The great wizard showed no suspicion whatsoever about Adrian's story. Upon hearing how Adrian had "coincidentally" carried iron spikes and used transfiguration to achieve a perfect victory within ten seconds, Dumbledore actually clapped, his expression showing genuine admiration.
"A wonderful battle! You've exceeded even my high expectations. I believe Severus was quite right, Hogwarts has gained another prodigy this year," Dumbledore said warmly.
A first-year student staying so calm when facing a mountain troll for the first time, cleverly using available resources to secure an easy victory, Dumbledore hadn't seen such exceptional talent in decades.
While being praised so much should have been nice, Adrian found it somewhat uncomfortable. After all, this level of attention from Dumbledore was exactly what he'd hoped to avoid.
The rest of their conversation proved surprisingly relaxed. Gone were Adrian's expected mind games and subtle questioning. Beyond that initial mental probe, Dumbledore seemed as kindly and harmless as a neighborhood grandfather sharing stories.
This almost made Adrian wonder maliciously whether Dumbledore was losing his edge in his old age.
However, during their conversation, Dumbledore casually mentioned Adrian's supposed 'mother' in this world, Irene Blackwood, which immediately caught his attention.
"Professor, did you know my mother?" Adrian asked with carefully manufactured curiosity.
"Indeed. Your mother was quite... remarkable during her time here," Dumbledore replied, twinkling at Adrian meaningfully. "In every possible way..."
Dumbledore's habit of speaking in half-finished hints frustrated Adrian immensely. He couldn't tell if this was due to his own limited intelligence, or simply how highly intelligent people preferred to communicate.
Either way, he genuinely didn't understand the subtext.
Adrian forced an awkward but polite smile in response.
Through careful questioning, Adrian managed to learn only that his mother had attended Slytherin House. He avoided asking about his father entirely, his inherited memories contained no relevant information, and making inquiries could lead to suspicious inconsistencies.
Dumbledore seemed deliberately evasive on certain topics. After their brief chat, he smiled and dismissed Adrian. "Very well, my boy, you may return now. I believe a surprise awaits you."
Adrian held little hope for whatever surprise Dumbledore mentioned, the news that he could leave was surprise enough.
So Adrian left with elegant haste while Dumbledore remained in his chair, one hand stroking Fawkes thoughtfully, watching Adrian's retreating figure with an unreadable expression.
"Dessert soufflé!"
Outside the Gryffindor common room, Adrian gave the password to the Fat Lady's portrait, who nodded and swung aside to reveal the circular entrance.
Every time he climbed through, Adrian couldn't help but complain about whatever architect had designed this passage. Of all possible configurations, they'd chosen to make it a tunnel.
The Gryffindor common room at midnight was pitch black. The normally crackling fireplace had gone cold, and the magical lights remained off. The unusual silence felt ominous.
Adrian's expression remained unchanged as he moved forward carefully, though his right hand had already slipped down to grasp the wand at his waist.
Bang!
Just as Adrian reached the center of the room, brilliant flames suddenly roared to life in the fireplace. The surrounding magical lights burst into dazzling white brightness, and the red lion banner representing Gryffindor unfurled slowly from the ceiling amid a shower of colorful confetti.
The Weasley twins, dressed in ridiculous makeshift uniforms, burst from the dormitory staircase and dumped armfuls of festive ribbons, apparently made from torn bedsheets, over Adrian's head before shouting dramatically:
"Let us welcome the return of our Gryffindor hero!"
Gryffindor hero? Who?
Adrian, who had initially thought this was some elaborate Halloween celebration, stood stunned after the twins' announcement. Before he could react, dozens of younger students poured from the dormitory entrances.
Harry and Ron led the charge, lifting Adrian bodily between them while the grinning Weasley twins joined in tossing him about...
"Three cheers for our returning Gryffindor hero!" Fred bellowed.
The assembled Gryffindor students erupted in enthusiastic celebration.
"The Lionheart"
"Troll Slayer!"
The various nicknames multiplied as Adrian was tossed around until his bones felt ready to separate. Only when the lions' excitement finally died down did they set him down.
During the chaos, Adrian pieced together what had happened. After Harry and Ron returned to the dormitory, Ron, never one to understate anything, had told everyone an embellished account of Adrian's single-handed troll defeat and heroic rescue of Hermione.
The students, stuck in common rooms due to the troll incident and desperate for entertainment, had seized upon such thrilling news with enthusiasm. The story had grown hugely with each retelling, transforming Adrian into a legendary Gryffindor hero. This welcome party was, naturally, the Weasley twins' contribution to the festivities.
After understanding the situation, Adrian remained somewhat confused. Harry and Ron, who had defeated the troll in the original timeline, certainly hadn't received this treatment.
However, Adrian had overlooked fundamental differences in their circumstances. While Harry and Ron had managed to knock out their troll, they'd come out looking thoroughly beaten up, and their victory had been largely due to luck rather than skill.
From outside perspectives, Adrian represented the textbook definition of heroic rescue, dispatching the troll with elegant efficiency. The creature's dramatic death, pierced clean through the skull, added perfect legendary flair. Combined with Ron's enthusiastic embellishments, such a response was inevitable.
Adrian even noticed several young witches in the crowd sending him admiring glances, with the bolder ones approaching to request details of the battle.
The energetic Gryffindor cubs maintained their celebration well past midnight, only going to their dormitories when someone remembered they had classes the following day.
As the party's guest of honor, Adrian was thoroughly exhausted and thirsty.
"That surprise was certainly... something I hadn't expect," Adrian muttered, recalling Dumbledore's parting words.
Despite his fatigue, he couldn't suppress a small smile.