Just as Dumbledore was about to leave, Hermes’s voice came from behind him.
“Actually, now that I think about it, I’ve always rather enjoyed dealing with children.”
Dumbledore paused with one hand on the door handle and turned around, looking faintly puzzled.
Under his curious gaze, Hermes picked up the appointment letter from the stone table and gave it a light wave.
“I’ll give the matter serious consideration.”
Of course, there was no possibility of Hermes encountering the terrifying Dark wizard Dumbledore had described.
Because, by Merlin, the Dark wizard who had purchased the dragon egg was none other than Hermes himself!
“Of course.” Dumbledore smiled pleasantly, his bright blue eyes narrowing behind his half-moon spectacles.
“In that case, Hogwarts shall look forward to hearing your decision, Mr.
Moriarty.”
He opened the door, but just as he was about to step outside, he seemed to remember something and turned back.
“As a member of the Hogwarts faculty, I imagine arranging an opportunity to observe a phoenix at close range would not be particularly difficult.”
Dumbledore’s tone was coaxing, almost as if he were tempting a child with sweets.
“What do you think, Mr.
Moriarty?”
He gave Hermes a knowing wink, stepped into the courtyard, and disappeared with a faint distortion of space.
After Dumbledore left, silence settled over the castle’s main room for several seconds.
Calcifer lay across the edge of the fireplace with one small hand propped beneath his nonexistent chin.
He stared eagerly at Hermes, looking as though he had just witnessed the beginning of an excellent show.
“You’re really considering going to Hogwarts as a professor?”
“What other choice do I have?” Hermes sighed helplessly.
Dragon eggs were classified as Class A Non-Tradeable Goods by the Ministry of Magic.
The private ownership, breeding, or sale of dragons was strictly illegal.
If the matter were exposed, Hermes might earn himself an extended stay in Azkaban—complete with free meals and, if his luck was particularly terrible, an intimate encounter with one of those dark, floating creatures.
Naturally, Hermes was confident that the Ministry could not catch him even if his actions were discovered.
However, the resulting investigation would still bring him a great deal of unnecessary trouble.
“Besides, it’s only one year,” Hermes murmured, more as reassurance to himself than to Calcifer.
“It’ll pass quickly.”
After all, no professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts had managed to remain in the position for longer than a single academic year.
“And Dumbledore said he could arrange for me to observe a phoenix up close.”
Hogwarts also possessed the Forbidden Forest, which was home to a wide variety of magical creatures.
Hermes could use his position to collect a few valuable materials while he was there.
Unicorns, for example.
Although unicorn herds lived in forests throughout Europe, and the Forbidden Forest was merely one of their many habitats, Hermes saw no reason to leave empty-handed when such valuable creatures were living practically on the school grounds.
“Phoenixes and unicorns both possess powers related to healing and purification…” Calcifer murmured thoughtfully.
A moment later, he seemed to remember something and abruptly looked up at Hermes.
“Wait.
Hermes spread his hands helplessly.
“Headmaster Karkaroff probably told him.”
Karkaroff had been one of the mentors who most profoundly influenced Hermes’s study of the Dark Arts.
He knew a considerable amount about Hermes’s research interests, so it was not surprising that he had mentioned them to Dumbledore.
Deep within the mountains of Norway, a cool evening breeze swept across the plains.
The tender green grass bent beneath the wind, briefly revealing the child sleeping among it.
Opal circled Harry several times before glancing toward the moon slowly rising above the horizon.
The young dragon then lowered its head and nudged Harry’s shoulder, waking him from his dreams.
“Hmm…
Is it already dark?”
Harry rubbed his sleepy eyes and sat up in a daze.
He had spent the entire afternoon accompanying Opal on the grasslands near the castle.
Perhaps the morning’s work had exhausted him more than he realized, or perhaps the cool breeze had simply been too comfortable.
Either way, he had fallen asleep without noticing.
Before Harry could fully regain his senses, the air before him suddenly distorted.
A moment later, Hermes appeared directly in front of him.
…
Ding!
The pointer on the dial beside the castle door turned and stopped in the blue section.
Hermes opened the door and led Harry outside.
Beyond the courtyard fence, lights were already glowing inside Number Four, Privet Drive.
Clearly, the Dursleys had returned from their outing to celebrate Dudley’s birthday.
“Um…
Mr.
Moriarty?”
Harry followed Hermes into the courtyard, a hesitant expression on his face.
“Hmm?”
Harry adjusted the glasses resting on the bridge of his nose and cautiously asked, “Can I come and visit you again?”
He looked nervously at Hermes, afraid that the request might seem abrupt or bothersome.
Before Hermes could answer, Harry hurriedly continued, “I can help you collect the dragon dung again.
I can also clean the house, wash dishes, or do any other chores you need.”
“The castle welcomes you whenever you wish to visit,” Hermes replied.
He turned and looked at Harry, his gaze settling on the tape wrapped clumsily around the frame of the boy’s glasses. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Hermes moved one finger.
The adhesive tape unwound itself and peeled away.
At the same time, the damaged frame silently repaired itself, becoming smooth and flawless without the slightest trace of a crack.
“You should go home now.”
“Th-thank you.”
Harry removed his glasses and stared at them in amazement.
While once again marveling at the wonders of magic, he also released a quiet breath of relief.
Mr.
Moriarty had not rejected him.
Standing outside the gate of Number Four, Harry looked back at the neighboring house and thought about everything he had experienced that day.
It all felt like a dream.
Wonderful magic, incredible creatures, a talking flame, and an enormous castle capable of traveling between distant countries…
Harry lightly slapped his cheeks.
Once he had calmed himself and carefully hidden his excitement, he opened the front door.
“I’m back,” he announced without showing any particular emotion.
Harry understood the Dursleys far too well.
If he returned looking exceptionally happy, they might decide that whatever had pleased him must be stopped.
They could easily forbid him from visiting Mr.
Moriarty again simply because they disliked seeing him enjoy himself.
The previously cheerful atmosphere inside the Dursleys’ living room immediately stiffened when Harry entered.
Aunt Petunia looked him up and down before giving an impatient nod.
The remains of an extravagant dinner still covered the dining table.
Clearly, the Dursleys had not only returned home some time ago but had also eaten without waiting for him.
Harry was neither surprised nor particularly upset.
He had experienced such treatment too often to care anymore.
As far as the Dursleys were concerned, his very existence was an inconvenience.
“Boy, take care of that mess.”
Uncle Vernon rose from his chair and pointed coldly toward the cluttered table.
Harry nodded and walked over.
He knew Vernon had not left the food there so that Harry could fill his stomach.
His real intention was to make Harry clear the table and wash every plate.
In the past, Harry might have taken the opportunity to eat a few remaining pieces of cake or whatever dessert Dudley had failed to finish.
Tonight, however, things were different.
His stomach was already full from the delicious meal he had eaten inside the Moving Castle.
Praise the generous Mr.
Moriarty.