The Uniquely Shaped Mandrake

"Ahem, Ya Mu..." Dumbledore started to speak but was cut off.

"Old Mischief-Maker, let me finish this episode first." Then she handed the honey-flavored chips in her hand to Dumbledore, went to the fridge, and grabbed a can of Sprite and a bag of tomato-flavored chips.

The "fizz" of the Sprite can opening caught Dumbledore's attention. Muya met his gaze, thought he wanted some too, so she picked up a cup on the table and poured half for him.

Not wanting to disappoint the child's goodwill, Dumbledore picked it up with his hand. They clinked cups, then both let out a sigh of satisfaction, "Ahh, refreshing!"

One episode of anime passed quickly. They set down their cups at the same time and turned to face each other. Muya lifted her chin, signaling Dumbledore to speak first.

"Haha, alright, alright. It was indeed me and another friend who brought you over from the other world. Your home being able to appear here is all thanks to him—he's a master of the Untouchable Stretching Charm. Though, of course, he prefers magical creatures." Dumbledore stuffed another chip into his mouth. Sweet, crunchy, fragrant—truly delightful.

Muya spoke up, "So why did you bring me over?" And without even telling her personally, they'd shrunk her too—how rude.

"Oh, that's because you didn't belong to that world, child. Think about it—you never had parents, yet no one around you ever found that strange, did they?"

"Then why did I shrink?" The clothes in her wardrobe were unwearable now, dammit!

"Probably because in this world, you're meant to be an eleven-year-old little wizard right now."

He was messing with her, wasn't he! Definitely!

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

Muya shook her head with clear eyes.

"Well, I recall your wand is eleven inches, Aspen wood, Thunderbird tail feather—representing loyalty, constancy, and power." As Dumbledore spoke, Muya finally remembered what happened after a 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, and she was suddenly on a strange street, surrounded by people in pointed hats and robes, with only the white-bearded old man by her side.

After that, she was taken to buy clothes, books, and a wand—a full service. Muya was stunned. Then she suddenly appeared in the school's Great Hall. No wonder so many people had stared at her curiously that day—she'd cut in line to enroll and arrived just in time.

Good thing she'd forgotten back then, or she could have dug out another castle with her toes on the spot. Though now that she remembered, she was starting to feel a bit awkward.

"I've already arranged your guardians—they are the Heads of all the Houses, and myself." After saying this, Dumbledore looked even kinder and more benevolent than before.

"∑(❍ฺд❍ฺlll)!" What the hell? So many people were going to be her guardians?! How was she supposed to slack off, have fun, and explore this ancient castle then!

"Uh... maybe I don't need that many guardians, Headmaster." Preferably none at all—she couldn't even imagine how cheerful a little girl she'd be in this magical world with no one watching over her.

"Oh yes, yes, we should have your consent. I'll tell them you only want me as your guardian." Dumbledore nodded, then picked up his cup and clinked it against Muya's.

Muya: Seriously, what the heck did he just ramble on about?! When did she say she only wanted him as her guardian? Was his hearing going bad with age?

She was about to speak when Dumbledore spoke again, "Looks like we should head out. Your friends are here."

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Back in the office, she saw Hannah, Susan, and Shalian already there. When they spotted Muya, they rushed over and hugged her. They'd asked older students for the password to the Headmaster's office to get in.

"You were gone from the common room for so long—we thought something had happened to you!"

Muya patted each of them twice. "Ya Mu, I've resolved your issue. Now you can all return to the common room." Dumbledore said with a smile.

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

"What sincere friendship!"

The three accompanied Muya to drop off her suitcase in the dormitory, then headed to the greenhouse. This class was Herbology, taught by their Hufflepuff Head of House, Professor Sprout.

"Little wizards, today we'll be learning about Mandrakes." Professor Sprout waved her wand, and pots of Mandrakes along with an empty flowerpot were placed in front of each student, along with a pair of earmuffs.

"Does anyone know what a Mandrake is?" Oh my god, a soul-searching question. Teacher, don't call on me, don't call on me!

Shalian, next to Muya, raised her hand. "Oh, Miss Pox, go ahead."

"Mandrakes..." A whole bunch of stuff—Muya couldn't understand a word. But after Shalian finished, Professor Sprout awarded Hufflepuff two points.

"Next, we'll be repotting the Mandrakes. Everyone put on your earmuffs—the cry of a Mandrake root can be fatal. I don't want any students in the school hospital on the first day."

Hearing it could be fatal, Muya quickly put on her earmuffs and followed Hannah and the others in pulling up the Mandrakes. Their roots looked like ugly little babies—eww. Muya quickly shoved hers into another pot and covered it with some soil.

"Everyone did very well. One point each." As Professor Sprout said this, cheers erupted in the greenhouse.

At dinner, Cedric and his two friends sat across from Muya and her group.

"Good evening, Muya and your friends." Cedric really was a sunny boy—his smile was way too handsome.

"Good evening, juniors!" Sean was wearing a hat.

"Good evening, everyone."

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

"Good evening, seniors!" Shalian, Hannah, and Susan greeted together.

"Have you heard? Harry Potter was late to his first class today, and Professor Snape targeted him in Potions." Sean took a bite of his pudding and said.

Muya was shocked. That was the downside of being too famous—everything you did got attention. "I heard about the first one, but not the second."

"But Sean, how do you know? (⊙o⊙)" Muya wondered. Did Hufflepuff have a spy in Gryffindor?

"Heh heh, Hufflepuff has the best intel in the school." Muya felt like Sean's nose was about to stick up in pride.