14: Dumbledore

"Ivan, thank you."

Let's set aside Crookshanks for a moment. Ivan's offer to lend Hermione his advanced spell textbooks saved Hermione a lot of Galleons.

"Humph~ We are friends, aren't we?"

Ivan tousled Hermione's fluffy hair, causing the young witch a bit of embarrassment.

But Hermione didn't pull away.

It must be acknowledged that Ivan's presence alleviated the various uneasy feelings Hermione had upon her initial entry into the magical world.

They are of the same kind, from the same place, and are each other's only friends. This concept took root in Hermione's heart like a seed.

Before leaving Diagon Alley, the two agreed to study magic together.

There are still two weeks before Hogwarts starts. Hermione plans to learn some spells in advance to avoid being bullied by those young wizards from wizarding families after school starts.

During this time, Ivan also inquired with Professor McGonagall about the Trace.

The Trace is a tracking spell that can locate the approximate position of underage wizards and detect magical activities within a certain range around them.

When an underage wizard uses magic in front of a Muggle or if someone around them uses magic, the Ministry of Magic's Improper Use of Magic Office is immediately notified.

This notification is carried out through a contract magic that monitors underage wizards.

"Your wands have not been set with the Trace yet."

Professor McGonagall clarified: "The Trace is not set on wands; it is a type of contract magic."

At the end of the first year at Hogwarts, students receive a summer vacation notice stating that young wizards are not allowed to cast spells outside of school, and students are required to sign their names.

In the wizarding world, the name itself contains magic, and this notice also acts as a contract, which, to a certain extent, binds every underage wizard studying at a magic school.

"In addition, when a young wizard violates the rules and casts a spell outside of school, the Ministry of Magic will receive a notice."

The existence of this notice is based on the magic contract, so it will record the location and time when the young wizard breaks the rules.

As for what magic was cast and who cast it, the Trace cannot determine.

'And that's why the kids of the wizarding world can get away with it!'

"I see."

Ivan nodded and decided to review the spells in the textbook with Hermione over the next two weeks and share experiences.

Afterward, the three of them had lunch at the Leaky Cauldron.

McGonagall used Apparition to send the two home and then returned to Hogwarts via the Floo Network.

In the headmaster's office at Hogwarts, an old man stood behind the glass window.

He had a head of silver-white hair, waist-length, and so long that it could be tucked into his belt, and blue eyes that seemed to possess magical vision, as if they could see through people.

The old man's nose was very long but twisted, appearing to have been broken at least twice.

He is the headmaster of Hogwarts, the most powerful wizard in the wizarding world today, Albus Dumbledore.

"Albus."

Suddenly, Professor McGonagall walked in from the headmaster's office: "I have something to tell you."

Professor McGonagall did not keep him in suspense and directly informed Dumbledore about all the events concerning Ivan, including the occurrences in Ollivander's Wand Shop.

To be as detailed as possible, they even used the Pensieve to more clearly observe Ivan through McGonagall's eyes.

"Ambrosius..."

"The blood of the Eternal Family."

Dumbledore listened to all this patiently. He was well aware of the legend of Merlin's descendants: "It seems that our school will welcome another talented young wizard this year."

"Albus?!"

Professor McGonagall widened her eyes, seemingly puzzled by Dumbledore's calm demeanor.

"Okay, okay, I understand."

Dumbledore soothed Professor McGonagall's concerns. He opened a glass jar on the table, took out a struggling cockroach from it, and asked: "Would you like some?"

"..."

Professor McGonagall took a deep breath and maintained her composure: "No, thank you."

Although the cockroach cluster was not made of real cockroaches, but rather enchanted syrup, the sensation of it struggling in the mouth and the sound it made when bitten were enough to make Professor McGonagall averse to this peculiar candy.

Crack, crack.~

Dumbledore chewed on the cockroach cluster and said calmly: "It seems you are quite concerned about that boy, Minerva."

"Yes, I am worried..."

Professor McGonagall did not finish her sentence, but Dumbledore understood her implications. However, the old man shook his head and said: "They are different, Minerva."

Once bitten, twice shy.

Professor McGonagall had a favorable impression of Ivan.

But it is precisely because she is fond of this child that she hopes Ivan can take the right path.

To be frank, Professor McGonagall feels immense pressure and worries that she may not be capable enough to teach Ivan effectively.

She discussed the matter with Dumbledore primarily to seek additional guidance for Ivan to prevent a repeat of Tom Riddle's issues.

"Don't underestimate yourself."

Dumbledore looked into Professor McGonagall's eyes and smiled: "You are the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, my finest Transfiguration professor."

The old man could empathize with Professor McGonagall's feelings, reminiscent of when he first encountered Tom Riddle—both elated and apprehensive.

"And we must acknowledge it."

Dumbledore continued: "Tom was an exceptional wizard, wasn't he?"

Setting aside external influences, Voldemort's achievements in magic are indeed formidable.

Thus, Dumbledore offered a few more words of reassurance to McGonagall before she departed.

"Ivan Ambrosius, huh?"

After Professor McGonagall left, Dumbledore slowly sat down.

The old man gazed out at the night sky, but his thoughts drifted to Gellert Grindelwald.

The blood of Ambrosius, tied to the descendants of Merlin, last notably manifested in Grindelwald.

Of course, Grindelwald did not possess the ability to make precise predictions or transform physically as Ivan could at such a young age.

The two were not related by blood. After all, the descendants of Merlin were scattered across Europe. This blood awakening seemed more like a miraculous gift of magic bestowed randomly upon wizards.

"Haah.. my old friend.. He is more gifted than you."

Dumbledore marveled at Ivan's talents but did not ponder whether this child would bring positive or negative changes to the wizarding world.

All they could do was impart some wisdom as elders, nothing more.