A Letter to Dumbledore

Even after her measurements were taken, Hermione was still upset about what Malfoy had said earlier.

Why would someone say something so offensive so casually!

Fortunately, the ice cream Hagrid bought for the two children quickly shifted their attention.

Afterward, they visited the bookstore, the equipment shop, and the apothecary…

As Harry was trying to stuff a pile of things into his Golden Thread Cloth Bag at the entrance of the apothecary, Hagrid said, "Then all that's left is the wand, and then we'll go pick up the robes—no, wait!!"

He suddenly clapped his hands together with a loud smack.

CRACK, it sounded like thunder!

"Honestly, Harry, I haven't gotten you a birthday present yet," Hagrid chuckled.

"You don't have to," Harry quickly declined.

"How about an animal! Not a toad, toads have been out of fashion for years, people will laugh at you," Hagrid rambled on:

"How about a cat?"

"A cat?!" Harry sat bolt upright, waving his hands frantically, shaking his head like a rattle drum:

"Oh no, definitely not!!"

"Why are you so excited…" Hagrid seemed a bit confused. "Well, I don't really like cats myself, they always make me sneeze.

How about I get you an owl. Kids love owls, it can deliver letters and packages for you."

With that, Hagrid led the way directly towards Eeylops Owl Emporium.

Twenty minutes later, they left the dark Eeylops Owl Emporium, leaving behind the sounds of flapping wings and gem-like shining eyes.

Harry was now holding a large birdcage, inside which was a beautiful snowy owl, sleeping soundly with its head buried under its wings.

This thing couldn't fit into a bag, so he had to carry it.

"Thank you, Hagrid."

"You're welcome," Hagrid said in his hoarse voice. "The Dursleys won't get you any presents, so it's good that I did."

Hagrid truly meant it.

Outside the owl shop, Hermione and Chris were standing at the entrance.

"Hermione, where were you just now? I wanted to ask your opinion," Harry said, then he held up the birdcage. "Look, what do you think of this little guy?"

"He's beautiful. Harry, this is for you!" Hermione said, handing him a book.

"What's this?" Harry took it and saw that the cover had gilded calligraphy in English: The Young Wizard's Best Companion – Raising and Caring for Your Owl (Illustrated Edition).

Well, Harry knew what Hermione had been up to.

"Thank you," Harry accepted the gift and thanked her sincerely.

"Alright, next is the wand," Hagrid said, leading the two children to the wand shop.

Mu En said goodbye to the group. He figured picking out a wand would take a while, so he excused himself.

And indeed, it took Harry trying over a dozen wands before he finally found the one that suited him best.

Holly, phoenix feather, eleven inches long.

It felt very comfortable in his hand.

Hermione also took a long time to pick out her wand.

Ten and three-quarters inches long, vine wood, with a dragon heartstring core.

When the group emerged from the wand shop, Mu En was already waiting for them at the entrance.

Leaving Diagon Alley, Chris treated them to a simple meal. Afterward, Hagrid gave the two children their train tickets, and it was time to part ways.

"Hagrid!" Mu En called out, then walked over.

"Jones, is there something else?"

"Just call me Mu En," Mu En said with a smile, then pulled out a letter. "When you get back, please help me deliver this letter to Dumbledore."

"Oh?" Hagrid looked a bit surprised. He took the letter from Mu En and carefully put it into his coat. "Alright, I'll help you deliver it."

In the evening, the sky turned purple, and Hogwarts Castle was draped in a golden veil. The Black Lake shimmered, and a giant squid stretched lazily.

Its sunbathing time for the day was ending, but it would be back tomorrow.

In the classroom common room, only Professor Binns was present. The other teachers were either not at the school or busy in their respective offices.

The fireplace flames were almost out when a muffled sound suddenly came from within, followed by a burst of huge green flames.

A massive figure appeared and then slowly walked out, patting the soot off his leather jacket with hands as big as fans.

"Oh, Professor Binns, good evening," Hagrid greeted warmly.

Professor Binns only then turned his head, reaching out a transparent hand to adjust his glasses. "You're… Flitwick, good evening."

?!

Although Professor Binns often mistook Hagrid – after all, who knows how many centuries he'd been teaching at Hogwarts – this time, wasn't the mistake a bit over the top?!

Hagrid walked out of the professors' lounge with a helpless expression…

The eighth floor, the Headmaster's office.

Dumbledore toyed with the Philosopher's Stone, about the same size as a Golden Snitch, while listening to Hagrid's account of the day's events.

"Was Harry, or Mu En Jones, curious about Vault 713?" Dumbledore asked.

It was entirely within Dumbledore's expectations that Hagrid would take Harry and Mu En to Vault 713.

This was a test!

Hagrid shook his head, "No, they weren't very interested. Oh, Headmaster. Harry got the key to his family vault back."

"It's fine, it rightfully belongs to him," Dumbledore said, then turned the conversation, "Hagrid, what kind of person do you think Mr. Jones is?"

"A very good person!" Hagrid affirmed. "He loves Magical Creatures very much and treats them like friends. And Harry trusts him a lot too.

Someone like that couldn't possibly be a bad person."

Looking at Hagrid's earnest conviction, Dumbledore couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Sometimes, he trusted people like Hagrid implicitly.

Dumbledore himself had gone to pick up Hagrid for his enrollment. At that time, Hagrid had been severely bullied. Although he had a stronger physique than other children his age, he was ostracized and disliked because of it.

This situation hadn't improved even after he arrived at Hogwarts.

Especially after Hagrid's father passed away when he was in his second year, he became even more alone and helpless.

Having grown up in such an environment, although Hagrid had a carefree personality and sometimes caused trouble due to his carelessness, Hagrid was undoubtedly perceptive to the malice of others.

Children with imperfect childhoods always have a more fragile and sensitive inner heart.

And it doesn't heal as they grow up.

It's just that some people cover it up with their own gruffness.

"Alright, Hagrid. You've worked hard today," Dumbledore said, standing up. "Go back and rest early. Should I have the kitchens prepare some dinner?"

"No need, I have something to eat back at my hut," Hagrid waved his hand, looking a bit embarrassed. With that, he bid farewell and left the Headmaster's office.

Dumbledore sat back in his plush chair, his mind still replaying the scene of his mental duel with Mu En.

Those spells, that huge, ancient Wand…

A supremely powerful, old-school Wizard.

Knock, knock, knock—

Hagrid ran back again, "Oh, Headmaster. Mu En also asked me to give you this."

He handed over a letter.

"I almost forgot," Hagrid said, looking quite embarrassed.

Dumbledore looked at the letter with some confusion, took it, and smiled, "Thank you for your trouble."

After Hagrid left, Dumbledore slowly opened the envelope. Inside, there was only a blank piece of paper.

As the paper was unfolded, lines began to appear on it. However, they didn't form words, but rather…

"Is this… a hand?!"

Dumbledore looked at the twisting, dancing lines with confusion.

Then, the lines suddenly changed, beginning to intertwine and rotate, finally forming—a fist giving the middle finger!!

Dumbledore stared at the middle finger, stunned for a long moment, before leaning back against his chair weakly, smiling helplessly.

However, the paper changed again, as if waiting for Dumbledore to recover.

A line of text slowly appeared below the middle finger.

"Your unexpectedness, Is within my expectations!"