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"Evanesco!"
As Jane entered the office, she heard Dumbledore casting the Vanishing Spell on a pile of colorful books.
After successfully disposing of the questionable materials, he resumed his role as the kind and venerable headmaster.
If one could ignore the sweat on his forehead.
"I'm glad you finally came to talk," he said, fingers interlaced under his chin as his bright blue eyes gazed directly at her.
Jane forced a smile in response, but her attention was drawn to a colorful booklet under the headmaster's left elbow.
The appearance of this booklet looked similar to "The Domineering Veela's Fierce Love" in her dormitory.
Not just similar... it seemed to be the exact same book?
Her gaze towards Dumbledore instantly turned peculiar.
A kindred spirit?
Such progressive thinking?
Elderly people's emotional needs?
No matter, she always respected others and could understand.
Dumbledore noticed her strange look. Following her line of sight to beneath his left elbow—
He wished he could dig a hole to Hogwarts with his toes right there!
His gentle expression faltered as he swept the book to the floor with his elbow—
Unfortunately, due to poor binding quality, the pages scattered before them.
Thankfully, Dumbledore was the greatest wizard of the age with lightning reflexes. Thinking quickly, he grabbed something soft and floppy to cover it up, swiftly hiding the evidence of his embarrassment.
After two seconds of silence, a shrill cry erupted from the floor!
"Oh! No!—Help! My eyes! It's all yellow! My thoughts are corrupted!"
"Ugh—I'm going to be sick! Azkaban! Azkaban!"
Such familiar words!
The small headmaster's office seemed to transform into the Great Hall during the Sorting Ceremony!
Seeing Dumbledore and Jane staring at each other awkwardly, the Sorting Hat twisted itself into an S-shape, letting out piercing screams.
It complained about how the current headmaster's degenerate thoughts and permissive behavior had led Hogwarts to become a den of depravity, filled with lecherous and beastly people...
And about how his notable student Jane Yu had polluted the hat's purity with her dirty thoughts, forced it to surrender the sword with fire, and then stabbed the venom-coated sword back into it.
Hearing this gossip, the portraits of former headmasters began struggling against their reversed positions, thumping against the wall.
They desperately wanted to turn around and offer their opinions!
Jane listened with great interest, almost wishing she had some snacks.
But seeing Dumbledore's stiff expression and cold sweat, she felt merciful.
"Sir, I understand," she tried her best to show kindness, comforting her fellow enthusiast, "Love is a basic human emotional need, especially in such... er... stimulating versions."
Remembering the book's contents, she suddenly couldn't continue her consolation.
Even for her, that book was a bit too much.
As expected of the greatest wizard of the age - his tastes were extraordinary!
...
After the chaos subsided.
Under Dumbledore's forceful measures, the Sorting Hat was silenced and returned to its proper place; the book had vanished without a trace.
The headmaster's office finally quieted down.
Student and headmaster could at last begin a proper conversation.
After a brief silence, Jane launched her offensive:
"Sir, actually, I've been thinking a lot lately."
Dumbledore sat up straight, immediately thinking of the diary she had destroyed, and her roommate's reports of her crying in distress...
Her presence here today might mean she had come to terms with things!
So he displayed his most benevolent and gentle expression, encouraging her to continue with his gaze.
"I feel I'm not suited for life at Hogwarts. I want to withdraw and return to the Muggle world."
Dumbledore froze.
This was disastrous!
This excellent student with unparalleled talent and grand ambitions, this brave and clever young hero who had destroyed a fragment of Voldemort—
Had suffered such severe psychological trauma that she wanted to abandon magic altogether!
Letting her leave would not only be his loss but a loss for the entire wizarding world!
It would mean both his complete failure as an educator and irresponsibility towards this child!
No, withdrawal was impossible, absolutely impossible!
As long as I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, remain here—
I will never let her withdraw!
Having made up his mind, he showed a sympathetic gaze:
"Child, can you tell me what led to these thoughts?"
Jane had prepared ample reasons, and began explaining:
"Too much has happened these past two years. As you know, both last year and this year, I unfortunately encountered Voldemort."
"I feel very anxious and hurt, I've suffered a lot... Could you approve my withdrawal request?"
Just as he thought.
Dumbledore sighed deeply.
She hadn't recovered... let alone moved on...
"I understand, I understand, child," he said softly. "But you should know that these feelings... are only a small part of your life. As you grow and move to the next stage of life, you'll find there's a brighter future ahead."
"You're a child with ideals and talent, you shouldn't waste the gifts heaven has given you." He advised earnestly, "I was once confused by such feelings too, but when I pursued my ideals, I found there were more worthy things sparkling ahead..."
The more he looked at Jane, the more she reminded him of his younger self.
After a pause, Dumbledore began telling an old story:
"I had a friend... who once made an unbreakable vow never to harm..."
Jane listened with great interest.
How exciting! This was far more thrilling than novels!
The older generation's love lives were indeed more colorful than she'd imagined!
Though... this friend you're talking about, was it actually yourself?
After finishing his story, Dumbledore fell into a long silence, sighed, and asked Jane:
"Child, what are your thoughts?"
Caught off guard by the question, Jane froze.
What thoughts could she have?
That the juicy gossip you just fed me was delicious?
Or should I write a novel about you two?
But Dumbledore had one point right - she was indeed a person with ideals, and would never let this gossip distract her from her dream of withdrawal.
So she forcefully brought the topic back:
"Could you approve me moving to the next stage? I think I could live well in London."
Dumbledore choked.
Teenage psychological education was indeed thorny!
He had said so much, even using his own story as an example—
Yet this child remained completely unhealed, still unable to bounce back!
Since the emotional approach had failed, he could only think of some tricks to keep her here for now.