The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 56 The Old Principal and the New Principal

The elusive Dumbledore stood not far from the three of them. They didn't know when Dumbledore came, nor did they know how much he heard.

Ada and the twins, who were discussing the "Minister of Magic", greeted Dumbledore awkwardly. It was like you were happily bragging with your friends, and then you found that an elder was looking at you kindly.

It's shameful that this person was sent to an orphanage.

"I'm sorry, I've been standing here for a while, and I had no intention of eavesdropping on your conversation." Dumbledore, wearing a blue robe, bowed slightly to express his apologies to Ada and the other two.

Ada and the twins waved their hands to tell Dumbledore not to care about such a trivial matter. After noticing Dumbledore, the twins stood up and gave their chairs to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore looked at them gently and said, "It is a gratifying thing that you have such a good relationship. The friendship in your youth can accompany you throughout your life."

Dumbledore looked at the three young men with a smile on his face. This was the scene he hoped to see and also the scene he envied, but Dumbledore's attention was more focused on Ada.

"Fred, George, I want to eat meat..." Ada said suddenly, she said this without any reason.

This confused the twins. We were talking about friendship, so why did we suddenly want to eat meat? Isn't there meat in sandwiches?

But the twins did not ask why foolishly. They planned to fulfill Ada's little wish, so the two brothers decided to go to the kitchen.

After the twins left the infirmary, Dumbledore sat in a chair beside the bed and said, "I was wondering how I could get those naughty Weasleys to leave, and you did it with just one sentence."

Of course, the reason why Ada asked the twins to leave the school infirmary was not because she really wanted to eat meat, but because she saw that Dumbledore wanted to talk to her alone, so she made up such an unreliable reason to send Fred and George away.

As for what Dumbledore was going to say, Ada had no idea. No one could accurately guess what Dumbledore was thinking.

"The professor must have many ways to make them leave, he just didn't do it." Ada said. Dumbledore said that he had no way, but Ada would never believe such a thing.

"Indeed, after living for so many years, I must have some ways to do it, but your way is obviously better. Mr. Weasley's voluntary departure is a good proof of this." Dumbledore pointed to the snacks on the table and continued to ask, "Can I have a taste?"

The snacks were sent by Ada's friends, including Angelina and Alia, and some were brought by Lee Jordan. Charlie also brought gifts when he came.

Dumbledore picked out a bag of chocolate frogs from a small pile of snacks. After opening the package, the enchanted chocolate frog jumped hard, but the headmaster was prepared and did not let it escape.

After he ate the chocolate frog in two or three bites, he went to look at the wizard pictures that came with it. However, when he was looking at the pictures, Dumbledore's expression was not very good, a bit like a child who didn't get his favorite toy.

"Me again!" grumbled Dumbledore.

Dumbledore handed the picture to Ada and continued, "It may sound a bit boastful, but I already have many pictures of myself."

This kind of bonus card will give a brief introduction to some famous wizards, and Dumbledore's card is the same. It says:

Albus Dumbledore, current headmaster of Hogwarts
Recognized as the greatest wizard of our time,
Dumbledore's well-known contributions include:
In 1945, he defeated the dark wizard Grindelwald.
Discover the twelve uses of dragon blood.
He and his partner Nicolas Flamel were very successful in alchemy.
Professor Dumbledore was fond of chamber music and ten-pin bowling.
"If I include this one, I will have four." Ada said while playing with the picture.

Every classmate of Ada's who collected chocolate frog pictures had many pictures of Dumbledore. She was very suspicious whether Dumbledore was endorsing the chocolate frog manufacturer.

"I hope you don't get tired of seeing my old face." Dumbledore said with a smile, "Can I call you Ada like Minerva?"

Ida replied, "Of course you can, Professor. My name is a bit long."

"No, it's not really that long compared to my full name," said Dumbledore. "I always worry about spelling it wrong when I write it."

Dumbledore, who had made a joke about his own name, finally got down to business. He said, "I'm sorry, Ada. Please forgive the self-confidence of an old man, which eventually led you into danger."

Ada did not accept Dumbledore's apology. She felt that she had brought this upon herself and could not blame anyone else. She said, "It was all caused by my curiosity. If I had not gone to the castle at night, I would not have run into Professor Snape and Foley. If I had not been curious about Foley's behavior, he would not have found me and made me his target."

"Although I don't know everything about this castle, I know everything about your actions in the castle." Dumbledore said, "I asked Severus to protect you, and I also condoned your actions."

Ada always knew that Snape was protecting her, but she didn't know why he did that. It was not until today that she realized that everything was arranged by Dumbledore.

Ada, who knew everything about the arrangements, did not make any childish declarations. She was the one being protected and the beneficiary. She should not be so ungrateful.

"Every time I wandered around the castle, I would receive a job offer from Professor Snape, but I haven't received one since Foley left," said Ada.

"Resigning was just a step back for Foley. His departure did make us let down our guard. This gave him the opportunity to take advantage of the situation and take you away from the castle," said Dumbledore.

It's just that Dumbledore didn't tell the whole truth, and it was actually Snape who relaxed his protection on her. This is why Ada was never locked up by Snape again.

"But luckily our naughty Mr. Weasley found the mark you left, so I didn't end up doing something I would regret."

Being taken to the Forbidden Forest by Foley and nearly losing her life, Ada still feels a little scared when she thinks about it now.

If Ada hadn't realized something was wrong at the last moment, she wouldn't have left a mark. Or if the twins hadn't found the mark, I'm afraid Ada would be dead by now.

"Luckily, I have them. Without them, my life would be boring." Ada sighed. The twins always bring her happiness and let her know that there is not only magic in life, but also friends worth trusting.

A thirteen-year-old little witch talked about the meaning of life. This should have been ridiculous. What kind of understanding of life could a thirteen-year-old child have?

But Dumbledore did not laugh. Instead, he liked what Ada said very much. Ada had realized the importance of friends.

"There is one more thing to say," Dumbledore pointed to the Daily Prophet on the bed and said, "Fudge originally wanted to write your name on it, but I refused."

"Thank you, Professor." Ida really didn't care about this kind of thing. People are afraid of becoming famous just like pigs are afraid of getting fat. After becoming famous, all kinds of troubles will follow. Dealing with these troubles is really a waste of one's limited life.

Dumbledore looked at Ada with relief. He was right. But the nasty old man still joked, "This is your capital for running for Minister of Magic in the future. Are you just giving it up?"

"It's just a joke, professor. Don't take it seriously. When I was a kid, someone said I would live in Downing Street when I grew up. Not only did I not take it seriously, but even the person who said it didn't take it seriously."

Although Ada was a curious and somewhat rash girl, today's contact still left a good impression on Dumbledore.

Although she was still young, Ada already had her own unique ideas, which was what Dumbledore valued. What he needed to do now was to help this young plant prune its branches to prevent it from growing crooked or going astray.

"Maybe in the future you will become someone like Minerva and also the head of Gryffindor!" said Dumbledore.

"One dean is not enough, maybe he will be the principal too?"

"I am looking forward to that day, Headmaster Drizzt," Dumbledore said with a smile.

How could Dumbledore, who was old, care about these "plotting to usurp the throne" with Ada, not to mention that it was just a joke between the two of them. He continued, "Well, it's getting late, the old headmaster won't disturb the new headmaster's rest, we'll see you tomorrow!"

There were still many things he hadn't told Ada, but now was not the right time. If he told Ada now, it would only add to her troubles.

Ada was so happy to spend a short time with Dumbledore tonight that she didn't notice that there was a red flashing word "Danger" above her head.

(End of this chapter)