Svyatozar, I must ask you honestly: why did you give up this place? There are practically no decent people left here!
Firstly, it is enough that some idiots managed to ruin my school, my brainchild, with my brothers. They are the ones who have turned this place into a poorhouse. And they are all members of the current aristocracy who somehow managed to get onto the board of trustees. Most of these families came to the islands with William the Bastard. He gathered all the scum of Europe around him, and now his relatives rule the House of Lords in England.
Secondly, this is the last outpost of our overseas «friends». Before we take power in America, we need to deal with its elder sister, who is at their beck and call. She is their only window and springboard in the Old World.
— Ugh! Yes, what on earth are we to make of these Americans? They are a thorn in our side, but they are also a challenge. The problem with America can be solved with a single click, by deploying a couple of thousand Witchers to their continent, along with an equal number of Inquisitor soldiers, as the Knights of the Creator once were. In a matter of hours, the country would fall! You may have some personal stake in England, which I can understand if it is your ancestral homeland, but I must remind you that you are Persian!
— I would like to add a third reason. My interest in the future of England stems from the events that are about to take place there in the near future. I have already mentioned this.
"I still fail to comprehend," he said, but seeing no desire in me to comment further, he continued. "But come now. By the by, I received a missive a few days ago, though I only perused it last evening, and it came from the headmaster at Hogwarts. The elderly fellow, in florid language, inquired whether it would be too much trouble for me to provide a character reference for you. How on earth do you put up with him? I have just received the letter, and as I touched the parchment that was sent to me from Hogwarts, penned by Albus himself, I was tempted to set it ablaze with hellfire — and yet, you must see him nearly daily!"
Well, yes, demonologists are prone to all sorts of distortions and misconceptions, including the souls of individuals such as homosexuals. Such individuals are still considered detritus and cause disgust to anyone with the ability to perceive auras. I find myself smiling at the thought of my hypothetical scenario, where my brother-in-law might find himself in the midst of a gay pride parade in modern-day America or Europe.
This is a world where such events are commonplace. However, it is precisely this reason that I am determined to attend school. If Albus were not essential to the narrative of the upcoming events, I would never allow him anywhere near my school. Fortunately, he knows how to conceal his true nature, and only a select few in England are aware of his true essence.
Alright, let us shift the focus and delve into matters of greater significance. Our efforts thus far have yielded no results, and the entity remains elusive. My attempts to seek assistance from trusted contacts in demonic realms and dark planes have also been in vain; no one is familiar with this particular demon. The artefacts you created, bearing the imprint of its magical aura, failed to elicit recognition from any member of the demonic brotherhood I am acquainted with, to whom I presented them. However, all beings concur that this demon exudes a sense of abhorrence.
It is a disheartening situation... It appears that we can only await its next move and rely on fortune that it will eventually commit a blunder, providing us with the means to unravel its identity.
Thus, we have covered the essential topics for today. We discussed Alfonso's extraordinary research into the abilities of his children, which he nurtures in secret from their mother, feeding them with a variety of esoteric substances. These include the liver and heart of archdemons, the bone marrow of hydras, the brains of illithid creatures, the adrenal glands of trolls, and the testes of incubuses. If his devoted wife were to discover this, she would undoubtedly turn away in disgust.
*******
"Greetings! Is this place vacant?"
With these words, a young woman's insolent gaze, accustomed to being the center of attention, fixed on me. Her eyes did not belong to a completely spoiled individual of the weaker sex, yet the experience she had undergone, the moral, intellectual, and physical challenges she had overcome, had hardened her, instilling in her if not steel, then iron will and character. However, due to her youth, they had not yet had time to fully shape her personality, making her a blend of contradictory characteristics, desires, and thoughts.
Her worldview is still largely shaped by the ideas and opinions imparted to her by her parents and the tutors they employ, rather than reflecting any personal convictions of her own. This perspective on the world remains a distant template for appropriate behaviour and responses, rather than a deeply held belief system. In this regard, her lively and passionate nature finds it challenging to conform to the strict etiquette expected of a young lady from a noble household in unfamiliar company.
Thus, this is what you were like in your childhood, young Bellatrix Lestrange? As for your appearance, young Bella already possessed a very distinctive, luminous and arresting appearance. Her hair was deeply curly, with only a hint of curl remaining, and it was styled in the manner of a Renaissance coiffure, with a straight part in the middle, perfectly matched invisible strands, and large pearls that framed and accentuated her noble oval face, highlighting her predatory cheekbones and chiselled, neatly sharp nose with its slight hump. Her scarlet lips were set against the same black eyes, like pools into an abyss, that examined him with sincere curiosity. The poor girl was unable to form a definite opinion about the person before her and how she ought to conduct herself in conversation.
My attire was inspired by the style of the protagonist of the film «Equilibrium», John Preston, a cleric. Specifically, I wore a doublet with a high standing collar that protected my neck, reaching mid-thigh in length. Beneath it, I donned a cotton shirt that remained unseen, while my lower body was adorned in strict trousers.
All of these garments were crafted from enchanted silk, not the ordinary variety produced by local silkworms or acromantulas. Instead, I relied on the silk woven by spiders, far more dangerous creatures that inhabited my realm, not far from my city. Unlike their counterparts in the world of Harry Potter, these spiders possessed extraordinary physical and magical attributes. Moreover, the natural color of their silk was black, imbued with the ability to absorb light, casting a darkening aura around itself while becoming slightly more durable.
On my feet, I donned boots crafted from the skin of my own kind, with a moderate length. It is worth noting that almost all of the skin I shed during molting was utilized for the needs of my order and those of my ladies.. The ruling stipulates that protective equipment for archmages and magisters is manufactured from this material. My girls, in turn, create handbags, gloves, shoes, and other accessories for themselves, all crafted from genuine leather, which are essential for the lifestyle of any respectable woman.
Even if my attire did not conform to the fashion trends of Europe, let alone the more conservative England, where it was impossible to pinpoint the wardrobe style of any particular era in the past, those who laid eyes on me were compelled to inquire about my status and background. Had I donned an ancient Greek toga, even then, it would have generated less curiosity than my current ensemble. Moreover, there was not a trace of a family crest adorning any of my garments.
So, Bellochka was at a loss as to how she ought to conduct herself in my presence, for she had been imbued with specific behavioral patterns for each social stratum, ranging from the monarch to the commoner. At first blush, it was evident that I hailed from a well-to-do family, yet the absence of an heraldic device on my attire raised a conundrum regarding my lineage.
Beside Bella, there was also a striking young woman. Whereas Bella's eyes betrayed her passionate nature, revealing the presence of a hidden needle, the second girl's demeanor was more subdued, and her mental discipline was an envy to many seasoned practitioners. She flawlessly executed the technique of Cold Mind in her mental realm, shielding her thought processes from the influence of bodily reactions and sensual impulses. Her appearance spoke volumes, making it easy to deduce her affiliation; I did not need to delve deep into her mind or search for her family crest on her garments. Before me, alongside her cousin Bella, stood Sylvia Greengrass, whose mothers were sisters from the esteemed Rosier clan.
The two young ladies shared a remarkable similarity in appearance, save for the fact that Sylvia's nose lacked a prominent hump and appeared slightly upturned. Additionally, her snow-white tresses were intricately braided and coiled atop her head, secured with an enchanted mesh designed to prevent hair loss.
Like day and night, these two charming young women were opposites: Bella's darkness was a cauldron of emotions, while Sylvia radiated the cold brilliance of a neutron star. It is no coincidence that scientists refer to neutron stars as "dead" — this is how an untrained mind reader might perceive her, attempting to penetrate her mind and encountering the chilly clarity of her inner core.
"Good afternoon, madam. The compartment is entirely at my disposal, and I am honored to offer my company for the duration of your journey. Allow me to introduce myself — I am Ormarr Drake."
Indeed, I adopted such an alias during my tenure at Hogwarts. The name Ormarr, derived from Scandinavian roots, signifies "snake army", while the surname Drake, rooted in Old English, translates to "snake" or "dragon".
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Bellatrix Black, and my cousin, Sylvia Greengrass," I greeted them after the performance, receiving in return their graceful curtsies. Naturally, during our interaction, I rose to my feet.
"Might I assist you with your belongings, ladies?" I offered, to which they responded with regal nods, as if bestowing me with immense favour and honour. Without resorting to any gestures or words, I effortlessly levitated their trunks to the upper shelf, showcasing my abilities.
And so we all seated ourselves with decorum, after which two unabashed gazes fixed themselves upon me. If there could not be any sense of shame in Sylvia's eyes due to her mental technique, which she does not cease to cultivate, then Bella, on the other hand, simply lacked this feeling altogether. It was evident and understandable to me that their immodest regard for my person was due to the fact that this compartment had been reserved for them, and only an icy fool in England would encroach upon what they considered their own exclusive domain.
What was I talking about, you might ask?
Let me explain. I had decided to attend school by means of the Hogwarts express, thus fulfilling a childhood dream! Indeed, as a child I had longed for the day when I would receive a letter from Hogwarts, and for the future journey to platform nine and three-quarters.
Now, regarding the train itself, let us begin with the front section. Following the locomotive, we find two freight cars that serve as the means of transporting bulky items such as students' trunks and other essential supplies that are procured from London once a year and delivered to Hogwarts. These supplies include food and various consumable items that are acquired in the mundane world through the connections of the British Ministry of Magic.
Naturally, these two freight cars are magically enhanced to expand their interior space, allowing them to accommodate fifty times more cargo than their exterior appearance suggests. Subsequently, there are two additional cars that accommodate first-year students, with tickets for these cars being provided to them either by a school employee or the Ministry of Education upon escorting the prospective student to Hogwarts via Diagon Alley or sending a second letter by August 31 if the student did not require assistance with their shopping journey and was already familiar with the magical world.. Upon receiving the initial letter from Hogwarts regarding enrollment, he responds with a letter of refusal to accompany them to Diagon Alley for school shopping. Following the numbers five and six were the Badgers, representing Hufflepuff, while the seventh and eighth were Gryffindor students, and the ninth and tenth were Ravenclaw scholars. The last two cars, numbered eleven and twelve, were occupied by Slytherin students.
This arrangement and sequence in the education of students from the four houses had political and social origins, and its current form has evolved relatively recently. Let us delve into the rationale behind this ordering of students. The train is pulled by an enchanted engine, devoid of smoke and the foul odors associated with coal combustion, from which only an animating charm emanates from its chimney.. Nonetheless, at the point when the train emerged as a means of transporting students from London to Hogwarts and back, the wizards were aware of the practical inconvenience associated with the fact that the Hogwarts Express had to carry the products of coal combustion, which logically affected the early cars in ordinary trains. Consequently, they were considered the cheapest class, with the seats becoming more exclusive the further towards the rear of the train. Thus, Slytherin students were the last to board, where the entire spectrum of English aristocracy was represented, followed by the Eagles, where there were also a significant number of them. The closest to the engine were the Griffins and Huffs, where few nobles were present altogether. In essence, those aristocratic individuals who studied at Gryffindor had received their titles from the Crown due to their military achievements and in recognition of their chosen path, as they had previously trained as combat magicians in Gryffindor, and those who became noblemen through this route made this house a preferred choice for future generations.. Well, Helga's faculty is primarily concerned with magic, which is based on the principles of life and nature. This includes gardeners, farmers, and healers, as well as individuals who are attuned to the elemental forces of the earth.
Upon boarding the train, I chose the first compartment in the second coach for freshmen. My choice was deliberate, as it was enchanted to divert attention and secured with spells that were designed to dissipate on their own once a reasonable individual with magical affiliation to the House of Black happened to approach the door. With no Blacks present at the school and Bellatrix being the sole newcomer for whom I had decided to return, I effortlessly gained access to the compartment. I did not resort to breaking or hacking but instead teleported directly to the desired compartment, bypassing the simple protective measures.
What truly astonishes the young ladies is not the fact that I was capable of circumventing the protective measures and gaining access to the designated area, which had been prepared specifically for them (it is worth noting that there is no strict seating arrangement for first-year students in this case, allowing them to choose their preferred location, but for Bella, a member of the train staff who had been bribed by her family, a separate compartment had been pre-arranged).
My breach of security did not compromise the protective enchantments intended for Bella's benefit, as they continued to function as intended. However, they vanished into thin air upon Bella and her cousin's arrival at the compartment door. The young women were perplexed by my disregard for the warning signals embedded in the compartment's security measures, which were strategically placed alongside the averted eyes, conveying a message indicating that the compartment was designated for Rod Black.. This was apparently done for those young gentlemen from other noble families who might have artifacts with them that allowed them to bypass the protection of the carriage. The purpose was to avoid any misunderstandings later on. No family in England would willingly risk aggravating the Blacks, which caused a certain degree of bewilderment in the Squirrel upon seeing that the carriage was occupied. She found it difficult to comprehend, as she had been led to believe that she would have her own personal carriage, and such a development was unexpected.
She was perplexed and unsure of how to respond. It was evident that I was not a student, nor was I someone of noble birth, nor did my appearance suggest any other status. My wealth, however, was undeniable.
"Mr. Drake," Sylvia began, "you are clearly neither a first-year nor a Hogwarts student. Might you please satisfy my curiosity and that of my sister by explaining what brings you to this carriage and what your purpose is in attending Hogwarts?"
Sylvia's tone was deliberate, her pause before the phrase "this carriage" serving as a clear indication of her intention to place me in a precarious position. Her subsequent statement, coupled with her obvious displeasure at my presence, hinted at her dissatisfaction with Rod Black's actions.
"As you are aware, this year has seen changes to the compulsory curriculum for first-year students at the school. I am the instructor of a newly introduced course in Muggle Studies and the customs of the magical community, which from now on will be mandatory for all students from first to fifth year. However, this change only affects those entering the school for the first time. Senior students will continue their studies according to the established curriculum, with Muggle Studies remaining an elective course from the third year onwards."
"That is, will you be our instructor at least until the fifth year in the two subjects in which we are required to take the S.O.V.? And there are other reasons why you are on this train.
"That's correct, Miss Black. The full course of this subject spans five years of study. Why did I choose to travel by train? As it happens, I received my education privately and did not attend any magical schools, but I harbored an old dream, which I realized today. As a child, I dreamed of arriving at Hogwarts on this very train.
«Pffft», Bella snorted, unable to contain her emotions and arrogance, though these feelings were not sparked by my revelation of my dream to arrive at Hogwarts in such a manner, but rather by the subjects I intend to teach — and why should I concern myself with matters pertaining to the traditions of the wizarding world if I am born a Black? And even more so, a class on Muggles?
But of the mundanes, enough has been said in disgust."
— So, we will ascertain in the first session how well-acquainted you are with the conventions of the magical realm and how deeply you comprehend them.
She responded with a haughty lift of her chin and an indignant glare in my direction, for how dare anyone question her knowledge on such a subject?
— And how proficient are you in this area? Still, the topic is intricate, and I had never heard of the Drake lineage before.
Bella was playing a dangerous game, and if there was any inclination to challenge the Blacks, she had just given me a perfect reason to take offense and assert my claim. However, my lineage was far more noble than that of the Blacks, and even when I was incognito, my pedigree remained unquestioned.
I am the first in my kind, and not a single falsehood in my words. After all, in addition to being a descendant of both Slytherin and Gryffindor, I also founded the Serpent lineage. However, my words may not be fully understood, for to become the leader of a newly formed family and its progenitor, one must possess at least a fifth degree of power, or alternatively, a solid fourth degree.
Yet, when assuming control over the source of magical energy and establishing the ancestral altar stone, such a wizard requires assistance from a partner who must also possess at least fourth degree power. The creation of a new bloodline is a highly significant event, and in Europe, the most recent such occurrence was the emergence of the Dagworth-Granger lineage in England, which took place in the mid-19th century, just over a century ago.
And here I stand, presenting myself as a dashing young man in my early twenties. It is not an exaggeration to state that I am the progenitor of my lineage. However, given the rarity of this occurrence, some individuals also refer to the founders of family names in Europe as the progenitors of the lineage.
Consequently, it is likely that the young ladies concluded that I belonged to the third generation of wizards and could be described as pure-blooded and the progenitor among the commoners. The highest echelons of nobility do not deign to engage in such matters. Nonetheless, they turn a blind eye when other pure-bloods resort to such tactics, those who lack the length of their ancestry, their origin and foundation, and even the title bestowed upon them by monarchs prior to the establishment of the statute.
Following my declaration and the brief moment it took the girls to process my response, a mixture of triumph and annoyance flickered in Bella's eyes, for technically, I had the right to claim any compartment on the train as a Hogwarts professor. Yet, in terms of my social standing, I had leapt beyond my station. She genuinely desired to reprimand me and set me straight, yet she also fully comprehended that if she were to retaliate, she would likely face sanctions from me for at least an entire year. Nevertheless, a teacher has the power to significantly disrupt a student's academic journey, regardless of their status outside the confines of Hogwarts. As an aspiring Slytherin, she sought to avoid creating unnecessary challenges for herself in the early stages of her journey, even before arriving at Hogwarts. Nonetheless, she was deeply hurt by my apparent disregard for her family's ancient lineage.. After all, where was this pureblood, the first in her line, and where was she, a well-born, from what she thought was the darkest sort, on the Isle of Tin, a sorceress?
"And where are you from?"
"I'm from Norway."
And this was almost the end of our conversation until we arrived at Hogwarts. Except for when I invited them to join me for a meal, which we shared in silence. As it was time for lunch, I simply materialized several dishes on the table. There were hot pastries, in the form of small pies, with various meat fillings: mutton, beef liver, fish ranging from salmon to sturgeon, and even those found in my realm in underground reservoirs, and other delicacies.
The second course was a fruit platter with peaches, several varieties of apples, apricots, pears, plums, grapes, exotic mangoes, pomelos, and pineapples.
Among the beverages, I offered a selection of tea or a refreshing lemonade flavored with tarragon, accompanied by a compote made from dried fruits. Only after the young ladies had sampled the pies and savored the fruits, a third course appeared on the table — an array of confectionery delicacies. Meringues, eclairs, miniature sand baskets topped with buttercream and a variety of berries, and genuine chocolate.
The appearance of such enticing luxuries on the table was met with two disapproving glances. For the first time since I had known Sylvia Greengrass, I witnessed emotions flicker across her face. It was difficult to discern the reason for the disapproval: whether it was the fact that such food, so detrimental to their figures yet so tempting for their palates, had appeared on the table at all. I confess I had shamelessly been reading their minds, and it transpired that these two young ladies were already preoccupied with counting their calories, or perhaps it was the timing of the meal, appearing so late in the day, given their limited space in their stomachs.. It was a delightful experience to delve into their emotions and sentiments, as the two young ladies endeavored to portray themselves as mature adults while simultaneously suppressing their genuine feelings. While this task was not particularly challenging for Sylvia, it proved to be quite difficult for Bella.
Now, we have reached our destination, and the announcement of the imminent passenger disembarkation has been made over the intercom. As a proper gentleman, I assisted the girls in lowering their luggage, exited the vehicle, bid them farewell, and left them on the platform alongside the other newcomers.
During our acquaintance, the young ladies formed an opinion about my decision to engage in such extravagant and hazardous behavior, disregarding the warnings of the compartment's security measures, with the intention of capturing the attention of Rod Black and securing his patronage. This was precisely what they discerned at the moment when we were savoring the finest confectionary masterpieces, which I had sourced from the most renowned restaurants on the planet, and which I transformed into a dessert.
After bidding farewell to the youngsters who had departed after Hagrid's departure, I proceeded to the school and made my way directly to my quarters. There was no pressing matter for me in my diminutive apartment, which serves as my residence while I am employed as a teacher at the school, and I had no intention of leaving my belongings here, let alone spending the night. It was not within my capacity to do so.
If I were to spend time at Hogwarts beyond conducting lessons and occasionally partaking in meals in the Great Hall, as well as attending meetings with the Headmaster, it would take place in my chambers within the Secret Room. There were no impediments to my movements within the school grounds, and there could not be, for I am now the rightful proprietor of the castle, possessing four of the four administrative keys in my possession: Salazar's medallion, Rowena's tiara, Godric's sword, and, most recently, Helga's cup. This last artifact fell into my possession thanks to a matter of mere gold.. According to the recollections of my past life, it is my recollection that the previous proprietor of the bowl was Hepzibah Smith, and fifty years ago, at the dawn of the twentieth century, I dispatched my agents in England — wizards operating undercover on the islands and utilizing the full intelligence resources of Gringott's — with the task of seeking out the magical Smith family and determining if they possessed a remarkable thicket.
Within a week of issuing the commission, I acquired information regarding the Smiths and their bowl. The following day, the patriarch of this minor magical dynasty, facing financial difficulties, received an offer for the bowl that he could not refuse, amounting to no less than twelve thousand galleons. The bowl itself, even as a mere souvenir or relic of the Hufflepuff lineage, ought to possess a value exceeding five zeros due to its historical significance.. The very nature of this object as a divine artifact, endowed with a purposeful utility, renders it inherently priceless.
Consequently, I now find myself in possession of the relics belonging to the four founding families, as well as the sole proprietor of the castle itself and the surrounding territories, extending all the way to the village of Hogsmeade.
Entering the vacant and unoccupied sitting room of my quarters at Hogwarts, I proceeded with a leisurely stride towards the grand hall, where the faculty was already assembled in anticipation of the impending arrival of students, followed by the distribution of first-year students.
I had already had an opportunity to get acquainted with my colleagues at work before, when, a week ago, Dumbledore introduced me to the teaching staff during the final general meeting before the beginning of the school year.
The teaching staff of the school was diverse, with teachers from various backgrounds. The highlight for me was that key characters from the story were in place. Pomona Sprout served as the dean of Hufflepuff, Minerva McGonagall already led Gryffindor, Horace Slughorn was in charge of Slytherin, and Filius Flitwick oversaw the Eagles.
This is not a mere coincidence, as Adair was not only my chief blacksmith in the Order of the Dragon at the Citadel but also his great-grandson.
How did a witcher come to work at Hogwarts? It is a simple matter of fact! As soon as it became apparent that the plot of the English reality was not going to deviate from the canonical description by Rowling, I instructed the witchers to flood England with agents, including a deep-cover agent, Filius. His connection with the witchers is unknown to anyone, and his cover is that of a goblin, under whose protection he was able to secure a position at Hogwarts.
This was a concession from the Ministry of Magic to the Xenos in order to reduce interest rates and increase government loan quotas. Thus, for those uninitiated, Filius is the voice and ears of bloodthirsty cannibals. But Adair's granddaughter was not the only witcher in Hogwarts. Another member of the order within the walls of the school was — ta-da! — Argus Filch.
Once, he was an aspiring magician, but during his time at Hogwarts, during his fifth year, he ventured into the realm of arcane rituals, in which he lacked expertise, and performed a ritual on himself that was intended to grant him heightened resistance to magical forces. He envisioned a future in the ranks of the obscurantist movement, but alas, his calculations regarding the ritual proved erroneous, and at the conclusion, he lost his magical abilities, sustaining significant damage to his seventh chakra.
Fortunately, he survived the ordeal. When the magnitude of what had transpired became apparent to Argus, he devoted all his efforts to finding a means of regaining his magic, leading him to the doors of the Citadel. There, he underwent initiation at the hands of a witcher and, upon completion of training, received an assignment to return to England, tasked with securing employment as a caretaker at Hogwarts. He accomplished this task without difficulty.. No one gave him a second glance, for Albus was well aware of Filch's predicament, and he was convinced that there was no way it could be resolved. Thus, everyone at the school was certain that Filch was a Squib.
"Good evening, colleagues. Enjoy your meal!"
I had already taken my place at the faculty table in the Great Hall, where, upon greeting the staff, I positioned myself at the very edge, not far from Filius, about whom an implicit but palpable exclusion zone had formed.
Naturally, both Filch and Flitwick were aware of my identity, but within the confines of the school, it was imperative that they publicly acknowledge my presence and demonstrate our familiarity.
As soon as I had taken my seat and surveyed the table, laden with the various dishes prepared for our evening meal, my choice fell upon a hearty stew of meat, potatoes, and vegetables. Undaunted by the scrutiny of those around me, I proceeded to fill my plate with my selection. Flitwick and I, alone at the table, defied the local conventions of etiquette, commencing our meal without waiting for the director's blessing or the formal announcement of the start. It was through the minds of those gathered that I came to understand that, in this place, one was expected to wait for the director to invite them to the table before partaking of the food. I would not be commanded by a mere child, like some trained dog.
Most notably, Minerva, for whom Albus held something akin to divine status, was particularly indignant. Indeed, there was something peculiar about her mindset.! She, having been born into a family of clergymen before attending Hogwarts, was a deeply religious young woman. However, upon realizing her magical abilities, she experienced a profound crisis of faith. She came to be viewed by her beloved father as the very antithesis of what he considered to be good.
Nevertheless, once she entered school, she discovered a new source of inspiration in a figure who replaced her belief in God and provided her with the support she sought, which she viewed as a substitute for the nurturing she had lost due to her father's absence. This individual, who in her eyes became the embodiment of light and goodness, was none other than the renowned wizard Albus Dumbledore, a master of light magic.
The question arises: why does he deserve the epithet "Great"? It is difficult to answer, as his duel with Grindelwald did not take place in this narrative.
Nonetheless, what an abhorrent capacity Albus possesses. In his pursuit of pleasing everyone with his psychic abilities and spiritual energy, he inspires the weak and indecisive with his ideals and perspectives, instilling in them adoration and self-regard. Considering himself invincible, this egotist turns those around him into his fanatics through his unintentional aura. A school filled with immature minds is the last place one would want this fool to operate! After all, these young minds are the most susceptible to such influence, which Albus can exert through his aura, seeking to win over and earn their trust.
It was fortunate that I arrived at school so promptly and understood the situation. Indeed, the longer Dumbledore remains in control of the school, the greater his influence in England and the more pawns he can manipulate. However, with my presence at the school and access to the mechanisms governing castle protection, it became easy for me to devise and incorporate into the defensive system enchantments that permanently limit Albus's aura, effectively preventing him from brainwashing children.
As I continued my meal, I observed the faculty tables filling with students, indicating that freshmen were about to be ushered into the great hall for the sorting ceremony. My colleagues and Filius exchanged curious glances at me, while the table occupied by the Gryffindor house displayed a hint of anger and resentment. Only the badgers appeared indifferent to the situation.
But now my plate was empty, and it was at that moment that the first-graders were ushered into the hall. Gazing at them, I beamed with the thought that the coming years of schooling should be exhilarating!