Evening
In the corridor outside the Great Hall of Hogwarts Castle, Dumbledore was feeling unusually lazy.
"Dumbledore, I've been searching for you all day. We need to have a serious discussion!"
"You know what I'm getting at."
"It's about that child…"
"I don't understand what made you admit him," Snape replied, his face dark and brooding. "This year is... the enrollment year. You allowed a demon into the school?"
"Is this part of your absurd savior training plan?"
He had been in Knockturn Alley since he was six, with the blood of at least three hundred people on his hands. The implications were chilling—many dark wizards had perished in those years. Snape couldn't fathom what havoc such a person might wreak at Hogwarts.
"Oh, Severus, calm down. That's just a rumor. Trust me, the boy isn't as bad as you think." Dumbledore shrugged, a smile lingering on his lips.
"Not as bad? He's been to Azkaban three times!"
"But those were illegal Ministry operations; they have no proof."
"Personally, I still believe there's kindness in everyone's heart. As educators, we must guide them correctly."
"Kindness? Huh!" Snape's eyes were like coal.
"Have you seen a picture of that man? He looks just like him when he was young…"
"Of course I've seen the pictures, which is why I firmly believe his pets are rather sweet. One of them seems... how should I put it? Warm as the sun."
"To be recognized by such a companion speaks volumes, wouldn't you agree? As for your resemblance to that person—pure-blood families in the wizarding world are all interconnected. There's nothing surprising about that. Look closely, and you'll find only three points of similarity."
"His name appears on the admission list, you know. This has been a rule at Hogwarts for countless years. Even as Headmaster, I can't prevent him from enrolling."
Fantastic creatures in the wizarding world are all magical beings. Like the phoenix of the Dumbledore family, not every family member is recognized by it. Only those with kind hearts and strong magical abilities can be. That's why Dumbledore was certain there was goodness in Kyle.
"But don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on him."
"But…"
"No 'buts,' Severus. I'm the Headmaster…" Dumbledore adjusted his glasses, effectively ending the conversation.
"Hmph, you'll regret this!" Snape shot back coldly, flinging his cloak behind him as he left, gliding away like a bat.
Regret? Dumbledore shook his head. After teaching for half a lifetime, there was indeed one moment he could call regretful. It was when Voldemort's shadow loomed over the wizarding world. But that regret was not for failing to kill Voldemort before he rose to power. Rather, it was about not guiding him better from the start.
From Dumbledore's perspective, Kyle's talent and strength far exceeded Voldemort's, and his kindness was clearly evident. What harm could a young wizard do under Dumbledore's watch?
---
Hogwarts Platform
Hagrid stood at the platform with a lamp, his imposing figure like a wall. Welcoming first-years was a routine he repeated every year, and he was quite familiar with it by now.
Soon, the sound of a train could be heard in the distance. A long black engine slowly approached, the Hogwarts Express. Hagrid straightened up, raising his oil lamp. As a half-blood giant, he longed for approval from others, and he forced a smile. However, as the train pulled into the station, his smile faltered.
Was this even a train?
It was fine that there were no windows, but where was the roof?
"Can someone please explain what's going on?"
As the train stopped, the little wizards disembarked one by one, looking different from the years before when they wore their black robes. Now, they were bundled up tightly, sniffing the air. It was freezing, and it seemed that eight out of ten had caught a cold.
"Alright, first-year students, gather 'round!" Hagrid cleared his throat, preparing to do his job. The newcomers needed to take a boat, just as the four founders of Hogwarts had done when they first arrived, to forge a magical contract and gain the castle's protection.
In previous years, a simple shout would bring the new students running, but this time…
"Wow, I'm not going to Hogwarts!"
"Whoa, I want to go home!"
"Mom, there are giants! I don't want to fight giants!"
As soon as Hagrid called out, cries erupted in front of him.
Giants? Where?
Hagrid looked around in confusion.
A moment later…
Hiss! These freshmen were rather rude!