Chapter 18: The Gaze of the White Wizard
Hydrus walked into the Magical Menagerie.
This was a store dedicated entirely to pets.
Upon opening the door, a strong, unpleasant smell hit her. The shopkeeper probably tried to mask it with some scented potion—but the result was an even stronger, more pungent aroma.
The store was crowded, cages stacked everywhere. The female owner, wearing thick black-rimmed glasses, hurried over at the sight of a customer.
"Oh, dear, what are you looking for? Common pets, rare pets—I have them all!"
Hydrus glanced around. The magical creatures—orange snails, gem-studded turtles, transforming rabbits—were instantly dismissed.
Her eyes settled on the owls, cats, and snakes instead.
"Would you like an owl? Or a snake? Cats are nice too…"
The shopkeeper's words were interrupted.
"Bang bang bang!""Chirp chirp chirp!""Meow!""Woof!"
The small animals suddenly went wild, all rushing their cage doors, attempting a "jailbreak."
Those not confined—birds, snakes, turtles, lizards, and Fluffy Puffballs—quickly surrounded Hydrus, showing off affectionate behavior.
A snowy owl perched on her left shoulder, a raven on her right. Several birds with no room to land circled her head.
Four or five snakes slithered up her legs, coiling around her waist. A pile of Fluffy Puffballs surged around her, almost covering her calves.
The shopkeeper covered her mouth in disbelief. "Oh dear! My little ones have never been this excited! I've never seen them so affectionate toward anyone!"
Her voice was already loud, but drowned by the animals' noise. She amplified it magically:"Child, did you escape from some princess castle?" (Pure Disney joke, ignore it.)
Hydrus covered her ears. She knew the shop was noisy—but not this noisy. One moment here felt like sensory overload.
Then she saw a tabby cat in the corner.
It sat calmly, licking itself, completely ignoring Hydrus's "charm."
Hydrus didn't know why animals flocked to her and didn't care. But when something unique appears, instinct compels her to approach.
Carrying the big birds, with snakes draped around her and Puffballs trailing, Hydrus walked to the tabby.
It was a well-bred tabby, obviously non-magical. Touching it revealed no magical traits.
"Meow!"
The tabby swiped at Hydrus instantly, so fast she couldn't react.
Remember, her body rivaled four times the magical prowess of ordinary magical animals!
The best part? The cat didn't extend its claws. Its soft paw pressed against her hand—no pain, just a startle.
Gentle coldness?
"That's the one!" Hydrus declared.
The shopkeeper asked, "What? Dear, what did you say?"
"I! Want! It! Now!"
"Oh, this little one came to my store on its own. No magic lineage, but seems an Eastern breed. Rare around here, so I've kept it for you."
Hydrus nodded. "How! Much! Money?"
"Three Galleons. Cage included!"
After paying, Hydrus grabbed the cat cage and bolted from the store.
In the instant she left, the shopkeeper cast: "Freezing Charm!"
The would-be escapees were immobilized. The menagerie fell silent. Caged pets obediently closed their mouths.
Even though the shopkeeper had never used magic on them before, today she did—it was terrifying.
But this young lady was truly magnetic!
Yet in the end, the lucky one was the aloof tabby.
Hydrus dashed out, looked back to make sure no pets followed, then wiped imaginary sweat from her brow.
"I'll call you Golden Tiger," she said, holding the cage. The tabby's lively eyes suggested intelligence.
She opened the cage, lifted Golden Tiger out, and carelessly tossed the cage into her pouch.
"You should be free. I won't confine you," she said, stroking the cat's back. "If you want to follow me, I'll be happy. If you run off, I won't stop you—it's charity."
Hydrus, the rich and powerful now, was no longer the little pauper searching for three Galleons in a garden.
She set Golden Tiger down and headed to Florin Fosco's Ice Cream Parlor.
The tabby shook its head, walking elegantly behind her.
Hydrus glanced back and saw Golden Tiger keeping pace. Overjoyed, she winked and gestured at it while walking.
Suddenly, Golden Tiger stopped and covered its eyes with a paw.
Hydrus, puzzled, walked straight into someone.
"Sorry!"
Without seeing who it was, she bowed. Of course, it was her fault—she hadn't watched where she was going.
"Hehe, not watching where you walk isn't good manners."
The voice was old, wise, and powerful yet gentle.
Hydrus looked up. A tall, thin old wizard stood before her. Silver hair and a matching beard nearly reached his stomach.
Bright blue eyes seemed to see through everything.
If judging by these features alone, Hydrus couldn't tell who he was. Many old wizards looked like this—Gandalf, anyone?
But that long, crooked aquiline nose gave him away.
This was Albus Dumbledore!
The White Wizard she had long wanted to avoid.
"You've got spirit," Dumbledore said. "You hurt me when you bumped into me."
"Sorry! Please forgive me!"
Hydrus apologized again, hoping to end this awkward encounter quickly.
"Oh, my rib might be broken… a mere apology isn't enough."
Dumbledore clutched his side with one hand and extended the other in a beg gesture.
Hydrus was shocked. The greatest White Wizard, Hogwarts Headmaster, recipient of the First-Class Merlin Medal, Chief Wizard of Wizengamot—was playing a hustle on her?!
"Well, sir," she sighed, "what compensation do you want?"
Seeing her distressed expression, Dumbledore chuckled. "The ice cream parlor is just ahead. Would a box of ice cream suffice?"
Thank goodness!
Hearing "a box of ice cream," Hydrus relaxed. "Alright, I can manage that."
A minute later, the two sat outside the ice cream shop.
Delicious ice cream didn't relax Hydrus; the old man's gaze burned into her.
"Child, why aren't you at school?"
Without hesitation, Hydrus replied: "I'm a dud cannon."
"A dud cannon…" Dumbledore stroked his beard. "It must be hard. Is your family kind to you?"
Hydrus paused, then said, "I left home. Now I live with a Muggle."
She suddenly remembered: she needed ice cream for Rick. Shouting inside: "Boss! Two more boxes! One vanilla, one lavender Earl Grey! Takeaway!"
"You like ice cream a lot," Dumbledore said, "but too many sweets aren't good for your teeth."
You have the least right to lecture me! Hydrus thought, then explained: "It's for my Muggle brother. He hasn't tried wizarding ice cream yet!"
"Brother?"
Dumbledore smiled warmly.
Soon, the ice cream was gone. Hydrus quickly stood: "Sorry again for bumping into you. If you have no other matters, may I leave?"
"Of course, child. Thank you for the treat."
They stood. Their shared table seemed like a chasm between them.
"Even as a dud cannon, keep hope. Perhaps one day, you'll become a remarkable wizard."
Hydrus bowed slightly. "Thank you for your blessing. It's late; I must go. Farewell, sir."
"Farewell, child. I look forward to our next meeting."
"Oh! I forgot—what is your name?"
Hydrus froze. This old bee didn't play by the rules—why ask now?
Hydrus Lestrange was wanted—she couldn't use that.Audrey Astrey was her Muggle identity—couldn't use that either.And with Hermione Granger's face now, giving her name might risk Dumbledore knowing the future.
Better to make one up.
"Bobby," she said. "I'm Bobby Graham."