudley chuckled. "I was only asking casually. Do you remember whom he dealt with at the time?"
Borgin hesitated. "Did Dumbledore ask you to inquire?"
Dudley nodded.
"In that case, I can give you all the information I have. I only ask that this matter not become too entangled with me. Is that acceptable?" Borgin said earnestly.
"Does that include memories of Tom Riddle?" Dudley asked.
The corner of Borgin's eye twitched. He had not expected Dudley to be so direct—to ask for memories outright. Memories were the bedrock of a person's will. No one would hand them over without profound trust, especially not memories related to Voldemort. If Voldemort learned of it, he might come to kill him.
"I am sorry. I do not have much memory of him, and what there is amounts to trivial, everyday scraps—of no real value," Borgin said.
He turned, went behind the counter, and took a roll of parchment from a drawer.
"These details, day by day, what he did while he worked here, whom he met, which magical items he acquired, and to whom they were later sold. Some of it is from his own account, so I cannot guarantee every word is true. I hope it helps you," Borgin said, handing the parchment to Dudley.
Dudley glanced over it. The record was indeed thorough. It would likely be of considerable help to Dumbledore's Horcrux investigation.
He put the parchment away and was about to leave when he paused and asked one more question.
"Mr. Borgin, if he were to return now, where would you stand—by his side, or by mine?"