"Perhaps it's because of Cassandra." Harry said, pretending nothing was wrong, "You know, just like how Abufosi expands his hatred towards all Austrians because one Austrian stole his brother."
Dumbledore suddenly didn't feel very well either.
Harry was also thoroughly a black-and-white person — but he didn't do it on purpose; it was an unconscious comparison.
"Let's go upstairs," Dumbledore said, "Moffin Gaunt is kept on the top floor, where the most serious offenders are, such as the most ruthless and irredeemable Death Eaters who once followed Voldemort."
As they walked into the castle, a few Dementors surrounded them.
There were no wizard guards in Azkaban, after all, no one is absurd enough to want to work alongside Dementors.
"I'm here to visit Moffin Gaunt." Dumbledore said.
The Dementors seemed to understand and nodded, then looked at Harry.
They stood dazed for a long time, suddenly, the leading Dementor made a hissing gesture at Dumbledore.
"He's just a Hogwarts student, not a Dark Wizard." Dumbledore explained to the Dementors.
While explaining, he was still curious why Harry would be considered a Dark Wizard.
The Dementors continued making wailing gestures, they seemed to be whispering about something.
After a while, the leader of the Dementors came out and howled twice at Dumbledore again.
"What does he mean?" Harry asked.
"He said you can go in, but they have to keep an eye on you." Dumbledore finished, shook his head, and made a joke: "I don't remember when Azkaban's Dementors became so diligent."
"Maybe they're just idle." Harry shrugged and said, "Or maybe they're just greedy?"
With that, Dumbledore was reminded of the Magic Stone absorbed by Harry.
Could it be that the Dementors were interested in the energy of the Magic Stone on Harry?
However, the Dementors only sent a seemingly stronger one from behind, tailing them closely.
"Follow me up, Harry." Dumbledore said, leading Harry up the stairs to the upper levels of the castle.
The internal space of Azkaban was much larger than it appeared from the outside. They kept walking until the seventh floor, where Harry followed Dumbledore into a spacious room like a hall.
On both sides of the room were rows of cells, which seemed to have not been repaired for a long time.
Dumbledore seemed to notice Harry's confusion and said to him, "No one wants to come here to repair the cells... you know, those ordered to come to Azkaban refuse to talk about what they found inside after they've been here, and the least horrifying part is that this place has become the haven of Dementors."
"I'm just a kid, Professor." Harry glanced at the cells, just as the ragged man inside suddenly opened his eyes to look at him.
The person seemed very shocked, but only for a moment before he bowed his head again.
In a voice only he could hear, he muttered a name.
Harry didn't mind, and at the same time, Dumbledore continued speaking: "But you're different from ordinary people, Harry."
They continued forward, passing a few cells, when suddenly they heard the strange laughter of a witch, as if the owner of the voice was extremely mentally unstable.
"What was that little incident you mentioned earlier?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry made an oh sound and answered, "I remember Mr. Septimus once told me that in the 18th century, Minister Edric Digory, after inspecting Azkaban Prison, witnessed the terrible scenes inside. He began seeking alternatives to Azkaban — at least to remove the Dementors as guards."
"Unfortunately, Edric died of Dragon Pox in 1747, and from then on, no one mentioned alternatives to Azkaban again."
"What do you think, Professor?" He looked up and asked Dumbledore.
"I think Azkaban has fulfilled the prison duties well," Dumbledore said, "but I also believe that for some crimes, it's indeed inappropriate to throw certain prisoners in here and let the Dementors torment them."
"I think so too. No matter how impregnable the fortress is, there will eventually be a day when it falls without being attacked." Harry said pointedly, "The Dementors now seem to temporarily obey the Ministry of Magic, but who can guarantee they won't betray? If they side with Voldemort, then the Death Eaters imprisoned here would once again become accomplices in helping Voldemort wreak havoc on the world."
"What do you mean?" Dumbledore stopped walking.
"I didn't say anything, Professor."
Harry said, looking towards the cell in front of them.
Inside the cell, a short person was curled up in the corner; Harry looked through the small skylight overhead and saw that the person resembled Marvolo Gaunt, with a rough, monkey-like face.
"This is Moffin Gaunt." Dumbledore gestured to the Dementor nearby with a nod.
As the President of the International Wizarding Union, he had this privilege; the Dementor approached and helped Dumbledore open the cell door.
The two entered the cell, and the old man huddled on the ground suddenly opened his eyes.
"Moffin Gaunt." Dumbledore sat on a stone bench next to the cell, gesturing for Harry to sit with him.
Moffin straightened his back a little, opened his faded eyes, and cautiously asked, "You are..."
Years of Azkaban torment had worn away his edges; he was no longer as irritable and angry as before but appeared somewhat restrained and humble.
"Albus Dumbledore." Dumbledore replied.
"Dumbledore? Merlin..."
Tears trickled down Moffin's eyes, "And this gentleman... this gentleman..."
"This is Harry Potter." Dumbledore replied.
At the mention of this name, a flash of color suddenly burst into Moffin's eyes.
Harry Potter?
"I came this time to ask you about something, Mr. Gaunt," Dumbledore spoke softly, "About your nephew, that is, Melop Gaunt's son, Tom Riddle."
"Why bring up that bastard?" Moffin asked in anger, then realized his impropriety and quickly softened his expression, "I'm sorry, Principal Dumbledore, I..."
"It's alright." Dumbledore didn't want to make any defense for Tom: "What I want to know is, your family's portrait, Omnius Gaunt's portrait, where did Tom Riddle place it?"
Moffin reminisced for a moment.
"I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore." He said in a low voice, "I... I only remember the brat came to my house and talked with me about the Riddle Manor, but thereafter I remember nothing — then I was just arrested and brought to Azkaban."
"Can you provide your memories for us?" Dumbledore suddenly asked, pulling a small bottle from his pocket.
Moffin nodded, and Harry took out a spare magic wand from his pocket and handed it to Moffin.
Moffin took the wand, placed it against his temple, drew out a silver thread, and put it into the bottle.
"This is my complete memory of that day, Professor Dumbledore — I was charged with the murder of the Riddle family, but I absolutely didn't..."
Moffin whispered: "I hope you can find out the truth, let me out of this cursed place — or you could let me out now."
"You mean, bail you out?" Dumbledore put away the bottle.
"Yes." Moffin nodded, then looked at Harry: "Mr. Potter — I remember you were a good friend of my uncle Omnius Gaunt, right? Can you, can you..."
Harry said nothing.
"I know where Mr. Saru is."
Moffin suddenly said: "I know which cell Sebastian Saru is in!"
(Seeking monthly votes)
(4000 words for today, will add more tomorrow)