The Girl Who Called Herself Iris Dumbledore

He pulled out a paper map, wrinkled and stained with sweat.

Cypher struggled to figure out where he was.

He'd underestimated it—there was still a gap between outer London and the city center.

Squinting under the midday sun, Cypher searched the map for his location and direction.

Finally, after relentless effort and a bit of polite asking for directions, Cypher arrived at the entrance of a pub wedged between a tailor shop and an umbrella shop.

Though the uncertain situation had caused a slump in Britain's economy, this bustling heart of London...

Didn't seem too affected by it.

There were still plenty of Muggles around.

Just as the rumors said, they all acted as if this oddly placed pub didn't exist.

Cypher saw the worn-out sign above the pub.

He took a deep breath, tucked the map into his pocket, Stepped forward, and pushed the door open.

The inside of the pub was dim, as if deliberately crafted that way—wizards all loved this old-fashioned vibe.

Stepping into the pub, Cypher had to widen his eyes just to make out his surroundings.

Yet, nothing in the pub surprised him.

But that was to be expected.

Everything in sight was dark and shabby.

The patrons weren't just humans either—a motley mix of all sorts. Cypher spotted a table in the corner clearly occupied by goblins. As for whether there were vampires or werewolves...

He didn't dare think further.

He kept moving forward.

Past drinking wizards and witches, smoking wizards and witches, and a rowdy group shouting as they seemed to be gambling at cards.

The breath he'd held before the door escaped him, replaced by the pungent smell inside.

It nearly knocked Cypher out.

He coughed harshly, forcing himself to adapt to the foul environment.

Finally, he pulled himself together and headed for the counter.

The interior was larger than it appeared from outside—probably some kind of space-expanding magic.

As for the people already inside, The sudden entrance of a young boy caught the attention of a few in the pub, but it was the start of the school term—plenty of Young Wizards came through here.

Cypher's arrival was nothing unusual.

Cypher walked slowly, eyes straight ahead, until he stopped in front of the bar counter.

Ever since Cypher pushed through the door, the younger pub owner had been behind the counter, expressionlessly wiping a glass.

Only when Cypher stopped at the counter did he look up at him.

Seeing that the owner had noticed him, Cypher quickly spoke up: "Hello!"

"Mm, hello."

The owner's response was flat, but he set down the glass he'd been wiping.

"I'm the owner here. You can call me Mr. Tom."

"Alright, Mr. Tom."

Cypher hesitated for a moment, then figured the school wouldn't arrange for a shopkeeper hostile to children to receive new students, so he continued.

"My name is Cypher Corvin. I'm a new student at Hogwarts this year."

With that, Cypher showed Tom the admission letter he'd pulled out. Seeing Tom nod, he went on.

"The school told me to come here to buy my school supplies. What should I do next?"

Cypher smoothly voiced his confusion.

"Mm, the back of my pub is an entrance to Diagon Alley. The school entrusted me with opening the door for you."

With that, Tom turned to lead the way.

Seeing this, Cypher quickly brought up the question that had been weighing on him.

"Mr. Tom, I don't have any wizarding currency. Where can I exchange Pounds for it?"

Hearing this, Tom, who had just pulled out his wand, froze. He turned around with a surprised expression.

"They didn't give you any Galleons? Wait, what's your name again?"

So you were just humoring me before.

Cypher felt a wave of speechlessness inside.

"Cypher Corvin. Mr. Tom."

After all, he was the one asking for a favor, so Cypher kept his expression unchanged as he reintroduced himself.

"Oh, Mr. Cypher, is it? Well then, hmm, maybe that little girl who came today brought your subsidy."

Little girl? Not a senior?!

Something was off. Cypher frowned.

"Sonorus."

Immediately, Tom shouted toward the staircase leading upstairs.

At the same time, Cypher noticed that the people around them barely reacted, as if the deafening sound hadn't reached their ears at all.

This only reminded him to stay humble—after all, Mr. Tom's display showed exceptional magical control, and he was just a pub owner.

"The little princess of the Dumbledore family! The companion you've been waiting for has arrived!"

Dumbledore had a daughter?

Cypher nearly lost his composure.

This deviation was far too great.

Could it be a fraud?

Fortunately, this was a living world where anything was possible. He just had to wait patiently...

During the wait, Tom shot a stern look at a seemingly crazy old witch who tried to approach Cypher, stopping her in her tracks. Cypher's impression of Tom, which had been one of irresponsibility, improved significantly.

Half an hour passed... The sound of small leather shoes tapping on wooden floorboards came from the staircase.

Cypher, who had been waiting for a while, looked toward the sound and was stunned by the girl who appeared before him.

She had fair skin and silver-white hair, a delicate oval face with bangs, and a bow ornament on her head.

Her outfit was a plaid shirt and a short skirt, but what truly caught Cypher's eye were her stockings—one white, one black.

On those stockings, Cypher could even sense faint magical fluctuations; they might be alchemical products.

Still, Cypher had a mature mind and quickly composed himself.

He looked up, meeting the girl's gaze.

The white-haired girl had sky-blue eyes and a bright, sunny smile on her face.

Seeing that the only person around Tom who was her age was Cypher, The white-haired girl walked gracefully up to him, extended her fair right hand, and spoke in a clear voice:

"Hello, my name is Iris Dumbledore. Don't be surprised—I'm my father's adopted daughter."

Seeming a bit caught off guard by the girl's enthusiasm, Cypher's eyes revealed a hint of shock at her name, which Iris noticed and explained.

After hearing that, Cypher felt it would be too rude to voice any doubts.

He quickly shook her hand and said, "Hello, I'm Cypher Corvin. As you know."

The two introduced themselves to each other, but Tom, growing impatient, cut in: "Alright, alright, you've met. Now get out of here and don't hold up my business."

Iris stuck her tongue out at Tom and made a funny face to show her displeasure.

Then she turned to Cypher and said, "Follow me. This Old Tom is really too much—there are hardly any customers, and he's still blaming us for being here."

Cypher quickly followed the girl, as behind them came Tom's furious roar:

"I'm only thirty! Thirty! Not completely bald yet! I look old, but I'm not actually old!!!"

Iris laughed ahead, clearly pleased with the effect of her rebuttal.