Howl felt he should steer the conversation back.
The despair of the world… he found it a bit too ridiculous.
"Alright, you believe in prophecy, so what?" He looked at Dumbledore, intrigued, "What if Harry passes your test?"
"I just want to know if he is the same kind of person as Riddle," Dumbledore said.
"He is excellent and in Slytherin, I apologize. It's hard for me not to associate him with Riddle.
I don't want to repeat the same mistakes. If he is of good character, I will do my utmost to pave the way for him, even if it costs me my life."
Wow.
Howl was somewhat amazed; he could feel the weight in Dumbledore's words.
"But what if Harry doesn't pass your test?" he asked.
Dumbledore fell silent; he didn't want to say the answer.
"If he doesn't pass your test, then he will become a pawn, right?" Howl fearlessly pulled back the curtain of silence completely.
Howl felt a bit displeased and asked, "Did he beg you to cultivate him, to pave the way for him?"
Dumbledore remained silent.
"No hero ever achieved what ordinary people cannot with a desire for fame and fortune.
And no parent ever gives love to their child with a utilitarian mindset."
As he spoke, Howl slowly paced, shaking his head, "I don't understand, Dumbledore.
If you want to follow the so-called prophecy, why not simply treat him as a pawn?
If you want to nurture him, then why didn't you offer him some help when he was still young?
Wait until he grows up in that terrible environment, and then you suddenly say you want to secretly test his character?!
And then decide whether or not to pave the way for him.
Don't you think this is like a master rewarding a dog that fetched a frisbee with a piece of kibble? This is ridiculous, Dumbledore!"
Howl looked directly at the white-haired old man in front of him.
Just like before on Privet Drive, they stood facing each other from a distance.
However, this time, it was no longer so tense. But the words were even more grating.
"I said before, have you been the top person for too long, so you lack respect for everyone else? Now it seems that's truly the case."
Dumbledore remained silent, his face gradually darkening, only stiffly nodding.
Seeing Dumbledore in such an aged state, Howl couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened, only able to mutter helplessly, "Dumbledore, perhaps you truly possess enough mercy, tolerance, and gentleness towards this world.
But I have to say, you truly don't understand what human nature is; you just think these things can be exploited.
Just as we said during our second meeting, if your mind is only filled with profit and calculations, then you will miss out on many things. For example—a true heart.
Or rather, true love!"
Dumbledore's expression was dazed; Howl's words were like a heavy hammer, and he seemed to have his spine pulled out, his body involuntarily hunching a little.
Scenes from the past flashed through his mind.
The vow with Grindelwald in Godrics Hollow, Ariana's death, Aberforth's estrangement...
Scamander and Hagrid, whom he drove like tools yet still held absolute trust in him; Severus, who was willing to be driven by him because he deeply loved Lily...
He constantly claimed that love was the greatest magic in the world, but love...
To him, it was very unfamiliar... In fact, in this regard, he was not even as good as Severus, not as good as Hagrid, not as good as... many, many people...
It seemed that love, this thing, had long been broken like his nose on that day in Godrics Hollow, and could never heal again...
He didn't believe in such a thing.
"I think you are right, Howl. It is indeed as you say... it seems love and I are not well acquainted." He shook his head with a bitter smile.
He certainly believed that true love existed, but... he didn't think it had anything to do with him.
He had truly loved Grindelwald, but that battle led to Ariana's death. It created an eternal rift between him and Aberforth.
He had truly wanted to change Tom Riddle, but Tom later became the terrifying Dark Lord.
Even, he personally witnessed James die from betrayal because he had given his true heart to a friend.
He was indeed merciful enough and gentle enough towards the world. But that was all based on his strength; to this day, after repeated betrayals, he no longer gave his true heart to anyone.
"You are too timid, Dumbledore." Howl shook his head, saying no more.
He could only say so much.
If there was anything that could last as long as love.
It was unwavering prejudice.
No one is perfect; how could a concept shaped by the past, an idea held for a lifetime, change because of a few words from someone else?
He himself had problems, deeply mired in them, but it was just that he and Dumbledore were different, which allowed him to ramble here for a bit.
"Indeed, it's quite foolish, ridiculous, and insincere to presumptuously set up some so-called character test for a child," Dumbledore said, propping himself up with a hint of mockery.
"But since it's come to this, I don't think there's any need to stop now," Dumbledore said. "I need to know the reason why Riddle is not dead."
"Riddle..." Howl looked at the empty room he was in, somewhat lost in thought.
Then he nodded, indicating agreement.
He was just somewhat disgusted by Dumbledore's idea of wanting to test Harry's character.
"So you came to me today for two things: one is to reveal this plan to me.
The other is to have me add another defense for the Philosopher's Stone?" Howl looked at him.
"Exactly." Dumbledore nodded readily, "But now, I will no longer place Harry on the chessboard, I promise you."
"You don't need to promise me, you need to promise yourself," Howl said indifferently.
"Speaking of which, this might be a good whetstone." After the heavy topic just now, the air in the empty room lightened considerably.
"You want Harry to try?" Dumbledore was somewhat surprised.
"I don't know, it depends on him. I'm just subjectively guessing that Lord Voldemort killed his parents, so he might not refuse.
Yes, I said he won't refuse! Just as I expressed before, he can choose for himself, instead of being guided and manipulated like a puppet to participate in a so-called test."
Dumbledore frowned, "You want to tell him everything? I must tell you that Quirrell being able to resist my Legilimency means he has a very high level in this field.
If he also knows Legilimency and uses it on Harry, then the whole plan will be ruined."
Hearing Dumbledore's words, Howl realized the problem. But a moment later, he smiled again, "No, I don't think we need to tell Harry anything."
"What does that mean?"
"I think he can figure it out himself."
Dumbledore was stunned; he could see the trust on Howl's face.
"You trust him that much?"
"Of course." Howl just nodded, not wanting to explain too much.
"So your idea is..."
"Let everything take its natural course. I have confidence in him. But unlike that, I will give him the power to choose.
As for these challenges..."
Howl showed a sinister smile, "These are really too childish. I think we should have something more fun..."
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