The Leaky Cauldron

Things developed so rapidly and explosively that by the time Mrs. Brown finally came to her senses, Eliana was already swaggering back with a thick wallet in hand.

"Show's over, show's over! I just misunderstood Mrs. Smith earlier—her kid might be a piece of work, but she's a good mother who knows right from wrong. She generously gave us a hefty sum for material and emotional damages to soothe our wounded hearts, so the orphanage kids can have three meals a day with a finger-thick slab of meat for the next week. Let's thank this kind lady!"

Eliana waved her hand like an orchestra conductor.

The dazed little orphan sprouts watching nearby hadn't even processed what was happening, but their bodies instinctively followed their leader: "Thank you, Mrs. Smith, great and kind lady!"

Midway through their chant, they realized what the words meant—good food for the next few days—and got even more excited, howling sincerely:

"Thank you, Mrs. Smith!"

"Mrs. Smith is kind!"

Their childish voices, like a flock of innocent little lambs bleating in unison, softened everyone's hearts.

The onlookers couldn't help but crack a smile.

As if witnessing the happy ending of a fairy tale where "everyone lived happily ever after," they dispersed contentedly.

Some even praised Mrs. Smith: "Wouldn't have guessed it, but you're actually a decent person."

Mrs. Smith's insides were twisting into knots of frustration as she glared furiously at Eliana.

Eliana grabbed the hem of her jeans and performed a mock curtsy like a princess: "Thank you, kind madam."

As long as the money was right, she'd spoon-feed her enemy.

Wasn't it just a little emotional value? She'd give it!

Eliana thought magnanimously.

But the blue-faced woman across from her didn't seem to appreciate her goodwill at all.

Mrs. Smith had never been so humiliated, and she even found her precious son on the ground less endearing now.

She unleashed a dragon's roar at the writhing fat worm on the floor: "What are you still lying there for?! Get home with me now!"

Young Smith, never treated like this by his loving mother before, finally broke down, twisting his chubby body and wailing: "Boo-hoo, you're yelling at me too..."

He sobbed and ran off.

Mrs. Smith, torn between anger and worry, chased after her son.

Sigh, not a single one could put up a fight.

Eliana clicked her tongue, slouching like a little thug as she sauntered over to Mrs. Brown with the wallet hooked on her finger.

"Did you see my brilliant performance, Susan?" she crowed, thrusting the money bag out like a victorious little general. "I've returned from the hunt!"

"Spoils are rich! I'm telling you, tonight, you'd better give me two extra pieces of potato."

Mrs. Brown was so furious she'd even forgotten about the middle school principal waiting for an interview; all she wanted now was to throttle this brat.

"Yes... what a glorious achievement..."

Her tone was dangerously sharp, but Eliana, floating on cloud nine, didn't catch it.

"Haha, no big deal, don't dwell on it."

Eliana waved her hand like a big shot: "Oh, Susan, remember to buy yourself a new pair of rubber gloves—your hands are getting all pruny from the wash water."

"And get each of the little ones an ice cream bar. I keep seeing them squatting in front of the ice cream cart when I'm out doing odd jobs. Kinda pitiful."

Those words dropped like a massive sheet of ice smothering a blazing fire, and Mrs. Brown's fierce aura deflated in an instant.

She paused, then said to Dumbledore beside her: "You see, Mr. Dumbledore, Eliana might be a bit mischievous and rowdy sometimes, but she's truly a kind-hearted child."

Only then did Eliana realize there was a guest.

But—

Dumbledore?

For some reason, the name rang a bell. She stared at the white-haired but spirited old man before her, studying him closely—she swore she'd never seen him before.

The old man bore her gaze with good humor, like a little leopard sizing him up.

"This is Mr. Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. He's agreed to let you attend their middle school, little Eliana."

"What?"

Eliana's eyes lit up—school, what a beautiful word!

But then she thought of something and hesitated, turning to Dumbledore: "I'm really grateful for this opportunity, sir, and I truly want to go to school, but there's something I might need to be upfront about."

"As you can see, I'm an orphan, so I probably can't scrape together much tuition right away," Eliana said, biting her lip with some urgency. "I was wondering if you'd allow me to work-study, or maybe lend me some student loans? I swear I'll work hard to pay it back someday!"

Mrs. Brown: "Eliana, you don't need to worry so much. I've got some savings too."

"No, Susan," Eliana said firmly. "Your money's tight, and there are so many kids in the home. Going to school is my dream, not the orphanage's duty—you've already saved my life once."

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Dumbledore watched the two of them considering each other with something close to admiration.

This is a completely different child, he thought.

"Eliana, rest assured, we won't let a single child on the enrollment list miss out due to financial troubles." Dumbledore said with a smile. "We provide a grant for every student in need."

"That's wonderful, thank you! Once I finish my studies, I'll definitely repay you!"

Eliana bowed sincerely from the bottom of her heart.

"Oh, we don't need your repayment," the old man said kindly and gently, looking at her. "You just need to grow up healthy and happy, like all the other children."

Eliana froze.

She felt as if she were in a beautiful dream.

Eliana gave herself a hard pinch, but the kind old man before her was still smiling at her.

She bit her lip, a hint of nasality in her voice, and said solemnly, "Thank you, truly."

Dumbledore patted her head, then turned to Mrs. Brown. "Now, I'll be taking this child to buy some school supplies."

"Of course, of course."

Mrs. Brown nodded repeatedly. She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped Eliana's grimy little face clean. "Elia, remember to listen to Mr. Dumbledore."

Her touch was a bit rough, and Eliana dodged backward, protesting, "I'm the most obedient."

"You'd better be." Mrs. Brown gave a cold laugh.

She followed Dumbledore across the bustling street—by now she had calmed down—feeling a little embarrassed, so she tried to make conversation. "You really don't want any money? I mean, for food, lodging, tuition... none of it?"

The wise old man seemed to see through her unease and repeated with a gentle smile, "Yes, of course. We won't let any little wizard miss out on Hogwarts because of money."

Eliana's eyes curved—hearing it again still felt like pure happiness.

Wait, wizard?

Eliana almost thought she'd misheard.

"Sorry, that word you just said—wizard?"

Her face, which she'd tried to keep serious like a little adult, showed confusion.

Dumbledore was amused by her, his long white beard quivering. "Yes, wizard."

He winked at her playfully, like an old prankster. "Don't tell me that, for as long as you can remember, nothing strange has ever happened around you? Like things floating up, or something suddenly shattering when you're angry?"

Eliana recalled the stone that had rolled across the road out of nowhere earlier and cleared her throat. "Yes, sir."

She glanced around to make sure no one was watching. "Like this."

A discarded piece of paper on the ground wobbled into the air, then flew precisely into a distant trash bin—and before entering, it gave a crooked little bow to its two spectators.

Eliana lifted her chin high, like a kitten showing off a caught mouse to its owner.

"Impressive," Dumbledore said, clapping his hands in admiration. "To control magic this well at your age—a rare talent."

Eliana grew even more smug and declared, "Then I'm going to become the greatest wizard ever!"

Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt the old man falter for a moment.

But when she looked closely, he was still as gentle as ever.

So she boldly asked, "How are we going to buy those things? By subway?"

Actually, Eliana wanted to see more magic, but she was too shy to say so.

"Little Elia, perhaps you'll forgive an old man with limited energy for choosing a faster method?" Dumbledore seemed to read her thoughts and gave her a sly wink. "Though it's not very comfortable."

"Of course!" Eliana said eagerly.

"Then hold tightly onto my arm."

Eliana obeyed instinctively, though confused. A dizzying whirl followed, as if she'd been crumpled up and tossed into a washing machine on spin cycle, pressure squeezing her from all sides. Just before she could throw up, they stopped, and she found herself on an unfamiliar street.

"Are you alright?" Dumbledore asked with concern.

Eliana stared blankly and touched her ears—they seemed to have forgotten how to stay attached to her head and wanted to flee back to the previous street. "I'm... okay."

She bravely asked, "What was that?"

"Apparition, a common mode of travel for wizards. Very convenient, but if handled poorly, it carries some danger."

Dumbledore looked at Eliana, who clearly hadn't taken the second half seriously and was already eager to try it herself, and added, "Only wizards who pass the test at seventeen can use it."

The light in Eliana's eyes instantly died out.

Dumbledore, on the other hand, laughed. "Now, welcome to our first stop—the Leaky Cauldron."

He pointed at the dark, dingy pub before them. "A very famous, very wonderful place."