Wool's Orphanage.
In the hallway—
Dumbledore glanced around.
There was a trace of nostalgia in his gaze—the décor hadn't changed much over the years.
"Ms. Elena, I'm here for Ian Prince."
Welcomed into the office by the head of the orphanage, Dumbledore's presence seemed to banish whatever lingering chill had been in the room.
"He needs to complete his education."
Sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, casting a soft, mystical glow on Dumbledore's silver hair and beard. The elderly wizard looked almost otherworldly.
"Oh! That's wonderful news!"
The headmistress, named Elena, was a woman in her fifties, with gray hair and a warm, pleasant smile.
She greeted Dumbledore with enthusiasm and brewed him a cup of tea—cheap leaves with a distinctly stale flavor.
"Ian Prince is a good child, very mature for his age. He doesn't really play with the other children. He's always off doing his own thing."
At her words—
Dumbledore seemed to consider something.
He set down the tea.
"Ms. Elena, do you mean Ian Prince is a rather solitary child?"
Dumbledore's gaze—
Made Elena pause for a moment.
Then—
She quickly shook her head and explained.
"No, no, you've misunderstood. Perhaps I should put it this way—Ian is simply very mature. The other children want to play with him, but he just doesn't like playing the same games."
Elena paused, then added, "Ian once said their make-believe games were boring and childish. He'd rather spend the time playing with birds."
"Birds? A fine hobby. Sounds like Mr. Ian Prince is the kind of child who enjoys the company of animals."
Dumbledore let out a small, relieved chuckle.
"Looks like he'll have an owl in the future."
At this—
Elena blinked.
But she still kept smiling and continued speaking well of Ian.
"Ian may think the other children are childish, but he takes good care of his younger siblings."
"He's only eleven, but he sneaks out to earn money, buys flour and vegetables, and stuffs them into the kitchen… he remembers every child's birthday."
"He even buys them treats."
Elena spoke with pride, though her expression suddenly turned a bit sad, and she sighed with guilt.
"It's just… the way society is now, it's hard for orphanages to get donations. Of course, that's my own shortcoming too—having to rely on a child to earn money outside..."
She looked truly remorseful.
"You don't need to blame yourself. You've already done more than enough. I can see the changes you've brought to this place." Dumbledore, though clearly much older, still addressed her respectfully.
He was genuinely trying to comfort her.
"You've been here before?" Elena asked in surprise.
"This isn't my first visit."
Dumbledore gave her a faint smile.
Elena didn't press further.
What concerned her more was the matter of adoption.
"Sir, if you're here to take Ian from the orphanage, please know—he's a wonderful child." Elena sincerely hoped such a thoughtful boy could find a good home.
"Then, may I meet him?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.
Under the effect of a Confundus Charm—
Elena's perception of things would differ slightly from reality.
No need to correct it.
"Of course! Of course, sir!" Elena stood quickly and said, "Please wait a moment."
As soon as she stepped out, she saw Ian in the courtyard, just returning.
Her face lit up with an eager smile as she waved him over.
"Ian, come here for a moment!"
Ian was pushing his cart.
A child ran up and hugged him. "Ian, looks like your big day is here! Go on, don't keep Ms. Elena waiting!"
At the orphanage, getting adopted was considered a big event.
For these homeless children, nothing mattered more than being taken into a family.
But—
Ian was different.
He knew this wasn't about adoption.
With an uneasy heart—
He was brought to the office.
"It's him, alright."
He'd already sneaked a peek earlier, but now it was confirmed—the man in the office was none other than Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, the greatest wizard of the century.
"No need to be nervous."
Before Ian could speak—
He saw Dumbledore observing him closely.
"My child, I must tell you the truth—you're a wizard."
Ian put on an expression of feigned surprise.
Dumbledore's gaze deepened.
"I imagine you've long noticed you're different from others." His eyes were far from clouded—they were clear and childlike in their purity.
"Uh…"
Ian didn't answer immediately. First, he glanced at Ms. Elena, noticing that her expression hadn't changed—as if she hadn't heard a word of what Dumbledore just said.
A Confundus Charm?
Steadying himself—
He avoided Dumbledore's gaze.
"Yes, I realized that early on. Sometimes when I stare at a glass of water, I can make it ripple. So… that's the power of a wizard?"
Ian didn't dare pretend to be completely clueless.
His answer made Dumbledore nod and smile.
"Yes, that's your innate magic at work. Sometimes, when you're angry, the fluctuations become even more intense."
Dumbledore's tone was gentle.
But to Ian, that sounded far too much like bait. What did he mean by "more intense when angry"? He wasn't Tom Riddle, for Merlin's sake!
"Sir, I rarely get angry at others. Being ruled by emotion doesn't solve problems," Ian replied calmly and politely.
Dumbledore seemed quite pleased with that answer.
He smiled.
As he nodded, his beard quivered slightly.
"You're a very bright child. Ms. Elena was right—you're mature beyond your years." Then, his aged eyes looked into Ian's as he continued.
"Hogwarts is the school every wizard dreams of attending. There, you'll learn all kinds of magic from around the world—and discover wondrous magical creatures."
"Don't worry, Mr. Ian Prince. As Headmaster of Hogwarts, I officially invite you to enroll."
It was here!
Finally here!
Ian Prince was nervous. In his past life, he had only seen a few Hogwarts films and some Hermione fanfics, but he'd definitely heard the infamous "Professor X of Hogwarts" jokes.
He was genuinely worried Dumbledore might turn out like those conspiratorial fanfics—scheming and untrustworthy.
"Is something bothering you?"
Dumbledore noticed his hesitation and said gently, "Hogwarts has flying hippogriffs, trees that hit back, and—most importantly—children your age, learning magic together."
"Don't worry about studying magic, Ian. Actually, this orphanage once produced a remarkable wizard."
Dumbledore suddenly grew pensive, his tone full of wistful memory.
At those words—
Ian grew even more tense.
Why?
Because he knew exactly how "remarkable" that wizard was.
"Is that wizard still at Hogwarts?" Ian forced himself to ask, feigning curiosity.
The question broke Dumbledore from his thoughts. He shook his head.
"No. He left Hogwarts long ago. He… lost his way."
Dumbledore spoke with grave sincerity.
Ian thought he'd follow up with some harsh condemnation, but instead, the old man's tone shifted—tinged with regret.
"Still, that doesn't diminish his extraordinary accomplishments. It's just… he could've gone much further."
Ian stared at Dumbledore in feigned confusion, though inside, his thoughts were racing.
Dumbledore's words, with all their sighs and sentiment—
Were they a warning?
A test?
Damn it! This cursed persecution complex—it's all the fault of those fanfics. Ian tried to rein in his imagination.
"Child, have you made your decision?"
Dumbledore's voice brought him back.
"Uh… then I suppose I'll give it a try?"
Ian had been waiting for this moment—of course he wouldn't say no.
"A wise choice. In half a month, Hogwarts will send you your acceptance letter. Someone will come to help you buy your school supplies."
Dumbledore smiled at Ian.
Ian, however, shrugged and replied tactfully, "Sorry, sir. Even if I want to attend, I can't afford it. I have no money—I can't pay the tuition."
Dumbledore was already standing, reaching for his hat on the rack.
Just then, Elena suddenly stood up and said to Dumbledore, "Thank you. In half a month, Ian will definitely go."
Ian froze, then realized—
That was the power of the Confundus Charm. Whatever Elena had seen, it clearly wasn't the real conversation.
Dumbledore didn't speak to her, only turned to Ian and said with a smile:
"You don't need to worry about money. First, the school has a scholarship fund. Second, the one who will come for you… feels he owes you a great debt."
With that—
Dumbledore began to leave.
Ian blinked again, then stood up and looked after the retreating figure.
"Who? My parents?"
Was he a pure-blood after all?
That surprised him.
"That's not for me to reveal." Dumbledore simply winked and gestured goodbye, his tone full of meaning.
"Child, you'll know when the time comes."
With that—
He walked off without looking back.
Elena, still overjoyed, escorted him to the door.
Ian opened his mouth but said nothing. He turned and returned to his room.
That night—
Ian lay in bed, pondering. Had Dumbledore come early because of Wool's Orphanage… or because of what his name should've been—Ian Riddle?
Or—
Was it because of "Prince"?
Was that a known pure-blood name in the original?
Thinking about it—
Ian's eyelids grew heavy.
In the next moment—
He drifted from sleep to awareness, as though crossing a threshold. The sky above was bathed in a silken band of dawn light, wrapping the gradient sky in gentle hues. Distant forests shimmered like a fairy tale realm, leaves gleaming in lush green, a bird gliding overhead, its song crisp and clear.
Beneath this dreamlike sky, everything felt like a masterpiece, washing away all restlessness and stirring a rare peace in the soul.
Ian opened his eyes and took in the breathtaking scene.
"You're here again."
A gentle voice echoed in his ear.
"Almost forgot—it's Saturday."
Ian turned toward the girl walking out from the woods.
She wore a blue dress, long golden hair cascading over her shoulders, and looked at him with a face of pure innocence.
"Ariana, I ran into a terrifying old man today. I forgot to bring it for you."
He said to the girl.
(End of Chapter)