Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures - H.P.S.T Chapter 1090: The Dream of the Desperate

“The power of those few drops of blood is about to be exhausted, Professor, I am waiting for your decision,” said Riddle confidently, seeming to have determined what Dumbledore would do. “Oh, by the way, I hope that when you take the ring, you can take the photo of my parents with you. It is the only one left and is very commemorative.”

He bowed to Dumbledore, his body like mist. It shook again and then vanished from the air.

“Quite impressive, isn’t he?” Dumbledore murmured, walking to the cabinet. “This is the fifteen-year-old Tom Riddle, just as I remember him. He was the most intelligent student I have ever seen, adept at understanding people’s minds. He knew how to please you just right, never making you feel bored, and he was very clear about what you needed, skillfully satisfying your desires to get what he needed in return.”

“Yet, also very dangerous,” said Evan.

“Yes, also very dangerous. Overly powerful power requires a stronger mind to control it,” said Dumbledore. “Unfortunately, Riddle’s mind wasn’t as strong as his power; he had many things he didn’t understand and was disdainful of. He was greedy and cruel, sinking deeper into the quagmire of Dark magic. Part of this is our fault; for a long time, Hogwarts only taught students how to use magic, neglecting other aspects of education.”

“Professor, do you believe what he said?” Evan asked.

“I don’t think he deceived us. These things are very beneficial to him. There is no need for him to risk telling lies.”

“So he is a special Horcrux, a Horcrux that is independent and has no connection with Voldemort?” Evan paused and continued to ask, “Is that still a Horcrux? What is the difference between this and a new soul?”

“If everything is as he said, there is no difference,” said Dumbledore simply, generously looking at the photo with interest. “He is just Tom Riddle, fifteen-year-old Tom Riddle, an ambitious, thoughtful, and powerful Slytherin student, not the Voldemort we know!”

“But they’re the same person; Voldemort is his future!” Evan argued.

“A completely split and independent soul means he won’t be influenced by the main soul, able to make decisions autonomously. His future has many uncertainties; he could grow into anything, Voldemort is just one possibility,” said Dumbledore. “Of course, there are still many things for us to verify. Fortunately, we still have the chance, and we also have enough time. The situation hasn’t deteriorated to the point where we must make an immediate decision.”

Evan blinked, not knowing what to say. Dumbledore seemed to have decided to trust the other person again.

What impact would a new Tom Riddle have on the world?

In a sense, this incident was no less than the emergence of the evil god, and might even have a greater impact on the future of the Wizarding world.

If there was enough energy support, Riddle could emerge from the ring, become corporeal, indistinguishable from a normal person.

“Look at this photo. It is full of tears. It was torn up and then glued back together. This is probably his contradiction. It is a psychological manifestation,” said Dumbledore, picking up the photo from the drawer. “Like an ordinary little boy, he tried to hide his feelings for his mother and hide that he cried. Perhaps he felt embarrassed about it, but this is precisely a manifestation of his independent soul. Voldemort will not have this kind of contradiction.”

“Embarrassed?!”

“Yes, we know that Riddle’s true character is different. He is twisted and extreme. He hates his name, hates his father, and at the same time, hates his fate,” said Dumbledore. “But the paradox is that he has a crazy worship of his own blood and thinks he is lucky. He does not have that strong hatred for his mother Merope, and even thinks that she was great. Yes, he thinks the things she did were foolish but also great. Quite contradictory, isn’t it?”

Evan nodded, acknowledging the contradiction.

“Believe me; Voldemort will never have such feelings. He will express his greed, ignorance and anger without any scruples, instead of trying to conceal them. He does not understand what love is, and he has never valued it, let alone cry,” said Dumbledore, gently running his fingers over the tear stains on the photo. “Even if he faces his mother, he would have no scruples, but Riddle is different, or rather, The Riddle who just appeared in front of us is different. He has not completely lost his humanity.”

“Alright, Professor, so we won’t destroy this ring for now?”

“Well, he might bring us a surprise … something unexpected; and there is also a place in Norway where he is needed. The magic left by Slytherin can only be activated by his descendants,” said Dumbledore, turning his eyes to the ring, a complex expression flashing on his face. “I must thank you again, Evan. If you hadn’t stopped me just now, I would be dead. There is a strong curse on it that can take a person’s life in an instant, and there is no way to break it.”

He took out his wand, tapped the ring lightly, murmuring an incantation, and a green light flashed. Then, he picked up the ring; the curse on it had been lifted!

“I heard you talking to him about the Resurrection Stone just now. You know much more than I expected!”

“I read about the description of the Deathly Hallows in the Black family’s library. There’s also the emblem of the Peverell family on the ring, so…” Evan explained.

“Everyone has their secrets, no need to tell me everything. In fact, the tale about the Deathly Hallows has been circulating for centuries, and many people have tried to find them,” said Dumbledore nonchalantly. “Yes, indeed, this is the Resurrection Stone, a dream of the desperate. This stone is extremely dangerous, a lure for fools, and I am such a fool.”

“Professor, did you just see your sister?” Evan said. “I heard you calling out the name Ariana.”

“Yes, I saw her, in some form, awakened from the world of the dead by the power of the Resurrection Stone,” he said, taking a deep breath. “Ariana died because of me, and I have always blamed myself deeply for this…

“I must admit, for a moment there, I thought she had returned. I thought I finally had the chance to make amends to her, to repent for my sins,” said Dumbledore, his eyes clouding over again, his voice choked with emotion. “But the Resurrection Stone didn’t truly bring her back. It is only now that I realize it was just a dream for the desperate!”

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