Magical Studies at Hogwarts

Chapter 40 Return to the original owner
On July 31, a red bird knocked on the window of Ike's room.

Opening the window, the bird landed directly on top of Ike's head, as if his hair was a bird's nest.

Ike carried the bird to the next door, and Julian was calculating Santa Maria's monthly expenses, but she didn't stop when Ike came, and was still looking at the numbers.

"Little Ike, what's the matter with you? Not now, at least until I finish my calculations."

"Mother Julian, I just want to tell you that my principal may come later."

Ike obediently pointed to Fox who was combing the feathers on top of his head: "This is the principal's pet."

"Principal? Little Ike, did you get into any trouble?" Julian hurriedly put down her pen when she heard this, and looked up at Ike with an innocent face, "If you get into trouble, you must tell me."

"No, Mother Julian." Ike shook his head, which made Fox very dissatisfied, and pecked Ike's head in revenge, "There is only one thing that needs to be returned to the principal today."

"It's okay, okay, when will your principal arrive, and what do I need to do?" Julian asked.

"Maybe we can move the things in front of the fireplace?" Ike thought for a while, he was not sure how Dumbledore came over, if Floo powder was used, it would be necessary to clean up the things in front of the fireplace a little .

Lao Deng is very old, and it is troublesome to trip over many obstacles on the ground when he comes out of the fireplace.

"It's very simple, little Ike, you can use magic to do it." Julian said, and picked up the pen again.

"I can't use magic outside of school, Julian's mother." Ike said helplessly, "I can do it myself, and I promise not to disturb you."

"Okay, little Ike, do it yourself first, and I'll join you when I finish the calculation." Julianne smiled, gave Ike a look of "you have to be good", and calculated the accounts again.

Seeing this, Ike began to carefully lift the things in front of the fireplace.These things are very miscellaneous and many, including clothes sent by well-meaning people, toys and books for children, and some things belonging to Julian herself, such as Santa Maria’s ledger and some photos and paintings.

Carefully moving these aside, Ike and Julian, who had settled the accounts, worked for a long time before moving them all.

The two sat on chairs drinking tea and took a short break.It is also Ike's own fault. According to the "International Wizarding Secrecy Act", Ike is not allowed to reveal the existence of magic to other Muggles except the guardian. Otherwise, these things only need a few pieces of candy to attract several small beans. Help, the two of them won't be so tired.

After resting for a while, the fireplace finally ignited a green flame, and an old man with white hair and beard came out of the flame.

Dumbledore glanced at the things in the room for a while, then nodded slightly, and said, "Hi, Mrs. Julian, I'm Albus Dumbledore, the current headmaster of Hogwarts. Nice to meet you."

"Hello, Mr. Principal." Julian quickly got up, saluted Dumbledore back, and then tugged Ike aside.

Ike also nodded slightly: "Good morning, Professor Dumbledore."

"Good morning, Mr. Strider."

After greeting each other, Julian invited Dumbledore to sit down and taste her best lemon black tea.Dumbledore picked up the teacup and took a sip, exclaiming, "This is the best lemon tea I've ever had. It's great!"

Julian is very happy. She likes to be praised for two things: one is that her children are great, and the other is that her lemon black tea is delicious.

And, she's not shy about sharing her secrets.

"Add an extra cube of sugar, sweet things will always make people happy." Julian narrowed her eyes, and the smile on her face became more and more kind.

"So that's it. Maybe Hogwarts will have a new drink in the new school year." Dumbledore also narrowed his eyes, showing Julian's same smile, and even winked at Ike.

Ike rolled his eyes, only to be caught straight by Julianne.After a petting slap, Ike took advantage of the situation and made a look of pain and fear.

This is the interaction that almost all Santa Maria children have with Julian, and Ike is even one of the most frequent ones. It is a way for Julian to express love.

"You have educated Mr. Strayde very well, Ms. Julian." Dumbledore sighed, "I have been at Hogwarts for more than half a century, and Mr. Strayer is one of the young wizards who impressed me the most. .”

"I also want to thank the school professor for his teaching." Julian said politely.

Dumbledore took a sip of the lemon black tea, paused for a moment before smiling and said, "I think Mr. Strider should have mentioned to you that I came here today to pick up something, and I promised Strider when I was at school. Sir, he can keep that thing to this day."

"Then, Mr. Strider, can you give me the Philosopher's Stone?"

"Of course." Ike took out the Philosopher's Stone from his pocket and handed it to Dumbledore, "Thank you for allowing me to keep the Philosopher's Stone until today."

"I hope I can help you enough." Dumbledore put away the Philosopher's Stone, stood up, and slightly signaled to Julianne, "I think I'm leaving, thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Julianne."

"Aren't you going to stay for dinner, Mr. Principal?" Julian asked to stay.

"No, Ms. Julian, the owner of the Philosopher's Stone is waiting for me, and I don't want him to wait too long."

Ike watched Dumbledore walk slowly towards the fireplace, and finally stopped in front of it.Turning around, he said to Ike: "By the way, Mr. Strider, please help me take care of Fox for a while. The place I'm going next is not very suitable for taking him with me."

"And it looks like it likes you."

"Okay, Professor Dumbledore." Ike nodded, and reached out to touch Fox, but was caught. This scene made Julian and Dumbledore laugh out loud.

"Professor Dumbledore." Ike stopped Dumbledore again, "Did Nico Flamel really decide to destroy the Philosopher's Stone and give up eternal life?"

"As far as I know, that's the case." Dumbledore nodded. "However, since the fourteenth century, Nicol has often announced the destruction of the Philosopher's Stone. Who knows if this is true?"

There was a flash of fire, and Dumbledore disappeared into the room.

"Little Ike, did you just mention Nicole Flamel? That famous alchemist?" Julian looked surprised and asked aloud.

"Yes, it's him."

"Then what you just gave to Mr. Principal is the legendary Philosopher's Stone?"

"Right." Ike nodded.

"Oh my God! It's unbelievable! The Philosopher's Stone is real!"

"It's true, but it's not as magical as imagined." Ike replied, "Magic has a price, and the price of immortality may exceed our imagination."

Looking at Julian with a regretful expression, Ike couldn't help being a little tangled, and after thinking for a while, he said, "Mother Julian, if you want, I will find a way..."

"Little Ike..." Julian interrupted Ike, showing a familiar kind smile, "I have experienced cruel world wars, I have had happy families, and I have experienced many things, whether it is beautiful or cruel. ..."

"Now, you let me see the existence of another world, and I am very satisfied..."

"So don't take any chances for me, little Ike."

There was no more regret and longing on Julian's face, only indifference and kindness.Ike was silent for a long time, then nodded slightly.

"I see, Mother Julian..."

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(End of this chapter)