STARTS IN HOGWARTS

[ Volume I: "HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY YR. 1" ]

[ Chapter X (10): "DUMBLEDORE'S CONFUSION" ]

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[ JUNE 14, 1989 ] [ WIZARDRY WORLD, DIAGON ALLEY ]

What just happened?!

Dumbledore, the renowned prestigious Dumbledore who just spent all of his morning having read the latest book that one of his favorite authors just published could be seen looking around in confusion.

Hands under his chin as he stares at the floor right in front of him, the stare being so intense that he could probably dig a hole through the said floor.

The renowned prestigious Headmaster, but also alchemist of the Wizardry World could be seen having doubts about his knowledge of current alchemical products as a whole. And laid out in front of him is a book titled "Monster Cards & Dolls Guide on How to Use Them. Properly" at the last page.

The book having 166 pages was read solely by the wise sage in a mere 2 hours, and a little over half. The said book contains knowledge on how to create alchemy dolls, products, everyday items using basic materials that a first-grader could do in their past time.

But that's not all, it also introduces the wide range of variety relating to Monster Cards which Dumbledore is a fan of for about 2-3 years now, a product which both entertains and provides insight.

But if you think that's where it ends, then you'll have to be wrong my friend. The book also delves into Monster Dolls which are unique each and every single time, all having personalities embedded into them, and how to properly use them.

It also delves on how to use them as guards, how to use them offensively, and what to do when two contradicting Monster Cards, or Monster Dolls fight together or against one another. Synergy the book calls them.

But what impressed Dumbledore the most is that, even though the book detailed the step-by-step process on how to create either a Monster Card, or a Monster Doll, the materials are... So and so.

Metal, aluminum, cooper, stone, and mana stones. Those were the frequent items other than firewood which works best against fire, literal firewood that has magical properties. The expenses, are, low, yes, a seasoned alchemist like Dumbledore could say.

But the process to create one... Taxing, very. Which made the old sage confuse, and bewildered in how the prize for such artifacts aren't in the hundreds of Galleons, if not hundreds then tens — why is Felix Harp publishing all of this for free.

What is his end goal?

Dumbledore couldn't understand, especially on how the young ones think. Felix could have made hundreds, if not thousands, millions of Galleons if he were just silent about this, silently accumulating wealth through waiting.

Wizards and witches do live a long time compared to a normal No-maj being, even Squibs who can't wield magic live longer. But to Felix who is both prominent in learning, in magic spells, and is a blooming young wizard — why wouldn't he do all of this, and not wait.

Is he after prestige?

No, the boy already has one through his accumulated books when he was a student. Both in the field of History, Muggle Studies, Alchemy, Charms, and many more, even story telling that the old man uses for bed time. So prestige is clearly not the answer.

Dumbledore began to think more, and more, on what could possibly drive the young Gryffindor grad to do such a selfless thing for the Wizardry World — if not for the Wizardry World directly, then indirectly in giving a base template for scholars to learn from, to thrive. Is it really just an act of selflessness?

Dumbledore doesn't know, so he began to think of more reasons on why.

But the more he thinks about it, the more it related back to selflessness. A quality that is rarely seen both inside, and outside the Wizardry World. And in more he thinks about, the title of eccentric philanthropist that Dumbledore saw nonchalantly used around the boy made more sense.

The boy really is a philanthropist. Helping the poor, helping the people, of wizards and witches via sharing knowledge that can be profitable to some if they were to study it diligently.

I need sweets.

Dumbledore tapped one of his pockets, and realized that the pack of cockroach clusters he have been carrying is nearly empty — only two having been left.

In seeing that there was so little left, the old man didn't hesitate and put the last two candies into his mouth, biting off the heads which stopped the moving candies plead for help. Oozing yellow substance that tastes sweet along the way.

Dumbledore felt comfortable in tasting the enchanted candies around his tongue, but that brief comfort is short lived and when he swallowed the candies, it was gone. Making him want more.

Dumbledore stood up, his olden bones forcing itself to grab the light but actually heavy book he was previously reading, and have finished into the counter where a woman.

Brown haired, brown eyed — Anastasia could be seen deeply focused on a book, to be more precise staring at each text, afraid that she might miss a detail.

Too deep in thoughts, she was caught off-guard when a customer placed a book on the counter with a slight thud.

[ "Huh? What...?" ]

[ "Oh, Professor..." ]

[ "Checkout?" ]

In looking up, she finally realized who it was. The disguise the Headmaster had put slightly affecting her already cloudy mind, and sleep deprived self. But nonetheless, she put on a smile, being the one tasked to work on the counter today.

In response Dumbledore nodded, as he looks at the opened book which has a picture of a child, holding a wand, doing magic with people of all-ages around him, a street magic show with the titular protagonist of the story doing real magic unbeknownst to the people.

What's the title again?

Merlin's... beard- no, no, that doesn't sound correct.

Dumbledore tried to remember the name, the book which he is keenly on subscribing — forgetting the name one second, then finally realizing the title of the book. "Merlin in Britain", yes, a children's storybook.

Written years ago, one that helped greatly in his friend's dying business. This same said bookstore and library, and that book is now being read by his friend's daughter, a Ravenclaw graduate the same year as the titular author of the book — Felix Harp.

Felix Harp...?

It's him again?

Dumbledore kept on hearing the name wherever he went. And realized that everything interesting that have been happening throughout the years, have in some way relates back to the name Felix Harp.

An anomaly that he both admires, and fears of. Author of the Year when he was both a 3rd year, Grand Alchemist when he was 18 years old, and finally self-proclaimed philanthropist amongst the many titles that are both officially and lazily given to him by the people throughout the magical world of britain.

Why is this kid everywhere?!

[ "Here you go, Professor." ]

[ "Hmm?" ]

Anastasia not knowing the trouble Dumbledore is thinking about, handed him the tightly packed book. Only now realizing that he hadn't paid for it yet.

[ "Ahh..." ]

[ "How much do I owe you?" ]

Dumbledore pulled out his wallet, an old gift from a friend that has the magical extension charm inside it. Making it bigger on the inside, than on the outside.

Dumbledore was about to count both Golden Galleons and Silver Sickles inside his wallet, earned through years of being a Headmaster which doesn't pay that much.

[ "Oh, it's free." ]

1 Galleons... 2 Galleons... 5 Galleons...

Huh...? What?

[ "Free?" ]

Dumbledore repeated what he thought he just heard. Excuse me, this book which has knowledge that is both groundbreaking and unique that thousands of Galleons couldn't compare to. Is free?

[ "This?" ]

[ "Yup." ]

Dumbledore exited Plantophia that day having his world view changed, or in some sense shattered as he has his mouth wide open. Under the disguise, staring blankly at the passing people.

Merlin's beard!

This world really have been flipped.

Dumbledore became more and more interested about Felix, the center of attention. From the explanation he was given on why the book is free, and on how it is freely given and spread in the new store of Diagon Alley.

At Harp Alchemy Shop. So, with excitement in his eyes, Dumbledore like a kid made his way onto the direction where the crowd of people is going, at the direction of the Alchemy Shop he hadn't visited yet.

I wonder if they sell cockroach clusters.

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[ WRITTEN: 01/15/2025 ]

[ POSTED: 01/16/2025 ]