Chapter 28: Audrey's Tutor and Her Wand
"All right, Miss Astre," Dumbledore reverted to her formal surname, signaling that their private conversation was over. "Can you guess why the home visit, originally scheduled for August, was moved up by a month?"
Audrey's expression darkened.
In Hogwarts Legacy, when the protagonist first enters the wizarding world, Professor Figo is sent for one-on-one guidance.
If the same applied to her, it meant she wouldn't have any free time before school even started…
"Could it be… Hogwarts is sending a professor to give me pre-term lessons?"
Dumbledore clapped his hands. "Brilliant! Exactly right. Starting tomorrow, a magical master will provide you with two months of preparatory instruction!"
Pre-term lessons?!
Audrey slapped her face with her palm. "You don't mean this professor is actually moving in with me, right?"
"Exactly," Dumbledore chuckled, patting his belly. "Such a clever girl!"
The old man's face carried an expectant smile. "Given the intensity of your upcoming coursework, and to ensure the quality of your studies, I will also occasionally check your progress and provide guidance myself."
Audrey sighed. No more good days. Whether one teacher or two, it wasn't really any different.
"Brother!!"
Audrey shouted upstairs. As a singer, her voice carried powerfully, penetrating the walls and calling Rick out immediately.
"What's up, Audrey?"
"Starting tomorrow, a Hogwarts professor will come to our home to give me pre-term lessons! Early in the morning, tell Miss Kepas to prepare a guest room!"
Miss Kepas was their housemaid, responsible for all chores in the villa.
"All right, no problem," Rick agreed readily. "But Headmaster Dumbledore, I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Your school actually provides pre-term tutoring? Such good service? Do you have so many competitors that you need to improve services just to attract students?"
Dumbledore's expression darkened. "No, Mr. Astre. Hogwarts is the best wizarding school in England. No competition."
Audrey quickly explained, trying to suppress her amusement at Dumbledore's seriousness. "It's not like that, brother. Since most young wizards enter at eleven, but I'm starting at sixteen directly in fifth year, the school worries I'll fall behind. That's why they arranged a tutor."
"Oh! That makes sense!"
Rick's face brightened. He realized something—when he first met Audrey, she appeared eleven. Perhaps her amnesia had hidden her magical talent?
"Understood. So, Audrey, you've decided to attend Hogwarts?"
"Yes."
"Then all right, I'll notify Mr. Waterman tomorrow."
Dumbledore interrupted. "No need. Professor Peter Waterman has already been informed of Miss Astre's upcoming musical studies. He will arrange everything."
Audrey's eyes widened in surprise.
Dumbledore continued solemnly, "The world will know that Audrey Astre has been accepted as a private student by Professor Culin McMillan of the Royal Music Academy."
"Professor Culin McMillan!" Rick exclaimed. "He's the top vocal master! Becoming his student is harder than reaching the stars!"
Audrey, however, remained calm. "Professor McMillan is from the McMillan family? Not your student, right?"
"No, he isn't my student. I just happen to know him—he's a pushover."
McMillan, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
Audrey shook her head. No matter his fame in the Muggle world, as a pushover, he could not resist a command from the wizarding world—such is the sad fate of a pushover.
The next day at 10 a.m., someone knocked on the Astre villa door.
The siblings were already waiting in the living room. Rick immediately rose to open the door.
Standing outside was a tall man, nearly 1.9 meters, wearing a stylish overcoat and polished leather boots. His figure was imposing.
Upon seeing his face, however, they realized he was older. His hair was white with streaks of pale gold. His blue eyes were sharp, though the right one slightly lighter. Time had carved lines on his face, but his bone structure suggested he had been a handsome man in his youth.
"Mr. Astre?" the man spoke with a faint Danish accent. "I am Professor Gale Daep. I'm here to provide pre-term tutoring for your sister."
"Oh, hello!" Rick greeted warmly. "Please come in! Headmaster Dumbledore has told us about you!"
Professor Daep followed Rick inside. Audrey stood and greeted him. "Hello, Professor."
Her heart, however, was racing.
Having studied Harry Potter three hundred times, Audrey realized this was not a Hogwarts professor. She recalled Dumbledore only mentioned a "magical master," not a Hogwarts teacher!
Gale Daep smiled warmly. Despite his imposing stature, his expression was kind.
"Hello, Audrey," he said, removing his coat. "Please, call me Gale. You'll be very busy over the next two months. I hope you are mentally prepared."
"Ah, Professor Daep," Rick said, "we needn't rush studies. Shall I show you your room first?"
"Much obliged."
After settling in, Daep addressed Audrey: "We need to buy a wand."
Without hesitation, he took her hand. "I will use a spell called 'Apparition.' It may feel uncomfortable—you'll need to endure it."
Whoosh!
In a blink, they disappeared. Rick gasped, running back and forth, finally realizing the imposing professor had Apparated away with his sister.
"Impressive!" he muttered.
They reappeared in front of the Leaky Cauldron. Audrey, undaunted, played the part of a first-time Apparition Muggle.
"YUE!!" she squeaked, unsure if her reaction looked natural.
"Audrey, no need for that," Professor Daep said, half-amused. "Albus has told me everything about you—your identity is known."
Audrey's eyes widened in shock. "But… didn't you say Apparition would be uncomfortable? Why mention it then if you already knew?"
"That was for your brother," Daep replied.
Audrey ignored him, pushing open the Leaky Cauldron door. It was her first time here. Immediately, people recognized her.
"Look! Isn't that Audrey Astre?"
"That's her!"
"I heard she got her Hogwarts letter!"
"I knew she had to be a little witch! How could a Muggle have such a voice?"
"Miss Astre! Could you sign my autograph?"
The bar patrons swarmed her. Audrey was taken aback. She knew her songs were popular among wizards, but she hadn't expected this level of fame—equal to her Muggle fame!
Seeing the crowd, Daep frowned and stamped his foot, creating an invisible wall around himself and Audrey, keeping everyone outside.
Audrey maintained a professional demeanor, waving to the crowd while heading to the courtyard.
Once they were alone, she exhaled in relief.
"Very good, Audrey," Daep said. "You have a talent for calming people."
He opened the door to Diagon Alley. Audrey was confused. Calming people? Not an O.W.L. skill…
Since he knew her identity, there was no need to pretend ignorance. She headed straight to Ollivanders, navigating more skillfully than Daep.
The bell rang as they entered. The shop was narrow, stacked with boxes to the ceiling.
"Good morning," a gentle voice called. Mr. Ollivander appeared. "First time here, I presume?"
Audrey nodded. "Yes, first time."
"Oh, you must be Audrey Astre! A fifth-year student!"
Ollivander smiled warmly. "I've often heard your songs—I'm a loyal fan!"
He approached her. "Let's see," he said, pulling out a silver-marked measuring tape. "Which hand do you favor?"
"Both, but mostly right."
"Each wand has a core, either a phoenix feather or a unicorn hair…"
"Mr. Ollivander," Daep interrupted, "please skip the explanations. Time is short. Miss Astre needs her O.W.L.s this year."
"Ah… indeed," Ollivander said, quickly measuring Audrey. "This will be hard work!"
Audrey nodded repeatedly. Yes, yes, very hard work… I really don't want this.
"Try this one: Eastwood and unicorn hair, excellent combination!"
Audrey raised the wand; it shone brilliantly, like heavenly light.
"Oh! First try and it fits so perfectly!"
She shook her head. "Sir, can I try another?"
The unicorn hair wand was too gentle for her, despite expressing excitement.
"Then try this: 13.5 inches, chestnut wood, dragon heartstring. Stiffer, but resilient."
She raised the wand. Instantly, a golden glow followed its grain like runes, beautiful and mysterious, like a vault of Galleons silently sparkling.
"My goodness!" Ollivander gasped, speechless. In all his years, he had never seen this.
Finally, he concluded: "Chestnut wands favor experienced magical creature handlers, skilled herbologists, or expert flyers. Miss Astre will surely excel in these fields!"
Indeed. Audrey could naturally bond with magical creatures, perfectly matching this wand.
Ollivander didn't mention one detail: chestnut with dragon heartstring also suits wizards who indulge in luxury and don't care much about the means—but that also described Audrey perfectly.
"Now," Daep said, clapping his hands, "since Audrey has chosen her wand, it's my turn."
Audrey: ?
Ollivander: ??