Hogwarts – Headmaster's Office
As the stone gargoyle guarding the revolving staircase slowly turned aside, Professor Minerva McGonagall pushed open the door and entered the Headmaster's office.
"Headmaster Dumbledore," she began seriously, "we still haven't received a response to the letter sent to young Harry Potter. Should we send someone to investigate? I believe there may be trouble on that end."
"Do not worry, Minerva."
Behind the desk, Albus Dumbledore slowly closed a thick book.
Behind his half-moon spectacles, his bright blue eyes shone with both sharp intelligence and a gentle warmth that naturally reassured those around him.
His long silver hair and beard framed his face, giving him a distinctly dignified wizardly presence.
Beside the desk, perched quietly on a golden stand, the phoenix Fawkes lifted his head and glanced briefly at Professor McGonagall before lowering it again to tidy his feathers with his beak.
The visitor did not seem to interest him much.
Dumbledore stood up and lightly organized the books scattered across his desk.
With a casual wave of his wandless hand, the books floated gracefully into the air and returned neatly to the shelves.
"That child has endured a great deal," Dumbledore said calmly.
"We should have expected that it might not be easy for him to reach us."
"I have already arranged for Hagrid to bring him here."
"It may take a little time."
Dumbledore blinked gently, radiating the calm confidence of someone who had already prepared for everything.
"Hagrid?"
Professor McGonagall frowned slightly.
"You're certain we should entrust such an important matter to him?"
She couldn't hide her concern.
After all, Hagrid's half-giant blood sometimes made him… less delicate when handling complicated situations.
"I would trust Hagrid with my life, Minerva," Dumbledore replied firmly.
Looking at her seriously, he continued,
"Believe me. In two months' time, you will certainly see that child at Hogwarts."
"I hope so."
McGonagall nodded slightly, though the worry in her eyes did not completely fade.
"Oh—right."
She suddenly seemed to remember something.
Her brows furrowed again as she spoke.
"Today, a name suddenly appeared in the Book of Admittance."
"It belongs to a descendant of the Shafik family."
"We've already sent the owl letter, and we've received a reply."
"The Shafik family?"
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows slightly.
A faint glimmer flashed behind his glasses.
"That surname hasn't appeared for quite some time."
"Are you certain?"
Professor McGonagall nodded, though confusion still lingered in her expression.
"Before that name appeared in the Book of Admittance, I always believed the Shafik family had disappeared."
"After all… back then…"
She stopped mid-sentence and sighed quietly.
"Since the bloodline of the Shafik family has appeared in the book," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, "then it should not be mistaken."
McGonagall hesitated before continuing.
"When the last two members of the Shafik family suddenly vanished from the wizarding world…"
"There was never any explanation."
She looked directly at Dumbledore.
"Do you know what happened?"
"After all… if anyone in this world might know the truth, it would be either you… or that mysterious man."
Meeting Dumbledore's gaze, she paused slightly.
"Of course, if you would prefer not to discuss it…"
"There is nothing to hide."
Dumbledore spoke calmly.
"The circumstances at that time were… very strange."
"It involved a kind of ancient magic."
"It seemed connected to time and space itself."
As he spoke, a nostalgic look appeared on his face.
It was mixed with a hint of emotion, as though recalling a moment that had once astonished even him.
"That day…"
"We witnessed a force that was both mysterious and immensely powerful."
Professor McGonagall's brows slowly tightened.
There was clear shock in her eyes.
She could hardly imagine a magical power that even Albus Dumbledore could not fully understand.
And that was precisely what worried her.
The boy named Aris Shafik might truly be the last heir of the Shafik family.
Yet neither she nor Hogwarts knew anything about him.
"Well then," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, clearly reading her thoughts.
"Do you plan to meet the child personally?"
"Yes, Headmaster."
"I believe it would be best if we meet him first."
"Very well."
Dumbledore nodded.
Then he suddenly asked,
"By the way… what is the child's name?"
"Aris Shafik."
"Ah."
"That is a very fine name."
The silver-haired wizard nodded slowly, deep in thought.
"Thank you for your hard work, Minerva."
Their conversation soon ended.
Even after Professor McGonagall's figure disappeared beyond the revolving stone doorway, Dumbledore remained standing quietly.
His expression held a mysterious, thoughtful look.
After a long moment, he raised his hand and waved it gently.
The quill on his desk suddenly came to life, swiftly writing lines across a sheet of parchment.
When it finished, the letter folded itself neatly and slid into an envelope.
"Fawkes, if you would."
Dumbledore gently stroked the phoenix's feathers.
Fawkes chirped softly.
The majestic bird picked up the envelope with its beak.
With a powerful flap of its flaming wings, the phoenix soared out of the castle window and into the night sky.
Soon, it disappeared into the distant darkness.
It was already late at night.
Inside the tall, cylindrical Lovegood house, Aris lay awake in his bed on the second floor.
His eyes were closed, yet sleep refused to come.
It felt as though some mysterious force was keeping his mind alert.
Everything that had happened today still felt like a dream.
Even now, he could hardly believe it was real.
But the system panel floating in his mind reminded him that none of it was an illusion.
"What a long night…"
Aris sat up in bed and rubbed his temples.
He couldn't wait for morning to arrive.
Because tomorrow—
A Hogwarts professor would come.
Perhaps it would be Professor Snape, the stern Potions Master with greasy black hair.
Or perhaps Professor McGonagall, who always looked strict but secretly cared deeply about her students.
Whoever it was—
Aris felt excited.
Dinner earlier had been… a new experience.
Unfortunately, it hadn't tasted very good.
Having grown accustomed to the delicious cuisine of the East, Aris found buttered bread and strange herbal tea somewhat difficult to swallow.
He took a sip of water and glanced around the room.
Instead of lying back down, he picked up a magazine from the bedside table.
The title on the cover read:
The Quibbler.
It was the latest issue that Luna had lent him.
Aris began reading.
Exactly one minute later—
The familiar system notification appeared in his mind.
[Congratulations to the host for reading for one minute.]
[You have gained 1 Academic Point.]
Aris froze.
Then slowly smiled.
"Interesting…"
It seemed that even reading books could earn him points.
Perhaps tonight would not be so boring after all.