harry potter book of crimes

"...I wonder if I am lucky enough to be able to visit your home?"

In the end, Slughorn nodded.

Although he wasn't quite sure about Maka's purpose, since he was from Hogwarts, it was always the right choice not to take the initiative to get involved.

But for Slughorn, since he couldn't avoid others, it actually explained a lot of problems.

Maka followed him and walked in through the back door with him.

This house is actually quite spacious, but perhaps because its owner has stuffed it with too many daily necessities, it can't help but feel a little cramped and messy.

In the living room where Maka is entertained, everything is available, such as soft chairs with backrests, low stools, piles of soft cushions, etc. Books, drinks and snacks are all within easy reach on the coffee table covered with table rugs.

The fire burned brightly in the large fireplace, making the room warm even in the corner.

In terms of cleanliness, this place is even comparable to Maka's office; but in terms of the comfort level of daily life, I believe no one would dislike this room.

Before sitting on the soft sofa, Maka took out several wine bottles from her waist and placed them on the coffee table as visiting gifts.

But then, after he sank into the sofa, he asked an extremely abrupt question that was enough to make the room temperature drop to freezing point.

"Mr. Slughorn, Voldemort—" Maka just mentioned the name, the fat old man trembled all over, "...how much salary does he pay you?"

"What are you talking about?" Slughorn frowned immediately, "Also, don't mention that name to me!"

"I'm not talking nonsense," Maka said with a smile, "Originally, I was just here to be a lobbyist today. Next school year, Hogwarts needs a new Potions Professor——"

"I won't go!" Slughorn shouted.

"No, didn't I say that? That was just my 'original' purpose," Maka explained. "If Professor McGonagall hadn't come to ask me if I had a suitable candidate, I wouldn't have come to you..."

He paused, but then continued: "But in fact, I started paying attention to you a few months ago... I say this, do you understand?"

"Oh - actually I prefer mead!" Slughorn picked up the wine bottle on the table and said perfunctorily while looking at the label, "What should I understand?"

"For a period of time, you moved around very frequently - from here to there. But not long after, you bought this house from its Muggle owner and lived here for a long time."

Ka Youran said, "I think I can still understand what happened during this period."

"I just want to look around and choose a place suitable for retirement!" Slughorn still insisted, "As you can see, as you get older, it's time to enjoy the leisurely life in your later years."

"Why bother?" Maka shook her head, "In that case, why don't you show your arms to me?"

When Slughorn heard this, his expression finally changed, and after a moment of silence, he sighed heavily.

"Listen to what you mean, if Minerva didn't come to find you, you didn't plan to come to my place?" He put down the bottle of wine in his hand and said a little feebly.

"That's right," Maka nodded calmly, "I think you would go back to Hogwarts on your own initiative without me coming to find you...right?"

"How, how is it possible..." Slughorn immediately shook his head and said, "How dangerous Hogwarts has been in recent years, I believe you know much better than I do - how could I run away and ask for trouble?

"

"Because it may not be very safe here," Maka said without hesitation, "Since you were unable to refuse Fu - you know, from the moment you were unable to refuse his solicitation, you have been involved in danger.

Although you always like to make friends with outstanding talents, being 'excellent' like Riddle will only make you suffer, right?"

"...You won't understand." Slughorn silently stared at the pattern on the table rug, and after being silent for a while, he softly uttered these words.

But Maka just smiled calmly.

"Okay!" He nodded slightly, "It's not distress, it's regret - right?"

"What?" Slughorn suddenly raised his head, a trace of inexplicable surprise flashing in his eyes.

Maka thought about it carefully and decided to reveal some less important information to the fat old man.

"In order to eliminate your worries -" he spread his hands and said, "Of course, it is also to get you to come to our side as soon as possible, so I will tell you directly!"

At this point, Maca paused again, causing Slughorn to focus again.

"... He learned about Horcruxes and the method of splitting souls from you, right?"

"How could you-"

While Slughorn was shocked, Maca waved her hand and interrupted him.

"Voldemort has seven Horcruxes in total, six of which are in my hands."

"Really...seven times?" Slughorn's hands couldn't help but tremble. "How could...the human soul be able to withstand seven divisions?"

"More than that!" Maka said casually, "To be precise, it's about thirteen times - that's the limit number of divisions."

"Really?" Slughorn said hesitantly, "How do you know?"

"What is written in some ancient books is very clear," Maka shrugged. "I have done some research on soul magic."

"Then how do you know he only made seven Horcruxes?" Slughorn asked.

"No, in fact, he only made six Horcruxes on his own initiative -" Maka replied, "Every time the soul is divided, it requires a long period of warming. It is impossible for him to continuously create Horcruxes. However, after he made

After the sixth Horcrux is released, you know..."

"...Died at Potter's house?" Slughorn couldn't help but subconsciously answered.

"That's right!" Maka nodded.

"What about the seventh one?" Slughorn asked quickly, "He did another one after he was resurrected?"

"Unfortunately, I can't explain more about this seventh Horcrux just yet..." Maka said, "But I can tell you clearly that that one is also in my hands."

"Then how can you be sure that he did not continue to make Horcruxes after his resurrection?" Slughorn asked doubtfully.

"This is related to another secret of his," Maka hesitated for a moment, "You should already know it, right? After his resurrection, his power became very unusual."

"Yes... those terrible black gases..." Slughorn recalled with a shudder.

"That's it," Maka said, "because of the new power he got, he doesn't dare to continue making Horcruxes now, I dare say - he doesn't even dare to let his soul shake even a little bit!

"

"I can understand," Slughorn nodded. "I happened to see him once before. Black smoke was constantly emitting from his whole body - that should be when his power suddenly went wild!"

Maka looked at him noncommittally, and after a while, she changed her subject.

"Well...then, now that I've said so much, I think you can make a decision, right?"

As soon as these words came out, Slughorn fell into deep thought again.

He actually knew the reason why Maka told him this "important information".

First, Maka wanted to let him know that Voldemort's secret was not a secret at all in Maka's eyes, and it seemed that everything was under his control; and second, these words would undoubtedly become a kind of insult to him.

bondage.

No matter which side he finally decided to stand on, it was impossible for him to tell Voldemort these words. Once he said it in front of Voldemort, not only would there be no reward, but he would undoubtedly be killed on the spot.

After all, when Voldemort was still Tom Riddle, it was he, Horag Slughorn, who explained the secret of the Horcruxes to him.

If Voldemort knew that the secret of the Horcrux might have been leaked, he would definitely be the first person to be suspected.

"...Why do you want to let me return to Hogwarts?" Slughorn suddenly asked Maka, "What value do I have? Do I need you to exchange these secrets?"

"Huh?" Maka glanced at him and said, "Although I haven't thought about the value...but every time Voldemort loses a helper, it will undoubtedly be easier for us, isn't it?"

"Is that why?" Slughorn hesitated.

"Isn't it enough?" Maka asked, "If you work for Voldemort wholeheartedly, you can cause us a lot of trouble - you must have put a lot of effort into the process of Voldemort breaking into the Ministry of Magic.

?”

"Uh... I told you, don't mention the name of 'that person' here..." Slughorn touched his nose and looked away with a guilty conscience.

"Look! Didn't I tell you before I came in?" Maka said with a smile, "You have a good reputation in the British magic world - and even in the global magic world. For your extensive and weighty

I attach great importance to social circles."

"So, are you sure you can... guarantee my safety?" Slughorn thought for a while, then suddenly stretched his neck and asked cautiously.

"Of course!" Maka nodded decisively, "As long as you don't run around and stay well at Hogwarts, I think there's nothing to be afraid of even if Voldemort attacks again."

"You are so confident..." Slughorn said with a twitch in his mouth.

"Moderate self-confidence can win people's trust," Maca did not deny this. "Sometimes, excessive self-effacement can make others unhappy!"

"Let me think about it again!" Slughorn sighed.

"Of course it's no problem, it's still early for the next school year!" Maka said, suddenly turning her head and gesturing toward the door, "But, for you, I'm afraid you don't have as much time as you think."