In the headmaster's office, the phoenix chirped softly in Dumbledore's ear.

"Gellert was taken away? Well... those people have a bad attitude, Fawkes, we can't expect everyone to think the same as we do. They are just doing their job." Dumbledore comforted softly, and Fawkes lowered his head so that he could touch his feathers.

Felix brushed the air in front of him, and a mirror appeared out of thin air.

Magic symbols flickered on the edge of the mirror, and the mirror surface was like rippling water. Through the layers of mist, a still picture was reflected: it was a piece of grass, and a huge Ouroboros was suspended in the air.

Dumbledore stared at the mirror, and after a moment, he cheered up and said.

"Felix, now there are only two of us left. While Harry still needs some time, I have something to tell you."

Felix glanced at Fawkes uneasily, and it shrank pitifully.

"It just so happens that I have something to ask - is it worth it, Albus?"

Dumbledore smiled easily.

"Just a year ago, around this time, Voldemort asked me the same question." He looked at the scene in the mirror and said with some difficulty: "My answer is the same as then: it's worth it."

Felix frowned.

"I thought you would come up with a better way, rather than exchanging one life for another... plus two soul projections."

"This is a necessary price, for... for greater benefits."

"I can't think of any 'benefits' greater than a great wizard." Felix said calmly: "You showed me the prophecy, you know better than me how important a great wizard is in the current situation."

"But the question is, what do people need from me?" Dumbledore said lightly: "Wisdom? Force? Reputation? I'm afraid that even if I'm intact, I won't be able to meet their expectations."

"You did it half a century ago." Felix raised his voice slightly, "I remember a book called you the 'protector of Muggles and Muggle-born wizards'."

Dumbledore smiled bitterly.

"You also said it - it's just protecting people, not anything else. You should know what happened to me - my sister became an Obscurial, my poor father died tragically in Azkaban, and my mother lost her life taking care of Ariana - know the root of all this pain. Felix, I was full of resentment at the time, and I hoped to understand what the Lord represented, so I hit it off with Gellert. At that time, I was no less dangerous than Gellert!"

Felix exhaled lightly, dispelling the chill in his heart.

"Are you afraid of becoming the second Grindelwald?"

"Yes, I am afraid." Dumbledore said frankly, "Only I know how close I am to taking that step. I have never thought of abusing Muggles, but I concede that some innocent people will be hurt. This number became larger and larger when I discussed it with Gellert, but I numbed my conscience with empty reasons. Then reality hit me hard. I woke up, but the price was too high to bear... So I always remind myself that I cannot have rights, and only school is suitable for me."

"In the years that followed, I tried my best to protect little wizards from Muggle families, opposed the abuse of Muggles, and opposed war. Did you notice, Felix? All this happened naturally under the normal operation of the Statute of Secrecy. But what if it was the other way around? If the tragedy that happened to me appeared in front of me again and again, if I had the power to control the world, could I still keep a clear and rational mind? Without wisdom, force and reputation would be harmful instead." Tears slid

from the tip of his nose.

Felix's heart seemed to be blocked by something.

There was a moment of silence. At this time, Harry appeared in the picture, looking up at the Ouroboros in the air - he could clearly sense that this huge Patronus had a part of his magic and emotions.

Dumbledore stretched out his hand, "I think it's time to transfer the spell."

"Is there still time?" Felix asked in a low voice.

He looked at the mirror, and Harry in the picture waved his wand, and the huge Ouroboros twisted and stagnated for a while, and then suddenly collapsed and scattered into a silver rain of light. Like the morning mist in the mountains, it disappeared in an instant when it was illuminated by the sun.

"It's enough, it's actually very simple." Dumbledore nodded slightly, "but when the spell is transferred, my magic must be removed first, and then replaced with yours. This may take several hours."

"Then let's get started." Felix lowered his eyes and said, he knew that he had taken over a heavy responsibility from Dumbledore.

...

Time went back to a quarter of an hour ago, and something that would have a far-reaching impact in the future was about to happen.

"Ron? Hermione? Why are you here?" Harry shook Snape's greasy hair uncomfortably, and was surprised to see two people jogging up the stairs.

Ron was dumbfounded, obviously he didn't expect to run into Snape. Hermione stammered, "Yes, sorry, Professor Snape, we wanted to come up and see - oh, I mean, we have followed the professors' orders to maintain order, and now all the junior students have returned to the lounge, only some senior students are still in the hall, they don't want to leave -"

Harry blinked, he almost forgot that he was now facing Snape's face.

"I know." He said calmly. After that, he continued to walk down.

"It's incredible that I escaped like this!" Ron patted his chest and said in fear, "I thought I would definitely be punished. What if I was put in detention, the last holiday of the semester would be ruined - what's wrong with you, Hermione?"

Hermione stared at the corner of the stairs expressionlessly, where Harry had just disappeared.

"How strange, Professor Snape actually called our names."

"Oh! Now that you mention it, it is indeed a bit strange." Ron scratched his head, "But we'd better meet up with Harry first. Even if we can't see him, we can ask other professors about the situation."

"Okay, you're right." Hermione said, and the two continued to go upstairs.

At the same time, in a room with closed doors and windows on the second floor of the castle, Professor McGonagall kept twisting her fingers in the dark, and from time to time she glanced at the unconscious person on the sofa - not long ago, they were colleagues.

Knock knock!

The knock on the door woke her up. She took out a lace handkerchief and wiped her eyes, took a deep breath, and returned to her usual solemn and serious appearance. Then she opened the door of the office, and Professor Sprout was standing outside.

"Pomona, you're back! Oh, and you, please come in-"

Professor Sprout walked in and exchanged glances with McGonagall. Following him in came a dark-skinned man who looked no longer young, with a serious face, and the wrinkles on his forehead curved in the same arc as the corners of his drooping mouth. He wore a dark blue wizard robe with a brooch on his collar. When he walked in and took off his hat, his gray curly hair stuck tightly to his head.

Without waiting for Professor Sprout to introduce himself, he took the initiative to extend a hand.

"Hello, I'm Babajide Akinbade."

Professor McGonagall was slightly surprised. "The new president of the International Confederation of Wizards?" Babajide nodded. At this time, four wizards in formal suits and capable looks also came in. "They are members of the law enforcement team I brought with me, responsible for this escort operation - Rodney." He said calmly, and a middle-aged wizard walked to the sofa and lit his wand to check the unconscious Grindelwald.

"Get out, you ugly bird." The team member said, and Fawkes, who served as the light source in the room, glared at him dissatisfiedly.

Professor McGonagall frowned.

"Can you turn on the light?" Babajid said, "It's a little dim. My team members may not be able to see clearly."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips and said nothing. She took out her wand and waved it. Soft light fell from the ceiling, and the office suddenly became very bright.

"Magic light?" Babajid said with great interest: "I have always wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Mr. Hep about that matter... and of course Dumbledore. I hope to listen to his wisdom, but business is more important."

Sprout suddenly screamed, and the two turned their heads to look. Sprout stuttered: "He, he used a stinging curse."

"Mr. Akinbade, your law enforcement process is too rough. This is abuse." Professor McGonagall said with a straight face.

"No, this is a necessary examination, Professor." The team member grinned and raised his head. "No problem! He is sleeping soundly. Next is the Binding Spell, the Imprisoning Spell, the Whispering Spell. I have seen an internal document that says he is eloquent. "

Babajid cleared his throat. "Rodney, follow the plan. You don't need to show your eloquence here." Rodney stopped talking and took out the shiny handcuffs and shackles and put them on Grindelwald.

A team member pushed open the door, and the other raised his wand and pointed at Grindelwald. Under the effect of the handcuffs and shackles, Grindelwald's body floated in the air, and his head and limbs drooped weakly.

"Mr. Akinbad," Professor McGonagall said seriously, "I don't know if Dumbledore has informed you, but he hopes that the whole process will be kept strictly confidential, especially that he cannot regain consciousness."

Babajid replied calmly, "You make sense."

He drew an arc in the air with his wand, and Grindelwald's face was covered by a black mask. Seeing that Professor McGonagall wanted to say something, he smiled and said, "Okay, Professor, take me to see Dumbledore. Leave the professional matters to them. These guys deal with the most dangerous prisoners all year round."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips and walked at the end. When everyone went out, she stood at the door and looked at the phoenix, "Thank you, Fawkes. You can go back." Fawkes nodded at her, spread his wide wings, and his body burned. Then Professor McGonagall closed the door of her office.

A ball of fire shone through the crack of the door to her feet, and then disappeared.

"Is that a phoenix?" Babajide suddenly said in surprise, "I didn't see it just now."

"Its name is Fawkes." Professor McGonagall said absent-mindedly, "Mr. Akinbade, there is something you may not know-Principal Dumbledore has submitted his resignation to the school board today... Alas, he, he can't wait to start a journey," she sniffed, "I'm not sure if you can see him."

They walked through the corridor to the spiral staircase, and at this time there was a noise downstairs. "What happened?" Professor Sprout asked in confusion. She looked downstairs and suddenly a silver transparent head popped out from the stairs, which scared her.

"Murder! Someone killed someone!" Peeves shouted excitedly and whistled loudly.

Professor McGonagall shouted, "What's going on, Peeves? Are you playing a prank?" Peeves was startled. He was a little afraid of Professor McGonagall, so he answered in a slick tone:

"There was a conflict, professor, a little crybaby against several adults, wand against wand," Peeves said seriously, "I was just going to tell Filch, maybe his little stick can separate people--"

"Little crybaby? Students?" Professor McGonagall's eyebrows were tightly knitted together, and she hurried downstairs.

"Yes, that Longbottom-but he is not as fun as he was in the first and second grades now." Peeves chased her and pretended to step on the stairs with his legs and kept tumbling, humming all the way. "Shut up, Peeves!" Professor McGonagall turned around and yelled. She had already reached the first floor, and the entrance hall was surrounded by people.

Someone shouted "Professor McGonagall is here!" The crowd "swish" separated to both sides, allowing Professor McGonagall to see the two sides confronting each other. On one side were naturally the four members of the law enforcement team of the International Confederation of Wizards, and on the other side -

"Longbottom! Abbott! Finnigan! Thomas! Goldstein! Greengrass!" Professor McGonagall shouted out the names one by one in anger, and they raised their wands in their hands. Then she turned to the other side, "And you two, Weasley and Lovegood, what do you want to do?" The

students whose names were called lowered their wands awkwardly, and they all looked at one person at the same time - it was Neville.

"Mr. Longbottom, did you do all this? Give me a reason." Professor McGonagall's chest rose and fell violently.

"I want to know, too. Who are they?" Neville's face flushed, pointing at the four law enforcement officers of the International Confederation of Wizards and shouting, "Hannah and I came out of the auditorium and saw them dragging a man downstairs very rudely. Although his face was covered, I recognized him as Professor Bagshot. I clearly remember the pattern on his clothes and pants!"

"They are law enforcement officers of the International Confederation of Wizards." Professor McGonagall said weakly, "Mr. Longbottom, you are too impulsive."

"That's because you didn't see what they did?" Neville shouted, his eyes red. "They, they--" He stuttered because of anger.

Hannah Abbott held his hand and spoke for him:

"Professor McGonagall, we really don't know the identity of these people, but they didn't look like law enforcement officers at all just now. They were like villains who broke into the school. They made Professor Bagshot's knees hit the steps and his head hang on the ground! You know, Neville respects Professor Bagshot very much... He went up to ask a few questions and was attacked with a spell."

The students were immediately filled with indignation.

Professor McGonagall widened her eyes and turned to look at the four law enforcement team members. They stood there expressionlessly. At this time, Babajide came over and asked seriously, "Rodney, is what this student said true?"

"It seems to be the case." Rodney curled his lips, "Can anyone explain why so many students speak for a black wizard who does all kinds of evil?"

"What evidence do you have to say that?" a student shouted indignantly.

"Evidence?" Rodney said contemptuously: "There are so many such things. You don't know what he did when he was young. If he hadn't been protected by someone--"

"Rodney!" Babajide shouted sharply.

He looked around, thought for a moment and said: "Please allow me to introduce myself to everyone: Babajide Akinbade, the current president of the International Confederation of Wizards--" The students around him looked at him in surprise, and then looked at Professor McGonagall as if to confirm. She nodded slightly.

There was a whisper in the hallway.

"I guarantee on my own honor that the man in front of me is definitely a dark wizard, and the most dangerous one. He escaped from the prison where he was imprisoned a year ago, and this time it was Headmaster Dumbledore who subdued him and handed him over to us personally." Babajide said.

The students looked at each other. Could it be another fake Moody? However, it was quite bold for a fugitive to apply for a professorship at Hogwarts. Even Professor Black became a teacher only after he was cleared of his grievances.

"Of course, I know you don't know, so your courage to defend the teacher is worthy of praise. I can also not hold you accountable, but if you go one step further, it will be a violation of the law. You have to think it through." At the end, his tone became more severe.

Many students showed timid and shrinking expressions. Babajide looked around and waved his hand. Four members took the unconscious Grindelwald away.

"Wait, um - Mr. Akinbad?" Neville took a step with courage and whispered: "I'm sorry, it's my fault. I want to ask - can I say a few words to Professor Bagshot? Just a few words, I want to ask in person -" "

Absolutely not!"

This sentence was not said by Babajide, but by Professor McGonagall. She said firmly with a look of surprise: "I will not allow anyone to wake him up."

The hall was silent, only the team member named Rodney "snorted", and the person next to him pulled his sleeve, and they walked out of the castle through the crowd. Professor McGonagall breathed a sigh of relief. Although she didn't know the reason, she finally completed the task assigned by Albus.

"Okay, everyone disperse," she turned her head and said majestically, "Everyone leave here. Where are the prefects? Take responsibility."

The students all scattered, discussing what had just happened and the identity of Professor Bagshot. Only Neville was stunned. He took out the broken peephole from his pocket. He had imagined many possibilities, but he never expected this kind of farewell scene.

On the other side, four law enforcement members came to the carriage halfway up the castle.

"You are a little impulsive, Rodney. I know your family has a grudge against Grindelwald." A team member said, he controlled Grindelwald to enter the carriage, and then he got in. "But you shouldn't attack that student, even if it was to scare-"

"I didn't."

"What?"

"I didn't want to scare him, I wanted to knock him out directly. But I don't know why, the spell clearly hit him, but it didn't work." Rodney himself became confused. He stared at his wand. Is there something wrong?

He glanced at Grindelwald, who was sandwiched between two members, and waved his wand twice casually. Grindelwald's exposed skin suddenly became red and swollen, as if it had been whipped.

"Rodney! I'm warning you--"

"I'm sorry, Captain." Rodney shrugged, lowered his head and continued to look at his wand, "It turned out that it didn't work. Then why? Some hidden defensive spell?"

As he spoke, the carriage suddenly bumped, and the black carriage rushed towards the dark night sky. The breathing under the black mask became rapid, and the skin on his wrist, which looked like whip marks and bee stings, suddenly turned red.

At this time, in the principal's office, two hands were tightly clasped together.

Mysterious and strange patterns gradually emerged, and then climbed up Felix's wrist as if they had life.