"Oh, of course I know. You look around this room with such ease, except for this diary, which you seem to avoid at all costs," Professor Dumbledore said calmly. "I noticed it the moment you came in. Your gaze is so out of place compared to the rest of the room."
I see. Dumbledore's grasp of human nature is terrifying.
Draco sighed, admitting to himself that he was definitely not at his best today.
The journey to the Chamber had left him physically and mentally exhausted. The spells used to break through the stones had drained his energy. The excitement of obtaining the Basilisk's fangs had cooled somewhat, replaced by weariness. Especially after just now, when he suddenly discovered that the diary might be the second Horcrux, the shock he felt made it difficult for him to even "pretend to be calm."
If the diary is indeed a Horcrux—this means that the Dark Lord created more than one Horcrux.
Perhaps it would not just be the Ravenclaw diadem, nor just that diary. That would mean an even more endless torment. He did not even dare to think about it.
Fortunately, the Grey Lady is wise enough to be Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter—even without her diadem.
She was right; the Basilisk's fangs could indeed destroy Horcruxes—which relieved him once again.
"I admit I care about it," Draco said, trying to find the right words. "I meant no harm. I did not want to hurt anyone. I have done everything I could."
"Do you have any secrets to tell me about this diary?" Professor Dumbledore asked with interest, his tone nonchalant.
Draco forced a smile, quickly glancing at Professor Dumbledore whilst his mind raced with his own calculations.
The Malfoys had no other choice.
Giving the diary to Ginny Weasley was the worst decision Lucius ever made.
This not only offended the Weasleys, but also the Dark Lord—a fragment of his soul, which he had painstakingly created at great cost, was so easily destroyed by twelve-year-old Harry unintentionally. No wonder the Dark Lord was furious when he learnt of this in his previous life, and the Malfoy family's standing amongst the Death Eaters gradually declined.
The Dark Lord must resent this immensely. The Malfoys offended him long ago without realising it, and it is laughable that his father thought the diary was no big deal.
The father had long ago blocked any possibility of the Malfoys supporting the Dark Lord. The path of siding with the Dark Lord had already been proven unreliable and destined for destruction.
Only by siding with Dumbledore could they survive. Draco could not ignore the immense temptation: the Malfoys could lead a different life—they never had to rely on the Dark Lord.
Draco vividly remembered the olive branch Dumbledore had extended to him atop the Astronomy Tower: "Stand on the right path, Draco. We can hide you in a place of absolute safety, safer than you can imagine. And tonight, I can send members of the Order of the Phoenix to hide your mother too...and your father...we will protect him as well...Stand on the right path, Draco, you are not a murderer..."
These words were like nails, firmly embedded in his heart, and he has remembered them ever since.
This Dumbledore was no longer as weak as he had been in the Astronomy Tower in his previous life; he was powerful, wise, and influential throughout the wizarding world. Establishing a connection with him early on might bring more benefits.
Rather than being caught in an even bigger mess when Professor Dumbledore discovers the Malfoy family's role in the Chamber of Secrets, it is better to confess now.
Professor Dumbledore, as everyone knows, likes to give people a second chance. Just look at how Professor Snape has been treated all these years! Although his final performance did not live up to Professor Dumbledore's trust. Draco thought to himself.
Moreover, with the discovery of the second Horcrux—the diary—Draco had a vague feeling that, given the Dark Lord's cunning and treacherous nature, this might not be the last one.
Now, Draco realised that the Horcruxes issue could not be entirely entrusted to him. It was far beyond his capabilities. However, if Dumbledore knew about this, perhaps he could find more clues to destroy even more Horcruxes.
The Malfoy family rules taught him that some things cannot be accomplished by one person alone.
In dealing with the Dark Lord, Professor Dumbledore, with his powerful magic and suspected possession of the Elder Wand, might be a better fit than him.
"Can I trust you?" Draco sighed wearily, making a decision. "Telling you means handing over the entire Malfoy family's weakness to you. Can I get your protection? Can the entire Malfoy family get your shelter?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Professor Dumbledore's eyes. "If the price behind this secret is so high, I will."
"You also need to assure me that today's conversation will be completely confidential." Draco looked directly at him for the first time in his life.
Professor Dumbledore's expression turned serious.
"I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, swear to Merlin that I will keep this secret and not reveal today's conversation to a third person." He raised his wand and drew the symbol of Merlin in the air.
This is an ancient contract magic. Ultimately, wizards' magic comes from their own faith, and swearing an oath by faith is a very serious form of contract amongst old-school wizards.
Once, on that night at the Astronomy Tower, Professor Dumbledore, even at the end of his life, still tried to redeem him. And now, perhaps, he has made a promise of the highest degree a wizard can make.
So let us take a gamble and try to trust Professor Dumbledore this once.
"It all started with this diary." Draco nodded towards the table. "You know, my father was a Death Eater. I suspect that during those years when he was possessed, he acquired a diary. He did not know what kind of Dark magic it contained, only that he was ordered to keep it safe. As time passed and things changed, this diary somehow—" He skilfully avoided the part about Lucius, not looking at Professor Dumbledore's seemingly all-knowing eyes, but instead focusing on the gleaming silver Gryffindor sword on the table.
"—It ended up at Hogwarts this year, falling into the hands of an innocent person. Later, when I accidentally discovered the diary in Harry's possession, I was utterly shocked. I even tried to persuade him to give it to you, but the diary then disappeared. Then, not long after, everything that happened in the Chamber of Secrets occurred. From Harry's account to Tom Riddle, I have come up with a terrible, immature little deduction," Draco said earnestly.
"What conclusion?" Professor Dumbledore asked with great interest.
"I think you have noticed it long ago, and perhaps you have been wondering about it too. This diary seems to have its own thoughts, as if it were a living person..." Draco said slowly, "It is not like simple Dark magic, but rather a piece of the Dark Lord's soul from his youth."
He noticed that Professor Dumbledore's blue eyes had deepened, and he was leaning forward, as if he were paying close attention to what he was saying.
"I once heard my grandfather mention a word when we were talking, a word he loathed, a word that should perhaps be permanently buried in the annals of magical history," Draco said. "That word is Horcrux."
The portrait behind Professor Dumbledore seemed to whisper. Draco could see a former Headmaster, Armando Dippet, so shocked in the portrait that he knocked over his cup.
"This is not a word a twelve-year-old boy should know." Professor Dumbledore leaned back wearily in his chair, his earlier enthusiasm gone. He said softly, "I think Abraxas needs to realise that."
"You know about Horcruxes?" Draco raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"...This is an ancient form of Dark magic. It is extremely evil." After a long pause, Professor Dumbledore said slowly.
"It can also grant immortality, making the soul immortal," Draco chuckled dryly. "Imagine, who could resist using such magic?"
"Of course," Professor Dumbledore murmured. "Of course... that makes perfect sense. Why does he still linger on even as his body disintegrates..." Draco guessed, he must have remembered the Dark Lord's soul attached to Quirrell's head.
I do not know what they intend to do with Quirrell.
The Dark Lord's soul had clearly not been completely eradicated. Draco saw everything through the Marauder's Map. He could see Quirinus Quirrell and Tom Riddle's names appearing motionless in a room near the dungeons.
Sometimes, the names of Filius Flitwick, Severus Snape, or Albus Dumbledore appear alongside them. It seems Dumbledore trusts Snape, and Snape does not seem inclined to assist the Dark Lord; he appears to be trying to understand the Petrified Quirrell and the soul behind his head.
"This is the secret I am about to reveal to you today. Now you can understand why I refused the Special Award for Services to the School—it all started because of the Malfoy family; you can also understand why I said that once I tell you this secret, the Malfoy family will need your full protection." Draco said, staring intently at Professor Dumbledore's face.
He betrayed the Dark Lord's deepest secret.
Once the Dark Lord returns, once he learns what he has done, the Malfoy family will be the first to be purged.
Professor Dumbledore quickly came to his senses and looked at the pale-faced Draco with a questioning expression.
"I am very curious. Mr Malfoy, why are you so willing to tell me these secrets?" He had never expected that a Malfoy would treat him so frankly.
Lucius Malfoy had always hated him, yet his son came to tell him such a shocking secret, a turn of events that even Dumbledore found too unexpected.