Marvel: Trading with Worlds

"Professor Dumbledore, what do you want from me?"

Dumbledore took out a ring, placed it on the table, and said, "Actually, it's about this ring. But the centaurs came to protest near Hogwarts, though it's a trivial matter. I asked Hagrid to communicate with them. But Professor Pent, have you noticed that your temperament has changed quite a lot?"

As he asked the last question, Fawkes jumped directly onto Kain's shoulder, like a bird seeking affection, and was very affectionate with Kain.

Seeing this, Dumbledore couldn't help but say with some acid in his voice, "I've known Fawkes for so long, and it's never been like this before."

"Maybe there's been a breakthrough in my magical studies. Don't worry about it. Let's take things one step at a time. As for the centaurs daring to come to Hogwarts—what do they want? If you didn't know better, you'd think the wizards were the victors in the last war. But I'll deal with them."

He was already being very merciful. How dare these centaurs chase him all the way to Hogwarts?

Before Kain could finish speaking, Dumbledore quickly interjected, "It's okay, Professor Pent. Leave it to Hagrid to handle. Let's talk about this Horcrux."

Dumbledore likely understood the situation. He had seen the centaurs earlier and used Legilimency to learn what had transpired from the centaur leader. 

For this, Dumbledore could only say that the centaurs had been in too much contact with well-intentioned people, leading them to assume that all wizards were kind-hearted.

Wizards might be a little troublesome for races like elves or goblins, but for centaurs, who knew little magic, a powerful wizard could deal with a dozen of them. They posed no real threat to wizards at all.

The Forbidden Forest was a protected habitat for the centaurs, and Hogwarts was used to prevent wizards from being poached, but the long-term relationship had caused the centaurs to gradually forget this fact.

"Let's focus on this. Based on the information you gave me the year before last and what I've gathered, I conclude that Tom made more than one Horcrux, and there may be many. This ring is one of them."

Kain asked, "Have you figured out how to destroy it?"

Dumbledore picked up the ring and studied it carefully. "Tom has cast powerful dark magic on it, but I wonder if I can use this ring to track down Tom's other Horcruxes."

"Take Fawkes with you when you destroy the Horcrux. It will help you."

Kain's suggestion could very well save Dumbledore's life; otherwise, he might still suffer from the black magic in the Horcrux.

As for the remaining Horcruxes, except for Nagini's whereabouts, they were relatively easy to destroy. Kain also used the opportunity to inform Dumbledore about the other Horcruxes.

Dumbledore's face was one of shock after hearing about the Horcruxes, which he had been investigating for over a year.

Kain shrugged and said, "I know this from Tom, but I'm not sure if these Horcruxes have been moved. After all, the Death Eaters seem to have changed their tactics. Mr. Moody hasn't found any of their hiding spots at school yet."

Dumbledore was aware of this and said, "Alastor believes that Death Eaters have infiltrated among the students. His ideas are a bit extreme. I'm trying to persuade him to use other methods to locate them."

If it were any other time, Dumbledore might consider Moody's approach, but with the Triwizard Tournament taking place, there would be Ministry of Magic officials and reporters at Hogwarts every day. 

If a large-scale search for Death Eaters were conducted now, it would lead to serious consequences.

Among other things, Bagman and Crouch would not agree to such a move. If Moody insisted on it, they would immediately report it to the Ministry of Magic. 

The Tournament was jointly organized by the Ministries of Magic from three countries, and Dumbledore was in a difficult position.

Then Dumbledore spoke to Kain about other matters, mainly concerning the Forbidden Forest. After Kain obtained the unicorn's blood and materials, he was less interested in the Forbidden Forest, so he promised to restrain himself in the future. 

However, Kain did not mention the centaur race. He planned to visit the edge of the Forbidden Forest later, and if those centaurs hadn't left yet, Kain would give them a ride.

On his way back to the office, Kain encountered many students, all of whom looked at him with awe, especially the female students. In addition to surprise, there was joy in their eyes.

This might be related to the unicorn gene, which not only enhanced Kain's magic but also added a holy aura to his magic, similar to that of the unicorn.

However, Kain knew that his power was deceiving. If someone who knew him well saw him now, they would never associate him with holiness.

He made a mental note to visit the edge of the Forbidden Forest and then return to study the runes to build a source of magical power. 

But then an idea popped into his mind. He used the ancient runes to create a "Apparition" magic within his body. The next second, he suddenly disappeared from the stairs.

"God, where's Professor Pent?"

There were other students near the stairs, including some senior students. They hurried to the spot where Kain had disappeared and looked at each other in confusion.

"If I'm not mistaken... was that Apparition?"

"No, no. You must have seen it wrong. There are anti-Apparition charms everywhere in the school. Even the professors can't Apparate."

"So what kind of magic was that?" asked a fifth-year student from Ravenclaw.

This question caused the others to fall silent. The magic they had witnessed was almost identical to Apparition, but it was impossible to use Apparition within Hogwarts, so they hurried toward the dormitory, still arguing.

If ordinary wizards tried to Apparate, they would be blocked by the powerful counter-curse in Hogwarts. 

However, this counter-curse mainly targets humans and does not affect house-elves or other magical creatures.

Kain had used the ancient rune, which could last in his body for a long time. With it, he could perform Apparition at any time, using the rune to activate instant magic.

If Kain succeeds in forming a source of magical power in his body, he would truly be a modern god of magic. 

Even the Dark Lord and the Dumbledore would stand no chance against him, and they might as well commit suicide if they lasted three rounds under his hands.

Auditorium

The auditorium wasn't just a place for meals; it was also used for studying or completing homework.

At this time, owls would fly in from outside occasionally, dropping off packages, waiting for their recipients to feed them, and then returning to rest.

 If a package was particularly large, it would be delivered to Hogwarts by other means.

"Is there any price reduction recently? Why are so many people receiving packages?" Ron asked curiously. But before Hermione and Harry could answer, a younger student approached Ron with a package in his arms. "Mr. Weasley, here's your package."

"It's probably a dress. Everyone has one. During the Triwizard Tournament, there's a party on Christmas Eve, and everyone goes and dances. The first dance is for the champions." Hermione briefly explained, then continued, "I heard that the dance partner needs to be invited, but more specific details will be announced by Professor McGonagall in the next class. Who's that person going to do?"

"Who are you talking about?" Harry asked, a little puzzled. Then, following Hermione's gaze, he saw Fleur carrying a box and walking toward the exit of the Great Hall.

"Maybe it's a packed supper? Ready to eat later?" Ron suggested.

"It's probably for Professor Pent to deliver food. She's been doing that a lot recently." Ron opened the package and looked at it, then quickly shoved the dress back inside. "Someone saw her going to the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office several times, and there's speculation she's been asking about the competition from Professor Pinter. But I think it's unlikely. After all, the headmistress of Beauxbatons is more likely to get Hermione for the next competition. Where are you going?"

Hermione walked out without looking back and said, "The library!"

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