He Really Is Like a Kidnapper

"Uncle Mu En."

Just as Mu En finished scolding Dumbledore, Harry's voice rang out. His shirt was a little damp, and he looked like a drowned rat. His face was flushed, but he seemed full of energy.

"Mm, go take a shower and change your clothes quickly," Mu En nodded casually.

"Okay, and this is?"

"Dumbledore, your future headmaster. Of course, I don't know why he's here either." Mu En glanced at the old man opposite him.

The old man winked friendly at Harry.

Mu En felt he really looked like a swindler.

Dumbledore explained, "Of course, I'm here to discuss some matters regarding your enrollment.

By the way, has Harry been to Diagon Alley?

Originally, a groundskeeper had been asking me for a long time, wanting to pick Harry up to buy his first-year supplies. Unfortunately, it seems now..."

"To pick me up to go to Diagon Alley? He knows me?" Harry pointed to himself, looking a bit surprised, then felt his question was idiotic.

"No, I should say, is he very familiar with my parents?"

"Yes. He is friends with your parents."

Harry felt his breath catch. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "Alright, I'm looking forward to meeting him. But I've already made plans with Hermione to go to Diagon Alley together, so I'm really sorry.

Uncle Mu En, I'm going inside now."

"Go ahead," Mu En waved his hand.

Dumbledore watched Harry's retreating figure and asked, "Who is Hermione?"

"A young wizard from London, who should also be enrolling this year. Her parents are Muggles. We met when we went to London before."

Dumbledore nodded slightly, "I see."

"Is there anything else?"

"I thought you'd invite me in for a bit."

"Didn't you see I was just about to go out?" Mu En retorted, then added helplessly, "Alright, I now have reasonable suspicion that you're indeed becoming senile with old age."

Dumbledore looked embarrassed and changed the subject, "Alright, if you want to go to Diagon Alley with that new student. How about I have someone pick you up then?"

"We still need someone to pick us up?" Mu En asked, a little confused. They weren't lost.

"Yes, because there are some relevant regulations. Not only for young wizards, but also for their Muggle parents," Dumbledore explained, then looked at Mu En in confusion.

"By the way, do you know those relevant regulations?"

"No, and I don't care," Mu En shook his head.

"It's best to take a look," Dumbledore advised.

"Whatever," Mu En waved dismissively. "Anything else? It's really tiring talking across the street."

Dumbledore nodded helplessly, "Alright, since the letter has been delivered and it's confirmed Harry is fine, I'll take my leave now."

"No need to see me off."

As soon as the words fell, Dumbledore's figure disappeared rapidly, leaving Privet Drive via Apparition.

Half an hour later, when Mu En returned to Moonlight Castle with the freshest ingredients of the morning, Harry had already changed into neat clothes and was cleaning.

Seeing Mu En return, he took the groceries and asked curiously, "Uncle Mu En, why did Headmaster Dumbledore come here? Didn't the books say Hogwarts has a tradition of sending letters by owl?"

"Silly boy," Lucifer explained, "With this great me here, those owls can't tell which letter to deliver where!"

"Oh!" Harry nodded thoughtfully, exclaiming, "So it's Mr. Lucifer's credit."

Lucifer grinned crookedly at Harry's words, "Just average, merely blocking some prying eyes!"

Mu En watched their exchange with amusement, then said seriously, "Be careful of Dumbledore in the future."

Harry was startled, then asked, "Is there something wrong with Headmaster Dumbledore?"

Mu En shook his head, "Not exactly. That old fellow is still a good person; you could even say he's kind.

"Then..." Harry was confused.

"It's just that I feel he's the type who always has something up his sleeve. You should be more cautious around him in the future, be sharp. Otherwise, you'll easily be led around in circles."

"I understand," Harry nodded solemnly.

Mu En patted Harry on the back and ushered him towards the kitchen, "Don't be so serious. He's really not a bad person. Just be a little mindful."

"Okay," Harry quickly nodded.

Meanwhile, in an alley in Hogsmeade.

Dumbledore flashed and teleported there. Then, a cry came from the sky, and Fawkes the Phoenix landed on his arm, carrying him back to Hogwarts Castle.

Hogwarts and the surrounding Forbidden Forest and Black Lake have extremely powerful anti-Apparition charms. Only certain non-humans can teleport freely within them.

For example, house-elves, or phoenixes.

And frankly, the current human Apparition spell feels terrible. It's like squeezing your entire body through a single pipe.

But creatures like phoenixes and Zouwu were completely different; they didn't cause any discomfort.

A phoenix's Apparition felt warm and pleasant, though sometimes it could scorch the edge of one's robes or the tips of one's hair.

Upon returning to his office, Dumbledore's expression immediately turned serious, filled with deep thought.

He wasn't as unfazed as he appeared.

In this world, there had suddenly appeared another wizard who had reached the pinnacle of the magical path.

And he knew absolutely nothing about it.

He didn't know their area of expertise, their personality, or even what they intended to do!

Dumbledore's fingers tapped incessantly on his desk. On the wall in front of him, the portraits of past headmasters watched Dumbledore sternly, none of them daring to interrupt him.

Dumbledore had been in this position for decades, and they had rarely seen him so intently focused on a single matter.

Then, under their gaze, Dumbledore walked to the window and looked down at the lush green grounds and the Black Lake and Forbidden Forest.

At that moment, at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a giant figure was moving carriages out of the storage area and cleaning them.

It was Hagrid, the Keeper of the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts, a half-giant. He was also the school groundskeeper Dumbledore had mentioned, the one who wanted to pick Harry up to go to Diagon Alley.

Beside Hagrid were several gaunt, horse-like creatures with dragon-like heads and enormous bat wings – black flying horses.

Hagrid casually lifted the heavy carriage frames and gently placed them onto the backs of the Thestrals, thoughtfully adjusting their harnesses and the comfort of the carriage frames for them.

Every year, some Thestrals would change in size, and Hagrid would tirelessly adjust their harnesses at the start of each school year.

Half an hour later, Hagrid finally adjusted all the harnesses to a suitable position. Then, cupping his hands over his mouth, he let out a hoarse whistle.

The Thestrals, hearing the sound, happily flapped their wings, kicking up leaves and dust.

"Alright, alright, you little rascals. Go back into the forest and play," Hagrid chuckled.

Just as he was about to head back to his hut, he heard Professor McGonagall's voice.

"Hagrid!" Professor McGonagall stood at the entrance.

"Oh, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid hurried over, his imposing figure seeming to loom. As he ran, he eagerly asked, "Is there something? Is it about what I mentioned earlier..."

"I believe so," Professor McGonagall nodded. "Dumbledore wants you to go to his office."