The King's Gambit

The two left the study and walked down the corridor.

Now and then, Allen answered Dumbledore's questions about various objects.

A young maid approached from the opposite direction. She curtsied to Allen and asked in puzzlement, "Who are you speaking to, Crown Prince?"

Allen turned toward where Dumbledore had been standing, only to find that the old man had vanished.

Suppressing his astonishment, he kept his expression composed. "I was just talking to myself. Please don't tell His Majesty, Triss!"

Triss shook her head with an amused smile. "I won't, Your Highness. Don't worry, but please don't do it again."

Allen nodded obediently. He watched Triss turn the corner, then immediately looked back and called hesitantly, "Sir?"

Smiling, Dumbledore patted his shoulder.

Startled, Allen stepped back twice, then smiled helplessly and continued leading the way. "How did you just disappear into thin air?" he asked with keen interest.

Dumbledore raised an index finger mysteriously. "Wonderful magic!"

(Wonderful magic!)

Seeing that he would not explain, Allen did not press him. Instead, he said,

"Normally, I should take you to the reception room and have a footman inform the king. But given the unusual nature of the wizarding world, I thought it more appropriate to bring you directly to His Majesty's study."

Dumbledore expressed his understanding.

Just then, they reached King Edward's study. Allen inclined his head to Dumbledore, took two steps toward the door, and knocked three times. He paused for two seconds, then knocked three more times.

A gentle yet authoritative voice came from inside. "Come in."

With His Majesty's permission, Allen opened the door and entered. Stopping at the doorway, he said, "Father, I've brought Mr. Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Edward had already put down his documents. At those words, he capped his fountain pen. "Please, show him in."

The visitor was an elderly man dressed in a rather informal scarlet robe and a red wizard's hat, his graying hair and beard reaching his waist.

He wore half-moon spectacles, and his bright blue eyes seemed capable of seeing through anything. There was an air of dependability about him.

As Edward studied Dumbledore, Dumbledore also studied the king so beloved by his people.

His blond hair, exactly like the prince's, was held neatly in place with hair gel. He had finely shaped brows and eyes, a resolute expression, and a composed, commanding bearing. His build was well proportioned, his Sea Blue eyes unfathomable, and his age impossible to discern.

Father and son wore almost identical long-sleeved white shirts and trousers, with waistcoats on top despite the heat.

In that first moment, both sides finished taking each other's measure.

As king, Edward ought not to rise to welcome a headmaster, so he remained firmly seated in his high-backed chair, his eyes softening as he offered a gracious welcome.

At his father's signal, Allen led Dumbledore to the seat opposite Edward.

Edward smiled warmly. "Welcome, sir! Allen, make some tea."

Allen nodded lightly and went to a cabinet at one side of the study to retrieve the tea set.

Watching Allen quietly prepare the tea, Dumbledore smiled fondly. Then he turned to Edward and sat upright.

"Yesterday, I received Allen's letter and realized how inappropriate this arrangement had been. Please allow me to explain how Hogwarts admission letters work-

"When every young wizard is born, their name appears on Hogwarts' magical parchment register. Mr. Cornwall was no exception.

"When they turn eleven, Professor McGonagall, the deputy headmistress, writes their admission letters according to that register and sends them out by owl.

"As for young wizards born to Muggles-ordinary people without magic-

"If the young wizard responds, the school sends a professor to guide them in purchasing the supplies they need for the new term."

Edward narrowed his eyes, concealing the emotion in them. "You mean..."

He glanced at Allen, who was approaching with a tray. "Because we didn't respond, Hogwarts couldn't send a professor?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "That isn't the case, Your Majesty.

"In fact, once we've compiled a list of the Muggle-born children who haven't come, we still send professors to persuade their parents as best we can-

"You may not know this, but if young wizards cannot control their magic, the consequences can be disastrous.

"I imagine you've already witnessed it. Hasn't the young prince ever caused anything strange to happen when his magic ran out of control?"

Edward said nothing, swiftly recalling the times Allen's magic had gone out of control.

Allen gently placed the tray on the desk and set out its contents: two cups of black tea, a bowl of sugar cubes, and a plate of delicate pastries. "Please, help yourself."

He sat in the armchair beside the king and asked, "Sir, what would happen if I never learned to control my magic?"

Dumbledore looked at him kindly. "Oh, young prince, it isn't that I don't wish to answer you. There simply isn't a definite answer to that question.

"The consequences of uncontrolled magic depend entirely on the young wizard-their talent, whether they're in danger, and so on."

The old man dropped five or six sugar cubes into his tea and took a small, appreciative sip.

Edward hesitated, seemed about to speak, then hesitated again. At last, he said, "Sir, too much sugar is bad for your health."

Dumbledore chuckled. "You truly are father and son! Even your words and temperaments are alike! Don't worry, Your Majesty. I have a tooth-strengthening potion from a Potions Master!"

He winked at Edward.

Allen gave a soft laugh and returned to the earlier subject. "Thank you for explaining. But as crown prince, perhaps I would never find myself in a truly dangerous situation."

Edward also smiled faintly.

Dumbledore soon realized just how much the king valued his Crown Prince.

He fell silent for a moment, then sighed heavily.

"I hadn't intended to tell either of you this. Unfortunately, even if I say nothing, the young prince will probably discover it after entering Hogwarts."

"Danger?"

A storm gathered in the king's blue eyes.

"I'm afraid so," Dumbledore said. "Under the rules, we shouldn't tell Muggle parents about these things. But given your unusual positions, I can reveal a little."

"Oh?" Edward's smile was inscrutable.

"Yes." Dumbledore nodded and continued as though he had not seen the suspicion in the king's eyes. "You must have heard something, too. After all, every prime minister has known about our world."

Neither father nor son reacted. Even Dumbledore felt some admiration for their composure.

The old man continued, "Several decades ago, a Dark Lord emerged in the wizarding world."

"...A what?" Allen asked incredulously.

"A Dark Lord, my boy," Dumbledore said calmly. "His dark reign plunged the entire wizarding world into chaos and suffering, and had a considerable impact on the Muggle world as well-

"He slaughtered Muggle-born young wizards at will, and later began allowing his followers to slaughter Muggles."

The old man looked at the impassive king. "I believe Your Majesty lived through those times. The Muggle world was far from peaceful then, either."

There was a probing look in his bright blue eyes.

Allen looked at Edward with concern, only to see his father raise a hand, indicating that he would ask the questions from here.

Edward lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp. "So this 'Dark Lord' is about to return?"

Dumbledore met his eyes. "Personally, I believe he isn't dead. He merely disappeared."

"And how did he disappear?"

Dumbledore sighed. He had to admit that the Muggle elite were difficult to deal with. He would have to explain more.

"He believed a prophecy that said he would be defeated by a child born at the end of July.

"So he went to kill that child. But the mother fought desperately to protect her baby, and the power of love caused the Dark Lord's Killing Curse to rebound...

"After that, the Dark Lord disappeared-you can find all these facts in the wizarding world's history books."

Father and son were silent for a moment. Allen cleared his throat and asked, "How is that baby doing now?"

"He's well. I placed him with his aunt and uncle.

"His name-you'll learn it sooner or later, so allow this old man to say a little more-

"Harry Potter!

"He happens to be starting school this year, too."

The old man gently steered the conversation onward. "So, would you like to come and study at Hogwarts?"

Allen smiled gently, resisting the urge to lean back. "Sir, you know my position. Then you must understand that where the crown prince is concerned, every decision rests with the king."

Dumbledore leaned back with exaggerated dismay. "Oh! Adults are always harder to persuade than children!"

The king smiled, his manner growing even gentler. "Mr. Dumbledore, in the thirty-eight years of my life, I never imagined that a magical world truly existed.

"When I saw the owls and those letters, I almost thought it was a prank.

"Or worse, that some terrorist had been bold enough to attack my son in the king's own castle."

"Oh, I'm sorry to have given you that impression." Dumbledore's white beard quivered.

Edward said diplomatically, "Forgive my frankness, but I cannot send this country's crown prince to a school on the strength of a letter of uncertain authenticity and an elderly gentleman straight out of a fairy tale.

"How will you prove this 'magic' to me?"

For a moment, Dumbledore thought he was looking at Lucius.

Amused by his own thought, he obtained His Majesty's permission, winked at Allen, and transformed the teacup before him.

"Remarkable indeed," Edward said evenly. "Is this what my child will learn? It hardly seems sufficient to protect him from that 'Dark Lord.'"

Dumbledore nodded, smiling indulgently.

"This is merely Transfiguration. It has little offensive power, admittedly. But I imagine you wouldn't feel reassured if I demonstrated offensive magic, either."

The old man put away his wand, picked up a pastry, and savored it, discussing its flavor with Allen.

Edward nodded courteously. "Sir, I have a question."

Allen lifted his teacup, swiftly reviewing their conversation in his mind. He desperately wanted to know what he had missed and what his father had noticed.

Dumbledore raised the pastry in his hand to show he was listening. "Please go ahead, Your Majesty."

"As headmaster, do you often come out to guide... young wizards born to ordinary people?"

Edward paused before uttering the word "wizards."

"Of course not." The old man smiled benevolently. "In fact, I haven't guided a young wizard in a very long time. An old man's time always seems to run short."

With gentle authority, Edward asked, "Then what exactly is so special about Allen that you must trouble yourself to come in person, rather than send a deputy headmaster?"

Looking into those Sea Blue eyes, Dumbledore gently put down his pastry.

Before he could answer, the king continued,

"I mean no offense. It's simply that, as his father, I cannot help worrying about placing Allen in a completely unfamiliar world.

"Of course, the wizarding world does hold an appeal for us. I believe that is precisely why you've come."

His Sea Blue eyes were steady and commanding. "Then, for the sake of our shared stability and peace, for the ordinary children studying in the wizarding world, and to ease this father's mind...

"Please consider allowing the royal family to become a School Governor of Hogwarts."

Dumbledore's white eyebrows drew together. He was clearly troubled.

"Although you haven't said so explicitly, I can infer that there are many young wizards born to ordinary people."

Edward said gravely, "Yet throughout all these years, we have never heard of the wizarding world.

"Clearly, the idea of living harmoniously with ordinary people has not become the prevailing view.

"As king, I must ensure that these children can live well. Becoming a School Governor should be the most effective way to do so."

Dumbledore watched Edward with sharp blue eyes. After a long moment, he gently brought his hands together and said slowly,

"Yes, yes, but there are difficulties... The wizarding world has never had Muggle investment, much less a Muggle School Governor..."

"Only difficulties," Edward said without any change in expression. "You must be a highly respected elder in the wizarding world. If you wish to accomplish this, how could it be beyond you?"

Allen was deeply shaken. Though he had long known his father to be a wise and capable ruler, he was still utterly impressed by him now.

When Edward ascended the throne, the country had been in turmoil. The political system required the monarch not to interfere, but standing aside had been impossible.

It was only through Edward and the prime minister joining forces to turn the tide that the country had regained stability.

Allen, whose life had been smooth sailing, could not begin to compare with this battle-tested king in political cunning.

Dumbledore sighed in admiration. "A king indeed... Very well, let this old man give it a try... Then, about enrollment?"

Edward felt they had reached the right point and he could agree now. He nodded lightly, lifted his cup, and took a sip of tea.

Allen picked up the conversation. "It would be my greatest honor, Headmaster Dumbledore."

With a rueful smile, Dumbledore took a letter from inside his robes and handed it to Allen. "Your admission letter, Mr. Cornwall.

"Oh, and those three poor owls you've kept shut away-I hope I can take them back with me this time. Our gamekeeper has come crying to me about them several times!"

Allen laughed. "Of course!"

Looking troubled, he added, "Sir, I have a slight difficulty regarding enrollment, and I'd also like to ask for your help."

"Oh?"

"You may not realize this, but in the ordinary world, the media follow my father's every move and mine."

Allen said apologetically, "I saw the school supplies listed with the letter, but we don't know where to buy them, and it would be difficult to get there without attracting the media's attention.

"So we need your help-with the sort of magic you used when you appeared earlier."

Dumbledore laughed delightedly, his white beard bobbing. "No problem, my boy."