Who let this Dementor into Hogwarts!

Chapter 126 My Summer Vacation? Traveling, Visiting Relatives, and Raising Animals—Very Fulfilling
Even though Harry spoke incoherently, Dumbledore did not interrupt him or ask questions.

He was just there listening kindly, which made Harry feel less and less stressed.

It wasn't as if Professor Dumbledore had any doubts about them.

"A house-elf named Dobby said that this was about Voldemort and a Hogwarts student, right?" Dumbledore asked in confirmation, "But he didn't mention any specific names, and he punished himself from time to time during his explanation."

"Right, Professor—" Harry suddenly became nervous, "Do you think he's a liar?"

"I don't think so, Harry," Dumbledore said softly. "House-elves are bound by magic. They cannot disobey their masters' orders or reveal their masters' secrets. That's why Dobby couldn't say anything when he tried to tell you the truth, and began to punish himself uncontrollably."

"How cruel!" Hermione cried, looking furious. "This is pure slavery! Why would wizards—"

She suddenly got stuck because she just realized that she was in the principal's office.

"I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore..."

"There's no need to apologize for doing what's right." Dumbledore smiled and said, "People must first point out the problem before they can solve it. Constantly avoiding it will only make the mistake worse."

Hermione looked down, pondering what Dumbledore meant—the subject had returned to the Chamber of Secrets.

"Since you are aware of the possible existence of a secret chamber left by the founders and a possible monster in the school, you must also be aware of the dangers it poses, correct?" Dumbledore glanced at the four people, his voice slightly raised. "Then please allow me to give you some advice as an elder. Please do not search for the secret chamber or the monster within on your own. Also, try not to go out at night in the near future to avoid unnecessary harm..."

Dumbledore winked at Harry.

But he didn't blink at Cohen - hey, it means Cohen can go out at night.

"Well, that's enough of my interruptions from the headmaster," Dumbledore said goodbye to them. "Thank you for the helpful information."

"But Cohen, can you stay for a moment? I have something I want to talk to you about—don't worry, it's not about academics or being harsh about taking leave."

It would be better if it were just the harsh criticism on academics and taking leave.

Cohen thought to himself.

Before leaving, Harry and the others gave Cohen three looks that said, "I'm sorry, but you have to take care of it, brothers, we're leaving."

"What's the matter?" Cohen, who had stood up, sat back down.

"How was your summer vacation?" Dumbledore asked Cohen like an ordinary old grandfather. "I heard from Hagrid that the dragon you raised together is growing well."

"Summer vacation?" Cohen raised his eyebrows. "It was a very fulfilling time. First, my dad signed me up for a tour group, then I went to visit my relatives, and then my dad and I set up a sheep farm for Norbert. But Norbert likes to hoard food. One time, he grabbed all three hundred or so sheep I raised into his cave in one night. I was so angry that I bought him new sheep breeds before school started..."

Listening to Cohen's endless talk about his wonderful summer life, especially the company of his family, Dumbledore was very happy - Cohen's life was full of love, so naturally...

Wait a moment.

What had he mixed in with all that talk? Visiting relatives? "Very fulfilling indeed—I'm sorry, by visiting relatives you meant…" Dumbledore asked.

"Didn't you tell me about my background last semester?" Cohen selectively revealed some things to Dumbledore. "I found some information about that laboratory, so I went to Burke Manor while traveling and met a man named Herbert Burke."

Cohen spoke very easily, and Dumbledore felt that Cohen should not have any bad emotions because of this matter.

After all, if Cohen really had any shameful thoughts, he would definitely not choose to tell others directly about his visit to Bock Manor.

"He said he was the father of the former 'Cohen.'" Cohen looked into Dumbledore's eyes. "Although I don't remember, he was very happy to see me again. He hugged me and cried for a long time..."

"Herbert was the only survivor of the experiment," Dumbledore said, "but he never mentioned his role in it. He silently accepted the blame and remained as a lifelong guard at the ruins of Burke Manor."

"Because he feels he is guilty," Cohen said, "and he feels he has let his sister Rose, my mother, down on him. He can do whatever he wants..."

"And what do you think, Cohen?" asked Dumbledore. "What do you think of him?"

"I could feel his love for me was genuine, especially when he hugged me and cried," Cohen said. "But he did do a lot of wrong things, so it's reasonable for him to serve his sentence. But the law doesn't prohibit me from giving him a gift on Christmas, right?"

"Of course there's no such rule." Dumbledore laughed. "Even prisoners in Azkaban are entitled to receive Christmas presents, but most people don't send them gifts. Out of curiosity, I'd like to ask, what gift are you planning to get him this year?"

"He said he wanted wool socks," Cohen replied. "I've already bought them and will have my owl send them to him before Christmas—maybe it's cold over there in the winter."

Dumbledore's blue eyes seemed to be a little moist.

"It's a very nice gift, Cohen," Dumbledore said gratifiedly. "I can see that you have lived a very fulfilling life."

"The homework is a little lacking," Cohen complained. "I almost forgot to do my summer homework—you don't take care of summer homework, right?"

"These are not my areas of responsibility—oh, one last thing."

Dumbledore wiped his eyes.
"I remember Harry mentioned a mysterious creature breaking into your dormitory. I'd like to hear your opinion on this, because it seems to have broken into your bed."

Here comes the point!

Whether the basilisks can survive depends on this one move.

"It felt like some kind of scaly creature," Cohen speculated. "It was very cold, moving very fast, and gave me a very strange feeling..."

"What does it feel like?" Dumbledore perked up.

"Just like how Herbert holds me."

Cohen said.

(End of this chapter)