Bring a fairy tale to Hogwarts!

During his first week in this world, Victor passed by the Leaky Cauldron many times, but never went in because it was always crowded with wizards and looked very hot.

The Leaky Cauldron was a small, old building, each step creaking underfoot, and greasy all over, giving it a dirty feel. Victor and Harry entered through the back door, went down two steps, and arrived at the bar area filled with wizards.

Because it's close to the start of school, there are little wizards all around.

"Dad! I want to buy a Nimbus 2000!"

"No, first-year students aren't allowed to bring flying brooms to Hogwarts. You can use your brother's at home..."

A young wizard in a wizard's cloak ran past Harry, then ran up the steps with his parents, brushing past them.

Harry cast a somewhat envious glance his way.

He really wanted to prepare for school with someone...

Oh, he's here right now.

That's fine.

Thinking of this, Harry secretly glanced at Victor, who was standing next to him with a blank expression.

Although Victor always brought an unknown chill with him when he left, causing those around him to unconsciously make way for him, it was much better than leaving him to wander around in unfamiliar places on his own. At least for now, he looked no different from other young wizards who had companions with them.

Do those little wizards all have magic?

Harry's mind wandered.

In this state, he followed Victor into the hall, and then found that he had suddenly stopped.

?

Harry looked up in confusion and saw an old man with white hair sitting in the bar lobby, looking at him with gentle and loving eyes.

Around the old man, all the other customers seemed unusually quiet, and even the bar owner was secretly glancing at him as if he were some important figure.

"Harry, you're here," said the white-haired old man, Dumbledore.

"It's been a long time. The last time I saw you, you were only this big."

He gestured to his knees, smiling as he carefully examined Harry. He was wearing a blue robe with many patterns today, which made him look quite childlike.

But after saying that, Dumbledore didn't continue explaining to Harry, but instead looked at Victor beside him.

"Mr. Van der Bohm, I never expected to meet you here."

"Can I ask why Harry is with you? I remember you don't live next to him, and Harry has been missing for two whole days. His family is very worried."

"Aunt Penny won't worry about me."

Harry couldn't help but mutter something under his breath.

However, none of the adults present paid him any attention.

In fact, Victor noticed that there were two other people following Dumbledore. One was dressed in a black robe, looking serious and wary, clearly from the Ministry of Magic. The other was a giant, over two meters tall, with a strong build and a full beard.

Victor's expression remained largely unchanged.

"Harry accidentally broke into my house, and I'm here to take him back."

"An accident?" the Ministry of Magic wizard behind Dumbledore questioned. "Was your address kept secret? If it was, no wizard from the outside could have broken in. If it wasn't, why hasn't Harry come out for two days?"

"My house uses a special kind of secrecy magic, different from the usual secrecy charm, but it also keeps ordinary Muggles and wizards away. Harry might have some special talent."

"But the Wizarding Law stipulates—" The wizard's eyebrows shot up.

"Alright, Rufus," Dumbledore suddenly interrupted him reassuringly, "now is not the time to investigate this matter. Let Hagrid take Harry back first. It's not safe for him to stay out there."

Hagrid's face still bore traces of tears, indicating he had just been crying. Judging from his and Dumbledore's positions, they had likely been discussing something in the Leaky Cauldron, most likely about Harry.

Hagrid blew his nose loudly and said haltingly:

"No problem! Harry—poor thing—he's been out there for a whole day and night, he must be exhausted!"

"...Thank you, but actually I slept pretty well last night."

Seeing the giant's unstable emotions, Harry couldn't help but take a step back.

He still looked at the three people in front of him with suspicion, because he didn't recognize a single one of them, yet they spoke to him as if they were kind elders. Compared to these people who launched into a long monologue, Harry trusted Victor more—

At least Victor didn't seem eager to talk to him.

"Mr. Dumbledore is the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, so you'll be seeing each other often in the future."

Victor noticed his movement, leaned down and said something to him, before looking back at Dumbledore.

"Harry ran to the vicinity of my house yesterday morning. I was in my Hogwarts interview at the time, and my housekeeper, Grandma Barbara, didn't find him until evening. Because he was very tired, we let him take a nap and brought him back this morning."

"Indeed, I remember you were still at Hogwarts when Harry disappeared." Dumbledore nodded.

Victor nodded expressionlessly.

"If you still have doubts, you can come to my house with me—I don't mind if you set up some other magic around here to prevent anyone from running in again."

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

Dumbledore did not refuse, but simply smiled and nodded.

"I happen to have something else I'd like to discuss with you."

"But—" Harry next to him wanted to say something.

"Alright, Harry, I know you still have a lot of questions. No problem, Hagrid will answer them all for you later, and he'll also give you your acceptance letter at the same time."

"But you've been away from home for too long. I think you need to go home and meet your aunt and uncle first."

Dumbledore looked kindly at Harry with his pale blue eyes, and then said...

"Take him back, Hagrid, by subway."

"Okay!"

Rupert Hagrid strode out from the side, looked down at Harry, and tried to soften his voice.

Although Harry realized they seemed friendly, it all happened so fast that he had no room to say anything. He wanted to refuse Dumbledore and learn more, but the other adults had an unquestionable attitude.

With his thoughts in turmoil, Harry couldn't help but look up at Victor.

Victor was also watching him.

?

...Why does this guy look so eager?

Victor was silent for a moment, then thought for a while, and suddenly bent down and handed something to Harry before he left.

It was a small, old pocket watch with a brass case, which Harry had seen him put into his pocket.

Victor said softly:

"A gift."

"If you find yourself with any unsolvable questions, its pointer will guide you to the answer... Consider it a bonus in our future deal, Mr. Potter."

"You can't afford the price now, but you will soon."