The Leaky Cauldron

"Evans?" A gleam flashed in Dumbledore's eyes, and he sat up straight. "Now that's an interesting coincidence. No wonder, no wonder."

Dumbledore tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. "Many Muggle-born young wizards may have had wizarding blood among their ancestors, perhaps going back many generations. Of course, people still debate the matter."

"So it wouldn't be surprising for the Evans family to produce a Lily, and now another Yulian," Professor McGonagall said in agreement.

"And the boy himself?" Dumbledore asked. That was what interested him most.

"The boy himself... was very composed." Professor McGonagall spoke as she recalled what had happened.

The corner of Professor McGonagall's mouth even lifted in the faintest hint of a smile. "Although his parents were initially deeply skeptical of and resistant to magic, Yulian seemed to have anticipated all of this and was looking forward to it. His gaze was steady, unlike the restless look of children his age. And, Albus, his eyes..."

"Yes, I've already guessed," Dumbledore said softly. "Exactly like Lily's. Emerald green, like olive leaves after the rain."

"Not only that," Professor McGonagall lowered her voice slightly. "The magical energy I sensed in him was pure and powerful, and its nature... was remarkably similar to Lily's when she was young. A lively, resilient force that came from life itself."

"Fate certainly has a curious way of arranging things!" Dumbledore slowly nodded, his gaze turning toward the deep night sky outside the window.

"Minerva, just think: the Muggle-born Evans family has produced two generations of genius wizards in a row. Magic is like the vast night sky. We know so little about it."

Professor McGonagall nodded in heartfelt agreement. "I do hope this boy will come to Gryffindor." Her words were firm. "I hope I can personally guide him into becoming a true wizard, just like Lily."

"Well said, Minerva," Dumbledore said approvingly. "Then we'll proceed as planned. Next week, take him to Diagon Alley to shop. And, while you're at it... keep an eye on his choices for me."

"Of course I will. Are you still not satisfied?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"After all, this is the year Harry starts school. We need to be very, very careful."

At the mention of Harry, Professor McGonagall's brow furrowed.

"By the way, Albus, about Harry Potter... I heard from Yulian's mother that Harry hasn't been treated well at the Dursleys'. Petunia Evans tells people that Lily died in a car accident, clearly to cover up the truth. Dumbledore, are you sure leaving Harry with that family was the right decision?"

The smile faded from Dumbledore's face, replaced by a deep-seated worry.

"The protection of blood is the strongest kind, Minerva. As long as Harry still considers that place his 'home,' Voldemort can't hurt him. It's the protection Lily bought for him with her life. As for everything else... sigh, sometimes a little suffering is necessary."

"Necessary?" A trace of displeasure crept into Professor McGonagall's voice. "Watching a child grow up in a cupboard and endure mistreatment—is that what you call 'necessary'?"

Dumbledore fell silent for a moment. In the end, he merely waved a weary hand. "We'll discuss this another time. For now, let's focus on the new student in front of us. I hope he'll bring something... different to Hogwarts."

Professor McGonagall gave the headmaster a long look, but said nothing more. She turned and left the office.

After the door closed, Dumbledore sat alone, unconsciously running his fingers over the unlit Deluminator on his desk.

At length, he murmured, "Shiloh Yulian Black... the one who carves the stars. I hope your arrival really can reshape the night sky."

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

That morning, outside Number 3, Wickham Courtyard, Charing Cross Road, Yulian wore a well-tailored dark blue suit that made him look both sharp and brimming with youthful spirit.

His parents, Altair and Clara, had come along too. Their eyes were full of curiosity, with a hint of nervousness that was hard to detect. After all, they were about to step into a world entirely unknown to them.

Professor McGonagall arrived on time. She wore a dark purple robe that day and seemed less stern than she had during her last home visit, and a little more approachable.

"Good morning, Mr. Black, Mrs. Black." She nodded to Yulian's parents, then said to him, "Are you ready, Shiloh?"

"Ready, Professor!" Yulian answered eagerly.

"Good. Then follow me." Professor McGonagall led them through the Muggle crowds and came to the dilapidated pub wedged between a bookshop and a record store—the Leaky Cauldron.

"This is the place? I pass by here almost every day. How have I never noticed this shabby pub?"

"This is the place?" Altair looked at the crooked sign that read "Leaky Cauldron" and frowned. "It looks so crooked it could collapse at any moment."

"I saw it last time I was at that record store called Sister Ray with Hermione," Yulian said with a smile.

Professor McGonagall nodded slightly. She didn't mention the Muggle-Repelling Charm, merely smiled. "Appearances can be deceptive, Mr. and Mrs. Black." With that, she turned and pushed open the creaking wooden door.

Beyond it lay a completely different world. The entrance was narrow, but the pub itself was quite spacious. After all, the Undetectable Extension Charm was nothing unusual in the wizarding world.

The air was filled with a complex mix of scents: burning candles, old wood, alcohol, and perhaps some kind of magical spice Yulian couldn't identify. Together, they created the Leaky Cauldron's distinctive atmosphere.

In the dim light, smoke swirled around several oddly dressed wizards seated at a table. They were puffing on long hookahs as they talked in low voices.

A jug floated through the air by itself, continually refilling the customers' empty glasses. Yulian had the feeling that unless you covered your glass with your hand, it would keep pouring until you passed out.

Behind the bar, a tall but stooped old man was polishing glasses.

"Good morning, Professor McGonagall." Hearing them, the old man looked up. He clearly knew Professor McGonagall. "Bringing another new student to shop?"

"That's right, Tom. Good morning." Professor McGonagall greeted the old man familiarly, then turned back and introduced him to the others. "This is Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron. He's a very kind man. If you ever have any problems when you come here, you can always ask him."

"Welcome!" Tom greeted them warmly, then turned to Professor McGonagall. "Would you like to sit down and have a drink, Minerva? Take a rest?"

"Thanks, but no. It's a short walk, so I'm not tired. We should take care of business first."

Yulian noticed a little girl with golden hair and rosy cheeks sitting inside the bar, reading a book with her head bobbing as she nodded off.

Tom noticed Yulian looking and smiled. "Young man, let me introduce you. This is Hannah, Hannah Abbott. She's a relative of mine, and she's starting school this year too. You'll be classmates."

At the sound of her name, the girl looked up, seeming very shy.

Oh, so this was the future "Iron Hat King's" wife—and the future landlady of this place.

"Hello, Hannah. My name's Shiloh Yulian Black. You can call me Yulian; that's what my friends call me." Yulian waved hello first.

"Hello, Yulian." At that moment, the young "Iron Hat King" had turned red all the way to the tips of her ears.

"All right, Yulian. Let's head to Diagon Alley first," Professor McGonagall said, casually calling him Yulian too. Until now, she had always called him Mr. Black or Shiloh. "When we come back, you can talk with your classmate some more."