"What did you just say?" Eric Hart blurted out. "Your school headmaster is coming for a home visit tonight?"
"Yes!" Jon nodded honestly.
"Oh, God!" Eric gasped. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?"
"I only just got the notice myself..." Jon replied with a wry smile.
Eric instinctively made the sign of the cross and muttered as he thought aloud, "I remember Dr. Granger once mentioned that your headmaster is supposed to be a very famous wizard?"
"That's right!" Jon nodded again. "He's probably one of the most renowned wizards of this century in the British Isles—maybe even in all of Europe!"
"Like the wizarding equivalent of Tim Berners-Lee, John Lennon, or Winston Churchill?"
"Something like that."
"Amen... Son..." Eric lowered his voice. "You didn't get into any trouble at school, did you?"
"Of course..." Jon hesitated slightly. "Not."
"Well, that's a relief." Eric let out a breath.
"You think Jon's like you?" Judy walked out from the kitchen, having overheard their conversation. She smiled at Jon. "Your father was a real troublemaker in school. Back in Tramport, he broke curfew at least five times a month..."
"Heh!" Eric laughed. "Your mom, though, was a model student. When she married me, all the old professors at Newnham were shocked—how could she end up with someone as notorious as me?"
"Jon's been just like me since he was little—always well-behaved!" Judy sniffed, then turned back to Jon. "Your headmaster... Professor Dunble..."
"It's Dumbledore, Professor Dumbledore," Jon quickly corrected her.
"Right, Professor Dumbledore... He's coming at seven, right? He might stay for dinner—does he have any food preferences?"
"Hmm... I think..." Jon gave it some thought. "He probably likes fish and chips."
...
July 15th felt like the longest day ever.
The sun finally began to set after what felt like forever. Glancing at the fading light, Jon checked his watch—6:55 p.m.
"How will Professor Dumbledore arrive?" Judy asked nervously. "On a flying carpet?"
"He'll probably just walk up to the door," Jon whispered, glancing at the fireplace in the living room, which had long since been sealed shut.
Five years ago, they'd switched to an electric fireplace, leaving the original one unused.
Let's just hope he doesn't try to use the Floo Network...
As the watch's minute hand ticked to twelve, the streetlights outside suddenly went out.
Jon leaned toward the window and squinted at the sidewalk. A tall figure in a long cloak was walking toward number 86.
"He's here!" Jon waved at his parents and whispered urgently.
Eric and Judy rushed to make their final preparations.
Moments later, a crisp knock echoed at the door.
"Hello, who is it?" Eric called calmly, his voice polite.
"I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts!" came a deep voice from outside. "Is this the home of Mr. Jon Hart?"
"Oh, just a moment!" Eric hurried to the door.
"Professor Dumbledore!" he said as he opened it, eagerly shaking the visitor's hand. "It's a real honor to have you here. I've heard so much about you! A friend once told me you're the most accomplished wizard in Europe this century!"
"Oh, really... Mr. Hart," said Albus Dumbledore, looking slightly surprised.
"My friend, Mr. Wendell Granger—his daughter is a senior at your school," Eric explained with a smile. "Their family speaks very highly of you."
As he spoke, he gestured warmly. "Please come in, Professor Dumbledore!"
"Thank you very much." Professor Dumbledore gave a gentle bow. "Though I must say, you flatter me."
He stepped into the living room, and Jon quickly went to greet him.
"Good evening, Professor!" Jon said, placing a mat on the sofa where Dumbledore was about to sit.
"Thank you." Dumbledore smiled, patting Jon on the shoulder. "Good evening, Jon. How's your summer vacation been?"
"Wonderful, Professor—aside from not being allowed to use magic!" Jon grinned.
"To be honest, I think the 'Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery' is a bit too strict myself," Dumbledore said seriously. "Still, it's generally necessary... Thank you, madam."
As he said this last part, he stood up and took the cup of black tea Judy had handed him.
"This is the finest Uva black tea from Sri Lanka," Judy explained. "If you prefer green tea, milk tea, or cocktails, I'll need a moment to prepare it."
"No, no, this is perfect," Dumbledore replied, shaking his head.
"Would you like some dessert?" Judy asked. "We have scones, mousse, or some birthday cake?"
Of course, Judy hadn't actually followed Jon's suggestion of just serving fish and chips.
"Birthday cake?"
"It's my birthday today, Professor," Jon said truthfully.
"Oh, is it?" Dumbledore looked genuinely surprised. "My apologies for interrupting your celebration—and for not bringing a gift!"
"No, no, your visit is the best birthday present he could ask for!" Eric chimed in quickly.
"You're too kind, Mrs. Hart—" Before Dumbledore could finish, he noticed Judy approaching with a large tray of desserts.
With a snap of his fingers, the tray gently floated from her hands and settled neatly on the coffee table.
Jon immediately noticed his parents' slightly stunned expressions. Although they knew about magic, they had rarely seen it firsthand. Still, they tried to maintain their composure.
"Thank you both for your warm hospitality," Dumbledore said quickly. "But really, there's no need to be so formal."
...
Eric and Judy sat on the couch opposite Professor Dumbledore, while Jon pulled up a small stool beside them.
"Professor Dumbledore," Eric began, "I'm still a bit unclear about the reason for your visit. Did Jon get into some sort of trouble at school?"
Judy looked equally concerned. "Yes, Jon's always been such a well-behaved boy—he's never caused any problems. Was there some mistake?"
"Mistake?" Dumbledore blinked, then smiled and shook his head. "Of course not, Mr. and Mrs. Hart. In fact, Jon has performed exceptionally well at school..."
"He was top of the class in the final exams, and nearly every teacher had high praise for him—even one of the most demanding Heads of House. And of course, myself included..."
"In truth, it's hard to find a student at Hogwarts more dedicated than him. I saw him use the Petrificus Totalus spell during the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam—clearly the result of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of practice sessions. Even many sixth- and seventh-years can't manage that."
Jon froze. He hadn't expected such high praise from Professor Dumbledore—and it didn't sound like flattery at all.
Eric and Judy exchanged glances, their eyes shining with joy.
"But I still don't quite understand..." Eric asked cautiously.
"There's no rule saying we can't visit the home of an outstanding student, is there?" Dumbledore gave a small wink.
Then his expression turned serious. "Of course, Mr. Hart... You may not fully grasp this, but the wizarding world is vast—and full of temptations. Many gifted individuals have been led astray by them, unable to find their way back..."
"I'm sorry to say, I've witnessed such tragedies more than once—especially in young wizards with real potential who lacked proper guidance from adults who understood magic..." Dumbledore added apologetically. "I know it may seem abrupt, but the truth is—you don't fully understand our world."
Eric and Judy listened in silence, growing more concerned.
"Jon has always been a thoughtful, sensible boy," Judy murmured quietly. "He wouldn't..."
"No need to worry," Dumbledore said with a warm smile. "Just the ramblings of an old man, that's all. Ha ha ha!"
Eric and Judy forced uneasy smiles.
...
They chatted for over an hour.
Albus Dumbledore was easygoing, and even with the Harts—who knew nothing of magic—he managed to hold an enjoyable conversation.
By 8:15, he had just finished telling a story about a goat breaking a wizard's nose when he stood up.
"Are you leaving already, Professor Dumbledore?" Jon's parents stood with him.
"My apologies, but I have another engagement a bit later," Dumbledore said with a smile.
Jon couldn't help but exhale in relief—this nerve-racking "home visit" was finally coming to an end!
"However," Dumbledore suddenly bent down, looking Jon in the eye, "I do have a small favor to ask."
"I'd like Jon to accompany me over the next few days and help with a few small tasks."
Jon froze as if he had just looked into the Basilisk's eyes.
"I assume you wouldn't mind?" Dumbledore said with a wink.