C24 Dumbledore's Prescription

Marcus attempted to back away, trying to remove the staff from his mouth.

But Liang Mu rose from the couch with such immense force that Marcus was pushed back repeatedly, his teammates behind him so frightened that they quickly cleared a path.

Marcus kept retreating until he stumbled over the stairs and tumbled backward.

Liang Mu drew his staff and deftly hooked it around Marcus' neck, preventing his head from striking the steps.

Liang Mu turned to give Nick Phil, the Praepostor, a brief look before surveying the gathering wizards, disregarding their bewildered expressions.

"Since my childhood, I've aspired to be part of Slytherin. It's not just because I'm from a Pure-blood family, but because the spirit of Slytherin captivated me. Even the emergence of the Dark Lord from these halls only solidified my resolve to join Slytherin."

Unnoticed, the background music had shifted, and Liang Mu's demeanor was solemn. His voice, steady and clear, resonated with every listener as his staff traced elegant arcs in the air, its handle reflecting a silvery-green glow.

Outside, the lake was serene as everyone listened intently. The figures in the painting seemed contemplative, the ghosts circling the ceiling smiled, and the Feathered Snake statue atop the fireplace glimmered, while the Slytherin statue oversaw it all.

In the quietude of the dark common room, Liang Mu sat on the sofa, savoring his now-cold midnight snack, while the others had retired to their dormitories, and the painted characters had vanished.

This night, the Slytherin serpents were restless, the plane's main narrative had shifted, and a new era of reform had begun.

Reflecting on his speech, Liang Mu acknowledged the use of some cunning, yet the outcome was favorable. Most importantly, his emotions remained genuine, a testament to his humanity despite years of cultivation.

He glanced at the panel before him, displaying only two tasks:

School Mission:

Earn additional points for the school: 10 points

This task will affect the mission rating.

Exploration Mission: Explore Hogwarts School: Progress 4%

Reward: Title: Junior Explorer

The following day,

Unlike the other Little Wizards who had already begun their explorations of the castle, those from Slytherin were catching up on sleep.

Meanwhile, Liang Mu was enjoying his morning tea.

After a gentle sip, he glanced at his necklace.

"The sweetness of this black tea is quite pleasant, but for an elderly person, particularly one with a sweet tooth, I'd recommend Gong Mei tea."

With that, Liang Mu placed a piece of tea wrapped in white paper before the old man.

"You do realize that what you're doing could be considered bribery," the old man at the table quipped, flicking his finger to send the wrapped tea leaves flying into a drawer behind him, where they were neatly stored away.

Unperturbed by the old man's jest, Liang Mu set the freshly brewed tea on a coaster and passed it to him, "The headmaster of Hogwarts isn't part of the Magic Department's hierarchy, so this doesn't constitute bribery. Rather, it's a student showing care for their teacher."

Dumbledore chuckled, giving Liang Mu a look filled with hidden meaning, "I hardly think depriving a centenarian of sleep qualifies as caring."

Liang Mu turned to the portraits behind him. The former headmasters were all observing him, some of whom also had portraits in the Slytherin common room.

Last night's speech wasn't meant solely for the 'little snakes'.

Liang Mu had anticipated this moment and had no intention of concealing it. He had prepared for Dumbledore's inquiry by consuming three bottles of a potion to steady his mind, along with a vial of Felix Felicis, and had even performed a divination.

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed as he watched Liang Mu's silhouette. The headmaster's inner turmoil was masked by a gentle and benevolent expression as Liang Mu turned back to face him.

"It seems you're quite frightened of me, my child," Dumbledore teased, much like the kindly old man next door.

"I am not that man."

"Lord Voldemort."

Dumbledore paused, then nodded, his sorrow partially obscured by his beard, yet Liang Mu saw it clearly.

"What worries you, my child?"

"Everyone is aware that you're the most distinguished white wizard of our time, with your twelve uses for dragon's blood and all. But I'm also aware that you are, in fact, a master of Legilimency."

"So, just as you've mentioned, according to Slytherin's rules, one must never allow oneself to be in danger, correct?"

Dumbledore's eyes brimmed with self-reproach as he raised his withered hand, only to let it fall in a gesture of resignation.

"It appears I am not yet a qualified headmaster."

Seemingly touched by Dumbledore's sorrow, Liang Mu lowered his head, his voice softening,

"I'm concerned for my safety, afraid for my secrets..."

"Oh, my child," Dumbledore's withered hand gently stroked Liang Mu's hair, soothing him,

"As the headmaster of Hogwarts, my foremost duty is to protect my students. How could I possibly use such magic on you? Besides, everyone has their little secrets, don't they?"

Liang Mu looked up at Dumbledore, his gaze lingering on his fingers.

Dumbledore turned his attention to the portraits on the wall, his voice solemn,

"When I assumed the role of Headmaster at Hogwarts, I vowed to protect every student with my life and to uphold the glory of Hogwarts with my life."

The former headmasters in the portraits nodded and applauded in agreement.

One of the portraits, observing Liang Mu, remarked with a hint of amusement,

"This child, how to describe him? He is truly..."

"Truly the Little Wizard of Slytherin," Dumbledore interjected with praise, squatting down to Liang Mu's level.

Seeing that the necklace reflected in his glasses showed no abnormalities, Liang Mu smiled,

"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Alright, off you go. This old man needs to catch up on some sleep."

Dumbledore rose to his feet, humorously rubbing his back.

"But what about my punishment..."

"Haven't you already been summoned for a conversation with the headmaster?"

Dumbledore winked, signaling to Liang Mu.

Liang Mu hurriedly hopped off the chair and handed a piece of white paper to Dumbledore from his pocket,

"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore. I noticed you looked unwell yesterday, so I wrote down a prescription for you, it's all here."

With that, Liang Mu dashed out the door like a gust of wind.

Dumbledore, momentarily taken aback, unfolded the paper and examined it. It was indeed a traditional herbal remedy, complete with detailed instructions, particularly the final note.

"Bitter medicine is good for the ailment; please refrain from adding sugar when you take it!"

"Don't add sugar!"

"Don't add sugar!" exclaimed Dumbledore, as he carefully stored the note and turned to address the portraits of past headmasters lining the walls, a smile playing on his lips. "This child is truly exceptional. He's the epitome of a..."

"Standard 'Hogwarts'," interjected Principal Armando Dippet with a hint of jest, yet his comment was met with nods of agreement from all the other headmasters.

Dumbledore's gaze swept over the portraits, his eyes reflecting a depth of thought. Had it not been for Liang Mu's stirring speech the previous night, the Slytherin-aligned headmasters, led by Dippet, might not have joined his plan. The night's lengthy discussions had expanded the original plan into something far more substantial.

The portraits might only be images, but they were among the most well-informed individuals, each retaining their memories and secrets. Those who had taken the headmaster's oath were magically bound to Hogwarts, making them the most trustworthy of allies, sworn to never betray.

Descending the spiral staircase, Liang Mu hurried around the corner, checking to ensure no one was there and, importantly, no portraits were in sight. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and slide down against the wall to rest.

The cool air, tinged with the scent of grass and trees, filled his lungs, helping him relax. His heart rate, which he had been consciously controlling, began to steady, and the dampness on his back dried to a comfortable coolness under the magic spell.

Dumbledore, with his keen powers of observation, could see through Liang Mu's façade. After all, even an eleven-year-old Little Wizard with lofty ideals and maturity beyond his years was still an unpolished diamond.

Liang Mu couldn't fathom why the protagonists in his past life's books were so nonchalant in Dumbledore's presence. Even if they were adults at heart, Dumbledore was a centenarian white wizard who had lived through two wars against the dark Lord Voldemort.

Tsk.

After a brief respite, Liang Mu rose and swiftly retraced his steps back to the Slytherin common room. By now, the older students were awake, and they paused their activities as they noticed Liang Mu returning. Unperturbed by their stares, he made his way to his black leather sofa, his wizard's robe billowing behind him.

Sensing the myriad of emotions in the gazes around him, Liang Mu couldn't help but smile inwardly. His efforts from the previous night had paid off; he had successfully sown a seed in the hearts of all the young Slytherins.

Now, it was a matter of patiently nurturing that seed, waiting for the right moment for it to break through the soil.

Picking up the kettle from the table, Liang Mu set about preparing tea. Although he could have easily completed the task with magic, the act of brewing tea was a practice in refining one's spirit. More importantly, as the current center of attention in Slytherin, he had to constantly maintain his image.

The hot water met the cool black jade and transformed into a rising mist, which then took the shape of a white crane soaring above the tea table. The bamboo forest etched into the stone of the tea tray began to sway, coming to life before their eyes.

Liang Mu's movements were elegant and composed, each pour and lift infused with a distinctive rhythm.

The young Slytherins watching this display found their minds settling, a sense of tranquility washing over them. The word 'immortal' surfaced in their thoughts, a term from the ancient stories of the East they had heard since childhood, akin to tales of Merlin.

Yet, they continued with their tasks, only occasionally glancing at Liang Mu, their actions becoming slightly more delicate.

Liang Mu glanced around and noticed a few individuals with looks of indecision. They took a few steps toward him, then hesitated and turned back. Among them was Nick Phil, the Praepostor.

Extending his hand toward the opposite chair, Liang Mu gestured an invitation to Nick Phil.

"Praepostor Nick Phil, please take a seat."