11

Dumbledore was unquestionably one of the greatest figures in the Harry Potter series, both in magical power and renown.

Some Harry Potter fans had once ranked all the wizards who appeared alive in the series. The top three giants were:

The greatest white wizard, Dumbledore; the first Dark Lord, Gellert Grindelwald; and the second Dark Lord, Voldemort, Tom Riddle.

Harry Potter's eventual defeat of Voldemort had also depended most heavily on Dumbledore's overt and covert efforts.

It could be said that this white wizard, renowned throughout the international magical world, had achieved his greatest feat by defeating the first Dark Lord and standing against the second.

Sherlock had always thought that his first contact with Dumbledore would surely be on the day new students entered Hogwarts—when Sherlock turned eleven, six years from now.

Yet because of the 'Whispering Word Spirit' spell he had invented, he had unexpectedly received a letter of thanks from the greatest wizard alive.

In the letter, Dumbledore made it clear that it was precisely because of the incredible Whispering Word Spirit spell that he could communicate with his beloved pet, the phoenix Fawkes.

Though the two were friends whose bond went beyond that of pet and owner, their inability to communicate directly had always been a great regret.

Sherlock's spell had made up for that regret, and could be said to have brought great comfort to many wizards in the magical world.

In the letter, Dumbledore also invited Sherlock to visit Hogwarts ahead of time. Dumbledore would personally show him around the magical academy that had endured for a thousand years.

It would also give Sherlock a point of reference when he chose which school to attend in the future.

Because the ancient Mephisto Family revered dark magic, few members of the family throughout its history had attended Hogwarts. Sherlock's father going there had merely been a coincidence.

His uncle Laike'er, who was still on the run, had graduated from Durmstrang Institute.

Even Sherlock's grandfather had been a student at Durmstrang Institute, since it was a school that allowed students to study and use dark magic—as long as they did not go too far.

The first Dark Lord, Gellert Grindelwald, had been expelled from Durmstrang Institute because he had excessively used highly dangerous dark magic at the school and carried out some evil experiments.

"Looks like Dumbledore is probably worried that Durmstrang Institute will recruit me in the future... Or has the talent I've shown already made Dumbledore worry that I might become the third Dark Lord? After all, the Mephisto Family has never had much honor in its history. On the contrary, it's often received more negative judgments."

Sherlock pondered for a while before finally shaking his head. He stopped thinking about matters six years away. What interested him more was whether he could visit Hogwarts in advance.

At the dinner table, Sherlock brought up the matter.

Fumengde stroked his chin before finally suggesting, "It's already been a month since Christmas. Honestly, Sherlock, you've given me far too many surprises. I've seen the light of the family's future in you. But after all that joy, it's regrettable that we never properly celebrated. So I'm planning to take all of you on a trip. As for visiting Hogwarts... that can wait for now."

His mother, Aili, added, "I spent seven years there. Every corner of Hogwarts can bring back memories for me. If Dumbledore personally invited you to visit Hogwarts, it would be an honor for Sherlock before he begins studying there. But I think your father is right. We can travel somewhere else first. I'm sure Dumbledore won't mind waiting a few more months."

Fumengde said quietly, "You two little ones have never left England since you were born. This time, we can visit another country. In fact, the first place I have in mind is China."

When he heard that Fumengde planned to take them to China, Sherlock visibly perked up. That word filled him with deep nostalgia.

"That's wonderful! We can go abroad!" His younger sister Axinsha was extremely excited.

"I don't object either, but why did Father suddenly choose China instead of another European country?"

"Actually... I received a letter from your uncle Laike'er. Honestly, it's the first news we've had from him in the four years since he disappeared. With the Ministry of Magic's Aurors hunting him, there isn't any place in all of Europe that is absolutely safe. China, on the other hand, is practically the perfect hiding place. Most wizards who go there are either tourists or looking for things they need."

Fumengde said seriously, "The Chinese magical world is no weaker than Europe's in either influence or strength!"

Sherlock nodded seriously. After they decided to set their departure for three days later, Sherlock received another package the following day, this one from the Order of Merlin.

Inside was an exquisite gift box, along with a letter from the Order of Merlin.

The letter was written by Sedros, a representative of the Order of Merlin. In light of Sherlock's exceptional mastery and understanding of magic, his rare talent for developing spells, and the incredible abilities of the Scarless Healing spell and the Whispering Word Spirit spell—

Sherlock was hereby awarded the Second Class Order of Merlin.

At the joint recommendation of the Hogwarts headmaster, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, President of the International Confederation of Wizards, and recipient of the First Class Order of Merlin, Mr. Dumbledore; the director of St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Oster Bohan; and the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge—

Mr. Sherlock was hereby invited to join the Order of Merlin. Should he agree, he would become the youngest member in the Order of Merlin's history.

Sherlock was somewhat surprised upon reading the letter. He then showed it to his father as well.

To be honest, joining the Order of Merlin only required a recommendation from one member. The Order would decide whether to extend an invitation after placing particular consideration on the nominee's character and achievements.

But he had been recommended by three people at once, and all three were influential wizards in the magical world. Setting aside Dumbledore and Fudge, even Oster Bohan held no small position as the director of St Mungo's.

It was the only magical hospital in all of Europe.

"Of course you should accept! Sherlock, my son. But we'll wait until after we return from China... We should tell Laike'er all the good news that has happened to you lately and let him be happy too."

Sherlock merely smiled and said nothing.

There were many ways to travel to China. Muggles would certainly take airplanes, while a few might choose to travel by cruise ship.

But as wizards, they chose to take a special magical means of transportation.

Only a small number of special forms of transportation in the magical world could travel between countries. Wizards could use magic to enter another nation as well, but the journey would take much longer than using transportation.

All means of transportation were strictly monitored by the Ministry of Magic, and passengers had to undergo rigorous registration. To Sherlock, it felt rather like the passport registration and inspections of ordinary society.

If they entered another country, they also had to comply with the relevant regulations of that country's magical government. Anyone wishing to use magic had to register their wand abroad.

Once all the procedures had been completed, Sherlock could not help sighing. Whether in the magical world or the Muggle world, traveling abroad was no easy matter.