The Strange-Looking Mandrake

"Cough, cough, Mya Mu..." Dumbledore had barely begun to speak when she interrupted him.

"Old Mischief-Maker, let me finish this episode first." She handed Dumbledore the Honey-flavored chips in her hand, then went to the refrigerator for a can of Sprite and a bag of tomato-flavored chips.

The fizz of the Sprite being opened caught Dumbledore's attention. Muya met his gaze and assumed he wanted some too, so she picked up a cup from the table and poured half of it for him.

Not wanting to disappoint the child's kindness, Dumbledore picked it up. The two clinked cups, then exclaimed together, "Awesome!"

An episode of anime quickly passed. They both set down their cups and faced each other. Muya lifted her chin, signaling for Dumbledore to speak first.

"Ha ha, all right, all right. It was indeed another friend and I who brought you here from another world. Your house being able to appear here was all thanks to him. He is an expert at the Undetectable Extension Charm, though of course, he prefers magical creatures." Dumbledore popped another chip into his mouth. Sweet, crisp, and fragrant—it really was good.

Muya spoke up. "Then why did you bring me here?" And without even telling her first! They had even made her smaller. That was incredibly rude.

"Oh, that is because you did not belong to that world, child. Think about it—your whole life, you had no parents, yet no one around you found that strange at all, did they?"

"Then why did I shrink?" None of the clothes in her wardrobe fit anymore. Damn it!

"Perhaps because, in this world, you were meant to be an eleven-year-old little witch."

He was messing with me, wasn't he? He had to be!

"Then do you remember when we went to Diagon Alley together?" Dumbledore put down his beloved chips.

Muya shook her head, her eyes clear.

"All right. I remember that your wand was eleven inches, Aspen wood, with a Thunderbird tail feather core. It represented loyalty, constancy, and strength." As Dumbledore spoke, Muya finally recalled what had happened after that flash of white light.

A white-bearded old man—Dumbledore—and a middle-aged man carrying a suitcase had suddenly appeared in her home. Then another flash of white light had gone off, and she had abruptly found herself on an unfamiliar street, surrounded by people in pointed hats and robes. The only one left by her side was the white-bearded old man.

After that, she had been taken to buy clothes, books, and even a wand—the full package. Muya had been utterly stunned, and then she had suddenly appeared in the school's Great Hall. No wonder so many people had stared at her that day. It turned out she had cut in line to enroll and arrived right on time.

Luckily, she had forgotten about it back then. Otherwise, she could have dug out another castle with her toes on the spot. Even now that she remembered, she was starting to feel a little embarrassed.

"I have already found guardians for you. They will be the Heads of House of all the houses, as well as myself." After saying that, Dumbledore looked even more kind and benevolent than before.

"∑(❍ฺд❍ฺlll)!" What the heck? That many people were going to be her guardians?! How was she supposed to slack off, have fun, or explore this ancient castle in peace after that?!

"Um... perhaps I do not need so many guardians, Headmaster." Preferably none at all. She did not even dare imagine how cheerful a little girl she would be in this magical world if nobody kept an eye on her.

"Oh, yes, yes. We should have gotten your consent first. I will tell them that you only want me to be your guardian." Dumbledore nodded, then picked up his cup and clinked it against Muya's.

Muya: What was all that nonsense he was saying?! When had she said she only wanted him as her guardian? Could it be that old age had ruined his hearing too?

Just as she was about to speak, Dumbledore opened his mouth again. "It seems we should go out now. Your friends have arrived."

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Back in the office, they found Hannah, Susan, and Shalian already there. The moment they saw Muya, they rushed over and hugged her together. They had asked an older student for the password to the Headmaster's office before they could get in.

"You have been gone from the common room for so long! We thought something had happened to you!"

Muya patted each of them twice. "Mya Mu, I have already resolved your problem. You may all return to the common room now," Dumbledore said with a smile.

Dumbledore shrank her suitcase a little to make it easier to carry. Muya took it and left with the other three.

"What sincere friendship!"

After the three accompanied Muya to put her suitcase back in the dormitory, they headed to the greenhouse. This was Herbology class, taught by their Hufflepuff Head of House, Professor Sprout.

"Little wizards, today we will be studying Mandrakes." With a wave of Professor Sprout's wand, pots containing Mandrakes and an empty flowerpot appeared before every student, along with a pair of earmuffs.

"Does anyone know about Mandrakes?" Oh my god, the soul-searching question. Professor, do not call on me, do not call on me!

Shalian, beside Muya, raised her hand. "Oh, Miss Pox, please tell us."

"Mandrakes..." She rattled on about a whole bunch of things Muya could not understand. In any case, after Shalian finished, Professor Sprout awarded Hufflepuff two points.

"What we will do next is repot the Mandrakes. Everyone, put on your earmuffs. The cry of a Mandrake root can be fatal. I do not want any students sent to the School Hospital during our very first lesson."

Hearing that it could be fatal, Muya hurriedly put on her earmuffs. Following Hannah and the others, she pulled up a Mandrake. Its root looked like a baby—an especially ugly baby. Ugh. Muya quickly placed it into the other pot and covered it with some soil.

"You have all done very well. One point to everyone." The moment Professor Sprout said this, cheers erupted throughout the greenhouse.

At dinner, Cedric and his two friends sat across from Muya and the others.

"Good evening, Muya, and your friends." Cedric truly was a sunny, handsome boy. His smile was far too good-looking.

"Hello, junior girls!" Sean wore a hat.

"Good evening, everyone."

"Good evening, Cedric, Sean, and Vester." Muya gave each of them a pudding.

"Hello, seniors!" Shalian, Hannah, and Susan greeted them together.

"Have you heard? Harry Potter was late for his first class today, and Professor Snape targeted him during Potions class." Sean took a bite of his pudding before speaking.

Muya was shocked. This was the downside of being too famous—everything you did drew attention. "I have heard about the first part, but not the second."

"But Sean, how did you know? (⊙o⊙)" Muya asked curiously. Could it be that Hufflepuff had an undercover agent in Gryffindor?

"Heh heh, Hufflepuff has the best-informed students in the entire school." Muya felt as though Sean was so proud that his nose was about to point at the ceiling.