After returning to Number 13, Privet Drive, Lucifer immediately said, "Mu En, go set up those shielding spells from before. We're about to cross into Germany."
Mu En stretched and flopped onto the sofa. "All right, let me rest for a bit first."
Germany was also a major magical power, and its border controls were fairly strict. Moreover, whenever Lucifer was on the move, concealment spells weakened by several levels.
So whenever this happened, Mu En had to go outside the castle and replenish the more powerful concealment spells.
The reason those goblins had been able to break in last Christmas was that some of the formations Mu En had set up during the holiday had gradually failed.
After resting for quite a while, Mu En twisted open the door's passageway, arrived in the forested mountains outside, and began setting up formations.
Harry continued with his daily studies.
Early the next morning, Mu En had just finished bathing in the washroom. Draped in a robe, he stood before the mirror trying out the newly purchased Slick Hair Potion.
Maine Coons all had large ruffs, like little lions—long and thick. Over this period of time, grooming them had become a major undertaking.
But...
"It really works well!" Mu En exclaimed as he combed through his own ruff.
But his grooming was soon interrupted!
"Mu En, someone's here to see you!" Lucifer said, emerging from the washroom's fireplace passage.
"Who?!"
"An old man with a white beard. He looked more normal than that giant from yesterday..." Lucifer said.
Mu En frowned and went downstairs to open the door.
Sure enough, Dumbledore was standing outside!
There were still bubbles clinging to Mu En's face, and he looked thoroughly displeased. "What are you here for?!"
Dumbledore looked at Mu En's appearance and opened his mouth, clearly somewhat stunned.
Although he had known during their first meeting that Mu En had a disguise spell on his face, this was still the first time he had seen what Mu En truly looked like.
"What kind of look is that? Is my fur really more outrageous than that beard dragging down to your waist?" Mu En said irritably.
"No, it's nothing. I simply hadn't expected your appearance to be like this." Dumbledore smiled gently.
"So what are you here for?" Mu En looked at him unkindly. "Here to test me again?"
Dumbledore shook his head and said calmly, "No, I merely wished to talk. And I must say, I truly did not anticipate what happened yesterday."
Mu En's lips curled upward. "People like you, impure people whose heads are filled only with tangled interests and benefits—how could you possibly predict my thoughts using your methods?!"
As he spoke, Mu En turned away. "Come in. If outsiders see this, they'll think I'm bullying an old man."
Dumbledore entered the house and glanced around. The room was simple and clean, not at all cluttered, nothing like the home of a wizard.
At the same time, he sensed the magical power constantly spreading through the house from all sides.
No wonder the Book of Admissions had been unable to pinpoint Harry's exact location.
After sitting down, Dumbledore spoke first. "Your face is...?"
"An Animagus mishap." Mu En leaned back against the sofa. Lucifer had run off somewhere; evidently, Hagrid's behavior yesterday had frightened him badly.
He was not very willing to show himself before unfamiliar wizards now, lest he encounter another "pervert."
"So what was your purpose in coming here?" Mu En glanced at him.
"Oh, yes, back to the main subject. After Hagrid returned to Hogwarts yesterday, he spoke highly of you. So I was wondering, would you mind going to Hogwarts?"
Mu En stroked his chin. "I admit that while I'm quite youthful in spirit, I really am past the age for school."
"Uh... no. I meant, have you considered working at Hogwarts?" Dumbledore said. "As it happens, there is an idle position available at Hogwarts.
In the library—the best in all of Europe, the Hogwarts Library, with a thousand years of collected works!"
Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, Mu En smiled and propped himself up, sitting a little straighter.
"An idle position? I can browse freely?!"
Dumbledore nodded. He understood that he had already piqued the interest of the person before him.
For a wizard who had reached their level, there were not many things that could still hold appeal.
Fortunately, precious knowledge was one of them.
"Go!" Lucifer's voice sounded in Mu En's mind as well.
"Living here is far too lonely and dull," Lucifer said. "Go somewhere with many outstanding wizards and make some friends. Perhaps it might help with your curse.
You have indeed slowed down now, but Mu En, humans are social creatures. You have still shut yourself away in the castle.
I think that is a mistake."
Mu En pondered inwardly for a moment. Since even Lucifer said so...
"All right, then. I accept the job." Mu En nodded.
Dumbledore drew a parchment scroll from his sleeve and slowly unfurled it. Above the parchment was a distinctive fiery-red feather mark.
"This is the contract," Dumbledore said, pushing the parchment toward Mu En.
Mu En took it and inspected it carefully, immediately discovering the surging magical power within.
Clearly, this contract possessed extraordinary force. However, its terms were rather lenient.
The term was one year, and if an emergency arose, he could resign early. Hogwarts would also provide a range of employee protections, including lodging and meals.
As for the salary, Mu En merely glanced over it and paid it no mind.
After reading through everything, he did not hesitate further and signed his name.
The next instant, he felt a thread connecting to him, pointing toward a faraway place.
His consciousness followed that thread outward, and through the haze, he saw a vast castle standing amid the highland meadows of Scotland.
"After signing the contract, you have obtained authorization to enter Hogwarts. You also now know Hogwarts' address.
Any owls you send or receive will automatically gain permission to enter Hogwarts as well," Dumbledore explained, then rolled up the contract and put it away.
"On behalf of Hogwarts, I welcome your arrival." Dumbledore smiled.
"When would you like to go to Hogwarts? If you wish to take the Hogwarts Express with Harry, that can be arranged as well!"
"We'll see." Mu En shook his head.
"Very well, then I shall take my leave. Oh, and give Harry my regards." Dumbledore rose to his feet.
After reaching the door, he turned back once more.
"Oh, and I will ask some friends at the Ministry of Magic to clear up a few of your little mistakes from a year ago."
With that, he opened the door, stepped outside, and vanished with a crack of Apparition...
Lucifer sprang out of the fireplace. "That guy... he's powerful."
"Indeed." Mu En nodded approvingly. "And very seasoned."
Dumbledore had likely known from the first time he met Mu En that he was the wizard who had caused massive destruction in Knockturn Alley a year ago.
After all, when Mu En fought Dumbledore, he had taken out that distinctive, eye-catching wand.
But from the very beginning, Dumbledore had not intended to bring it up.
Because if he did, it would likely only create more resentment.
So he had waited until after the contract was signed before finally saying those words...
"When do you plan to go to that Hogwarts school?" Lucifer asked.
"I don't know, but I'll definitely go early. That castle possesses powerful magic. If I want to 'open the door' over there, I'll have to inspect it first."
Mu En let out a long breath and murmured,
"Finally, I have something proper to do..."
Before you continue