Hogwarts: Please, Just Graduate Already!

A phoenix soared through the sky with two packages clutched in its talons.

Under everyone's stunned gaze, the phoenix landed beside Wayne and set down the two packages.

"Th... this..."

Cedric, who had just been enthusiastically recounting Charlie's cannon's glorious history to Wayne, could barely speak now.

"Huh? These are the packages I bought. What's wrong?" Wayne calmly placed them at his feet.

"No!" Cedric finally came to his senses.

"It's not about the packages! It's about this... this phoenix!" Cedric broke down as he looked at Ho-Oh standing on Wayne's shoulder and preening its feathers.

"Why would a phoenix deliver packages to you?!"

He had asked the question every first-year wanted answered. Professor Sprout, who had been preparing to eat breakfast at the High Table, and Kettleburn from Care of Magical Creatures hurried over.

Kettleburn was especially eager. With only half a leg remaining, he floated over by magically pushing his chair.

He stared at Ho-Oh in fascination. "Look at her. Isn't she beautiful?"

"Beautiful?" Wayne raised an eyebrow and reached out to stroke Ho-Oh's head. Compared with when she had just hatched, Ho-Oh's appearance had changed drastically. Orange-red feathers had grown in, with a hint of green at the tips of her tail feathers.

She was certainly much better-looking now.

But compared with beautiful... honestly, Wayne thought his bird was merely passable, somewhat better than some of the Pokémon.

She was still far from beautiful.

As if sensing her owner's disdain, Ho-Oh cried out unhappily and lightly pecked Wayne's cheek, as though she were acting spoiled.

This is so hard!

When she was born, her owner mistook her for a Fearow. Now that she had finally grown a little and begun to resemble the legendary Pokémon, her owner was still dissatisfied.

What do you want me to do?!

Do I have to take human form and repay your kindness before you'll be satisfied?

"Mr. Lawrence, what is this phoenix?" Professor Sprout asked after observing her for a moment.

"Ho-Oh found me a few days after I received my acceptance letter. We hit it off, so she decided to follow me."

Wayne casually came up with an excuse. He wasn't worried that anyone would disbelieve him.

The Wizarding World was full of miracles and legends. He was merely using this opportunity to reveal Ho-Oh's existence.

"Hit it off?"

Hearing such a perfunctory explanation, Cedric's eyes turned red. The other young wizards were hardly any better.

At the Gryffindor table, Hermione was practically craning her neck off. If there hadn't been professors present, she would have already run over for a closer look.

This was a phoenix!

Since the beginning of the century, people only knew of two existing phoenixes.

One was Fawkes, Dumbledore's pet.

The other was Spark, the mascot of the Motorola Macaw Team.

Wayne's was the third.

A newly enrolled first-year's pet was actually a phoenix? Malfoy was so envious he nearly ground his teeth to dust.

His favorite magical creature was a dragon, but that didn't mean he disliked a rare and noble magical creature like a phoenix. It was simply too perfect for the Malfoy family.

For a moment, Malfoy even wanted to approach Wayne and buy the phoenix from him. Unfortunately, anyone who wasn't an idiot would never sell her to him.

After hearing Wayne's explanation, Sprout opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat. In the end, she didn't ask.

She wanted to ask Wayne, Is your real surname Dumbledore?

Anyone well versed in magical creatures knew that phoenixes appeared whenever the Dumbledore family was in need.

It matched Wayne's description perfectly.

Just as the Great Hall sank into an eerie silence, another clear cry rang out. It didn't come from Ho-Oh, but from another phoenix.

Having sensed the aura of her kin after the system's native modification, Fawkes had come searching.

He hadn't come alone. He was dragging Dumbledore along with him.

Old Dumbledore had probably not even gotten out of bed yet. He was still wearing pajamas and a ridiculous nightcap.

Quite a few young wizards burst out laughing because Dumbledore's pajamas were adorable. They were even decorated with pictures of Puffskeins and pixies.

"Fawkes, what happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Dumbledore clearly had no idea what was going on and still looked rather dazed.

Fawkes ignored him and flew straight in front of Wayne, circling him. Ho-Oh also took flight, flames burning across her body.

Fawkes cried out joyfully and lowered his head of his own accord.

He could sense that this phoenix's bloodline was nobler than his own. Even though she was still young, he had to offer her his respect.

"Truly incredible." Dumbledore came fully awake as he watched the two phoenixes interact, deep astonishment in his eyes. "Mr. Lawrence, is she your pet?"

"Of course." Wayne nodded.

"Although first-year students are only allowed to bring toads, rats, and owls as pets..."

"Ho-Oh serves a purpose similar to an owl. She delivers letters, so she shouldn't be violating school rules, should she?"

The entire hall fell silent.

Cedric hardened. His fists hardened.

Showing off like that is just asking to get punched!

"Of course..."

Even Dumbledore was stunned for a moment by Wayne's astonishing train of thought. Only after a while did he smile and say:

"This rule was established to prevent students from losing control of their pets and causing trouble."

"You and your... Ho-Oh, was it? You have a very close bond, and phoenixes are benevolent, highly intelligent magical creatures. I won't deduct points from you for this."

"That's good." Wayne pretended to let out a sigh of relief.

"Dressed like this, it would be rather rude of me to continue chatting with you." Dumbledore looked at his clothes and asked with a smile:

"Would you care to have afternoon tea with this talkative old man? After you finish your classes this afternoon."

"Perhaps I can share some experience about raising phoenixes with you." Ho-Oh had surprised him more and more.

Old Dumbledore had originally intended to observe Wayne secretly for a while longer, but now he could only change his plans temporarily.

He had to make close contact first before he could understand Wayne more clearly. "It would be my honor." Wayne didn't refuse, and Dumbledore looked delighted. "The password is Cockroach Cluster. The Headmaster's Office is on the Seventh Floor." With that, Dumbledore prepared to leave.

As for Fawkes, the two phoenixes had flown out of the castle during their conversation and vanished from sight.

He might as well let Fawkes play with Ho-Oh a little longer.

After being lonely for so long, Fawkes had finally found a companion. Dumbledore understood his excitement.

Wayne also planned to return his packages to the dormitory before going to class.

"Wait, Lawrence."

Snape's sinister voice rang out. No one knew when he had entered the Great Hall. He had simply remained silent and watched from the side.

When Snape called out to Wayne, the young wizards gathered around him, eager to ask more about Ho-Oh, immediately scattered far away.

Cedric gave him a look that said good luck and slipped away as well.

Hmph, what a bastard.

Wayne gave him a contemptuous look before turning to Snape. "Professor, is something wrong?"

"What are these two packages?" Snape lowered his head and looked at the packages in Wayne's hands.

One was square, while the other was long and narrow.

Wayne answered honestly, "Some materials, and a flying broomstick."

Snape was stunned.

Is this what Hufflepuff is like? So honest?

The shape of the packages had already given him some suspicions, which was why he had waited until Dumbledore left before stopping Wayne.

He had imagined countless excuses Wayne might use, but he had never expected him to simply admit it.

For a moment, Snape became suspicious again.

Is there really a flying broomstick in there?

"Open both of them. I want to inspect them."

"As a professor, it is my duty to prevent students from bringing dangerous items into the castle." Snape decided he had better take a look first.

Wayne was helpless. He had told the truth, yet Snape still wanted to inspect them. The man really had too much free time.

Without wasting time, Wayne opened both packages.

The square box contained a pile of magical inks, various grades of parchment, and several bottles of Potions.

The rectangular box contained exactly what he had said: a flying broomstick. It was even the newest Nimbus 2000 Custom Edition. It could glow while flying, and Wayne's name had been engraved on it.

Compared with the standard model, the Custom Edition's specifications were identical, but its price was almost twice as high.

Don't ask. If you ask, the answer is faith.

Did they understand the value of the rich man's vanity?

Cedric's eyes turned red again.

The twins, watching the spectacle from a distance, jumped excitedly. "A Nimbus 2000! Wayne bought a Nimbus 2000!"

"Merlin's beard! Where did he get so much money?"

Hermione frowned, looking displeased.

Why is Wayne wasting money again?

"Lawrence." Snape drew a deep breath and said after finishing his inspection, "You should know that the school does not allow first-year students to bring flying broomsticks to school, correct?"

"I know." Wayne replied as though it were only natural. "It says so in the acceptance letter."

"Then you knowingly broke the rules." Snape sneered. "How many points should I deduct from you? But—"

Snape hadn't finished speaking when Wayne interrupted him.

"Professor." The boy looked at him strangely. "How did this flying broomstick get here?"

Snape frowned. "Obviously, your phoenix delivered it. Don't tell me it isn't yours. Your name is engraved on it."

"It is mine." Wayne repacked the box. "But you said the phoenix delivered it. I didn't bring it to school myself."

"So which school rule did I violate?"

Snape was rendered speechless, while the watching young wizards' eyes lit up one after another.

Smart!

The school had only said that students couldn't bring broomsticks to school. If an owl delivered one, that shouldn't count as breaking the rules, right?

Quite a few first-year students were already itching to write letters home.

Snape flew into a rage. "Sophistry! Disrespecting a professor! Hufflepuff loses five points!"

At the same time, the system in Wayne's mind issued a timely notification.

The host has caused the house to lose points. Points obtained: +25

Wayne's pupils widened slightly.

This was the first time he had caused Hufflepuff to lose points. The ratio was exactly the same as the one for earning Galleons.

Two hundred points would be enough for a ten-pull.

In an instant, the way Wayne looked at Snape changed completely.

Snape mistook this for fear. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and a rare smile appeared.

"Of course... if you're willing to share some materials from the phoenix with me, I can cancel the punishment I just issued."

Yes, Snape had set his sights on Wayne's bird.

The reason he had deliberately come over to cause trouble was to obtain some materials from a phoenix.

Phoenix Tears, feathers, and even blood were all key ingredients in many advanced Potions. A phoenix was practically valuable from head to toe.

To this Potions Master, seeing a phoenix was no different from seeing a fat pig ready for slaughter. Unfortunately, Fawkes ignored him completely, and Dumbledore would never go against his pet's wishes.

Now that Wayne had suddenly revealed that he also possessed a phoenix, how could Snape sit still?

"Professor..." Wayne looked at him expectantly. "You agree?"

The old bat smiled.

Wayne shrugged. "No. I just think you deducted far too few points. I barely felt it."

Snape's face twisted.

What the hell is wrong with you?!

Snape angrily deducted another fifteen points from Hufflepuff and stormed off.

Wayne was left looking unsatisfied.

Show some of the spirit you have when deducting points from Gryffindor! That was hardly any points at all. Who are you looking down on?

Surrounded by a crowd of little badgers, Wayne returned to the Hufflepuff common room.