Hogwarts: The Dark Prodigy

In the early morning hours, the great dining room of Rosier Hall was silent. The dim lighting, combined with the enchanted chandeliers that shone down from the high ceilings, gave the room an elegant warmth. In the center of the dining table sat a finely inlaid silver teapot on a lace-covered tray. Next to it was a handmade porcelain cup filled with freshly brewed aromatic tea, the smoke wafting faintly from the pot.

Dante sat in a chair by the window. As he grew older, his movements became more graceful, his posture more commanding. He ate his breakfast with dignified precision, taking his time even as his knife spread the butter on the bread. Everything was measured, everything had to be right. He took a small piece of bread with his fork, spread jam on it and chewed it carefully.

Just then, the kitchen door opened softly. A small house-elf came in, wearing an old-fashioned gray cloth that didn't quite fit. It was Vippy, who had served the Rosier estate for years. He approached Dante with the Daily Prophet newspaper carefully clutched in her small arms.

"Young master, your morning paper for breakfast," Vippy said, her voice respectful but cheerful as always.

Dante took the paper with a slight nod of his head and opened the pages. The first few pages were filled with the usual agenda: new developments in the wizarding world, the rise of some businessmen, stock movements at Gringotts... Dante skimmed the stock market section. He had become interested in the magical economy because in the wizarding world, power was not only achieved through magic, but also through clever investments.

One of the headlines caught his attention: "New Minister of Magic Elected! Will Damian Travers usher in a new era in the wizarding world?"

Dante frowned slightly. The name Damian Travers was familiar. The Travers family was well known among pureblood wizards, but had been under suspicion in the past due to their ties to the Dark Lord. It was interesting that such a person had been chosen for the Ministry. Did it mean that the policy towards former Death Eaters would be softened?

A little further down, another news item caught his attention: "The future of Albus Dumbledore: New Decisions at Hogwarts".

The article discussed Dumbledore's influence in the wizarding community and his management of Hogwarts. Some thought he was too partisan and steered young wizards in a certain direction. Others praised his wisdom and impartiality. Dante had heard a lot about the professor, but he didn't really know him. If he went to Hogwarts, however, there was a good chance he would meet him.

Dante put the newspaper down on the table and took a sip of his tea. He looked out the window. In the garden, the wind gently caressed the grass and a few owls flitted between the branches.

Lost in thought, Vippy coughed lightly. "Young master, will there be anything else?"

Dante lifted his eyes from the newspaper and shook his head with a slight smile. "No, Vippy. Breakfast was good enough. I don't want to be disturbed for the rest of the day."

Vippy bowed his head and stepped back. Dante turned back to the paper.

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Dante Rosier counted the days as he waited for his Hogwarts letter. At first he was excited. He woke early in the morning, and before he had even eaten breakfast, he stood at the window of the great dining hall and watched the sky. Every gray or brown speck was mistaken for an owl, and his heart raced. But each time he looked closer, he realized it was just an ordinary bird or a leaf blowing in the wind.

The first day passed. And then a week. And then two weeks...

The letter was still missing.

Dante's euphoria and excitement gave way to a deep restlessness. He no longer sat at the window in the morning. He ate his meals reluctantly and spent more time in his room. His face was pale, with dark circles under his eyes from exhaustion.

What if the letter never came?

As this thought gnawed at her, one afternoon there was a sudden, sharp knock at the door. It was so strong that even the cutlery on the dining table shook slightly.

Dante looked up, startled.

Vippy started to run to the door as usual, but Dante stopped him.

"I'll get it."

Heart pounding, he moved down the wide hallway to the door. As he opened the large, carved wooden door, a tall, slender figure stood in the doorway.

Albus Dumbledore.

With his silver beard, crescent-shaped glasses and long, dark purple robes, he looked up at her with a gentle smile.

"Young Mr. Rosier," he said, his voice soft but strong. "Would you be so kind as to invite me in?"

Dante stepped aside reflexively. "Of course... of course, professor."

As Dumbledore stepped inside, he took in the dim, heavy air of Rosier Hall. The portraits studied Dumbledore intently, but none of them spoke.

"It's a lovely house," the professor said calmly. "And quite... protected."

Dante frowned. He had a feeling there was something behind those words. But what?

As they entered the dining room, Dumbledore glanced at the teapot on the table.

"Your tea looks still hot. If you don't mind, would you offer me a cup?"

Dante recovered quickly. "Of course, Professor."

He poured a cup of tea and handed it to Dumbledore. The professor accepted it graciously, his eyes still on Dante as he held the cup.

There was silence for a moment. Dumbledore spoke after taking a sip of his tea.

"I suppose you're wondering why I'm here."

Dante sighed. "My letter... did not arrive."

Dumbledore shook his head slightly. "Yes, it did. You have indeed been accepted to Hogwarts, Dante. But your letter... did not reach the Manor."

Dante blinked. "What do you mean?"

Dumbledore tapped the table lightly. "Rosier Manor is protected by ancient magic. A very old and powerful charm prevents certain kinds of messages from reaching it from outside. The Hogwarts owls have tried many times to deliver your letter, but none of them could get here. Finally, we realized that the only way to get it to you was to deliver it in person.

Dante was silent for a moment, confused. "But... but why is there such a spell?"

Dumbledore adjusted his glasses. "Your father and grandfather surrounded the manor with very strong protective spells many years ago. Apparently, messages from certain wizarding organizations were specifically blocked. Hogwarts was one of them."

Dante winced. Did they not want him to go to Hogwarts? Were they trying to cut him off from the outside world?

Suddenly, he tried to control his anger. "I mean... I was always accepted, but I didn't study because..."

"Because the charms on your house are there to protect you," Dumbledore said calmly. "Your parents took precautions against any threats, thinking that some malicious person might wish to harm you..."

Dumbledore pulled an elegantly folded letter from the inside pocket of his robes. The red wax seal and the Hogwarts emblem were in the middle.

"This, young Mr. Rosier, is yours."

Dante took the letter, his hands trembling slightly. It felt like warm, old parchment. But this was no piece of paper.

This was his future.

Dumbledore took another sip of his tea and smiled slightly. "I know you have many questions. But remember, William, you will have plenty of time to prove yourself at Hogwarts. Only you will determine who you are."

Dante nodded, clutching the letter tightly.

At that moment, he felt all his doubts and disappointments vanish. Dumbledore's presence proved that Hogwarts had indeed accepted him.

The professor rose calmly. "I must go now. But I suggest you don't miss the Hogwarts Express on September 1st."

Dante stood up as well. "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."

Dumbledore winked. "You'll have plenty of time to thank me, my dear boy."

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