No Conspiracy Theories-Hufflepuff Is Harmonious / Bird-Watching by Moonlight; The Marauder's Map, Bargain-Basement Edition

The teapot floated gently into the air and automatically poured tea for the two of them.

"What about dessert? I recommend you try Cockroach Clusters," Dumbledore said.

A silver platter appeared, and Wayne's expression changed.

The plate was filled with Cockroach Clusters. Like Chocolate Frogs, these things could move.

Dumbledore picked one up, placed it in his mouth, and narrowed his eyes in enjoyment. It even had a filling.

Wayne's expression changed. "Headmaster, do you have sandwiches and macarons?" "Of course."

Though it was a pity Wayne had no intention of eating Cockroach Clusters, Dumbledore still waved his wand and conjured several sandwiches and colorful macarons.

"I think a dessert's appearance isn't important. What matters is its sugar content." Dumbledore blinked. "Are you sure you don't want some?"

Wayne did not answer. "Actually, according to research by Muggle scientists, attractive food can also improve people's appetites."

"Headmaster, would you rather eat chocolate-shaped dung or dung-shaped chocolate?"

Dumbledore froze for a moment. "Can I eat neither?" He had to admit that both things Wayne described sounded revolting. "Of course." Now it was Wayne's turn to laugh.

"You're the real boss."

Dumbledore laughed as well. The feeling of a student joking with him was quite novel. He could tell that Wayne was truly relaxed, treating him as nothing more than an ordinary old man.

Lifting the Ceylon black tea, Wayne took a sip, and his mouth filled with floral fragrance. Compared with traditional Eastern black tea, Ceylon black tea had a deeper color and richer floral aroma, but lacked the lingering sweetness and distinctive fresh scent of tea leaves. Each had its own merits; it was entirely a matter of personal taste.

Just as Dumbledore had said that morning, most of his conversation with Wayne revolved around

the Phoenix.

Aside from asking Wayne how he had encountered Ho-Oh at the beginning, Dumbledore spent the rest of the time sharing some rearing experience.

Wayne patiently took it all down as well.

After the system's so-called localization, Ho-Oh had also gained some of this world's Phoenix's

abilities.

For example, Apparition and tears that could heal injuries. Its tastes and habits also shared many similarities. Wayne took the opportunity to make his request, asking to raise Ho-Oh in the Forbidden Forest. Dumbledore readily agreed. "Unlike this idle old man, you don't have plenty of time to amuse a pet. Letting it roam free is also a good choice."

Idle, my ass, Wayne grumbled inwardly.

You old bee probably put most of your energy into the Mirror of Erised and Harry.

After they finished talking about the Phoenix, Old Dumbledore began chatting about wool socks.

"When it comes to protecting one's feet, I don't think anything could be more considerate than wool socks.

"I once dismissed them with disdain, but now I can't put them down." Dumbledore blinked like a mischievous old child.

"I don't think any old man could refuse receiving a pair of wool socks as a Christmas gift.

"But unfortunately, everyone seems to think I prefer books." Hello, Ministry of Magic?

Someone here was soliciting bribes from young wizards. Aren't you going to do anything about it? Wayne laughed awkwardly and promised that Old Dumbledore would be satisfied at Christmas.

But he knew that what Old Dumbledore liked was not wool socks themselves, but what they represented.

In Britain, wool socks represented family affection.

Dumbledore truly was the greatest White Wizard of this century, but even with his immense magic, he could not undo the mistakes he had made in his youth.

That pain, along with the one imprisoned in Nurmengard, had tormented him all along.

It was already past five o'clock, and Wayne was preparing to rise and take his leave, returning to the Great Hall for food that could actually fill his stomach. "Wait a moment, Mr. Lawrence."

Dumbledore took out a piece of parchment, scribbled across it in a flourish, and finally handed it to Wayne.

Wayne accepted it and saw that it was actually a permit for the Restricted Section.

Normally, Restricted Section permits listed specific books.

But the one Old Dumbledore had given him imposed a time limit instead. There were no restrictions on which books he could borrow, and it remained valid until Christmas.

"You're still young and need to get enough sleep. Keep your nighttime wandering to a reasonable level."

Dumbledore smiled. "This is your reward for showing mercy to the Three-Headed Dog.

"Then thank you, Headmaster." Wayne showed no embarrassment whatsoever about being caught breaking school rules. "I also think going at night all the time isn't good. There aren't any lights in the Restricted Section, and my eyes are practically going nearsighted."

Dumbledore's smile stiffened.

This little wizard never played by the rules.

When others were caught, they were usually flustered and at a loss. Why did Wayne act as though he were not the one who had done anything wrong?

After Wayne left, the Headmaster's office returned to calm.

But the calm lasted only a short while before the former Headmasters became lively again.

Big-nosed Fosco laughed merrily. "This little fellow is so interesting. He's not Hufflepuff at all."

"He should have been sorted into Gryffindor!"

Headmistress Delice retorted, "Why not Ravenclaw? This little fellow must have known long ago that his actions could not be hidden from the Headmaster.

"With such sharp insight, who but eagle Ravenclaw could claim him?" "Watch how you talk!" Rost, a Headmaster from Hufflepuff, angrily threw

an apple into Fosco's portrait frame. "We Hufflepuffs can raise outstanding talents too!"

Dumbledore did not join the quarrel among the Headmasters. He looked at the utterly motionless velvet cloth and laughed soundlessly. "I never expected it. I'm not even as good as a child."

The flowers and monthly votes have increased quite a bit. Thank you all for your support. There will be another chapter shortly.

Reject Conspiracy Theories, Harmonious Hufflepuff

After leaving the Headmaster's Office, Wayne felt neither fear nor dread because Dumbledore had noticed all of his actions.

In the various speculations from his previous life, many people painted Dumbledore as an utterly evil conspirator, but most of those conclusions did not hold up.

If Dumbledore had truly been the kind of ruthless person who would kill anyone who failed to follow his plans,

Tom would never have had the chance to become the future Dark Lord. Old Dumbledore would have taken him out while he was still at Hogwarts.

Perhaps Dumbledore changed somewhat after Voldemort's rise, but the principle he always upheld was guidance.

He believed that if he gave students more care and education, they would not repeat the same mistakes.

Even when Malfoy intended to kill him, Dumbledore would still try to change him and awaken the small shred of goodness in his heart.

Wayne was nowhere near that bad.

When he went to the Restricted Section to read, he only studied knowledge about White Magic, Alchemy, or Potions.

There was certainly plenty of dangerous information in there, but compared to genuine Dark Arts, it amounted to nothing.

Who told Old Dumbledore to be so ruthless that he even kept things like Polyjuice Potion in the Restricted Section?

This could not all be blamed on Wayne.

Blame Benzema—no, Voldemort!

Back in the dormitory, Wayne planned to sort and store the materials he had bought in Diagon Alley before putting them into the small bag enchanted with the Undetectable Extension Charm.

It was not that he worried his two roommates might steal them. He was afraid the two idiots would mistake something inside for food and eat it by accident. That would be a huge problem.

The moment he returned to the changing room, he saw Cedric still holding the broom and examining it. Cedric saw him too and reluctantly returned the Nimbus 2000 to Wayne.

"As expected of a Nimbus 2000. The craftsmanship, the texture—it's incredible. I just wonder what it feels like to use."

"You didn't try it?" Wayne took the broom and looked at him in confusion. Cedric shook his head. "Didn't we say it already? We were only looking." "This is your newly bought broom. I wouldn't dare try it. Even if I sold myself, I couldn't afford to pay you back if I broke it."

Wayne patted his shoulder approvingly. "You're underestimating yourself. As the only son of the Diggory family, you're definitely worth that much."

The common room erupted in laughter. Quite a few Hufflepuffs had parents working at the Ministry of Magic, so they naturally knew how much Amos treasured his son.

Cedric's old face reddened, and he irritably punched Wayne's arm. "Go on, stop teasing your senior student.

"Alright." Under Cedric's puzzled gaze, Wayne tossed the broom back to Diggory.

"Play with it for two days and get used to it. I'll lend it to you for the Quidditch match too."

Before Cedric could say anything, Quidditch captain Woodley was the first to leap up. "Really, Wayne?"

If Cedric, their Seeker, had a Nimbus 2000, their chances of winning the House Cup would increase tremendously!

"Why would I lie to you?" Wayne said indifferently. "Harry has already joined Gryffindor's Quidditch team, and Professor McGonagall gave him a Nimbus 2000 too." "What?!"

Woodley was stunned, then seemed to realize something and suddenly understood. "No wonder that old Wood has been as happy as if he'd found ten Galleons these past few days, and even arranged some secret training." "That's too underhanded!"

Cedric gripped the broom tightly, tears welling in his eyes. "Say no more, godfather!

Another burst of laughter rang out, and Wayne was amused as well.

He greatly enjoyed this harmonious atmosphere. Compared with the other Houses, Hufflepuff felt more like home, and he could relax here.

However, the flying broom he planned to lend Cedric was not this custom model.

Wayne planned to buy another one and donate it directly to Hufflepuff.

He would not be a sucker like Malfoy and donate six brooms at once, but he was more than willing to give one to the House.

Money could not buy happiness. Besides, there would be plenty of times in the future when he caused Hufflepuff to lose points. Though no one cared much, Wayne could not make no gesture at all. He would treat it as advance compensation.

With permission granted, Cedric did not even eat. He grabbed the broom and rushed out of the common room to test-fly it at the Quidditch Pitch.

Several team members and young wizards eager for excitement followed him. Wayne, meanwhile, went to the Great Hall to eat something before looking for Hermione. The moment he entered, he drew plenty of attention.

By now, everyone at Hogwarts knew that Wayne had a Phoenix as a pet and had exploited a loophole in the school rules to buy a Nimbus 2000.

Either matter was enough to make people immensely envious.

At the High Table, Snape cut off a piece of steak, shoved it into his mouth, and chewed forcefully, as though he were biting Wayne.

That brat would rather lose points than make a deal with him. How irritating.

Second only to Potter!

"Wayne."

Hearing a soft, sweet voice from behind him, Wayne put down his knife and fork and turned around. "What is it, Cho?"

Since many people had gone to the Quidditch Pitch to see the broom, quite a few seats at the Hufflepuff table were empty. Cho simply sat beside Wayne, her autumn-water eyes

full of curiosity.

"I heard that you have a Phoenix and bought a Nimbus 2000?"

She had arrived late that morning and had only heard people talking about it. She had not seen what happened herself.

"Yes."

"Really?" Cho's eyes widened slightly. "I thought it was just a rumor." "I found the Phoenix, and I bought the broom after flying class," Wayne said with a smile.

"I'll give you one more confidential piece of news: I lent the broom to Cedric." "Huh?!" Cho was stunned at first, then puffed out her cheeks like a little pufferfish. "Aren't you bullying people?"

Because she had joined the Quidditch team, Cho's family had sent her a Cleansweep Seven as a reward. It was also a decent broom.

But compared to a Nimbus 2000, it was one or two tiers below.

"How is that bullying? I'm only helping my own House," Wayne defended himself.

"Hmph." Cho snorted angrily. "If you join the Quidditch team next year, I'll switch to being a Beater and knock you off your broom."

"Then you'll just have to wait," Wayne said with a shrug.

He was not particularly interested in Quidditch. He bought a broom only to enjoy the sensation of flying.

Cho's wish would probably come to nothing.

"Where's your bird? Can I see it?" Cho blinked. Having grown up this long, she had never seen a real Phoenix.

"I don't know where it's off playing. I'll call it over later. Hermione wants to see it too." "Why don't the three of us go together?" "Sure."

Moonlit Birdwatching, the Marauder's Map Bankruptcy Beggar Edition

At the Gryffindor table, Hermione had been waiting anxiously for what felt like ages. Seeing Wayne and Cho chatting and laughing, she let out an irritated snort.

The moment Wayne stood and waved at her, the little witch immediately rose as well.

The two girls followed behind him as they left the castle and headed to the edge of the Black Lake. Wayne first introduced them to each other.

"This is Hermione Granger, a first-year Gryffindor. You can also call her Miss Know-it-all."