The Innate Legilimens

"What is this? There’s going to be a Parents’ Conference next Tuesday?!"

A disbelieving cry rang out before the notice board.

Once they understood what a Parents’ Conference was, countless Hogwarts students felt their limbs turn cold, breaking out in cold sweats despite the summer heat.

For the vast majority of students, was there anything more terrifying than parents and teachers speaking face-to-face?

Their daily lives were like those of a middleman deceiving both supplier and customer. Once the two sides met and compared notes, how could that middleman possibly fare well?

Yet Hogwarts’ arrangements would not change because of the students’ wishes. The days passed, and Tuesday arrived as scheduled.

At eight fifty in the morning, parents began arriving one after another.

The students, who had no classes because of the Parents’ Conference, gathered outside the side entrance to the Great Hall. They intended to eavesdrop on the conference so they could mentally prepare themselves for whatever treatment awaited them afterward.

"Merlin! Gryffindor! Anyone at all! Please bless me!"

Ron swore he had just heard his mother greeting someone else!

Harry stood beside Ron, his mood far steadier. After all, Sirius Black was attending the Parents’ Conference as his guardian. He was not afraid Sirius Black would beat him over his grades.

He was only somewhat curious. The new headmaster would make an appearance at the Parents’ Conference, wouldn’t he?

"Parents, please do not linger in the corridors. Take your seats according to the list as soon as possible. The Parents’ Conference will begin shortly!"

As deputy headmistress, Professor McGonagall directed everyone from the front, while each section had a professor assigned to guide the parents.

"Severus, it has been a long time."

Lucius passed Professor Snape with a reserved smile and spoke in a low voice:

"Will our headmaster be appearing at this Parents’ Conference?"

"Perhaps, Mr. Malfoy. Your seat is over there."

Watching Snape shake his head slightly, Lucius frowned and headed toward his seat as directed.

Even Snape, the head of Slytherin, could not find out…

As Britain’s only magical school, Hogwarts’ Parents’ Conference was practically the largest gathering in the British Wizarding World. There were even some Muggles among them—the parents of Muggle-born wizards. Adam had arranged for House-elves to collect and escort them.

After a spell of bustle, out of concern for their children and certain other thoughts, all the parents and school governors quieted down at Professor McGonagall’s prompting, waiting for Hogwarts’ new headmaster to appear.

Yet when nine o’clock arrived, the legendary new headmaster was still absent from the teachers’ table. Instead, a ball of flame rose from the podium.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, everyone… I am Hogwarts’ headmaster—"

An aged yet gentle voice emerged from the flames.

"What kind of joke is this?!"

Lucius rose to his feet and interrupted Adam. His face was full of anger.

"I am a Hogwarts school governor, and my child attends Hogwarts. Do I not even have the right to see your face, Headmaster?"

With someone taking the lead, the other parents immediately erupted into discussion. In the end, though, no one joined him. They wanted to see how the headmaster would answer.

"Mr. Malfoy, it is not that you lack the right to see me. My circumstances are simply rather special… Please listen patiently to my explanation. If you still wish to see me afterward, your wish will be granted."

Lucius narrowed his eyes slightly and snorted.

"Fine. I’ll wait for your explanation."

"Do you all know that, apart from magical power, a very small number of wizards possess even more unusual talents? They are born able to master a certain kind of magic. For example, natural Metamorphmagi are born able to change their appearance at will…"

This knowledge was not widespread. Let alone the Muggle parents, not even every wizarding parent had heard of it.

Lucius frowned. He knew about it, but he did not understand why the other man had suddenly brought it up.

Then he heard the flames say:

"And I am an innate Legilimens."

The moment those words were spoken, those who knew what a Legilimens was immediately felt a chill run down their spines.

Without needing to be asked, Adam naturally began explaining what a Legilimens was and what Legilimency was.

This magic, which thoroughly violated another person’s privacy, instantly stirred unease among the crowd. The chills quickly spread from person to person.

"I know this ability makes everyone uncomfortable. I dislike it as well. I was even tormented by it from childhood, because it cannot be controlled. Believe me, constantly sensing the thoughts of those around you without any control is not a pleasant thing—I have always liked one saying: in this world, only the sun and the human heart cannot be stared at directly."

The voice in the flames sighed. Without explaining further, he gave the parents some time to think before continuing.

"Therefore, I prefer to avoid face-to-face interaction with others. It makes both sides more comfortable. But if you insist… I can meet with you all."

Lucius was suddenly in an awkward position.

Whether the matter of an innate Legilimens was real or fake was not actually important. But since the other man had said so, and according to their guesses, he was Dumbledore’s new identity…

Then Dumbledore would definitely use Legilimency on them once he appeared!

"Mind-reading may sound frightening, but I believe there is nothing in my heart that I am afraid to have read."

Suddenly, a parent spoke up.

She rose to her feet, glanced at the parents around her, and smiled faintly at the flames ahead.

"I do not deny that my past and my heart are imperfect, but most people in the world are probably like me. Since the headmaster has possessed this ability since childhood, he likely would not find it surprising. Compared with that, I would still rather discuss matters concerning the children and the school with the headmaster face-to-face."

Adam looked at the parent before him. The lack of sunlight had left her skin looking somewhat unhealthy, but her figure showed that although she had remained indoors in the safe house, she had not neglected her exercise.

Yes, the person speaking at that moment was Bernard’s mother.

Bernard’s mother’s words helped the parents who had been somewhat frightened see things clearly.

That was right! Although everyone had some dirty things in their hearts that did not quite match the image they presented to the world, he had been seeing such things since childhood. He was probably used to it.

Presumably, the dirty things in everyone’s hearts were more or less the same, right? If everyone was seen, then wasn’t it the same as no one being seen?

Compared with that, who would think the dirty things in their own heart were more shameful than everyone else’s?

Several parents who knew something of the true situation could not help glancing at Lucius. Lucius’ face immediately turned green.