Ch. 22 Interview

I leisurely made my way down the stone path towards Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Dressed in a custom three-piece suit under a dark grey robe, it looked stylish but slightly casual.

The suit was just an Illusion over my enchanted armor. I wasn't going to take any chances around Dumbledore.

The short wizard's hat I was wearing was not an illusion, and I felt rather foolish wearing it. But it was a needed prop.

It didn't take long before the impressive sight of Hogwarts' Entrance Gate was within view.

Standing nearly as tall as the wrought-iron gate, was an equally impressive man.

It wasn't the massive tangle of black hair and long beard that was impressive. Nor was it the thick, long coat the man wore. What made this man impressive was his size. He was the size of a small giant!

As I approached the man, I assumed to be Hagrid, I couldn't help wondering how he fit indoors. He has to turn sideways and slouch down to walk through a normal-sized doorway.

I can't believe Dumbledore allowed him into muggle areas. He must draw the attention of every person within sight of him.

Seriously, the man was massive! If I were to stand in front of him and reach my hand up as high as I could, my fingers would barely reach the bottom of his unruly beard.

Seeing a broad-shouldered half-giant standing at close to three and a half meters tall, really makes me want to see a full giant. With Hagrid being close to the size of a Skyrim giant, a giant here must be a fearsome sight indeed.

I put those thoughts to the side as I reached my escort.

Not knowing if Dumbledore would use Hagrid's interaction with me in some way, I decided on the approach I would use with Hagrid. Let the games begin.

With a friendly smile, I extend my hand and happily greet the half-giant. "Good afternoon, sir. I am Xavier Dovahkiin."

Craning my head back to look into his face, I can see a wide hairy smile. Engulfing my hand in his own, I'm surprised at how gentle he shakes my hand.

"Af'ernoon. Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper o' Keys an' Grounds fur Hogwarts, a' yer service." The half-giant rumbled out.

Looking impressed with his title, I continued my plan to keep him talking. "You must be a man of great skill to be responsible for such an important task."

A quick flash of pride could be seen in his dark eyes. Waving me through the gate, Hagrid began listing some of his duties as we walked towards the castle.

Listening to the gullible man go on about his duties pertaining to the Forbidden Forest, I couldn't help asking for further detail. I planned to be charming, but listening to him speak, I grew rather involved in the conversation.

It turns out, there are far more creatures living in the Forbidden Forest than hinted at in both the books and movies. It just so happens, Hagrid knew where to find most of them.

I had little desire to see most of the creatures mentioned, but a few names caught my attention. Mainly the ones with unique defense abilities.

Hagrid and I had been walking through the castle for quite some time without either us really paying it much attention. We were in the middle of a heated discussion on the differences between a sphinx and manticore when the sound of a throat clearing interrupted us.

Turning towards the interruption, I find a stern-faced witch impatiently staring at the two of us. Standing beside a large stone gargoyle, the witch was wearing a dark green robe and witch's pointed hat. I assume this to be Minerva McGonagall.

Truthfully, she looks like a much younger Maggie Smith. It's rather shocking to finally meet someone that actually looks like their Harry Potter actor.

The middle-aged professor spoke with a thick Scottish accent. "Thank you, Hagrid. I will escort Mr. Dovahkiin for the rest of the way. You may return to the preparations for tonight."

"Oh, righ' professor. I'll get back tuit then," the half-giant said to McGonagall. Turning to me, he happily replied, "We can talk more a' da feas' tonigh'."

"I would enjoy that. Until then," I happily told Hagrid, giving him a nod in farewell.

As the half-giant made his way back the way we came, I turned to fully face my new escort.

The Scottish witch quickly spoke up. "Mr. Dovahkiin, I am, Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. Please, save your introduction until we join the Headmaster. No need for you to give it twice."

Nodding my head good-naturedly, I give the older witch a friendly smile. "As you wish."

"Follow me, please." Turning towards the stone gargoyle, "Ice mice."

In an impressive display of animation, the stone gargoyle quickly stepped aside to reveal an entrance to a circular room.

I quietly followed McGonagall into the small room. Once we both ceased moving, the floor began to ascend and rotate around the small room. It reminded me of a stone escalator.

At the end of our short ride, stood a double oak door. McGonagall didn't even knock as she pushed the door open and made her way into the Headmaster's office.

I took my time entering the famous room. It was large and circular and filled with an assortment of little noises. I could feel the magic coming off of nearly every item in the room. The shelves and tables about the office were filled with enchanted items of all sorts. The walls were covered with magical portraits of wizards and witches.

Despite my desire to begin examining every enchanted item I see, my eyes focus on one single thing. On a golden perch beside an enormous, claw-footed desk, casually sat a being of legend.

The phoenix, Fawkes, looks nothing like that horrible imitation from the Harry Potter movies. Either from Fawkes's own aura or my own enhanced senses, but I could see fire elements radiating in the area of the mighty creature.

Casually perched on his stand, the legendary being could look me in the eyes. His shimmering scarlet head highlighted the crisp gold of his hooked beak. The golden tail-feathers nearly reached the floor and lightly illuminated the area.

As if afraid to scare him off, I slowly walked towards the phoenix. I ignored everything else in the room, as I focused solely on Fawkes. He is like a vortex of magical power. Not even Ego's seed gave off a feeling of... Infinity.

As I carefully climbed up the few steps to Fawkes' landing, I couldn't help but think he... Well, he looked absolutely...

"Magnificent," I softly declared.

As if he could understand me, Fawkes' chest slightly swelled, and he slightly raised his beak in the air.

Seeing his prideful reaction to my compliment, I couldn't help to lay it on thick. It might be possible for me to glean an idea on how to mimic the biological structure of a phoenix if I can get close enough to study one. If a few compliments allowed me to touch the being of legend, then so be it.

Maintaining a soft and soothing voice as I carefully examine Fawkes, "I have seen a great deal in my time, from vampires and werewolves to giants and dragons." Finally, arriving within arms reach of the phoenix, I can feel a subtle heat radiating off his tail-feathers.

Starring into the dark pools of his eyes, I continue my flattery. "All pale in comparison to you. You, sir, truly live up to the title of legendary."

With a pleasant chirp, Fawkes' chest swells a bit more.

Before I get a chance to touch his feathers, a heavy sigh sounds from behind the claw-footed desk. "He will be intolerable for days now." The downcast voice of an elderly man states.

Fawkes aggressively chirps at the elderly man before launching off his perch. The phoenix flies a quick circle around the room before disappearing in a flaming burst.

I reign in my annoyance and maintain a calm expression. Turning to face the voice, I get my first look at the Great Dumbledore himself.

Unlike Fawkes, Dumbledore does not live up to my expectations. I thought he would be... More.

Wearing a finely crafted mauve robe and matching hat, Dumbledore was carefully examining me behind his half-moon glasses. While the aged wizard was a bit disappointing, his beard was something to be envious of.

Standing from an elegant high-backed chair, Albus Dumbledore seemed ready to introduce himself.

Quickly speaking up, I make sure the back of my right hand is facing towards the pair when I slightly tip my hat. Making sure they can clearly see the thumb-nail sized ruby on my ring, I introduce myself. "Good afternoon, Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress. I am Xavier Dovahkiin."

Slowly removing my ridiculous hat, I catch Minerva looking at my ring. Looking at the ring myself, I speak up. "Please, forgive the gaudiness. As the last of my name, I find the Ring of Occlumency allows additional protection to safeguard myself against mental attacks."

As Minerva was nodding her head, Dumbledore spoke up. "What, may I ask, does your Ring of Occlumency do?"

The ring is actually my enchanted ring to increase my Magicka and Health regeneration, but that's not what I plan to tell them. "While my occlumency skills are rather advance, I find a good offense to be the best defense."

Holding up the ring for a closer inspection, "The enchantments add an additional layer of protection and also attacks the mind of the Legilimens. I am told it is akin to trying to use Legilimency on a pack of werewolves simultaneously."

Catching the slightest hint of a shiver from Dumbledore, I believe I've dissuaded the man from attempting to invade my mind. I doubt he would be able to get through the raw mental defenses Other Me gave me, but I don't want him assuming I'm a werewolf.

I do find the small smirk from Minerva a bit confusing.

Taking a seat across from the two Hogwarts staff, I can't help a slight bit of nervousness welling up in my stomach. I'm unsure if this is the normal pre-interview nerves or the fact that my soul hangs in the balance of me getting hired.

With an act similar to one's own grandfather, Dumbledore offered me a small candy dish. "Lemon drop?"

Deciding to break the ice, "Oh, no, thank you. They get in my mouth."

Dumbledore pauses for a moment staring at my widening smile. With a jovial laugh, Dumbledore leans back into his chair, enjoying the humor. "Indeed, they do!"

Not finding my joke as hilarious as she should, Minerva decides to push forward with the interview. "Mr. Dovahkiin, you mentioned you are the last of your line..."

Catching the unasked question, "Yes, I am. While not a British family, the Dovahkiin name dates back to a time when dragons were believed to rule the world. There are multiple rumors that my heritage includes the blood of both dragons and beings you may call, High Elves." The humor may be gone from my smile, but it still remains after that half-truth.

I can't read Dumbledore's reaction, but McGonagall seems both surprised and doubtful.

"There are many that would not disclose that bit of information for fear of discrimination," Dumbledore finally states.

"Unfortunately, some have real reasons to fear from discrimination, I am lucky enough to have no such fear. While I meet the definition of a pure-blood, I care little about blood status. We are not defined by our material possessions or the blood in our veins."

Leaning back in my chair, I recall a quote from my own dimension. "We are defined by our actions towards others, not others' actions toward us."

Both Dumbledore and McGonagall seem taken aback by that simple quote. As if they're sharing the same understanding, they both slightly nod their head and quickly glance at each other.

"Well, said. If only more would choose to live by such words..." Dumbledore releases a soft hmph.

Dumbledore took a moment to collect his thoughts before he continued. "I just have a few more questions, Mr. Dovahkiin."

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Walking by the stone gargoyle beside McGonagall, I couldn't help the relieved sigh.

"The Sorting Ceremony will begin promptly at seven tonight. You are highly encouraged to attend." McGonagall put a strong emphasis on highly with her Scottish accent.

Following beside McGonagall as she navigated through the multiple halls, I was doing my best to create a mental image of the route we're taking. I might have to swipe the Marauder's Map from the Weasley twins, or just summon James and Lily Potter to help me create my own.

"After I show you to your living apartment, you are welcome to familiarize yourself with the castle. If you become lost, you can always call out to a Hogwarts house-elf to escort you to your intended destination."

Coming to a halt in front of a stout wooden door, McGonagall lightly nodded her head towards the doorway. With a mischievous smirk, "Here is your apartment. Unfortunately, Professor Sinistra does not live in this wing."

The smirk turns into a pleasant smile. "Welcome, to Hogwarts, Professor Dovahkiin."