Woods Orphanage
In the corridor, Dumbledore looked around, his eyes filled with complex mories. It seed that nothing had changed in the decor over the years.
"Miss Helena, I have co for Ian Prince."
Dumbledore, accompanied by the Director, entered the office. His arrival seed to dispel any lingering chill in the room.
"He needs to complete his studies."
Sunlight stread through the stained glass windows, casting a soft and mysterious glow on Dumbledore's silver hair and beard, giving the already elderly wizard an almost ethereal aura.
"Oh! This is truly wonderful!"
The Director, Mrs. Helena, was a woman in her fifties with gray hair and a warm smile. She enthusiastically invited Dumbledore to sit down and brewed him a cup of tea - a rather cheap one, with an old and stale taste.
"Ian is a good child, and quite mature for his age. He doesn't play much with the other children in the orphanage; he prefers to do his own thing."
Upon hearing Miss Helena's introduction, Dumbledore seed pensive. He put down the cup of tea she had poured for him.
"Ms. Helena, are you saying that Ian is a lonely child?"
Dumbledore's intense gaze made Ms. Helena pause for a mont. Then she shook her head quickly and explained.
"No, no, you misunderstood . Perhaps I should clarify: Ian is just a very mature child. The other children want to play with him, but he just doesn't enjoy their gas."
Mrs. Helena paused before continuing, "Ian once said that playing house was terribly boring and childish. He thought that instead of wasting ti on it, he'd rather go outside and play with birds."
"Playing with birds? That's quite a hobby. It seems Ian enjoys being around animals," Dumbledore remarked, relaxing a little. He smiled and teased, "Looks like he'll be keeping an owl in the future."
Hearing this, Ms. Helena froze for a mont, but quickly maintained her smile and continued to speak highly of Ian.
"Ian, although he thinks the other children are immature, still takes care of the younger ones. He's only eleven, but he sneaks out to earn money and buys flour and vegetables to stock the kitchen... He rembers every child's birthday."
"He even buys sweets for the younger ones."
Mrs. Helena spoke with pride, but her expression suddenly changed to one of self-reproach as she let out a sigh. "Unfortunately, the current social environnt is tough, and the orphanage can't get enough donations. Of course, it's also my fault. I need a child to go out and earn money..."
Mrs. Helena seed distraught as she said this.
"You don't have to bla yourself. You've done more than enough. I can see the changes in this place," Dumbledore said, addressing Ms. Helena with respectful honorifics, even though she was much younger than he was. He was sincerely trying to comfort her.
"Have you been here before?" Miss Helena asked, sowhat surprised.
"This is not my first visit," Dumbledore replied with a slight smile.
Miss Helena did not press the matter further; she was more concerned with the adoption question.
"Sir, if you're thinking of taking Ian from the orphanage, please believe , he's a wonderful child." Mrs. Helena sincerely hoped that such a thoughtful child would find a good ho.
"Then may I et him?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.
Under the influence of the Confundus Charm, Miss Helena's understanding might differ from the truth, but there was no need to correct her.
"Of course! Of course, sir!" Miss Helena bead with joy, then stood and said to Dumbledore, "Please wait a mont.
As she stepped out, she saw Ian, who had just returned to the courtyard. A look of eager anticipation appeared on her face, and she waved at him as she called out, "Ian, co over here!"
Ian was pushing a small cart when a child ran up and hugged him. "Ian, it looks like sothing important is going on! Go, don't keep Ms. Helena waiting!"
At the orphanage, every adoption was considered a great event. For these holess children, nothing was more important than being adopted. But Ian was different. He knew this wasn't about adoption.
Feeling uneasy, Ian was pulled into the office.
"It's him!"
He had glimpsed the man earlier, and now he was sure - the person in the office was Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, the greatest wizard of this century.
"Don't be nervous."
Before Ian could speak, he saw Dumbledore watching him.
"Child, I have sothing to tell you - you are a wizard."
With a surprised expression, Ian looked at Dumbledore, who continued, "Surely you've noticed that you're different from others." His eyes, though ancient, were clear and pure, like a child's.
"Uh."
Ian didn't answer imdiately. He looked up at Ms. Helena and noticed that her expression hadn't changed, as if she hadn't heard what the old man had said.
'Was that the Confundus Charm?'
He forced himself to calm down, avoiding Dumbledore's gaze.
"Indeed, it's true. I noticed it a long ti ago. Sotis when I stare at a glass of water, I can make the water in it shake a little. Is that the power of a wizard?" Ian didn't pretend to be ignorant.
His answer made Dumbledore smile and nod.
"Yes, this is the magical power within you at work. Sotis, when you're angry with soone, the fluctuation of that magical power can beco more intense."
Dumbledore's tone was gentle, but to Ian it sounded too much like fishing for information. What does it an that the power fluctuates more when you are angry? I'm not so Tom Riddle!
"Sir, I almost never get angry at others because being driven by emotions doesn't solve problems." Ian replied calmly, maintaining a gentle deanor.
This answer seed to please Dumbledore. He smiled and nodded, his beard trembling.
"You are a very smart child. Miss Helena was right - you are indeed very mature for your age." With that, Dumbledore's old eyes slowly focused on Ian.
"Hogwarts is the magical school that wizards from all over the world dream of attending. There you will learn all kinds of magic from all over the world, as well as see and study various magical creatures..."
"Don't worry, Mr. Ian. As the headmaster of Hogwarts, I officially invite you to study at Hogwarts."
It's here!
Finally!
Ian Prince felt a rush of nerves. Although he had only seen a few Hogwarts movies and read so Hermione fanfiction in his previous life, he had heard of Hogwarts and its professors.
Ian was really worried that Dumbledore would act like those conspiracy theory fan fiction characters and break all the rules.
"Are you worried?"
Dumbledore noticed Ian's emotions and assud he was worried about Hogwarts. He gently reassured him, "Hogwarts has flying hippogriffs, trees that move, and most importantly, there will be other children your age who will study magic with you."
"Don't worry about studying magic, Ian. In fact, soone from this orphanage has already beco a very remarkable wizard."
Dumbledore suddenly seed to fall into a mory, his tone sowhat wistful.
These words made Ian even more nervous.
Why was Ian nervous?
It was because he already knew exactly how 'remarkable' the person who had left this orphanage was!
"Is that wizard still at Hogwarts?" Ian forced himself to sound curious.
Interrupted by Ian's voice, Dumbledore snapped out of his reverie and shook his head.
"Actually, he left Hogwarts a long ti ago and... went astray."
Dumbledore spoke with deep aning.
Ian had thought Dumbledore would follow up with so sort of criticism, but the old man simply changed his tone, speaking with regret and a touch of sorrow. "That does not diminish his extraordinary achievents. He could have gone further."
Ian seed to look confused, but his mind was filled with various thoughts.
Dumbledore's words, though seemingly long-winded, felt like a warning or perhaps a test.
'Damn it! This damn persecutory delusion, it's all those Harry Potter fanfics to bla!'
Ian suppressed his overactive imagination, trying not to let his mind wander.
"Child, have you made your decision?" Dumbledore's voice echoed in Ian's ears.
"Uh... well, I guess I'll give it a try?" Ian had been waiting for this day, so of course, he wouldn't choose to refuse.
"A wise choice. In half a month, Hogwarts will send you your acceptance letter. At that ti, soone will co to take you shopping for all the things you'll need for school."
Dumbledore smiled at Ian.
Ian shrugged and politely declined, "Sorry, sir, even if I want to attend, it's no use. I don't have any money; I can't afford the tuition."
Dumbledore had already stood up and picked up his hat from the hat rack.
At this mont, Ms. Helena suddenly stood up and said to Dumbledore, "Thank you, in half a month, Ian will definitely go."
Ian froze for a mont, then quickly realized.
This was the effect of the Confundus Charm. He wasn't sure what scene Ms. Helena had seen, but clearly, she couldn't see the real conversation between Ian and Dumbledore.
Dumbledore didn't speak to Ms. Helena but instead smiled at Ian and said, "You don't need to worry about money. First, the school has financial aid. Second, the person who will co to pick you up won't let you pay. He... feels greatly indebted to you."
With that, Dumbledore took a step forward.
Ian was montarily stunned, unable to stop himself from standing up and looking toward Dumbledore, who was walking towards the door.
"Who? My parents?"
'Am I still a pureblood?'
This was a bit unexpected for Ian.
"That's not for to tell." Dumbledore rely winked at Ian and made a 'see you again' gesture, his voice laden with aning. "Child, you'll find out when the ti cos."
With that, he left without looking back.
Ms. Helena was still happily seeing him off as he departed.
Ian opened his mouth but said nothing, turning around and heading back to his room.
That night, Ian lay in bed, deep in thought. Did Dumbledore co to the Woods Orphanage early because of the Orphanage itself, or was it because I was supposed to be nad Ian Riddle?
Or perhaps...
Just because I'm a Prince?
Was there ever a pureblood surna like this in the original story?
As he pondered, Ian felt his eyelids grow heavy.
The next mont, he slowly transitioned from a state of drowsiness to full wakefulness, as if crossing so kind of boundary. The sky in the distance was streaked with twilight, like a silk ribbon softly winding through the gradient blue, and the distant forest looked like a fairyland from a fairytale.
The trees were lush and vivid, and a small bird flew over the treetops, its song crisp and lodious.
Under this picturesque sky, everything was rendered in dreamlike colors, as if placed within an exquisitely detailed painting, bringing an unprecedented sense of tranquility and cleansing to his soul.
Ian opened his eyes and gazed at the breathtaking scenery before him.
"You're here again." A soft voice whispered in his ear.
"I almost forgot, today is Saturday."
Ian turned his head and saw a girl walking out of the forest.
She wore a blue dress, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders, and she gazed at Ian with pure innocence.
"Ariana, I t a terrifying old man today. I forgot to bring you candy."
He said this to the girl.
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