3 Guess who?

We see a boy showing a letter to an old woman. She reads the letter carefully and says to the boy,

"It must be a prank, Agustus. No need to worry about this letter."

Agustus nods at his grandma in agreement and takes the letter downstairs to his room.

'Now we just have to wait till a professor arrives.' Agustus thinks to himself.

1 August 1989 (Wool's Orphanage, London)

Agustus is reading stories and playing with little kids. He loves to make up tales of adventure and fantasy, and the kids love to listen to him.

Little Emily is sitting on Agustus's shoulder, playing with his hair. She adores him like a big brother. Everyone loves Agustus. He is kind, smart, and brave. He always helps out with the chores and takes care of the younger ones. He is the star of the orphanage.

Agustus is engrossed in his storytelling, when an old man enters the orphanage hall with Grandma. The old man has long silver hair and a beard, half-moon glasses perched on his crooked nose, and twinkling blue eyes. He wears a long purple cloak and a pointed hat. He looks like he stepped out of a fairy tale.

'Albus Freaking Dumbledore is in the house.' Agustus thinks, but he doesn't show any outward reaction.

He is the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Dumbledore smiles, watching the children play. His eyes show his wisdom and kindness. He seems to be reminiscing something.

Agustus knows that he is.

Grandma claps her hands to get the attention of Agustus and the children. She says, "Agustus, we have a professor of a school who wants to talk to you. Take him to my office while I prepare lunch for the children."

She trusts Agustus and his abilities. After all, she raised him since he was a baby. She found him on the doorstep of the orphanage, wrapped in a blanket, with a note that said his name and his birthday. She never knew who his parents were, or why they left him. But she loved him as her own grandson.

Agustus puts down the now sad girl, pats her head, and says, "We will continue the story later, okay?" The girl nods her cute head and looks at Dumbledore as if she wants to curse him. She doesn't like anyone who takes Agustus away from her.

Agustus gets up and looks at the old man. He says, "Sir, this way to Grandma's office." He walks towards the office, followed by Dumbledore.

Dumbledore nods and continues walking after Agustus. He says, "The kids here sure do love you a lot. That little lady wanted to eat me alive."

Agustus chuckles after hearing Dumbledore. He says, "Emily is like that, but give her one pudding and she's fine. Everybody loves each other here. We're like a big family."

Hearing this, Dumbledore's smile widens. He thinks, 'So much similarity between them, yet they are so different. Two young heirs, belonging to noble families, but one overflowing with love and one with hate.'

They both reach Grandma's office. Agustus welcomes the old man inside. They sit on respective chairs. Dumbledore says, "Have you got any letter from a school recently?"

Hearing this, Agustus replies with a nod and a smile. He says, "I did. It was weird, sending a letter with an owl. I also sent a reply to that school of 'wizardry'." He says the last word with air quotes, clearly not believing in magic.

Dumbledore smiles at Agustus's skepticism about magic. He takes out his wand (don't make it weird) and transfigures the table into a dog. He says, "Believe in wizards now?"

Agustus, acting stunned, nods his head slowly. He says, "Whoa! You're from that magic school. How did you do that? Can I do that? Where did you get that stick? And what about that weird shopping list? But I have no money to pay tuition fees and buy stuff."

Agustus rapidly fires questions at Dumbledore. The other answers his questions with a smile and explains about the scholarship program of Hogwarts. He tells him that he doesn't need to pay anything, and that he will get everything he needs for his education. He also tells him that the stick is called a wand, and that it is a tool for channeling magic. He says that Agustus has a natural talent for magic, and that he can learn to do amazing things at Hogwarts.

After every inquiry, Agustus asks Dumbledore, "Can you bring back the table, please?" He is worried that Grandma will be angry if she sees the dog instead of the table.

With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore transfigures the dog back into the table.

After some time, Grandma enters the office. Dumbledore explains everything to her about a boarding school accepting Agustus and about the scholarship, hiding the existence of magic from her. He says that it is a very prestigious and selective school, and that Agustus has a rare opportunity to study there. He says that it will be good for his future and his happiness.

Overjoyed, Grandma accepts Dumbledore's proposal about the admission of Augustus to Hogwarts. She is proud of her cute little genius. She hugs him and kisses him on the cheek. She says that she will miss him, but she wants him to follow his dreams.

After everything, Dumbledore sees the time and says to Agustus, "Today is getting late. I will arrive tomorrow at 10 a.m. to get you everything on the shopping list. We will go to a special place where you can buy all the things you need for Hogwarts. It will be a fun adventure, I promise."

He stands up, ready to leave. He gives Agustus a warm smile and a handshake. He says, "I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, Agustus. You have a bright future ahead of you. Welcome to the wizarding world."

Agustus agrees with a nod and sees Dumbledore out of the orphanage.

After exiting the orphanage and waving goodbye to Agustus, Dumbledore apparates away. He disappears with a pop, leaving no trace behind.

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Thanks BLITZ2, Tsukuyomi_2022

for the powerstones.