The Ice Crystal Phoenix Delivering the Letter

Hogwarts.

The Magic School was in recess.

However, because a considerable number of new students were to be admitted this year, Deputy Headmistress Professor Minerva McGonagall was almost overwhelmed. Like the other professors, she also had to go and explain the existence of magic to the parents of new students born into Muggle families from time to time.

It had to be said, there were simply too many new students this year.

But no matter how busy the Hogwarts professors were, there was one person who was definitely more leisurely.

The Hogwarts Headmaster.

Albus Dumbledore.

Dumbledore was a name known to everyone in the Wizarding World, and he had always been recognized by all as the greatest White Wizard of the current era.

The name of this Headmaster was often followed by a string of astonishing achievements. Wizards in the Wizarding World grew up with Dumbledore's name.

Moreover.

Dumbledore was also recognized as the greatest Headmaster in Hogwarts' history. This honor was something the old man, over a hundred years old, actually liked very much.

Now, at this age, nothing made Dumbledore happier than nurturing a group of young wizards into adulthood.

Dumbledore was now sitting in his office.

The old man's hair was a bit disheveled, a small pair of glasses perched on his nose, his long white beard tied back, and his hands rested on the desk, holding a thick magic book.

He was a truly learned old man.

Beside the old man was a cup of warm black tea, and next to the tea was a plate of sweet and delicious muffins, with a flat teaspoon pressed under the plate.

This old man lived a very comfortable life.

Above the desk stood a birdcage stand, upon which a fiery red Phoenix stood quietly, occasionally ruffling its head.

Dumbledore noticed the Phoenix's movement, put down the book in his hand, picked up the teaspoon, scooped a small mouthful of muffin, and offered it to the Phoenix, gently saying, "I almost forgot, Fawkes needs to eat his breakfast diligently every day..."

The Phoenix Fawkes.

This was the companion who had always accompanied Dumbledore. Their relationship was like that of family, and it was one of the few creatures that could always stay by Dumbledore's side.

Just as the fiery Phoenix lowered its head to peck at the muffin, its body suddenly froze, as if sensing some danger, and it sharply turned its head!

"Chirp—Clang!"

The Phoenix's cry, which had been like celestial music in the past, now suddenly let out a chilling sound!

This was the signal of approaching danger!

Dumbledore hurriedly put down the teaspoon, lifted the sleeves of his voluminous robes, and walked to the window of the Headmaster's office to look at the sky.

A chill quietly enveloped Hogwarts on this summer day.

Filch, the caretaker of Hogwarts, and the House-elves underground also felt the sudden change in temperature, as if winter had arrived at the school half a year early.

When Dumbledore stepped out of the Headmaster's office, he saw a massive Ice Crystal Giant Bird circling above Hogwarts' barrier!

With a wingspan of just over ten meters, it looked like an ancient creature. Its abundant and vast magical power and its body composed of frost crystals made one clearly feel the oppressive aura emanating from this giant bird!

As a legendary Mythical Creature, Fawkes the Phoenix undoubtedly recognized the terror of this Ice Crystal Giant Bird first. This was undoubtedly also a Mythical Creature!

Dumbledore looked up at the circling Ice Crystal Giant Bird. The old wizard's sharp gaze spotted what appeared to be an envelope clutched in its beak...

So...

Was this a pet delivering a letter?

Dumbledore, somewhat bewildered, took off his glasses, reached out to wipe his eyes, and put them back on. "Hmm... am I too old and seeing things?"

Hmm.

He wasn't mistaken.

It wasn't that he was too old and his eyes were failing him.

It was that this powerful magical creature, which could clearly affect the weather, was actually being used to deliver a letter. Such an act was far too ostentatious.

Anyone who witnessed this scene would surely think that the mastermind behind it was provoking Albus Dumbledore, and even Dumbledore himself thought so.

The old man, being magnanimous in nature, didn't care in the slightest.

Dumbledore smiled and waved at the ice bird in the sky. With a silent spell, his aged voice became grand and resonant, "If you're here to deliver a letter to me, just fly down. There are some sweets here..."

This was a wizarding custom.

Pets usually got something to eat after delivering a letter.

The Ice Crystal Phoenix soaring in the sky heard the old man's voice. Its body rapidly descended from the sky, directly breaking through Hogwarts' barrier!

The ice bird's massive body hovered in the space between the floors of Hogwarts. As it descended, layers of frost instantly formed on the walls.

Fawkes the Phoenix, perched on Dumbledore's shoulder, couldn't help but let out a few sharp cries, seemingly greeting the ice bird.

Unfortunately...

This ice bird's personality was just as cold and frosty. It merely extended its huge head and handed over the envelope it had carefully carried all the way.

Honestly, delivering the mail was quite a challenge for it.

Dumbledore tiptoed to reach the envelope. The low temperature made his fingers tremble, and the letter had already turned into a hard block of ice.

As the old man took the letter, he playfully wondered if he should turn on the heater to dry it out in the summer...

"Chirp!"

Seeing Dumbledore take the letter, the ice bird didn't linger. It spread its wings decisively and soared away from the Magic School.

"Quite a character, this one..."

Dumbledore looked down at the envelope. It was addressed to Hogwarts.

This was a letter delivered to the school, and combined with the ice bird that had just appeared, Dumbledore thought it might be some kind of exchange letter from another Magic School.

However, when the old man opened the envelope, he was a bit confused by the contents. It wasn't until he saw the signature that he realized it was a reply from a new student.

One had to admit.

It was fortunate that he was the one who received it.

If Professor McGonagall had received it, she would most likely have treated the little one as a problematic child. This was because Professor McGonagall valued etiquette the most, and she couldn't be as composed about everything as the old man.

[Read.]

[By the way, can my pet Anivia be brought into the school? It was a birthday gift from Mr. Barty Crouch.]

[Attachment: The ice bird that delivered the letter is Anivia. It's a bit large. Mr. Barty Crouch said it might not be allowed, even though it doesn't need to eat anything.]

[Sincerely, Viven Wright]

"Seems like a lively little fellow..."

After reading the letter, Dumbledore already had an expectation. This new student named Viven Wright would likely cause quite a bit of trouble at the school.

Such things were of no consequence to the old man.

Moreover, Dumbledore knew that there would be many lively new students this year, such as the Weasley twins who would also be attending Hogwarts.

The name Viven Wright had appeared before.

Dumbledore remembered where he first heard the name. He picked up the quill on the desk and began to seriously write a reply to Viven Wright.

On the portrait wall in the Headmaster's office.

The historical Hogwarts Headmasters seemed to come alive, asking in a babble, "Dumbledore, who sent you that letter? We heard from those outside that the sender is provoking Hogwarts?"

"No, just a kind and interesting little fellow."

Dumbledore smiled and shook his head. He gripped the quill and continued to write his reply, murmuring in response to them, "Once this batch of youngsters enrolls, Hogwarts will be more lively than any year in the past..."

The days of elementary school are very useful...

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