“Did someone really eat an owl?” Dumbledore’s heart skipped a beat when he saw that Professor McGonagall wasn’t smiling.
For a brief moment, he genuinely wondered whether his joke had somehow turned out to be true, but fortunately, McGonagall quickly shook her head.
“No, Dumbledore.
There really has been an oversight at Hogwarts.
Just moments ago, the Quill of Acceptance wrote another name into the Book of Admittance, and the child is supposed to be one of this year’s incoming students.” Her unusually serious tone made it clear that the matter involved more than a late piece of paperwork.
Dumbledore visibly relaxed.
“Is that all, Professor McGonagall?
Then there’s no real problem.
We still have plenty of time before the new term begins, so simply send another owl.
If necessary, place a charm on it to speed up the journey, and the student’s enrollment won’t be delayed.” As he spoke, Dumbledore apparently decided that his chilled lemonade wasn’t sweet enough and added a little honey to the glass.
He then gestured toward McGonagall, silently offering her some as well.
McGonagall declined with a small motion of her hand and kept her eyes fixed on him.
“Dumbledore, the problem isn’t the timing.
It’s the child.” Her voice became more deliberate.
“You know his family.” Dumbledore smiled easily and replied, “Professor McGonagall, one unfortunate consequence of living as long as I have is that I tend to know quite a few people.
Whose child is he?” He stirred his lemonade, still appearing unconcerned.
“The poor boy must have been terrified when his letter never arrived.
I’ll make sure Hogwarts compensates him for the mistake when he gets here.” Dumbledore raised the glass toward his lips.
Before he could take a sip, McGonagall finally gave him the name.
“Alistair Vance Grindelwald.” Dumbledore’s hand froze in midair.
For several seconds, his expression went completely blank.
The glass of lemonade floating beside McGonagall wobbled slightly, and she caught it before any of the drink spilled.
Seeing the usually unshakable Albus Dumbledore stunned into silence unexpectedly improved her mood, and she calmly lifted the glass and took a slow sip.
After a long pause, Dumbledore finally murmured, “Grindelwald?
He…when did he have a child?” McGonagall immediately realized what he’d assumed.
“No, Dumbledore.
He’s not that man’s son or grandson.
Alistair is descended from his younger brother.” She paused before adding pointedly, “But he is still a Grindelwald.
If people discover that Hogwarts has admitted a descendant of that family, then—” Dumbledore interrupted her before she could finish.
“Send the letter, Professor McGonagall.” His answer was immediate and firm.
“Every magical child whose name is entered into the Book of Admittance receives an invitation from Hogwarts, regardless of who their parents or relatives happen to be.
That has been Hogwarts tradition for centuries, and we will not change it because one child’s surname makes people uncomfortable.” Dumbledore set his glass down before continuing, “His family may choose to refuse the invitation and keep him away from Hogwarts, but that decision belongs to them.
We cannot deny him the opportunity.” McGonagall remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding.
“You’re right, Dumbledore.
I’ll send the letter immediately and make sure the owl reaches him as quickly as possible.
Hopefully, we’ll receive his reply without further delay.” With that settled, she turned and left the Headmaster’s office.
The moment the door closed behind her, the portraits of former Hogwarts headmasters and headmistresses began discussing what they’d just heard.
Surprisingly, their opinions were almost entirely united.
Whatever reservations they might have had about the Grindelwald name, they agreed that Hogwarts couldn’t abandon its traditions simply because of a student’s ancestry.
Dumbledore paid little attention to their murmuring.
Instead, he slowly walked toward the Pensieve and stood before its silvery surface in silence.
His thoughts drifted toward memories he’d kept buried for decades.
After a long time, Dumbledore spoke so quietly that even the portraits could barely hear him.
“Gellert…did you foresee this day?” At almost the same moment, the hurried Hogwarts owl finally reached the Vance residence.
Its sudden appearance outside the window immediately attracted everyone’s attention, and the instant the elderly members of the Alliance saw it, they all seemed to reach the same conclusion about what it must be carrying.
The room, which had only recently been filled with corpses and Dark magic, immediately erupted into chaos.
Alistair’s eyes lit up, and he rushed toward the window to let the owl inside.
He had barely taken two steps when the glass suddenly shattered.
Before Alistair could react, the startled owl was magically pulled through the broken window and caught directly by Vinda Rosier.
Any trace of her usual elegance disappeared as she hurriedly removed the letter from its leg, tossed the poor bird aside, and immediately gathered with the other members of the Alliance to read it.
Alistair was left standing several feet away, completely ignored.
The owl wasn’t doing much better.
It still needed to wait for Alistair’s reply, but the bodies scattered across the room had clearly terrified it.
Several of the corpses bore the unmistakable stillness left by the Killing Curse, and the owl seemed to have decided that remaining anywhere near these people was a serious threat to its survival.
Alistair slowly looked toward the bird.
The owl stared back at him.
Neither moved.
Cold night air blew through the shattered window, ruffling Alistair’s blond hair and the owl’s feathers at the same time.
For several awkward seconds, boy and bird simply stood there sharing what felt like the exact same helpless expression.
Vinda, meanwhile, quickly scanned the letter.
As everyone had expected, it was indeed an acceptance letter from Hogwarts.
When Vinda’s eyes reached the long list of titles beneath Albus Dumbledore’s name, however, a faint trace of disdain appeared on her face.
“This acceptance letter has absolutely no personality.
Cold, dull, and lifeless, just like Dumbledore’s Hogwarts.” She shook her head.
“At this rate, Durmstrang will eventually become the undisputed greatest wizarding school in the world.” “That’s nonsense,” someone immediately protested from behind her.
“Everyone knows Ilvermorny is the finest magical school.” Another argument nearly began on the spot, but Vinda ignored them completely.
She turned toward Alistair and called, “Come here.” Alistair quickly approached, and Vinda handed the envelope to him.
Despite her obvious dislike of Dumbledore and Hogwarts, her expression softened considerably as she watched him take it.
“Look carefully, Alistair.
This letter means that an entirely new world has finally opened its doors to you.” A faint smile appeared on her face.
“Today is worth remembering, don’t you think?” Alistair accepted the letter with slightly trembling hands.
In truth, he already knew almost exactly what a Hogwarts acceptance letter was supposed to look like, having seen versions of it countless times in books, movies, merchandise, and fan discussions during his previous life.
None of that preparation mattered when he finally held a genuine one in his own hands.
His gaze immediately settled on the Hogwarts crest decorating the envelope—a lion, eagle, serpent, and badger, representing Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff.
Seeing that familiar crest with his own eyes filled Alistair with an excitement he couldn’t possibly describe.
Only a short while earlier, he’d believed that he was condemned to live as a Squib, forever standing outside the magical world he’d dreamed of exploring.
Now Hogwarts itself was inviting him inside.
Alistair carefully opened the letter and began to read.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore Order of Merlin, First Class; Grand Sorcerer; Chief Warlock; Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards Dear Mr.
Grindelwald, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.