"Hmm, thank you for your hard work, Professor McGonagall. Oh, by the way, I remember you took the new students to Diagon Alley to buy their school supplies today. How is that child doing?"
"I think he must be a very clever little wizard, right, Professor McGonagall?"
Hearing Dumbledore's inquiry,
Professor McGonagall couldn't help but show a smile of agreement.
"They're two wonderful kids. Hermione is diligent and curious about magic, and she will undoubtedly have considerable achievements in the magical arts in the future."
"Cro is relatively more mature; I think it may be related to his background. He grew up in an orphanage, and he only awakened his magic a few days ago."
"Oh, you know, if he had awakened any later, he might not have made it onto this year's enrollment list, so he's a very lucky child."
As Professor McGonagall spoke,
her expression turned serious.
Dumbledore noticed and also set down the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans in his hand.
Seeing McGonagall's expression,
it indicated that she had something very important to discuss.
"That child named Cro is quite... special? You know, he can cast spells without a wand, although it's just the most basic Levitation Charm, but he can indeed perform wandless magic."
Dumbledore frowned slightly.
"Professor McGonagall, please detail everything that happened today."
Without further ado,
Professor McGonagall began to recount the events to Dumbledore.
"We were at Mr. Angelo's owl..."
The more Dumbledore listened, the tighter his frown became.
Until he heard about Malfoy commanding a house-elf to attack Cro.
The elderly man's murky eyes suddenly sparkled with intensity.
However, he did not interrupt Professor McGonagall.
He simply closed his eyes and listened quietly.
Along with growing anger towards the Malfoy family,
his curiosity about Cro deepened.
What kind of child could he be?
Would he be able to help that child complete the great task of saving the world?
Dumbledore unconsciously rubbed the Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans in his hand.
Seeing this, Professor McGonagall quietly exited the headmaster's office,
leaving Dumbledore to ponder.
...
[Detected a strong curiosity! ]
[Reward obtained: Gold Treasure Chest! ]
...
Diagon Alley.
Cro, who was searching for the wall that led to the Leaky Cauldron, froze for a moment.
The treasure chests of Hermione and the others should have reached their limits.
Where did this gold treasure chest come from?
Could it be that Malfoy's parents realized they needed to supplement their own?
But their emotions shouldn't be curiosity, should they?
Before he could think about who might have sent him the treasure chest,
Hermione couldn't wait any longer.
"Found nothing? Let me try! I remember what Professor McGonagall said: first look for three bricks upwards, then two sideways, and then tap them with your wand!"
Cro stepped aside with a smile,
no longer concerned about who sent him the treasure chest.
No matter who it was,
it couldn't be a bad thing, could it?
In his hand, he was fiddling with a yellow little bag.
It was a bag given by Angelo that had been enchanted with a Shrinking Charm.
Although it wasn't very spacious,
it was more than enough to hold the things they bought.
"Found it! Next, just tap it gently with your wand a few times."
Hermione's excited voice came through.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger, holding a birdcage and a large cat,
curiously looked at the ordinary red-brick wall in front of them.
Hermione gently tapped the red bricks a few times.
Boom!
The red bricks began to part to the sides.
In the blink of an eye, a doorway appeared for people to pass through.
"These really are the famous bricks turning! Oh my God, is this magic? It's truly amazing!"
Mr. Granger marveled at the doorway in wonder.
"Time has flown by so quickly. Our Hermione has become a wizard! Hermione, we are so proud of you!"
Mrs. Granger squatted down gently to look at Hermione.
"Of course, Cro is the same; you are equally our pride!"
"Mom."
With red-rimmed eyes, Hermione threw herself into her mother's embrace.
Mrs. Granger tenderly stroked her hair.
Cro, feeling a bit shy, rubbed his nose.
He wondered what expression she would have if she knew how he felt about Hermione.
But it didn't matter.
This treasure girl was destined to be his!
After all, who could refuse a beautiful girl who could contribute treasure chests to him every day?
"Oh, I think we should go; who knows how long this will last? I don't think anyone wants to experience getting stuck in a wall!"
Mr. Granger's words made everyone burst into laughter.
Then they got up and passed through the doorway.
Boom!
As Cro was the last to pass through,
the stones of the wall seemed to sense something,
and began to close again.
In an instant, it returned to its previously ordinary appearance.
"Truly... magical magic!"
Mr. Granger exclaimed in astonishment once more.
Cro felt a bit regretful.
If this astonishment had been caused by him,
it should at least have been a Silver Treasure Chest, right?
As for what could come out of the treasure chest...
Does it even matter?
After all, it was free!
...
After passing through the narrow passage,
the group heard lively discussions.
"Have you heard? That lucky boy is starting Hogwarts this year!"
"Really? Time has flown by so quickly; it's been ten years since that shocking event in the wizarding world."
"Do you know? When I heard that news, the excitement... it's hard to describe, even Merlin's beard would be impressed!"
---------------------
T/N:
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