“Sir, is it this letter?” Rayleigh carefully takes the letter out of the drawer.
After the journey along the way, the acceptance letter has already become crumpled and wrinkled.
The edges of the envelope are somewhat damaged, the letter is covered with black handprints, and the corners of the pages have curled up.
“Yes, this is precisely the Hogwarts acceptance letter.” Dumbledore nods.
“Have you been keeping this letter all along?”
“Yes, sir.”
Rayleigh reveals a somewhat embarrassed expression.
“If not for it, my mother and I would still be in Azkaban struggling against the Dementors.”
Rayleigh and Jessica exchange a glance and, without any hesitation, choose Hogwarts.
As for the invitation letters from the other two schools, Rayleigh does not even look at them.
A gleam of joy shines in Dumbledore’s eyes.
Rayleigh’s choice will bring this matter to a complete and satisfying conclusion.
“Reparo.” He waves his wand, and the crumpled acceptance letter becomes brand new as if it were never damaged.
Dumbledore smiles gently.
“Do not worry, child.
The Ministry of Magic has already made a decision.
From now on, Azkaban will have additional Aurors stationed there for management.
Wizards who were wrongly arrested and wrongly tried will also be acquitted and released.”
“They will learn a lesson from this matter.
The laws and systems will both become more complete to guarantee judicial fairness and avoid similar tragedies happening again.” Dumbledore continues.
“You and your mother suffered unfair treatment, and I feel deeply sorry about that.
But I believe the future is bright.”
“Thank you, Headmaster.
Mom, do you want to hear it again?”
“Of course!” Jessica happily hugs her son.
She is overjoyed and plants a fierce kiss on her son’s cheek.
Rayleigh opens the envelope and reads it aloud, word by word, not even skipping the appendix.
“Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore”
“Dear Mr.
Travers…
students may bring one owl or one cat or one toad.”
“Parents are particularly reminded that first-year students are not allowed to bring their own broomsticks.”
…
“Congratulations, child.” Dumbledore offers warm congratulations.
“Hogwarts looks forward to your arrival.
There, you will meet like-minded friends and learn the most beautiful magic in life: the magic of friendship and love.”
Mom, after I learn magic, I can let you rest properly.” Rayleigh makes full use of his advantage as a child and, seemingly unintentionally, reveals the Dark Mark on Jessica’s arm.
“Jessica, is it because of this?” Dumbledore frowns as he looks at the Dark Mark.
“It is my fault.
The existence of this mark proves the serious mistakes I made in the past.” Jessica lowers her head and hurriedly pulls up her sleeve to cover it.
An expression of guilt rises on her face.
Dumbledore steps forward and says warmly: “Mistakes do exist, but more important than that is that you chose to turn back.
This shows the kindness and courage in your heart.
That is what matters most.”
“Mom cannot sleep well because of it.
Please help Mom!” Rayleigh tugs on Dumbledore’s wide sleeve, blinking his big, sparkling eyes.
“What a kind child.” Dumbledore praises.
“Jessica, I will do my best to help you get rid of this painful mark.”
He draws his wand and slowly approaches Jessica: “This may be somewhat uncomfortable.
Please endure it for a moment.”
Jessica nods and rolls up her sleeve to reveal the complete Dark Mark.
It is a mark of a skull and snake.
It sits quietly on Jessica’s fair skin, like a terrifying nightmare.
Dumbledore closes his eyes and quietly chants a complex incantation.
The mark on the skin begins to twist and fade.
Jessica bites her lip tightly, her face covered in sweat.
After several minutes, the Dark Mark turns into a wisp of smoke and completely disappears.
Jessica feels as if a heavy burden has been lifted, and an expression of relief that she has not shown in many years appears on her face.
“All right, it will not trouble you anymore.” Dumbledore says with a smile.
“Thank you, Headmaster.
I am truly very grateful.” Jessica excitedly thanks Dumbledore.
Although this cannot erase the fact that she was once a Death Eater, at least it can give her the courage to face the future.
“I believe you will definitely start over and become a good mother and a good witch.”
“If you do not mind, Professor McGonagall can accompany little Rayleigh to Diagon Alley to buy his school supplies.” Dumbledore looks at Jessica.
“Many wizards outside are asking around.
They all want to know who our lovely little star is.”
“That would be wonderful.
Thank you and Professor McGonagall.” Jessica agrees with Dumbledore’s suggestion.
Azkaban caused her tremendous harm, and her body has not fully recovered yet.
Although Rita’s report does not have her son’s photograph or name, she herself appeared in the newspaper, and quite a few wizards in the magical world can recognize her.
When she and her son appear in Diagon Alley, everyone would immediately know that Rayleigh is the child from the report.
Jessica does not want Rayleigh to carry the experience of Azkaban on his back, even though everyone knows he is innocent.
She also does not want Rayleigh to be the focus of the entire magical world.
It is enough for her child to grow up healthy and happy.
“Little Rayleigh, are you ready to go to Diagon Alley?” Professor McGonagall looks at Rayleigh, ‘What a thin, weak child.’
His silvery moonlight-like skin shows that he has been unable to be exposed to sunlight for a long time.
However, this cannot hide the handsome bone structure of Rayleigh’s face.
Beneath a high nose bridge are hollow cheeks, and slightly protruding cheekbones add a three-dimensional quality to his face.
His black hair rests softly on his forehead, forming a strong contrast with his fair skin.
Rayleigh wears a slightly oversized black robe.
The cuffs and hem both need pins to keep it from hanging loose.
In those black-and-white eyes shines intelligence and tenacity, foretelling that the youth before them will surely become a pillar of the future magical world.
Dumbledore watches McGonagall and Rayleigh leave, and his expression slowly becomes grave.
From the Dark Mark on Jessica’s arm just now, he once again senses the power belonging to Voldemort.
Dumbledore ponders, and a faint unease about the future rises in his heart: ‘The Dark Mark still hides his power.
This means he has not completely disappeared as everyone believes.
He is still somewhere recovering his strength, waiting for the chance to return to the world.’
‘We must remain vigilant, steady people’s hearts, and secretly make all preparations.’ Dumbledore’s brow is tightly furrowed.
‘The forces of darkness are gathering and will soon appear before the world.
That prophecy…’
“Madam Jessica, tomorrow’s meeting requires your attendance.” Dumbledore comforts her.
“I will do my utmost in the Wizengamot to give you and Rayleigh the fair treatment you deserve.
You have experienced so much misfortune.
You deserve compensation and justice.”
“Thank you.
I will be forever grateful.” Jessica says sincerely.
“Then I will set off for the Ministry of Magic now.
Rest well and relax.” Dumbledore smiles.
“Rest assured, Headmaster.
I will take good care of myself.” Jessica watches Dumbledore step into the fireplace.
Green flames surround him, and he disappears into the fire.
Outside the Charing Cross department store in London, Professor McGonagall leads Rayleigh onto an ancient horse-drawn carriage.
Their destination on this trip is the Leaky Cauldron.
The pub is located on Charing Cross Road, squeezed between a bookstore and a record shop, and has a Muggle-Repelling Charm placed on it to ensure no Muggles wander in by mistake.
Professor McGonagall holds Rayleigh’s hand and pushes open the old, worn wooden door: “This is the Leaky Cauldron.
It is the secret entrance connecting London and the wizarding world.”
“Oh, welcome, Professor McGonagall.” An old man with rolling gray-blue eyes pokes his head out from behind the bar.
Like most British wizards, Tom has a balding head.
His smooth forehead and crown shine dazzlingly in the dim pub.
“And this is this year’s new student, I take it?” Tom greets them warmly, walks over with a chuckle, and says: “Hagrid also took a new student to Diagon Alley.
Maybe you will run into them.”