"That was Apparition. Once you reach your sixth year, you'll have the chance to learn it." Beaming, Dumbledore gently explained as he watched Herman brace himself against the wall, retching uncontrollably.
Only after two more dry heaves did Herman's dizziness finally ease a little.
Before, he had only read descriptions of Apparition in books. Now that he had experienced it himself, he truly understood what clothes felt like tumbling around in a washing machine. The world spun, and his internal organs seemed about to be churned into a mess. It was utterly unbearable.
After agreeing to take Herman to Diagon Alley, Dumbledore had simply told him to hold tightly to his sleeve, then performed Apparition. In an instant, the two of them had arrived in London.
Once the dizziness subsided, Herman asked Dumbledore, "Headmaster, doesn't the Wizarding World have a more comfortable sort of transportation magic? Something where you open a door, for instance, then step through and arrive?" At the mention of transportation, the first thing that came to Herman's mind was Doraemon's magical portal, convenient and fast.
"Opening a door and arriving at your destination-that is indeed a wonderful idea." Dumbledore nodded slightly, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "I remember an alchemical item with a similar function, though it can only transport people between fixed locations. Perhaps one day, you'll use your own intelligence and talent to invent more powerful, more convenient transportation magic.
"Actually, wizards do have relatively comfortable means of transportation, such as Floo Powder. Unfortunately, the orphanage isn't connected to the Floo Network. Rather than walking to Snape's house and using his connection, it was quicker to Apparate directly. Now, stay close."
As Dumbledore spoke, he walked steadily toward a telephone box beside the wall. Herman hurried after him. Although he knew perfectly well that this was the telephone box leading to the Ministry of Magic, he deliberately pretended to know nothing and asked with a face full of curiosity:
"Headmaster, where are we going? Is this Doctor Who's telephone box? Will it take us to Diagon Alley?"
"Doctor Who, that alien from outer space? His story is certainly very interesting. It's quite an excellent television series." The corners of Dumbledore's mouth lifted slightly in a faint smile.
"However, this is not Doctor Who's telephone box. It's more like the lifts Muggles commonly use, except this one travels downward."
As he spoke, Dumbledore reached out and slowly turned the telephone dial. In an instant, as though enchanted, the telephone box began descending smoothly.
Before long, the telephone box reached a spacious underground hall. It bustled with activity and rang with voices as numerous Ministry of Magic employees hurried back and forth.
Among them were quite a few nonhuman beings, such as small goblins, powerfully built centaurs, and stunningly beautiful Veela with graceful figures.
Herman was certain that a Veela had just winked at him. In that instant, his heart had involuntarily picked up speed.
Dumbledore had barely stepped out of the lift when someone hurried over to meet him. The man wore a loose black robe with enormous sleeves that made him resemble a giant bat about to take flight as he walked.
He also had long, somewhat greasy, untidy black hair, and exuded a distinctive presence. Combined with his icy expression, as though someone owed him five million, it allowed Herman to recognize him at a glance: Professor Snape, his future Potions teacher and a tragic figure in the story of Harry Potter.
"Dumbledore, you're late. I've been waiting here for three whole hours!" To his surprise, Herman heard a trace of barely concealed anxiety in Snape's voice.
He could not help wondering what could be so important that it had left the normally composed and coolheaded Snape waiting so impatiently for Dumbledore.
Dumbledore remained unhurried, slowly explaining with a calm expression, "I went to give a new student some guidance before enrollment. This is Mr. Herman. He will soon be a student at Hogwarts. Herman, this is Professor Snape. He will be teaching you Potions."
Hearing this, Herman promptly greeted Snape. Naturally, Snape ignored him outright, not even sparing him a glance.
He merely stared fixedly at Dumbledore and said coldly, "You don't need to tell me any of that. I already know! McGonagall originally asked me to give the new student his guidance. You should have let me go, so you could have come here earlier instead of leaving someone waiting for three hours in that filthy, freezing dump!"
Dumbledore explained patiently, "Don't get so worked up, Snape. According to the regulations, it wasn't time until today."
"Hmph, regulations? Don't forget, you're the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot! Aren't those regulations yours to decide?" Snape's tone carried a hint of displeasure and mockery.
"All right, I'm here now, aren't I? People need to suffer a little before they learn their lesson." Dumbledore clearly did not wish to keep arguing with Snape over the matter. He knew that, on this subject, Snape seemed to have completely lost the composure and reason expected of a Potions Master.
"Let's go." With that, Dumbledore took the lead. Listening beside them, Herman was utterly bewildered and had no idea what the two were talking about.
But seeing that Dumbledore had already moved on, he hurried after him. After only a few steps, however, Herman noticed that Snape had not followed. Puzzled, he pointed it out. "Headmaster, Professor Snape isn't coming."
Dumbledore explained gently, "Clearly, he isn't ready yet. Never mind him. Just stay close to me."
Soon, under Dumbledore's guidance, the two reached a lift. Along the way, they encountered many people, all of whom doffed their hats respectfully upon seeing Dumbledore. Dumbledore always returned each greeting with a polite nod, every gesture displaying elegance and poise.
Then the lift continued downward. As they descended through the levels, the temperature around them grew lower and lower, and a chill gradually spread.
At last, the lift reached the ninth level. Following Dumbledore, Herman stepped out, then continued along a long corridor.
By now, Herman was growing increasingly puzzled, though he had a vague idea of Dumbledore's destination. The ninth level housed the Department of Mysteries, yet Dumbledore kept going without stopping, heading straight down. Then the tenth level... seemed to be where trials were held.
Herman suddenly remembered that Harry Potter had been tried there for using magic on a Muggle.
Could Dumbledore be taking me there to stand trial for using magic to teach those black people a lesson?
While Herman's thoughts ran wild, Dumbledore began explaining, "Next, we're going to the Wizengamot's courtroom. Anyone who breaks the rules by using magic on Muggles is brought here to stand trial."
Hearing this, Herman involuntarily slowed his steps. Nervously, he reminded Dumbledore not to forget their earlier agreement. "Um, didn't we agree before? That matter was supposed to be our secret."
Dumbledore reassured him with a smile. "Of course I remember. I simply wanted to give you a detailed introduction to this place. I think experiencing it in person will leave you with a deeper impression of the rules of the magical world. Violations of the International Statute of Secrecy aren't the only things tried here. In fact, most criminal cases in the Wizarding World are heard here. I sincerely hope you never have occasion to come here in the future."
"Absolutely not!" Herman hurriedly vowed. At the same time, he strongly suspected that Dumbledore had deliberately brought him here to give him a vivid cautionary lesson.
"I believe you," Dumbledore said with a smile. His eyes showed that he did indeed have such a consideration in mind.
Soon, the two reached the entrance to the tenth level. The moment they stepped inside, a guard came forward to meet them.
"Chief Warlock Dumbledore, what brings you here?" the guard asked respectfully.
Dumbledore took a roll of parchment from his wide sleeve, slowly unrolled it, and handed it to the guard, explaining patiently, "This is a bail order issued by the Wizengamot. I am the guarantor."
The guard merely glanced at the parchment, seemingly unconcerned that the issuing authority, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and the guarantor were the same person. He simply replied, "All right, the person is this way. Please follow me."
Soon, the guard led them to a stone room. After opening the cell door, he turned and left.
Dumbledore went in first, and Herman hurried after him. With Dumbledore's figure blocking his view, Herman had yet to get a clear look inside when he heard a clear female voice. Her choice of words, however, was not particularly polite.
"Laodeng, what took you so long!"