Noah left the balcony with a wide smile on his face. As he returned to the center of the ball, he wasn't making mental notes or analyzing the behavior of the wizards he passed by.
It was only when he heard his mother's voice that he came back to his senses.
"Which girl stole my baby's heart?"
He avoided his mother's questioning gaze and changed the subject instead. "How much longer do we have to stay?"
Laura smiled, finding it cute how he dodged the question.
"Alright, keep your little secret for now." She then turned her eyes toward the door. "Actually, we're leaving. I was just about to look for you. It's common for us to be among the first ones to leave."
Noah nodded. "Let's go. I made a perfect exit, it would be terrible to ruin it with a premature reappearance." Without giving his mother the chance to reply, he quickened his pace.
Laura was startled for a moment, then laughed genuinely and followed him.
Noah soon found his father and grandfather, but they weren't alone. A man and a woman were chatting with them in a friendly manner.
The woman Noah immediately recognized as Professor Minerva, with whom he had spoken earlier. As for the man—he had never seen him in person before, but he doubted there was a single wizard alive who wouldn't recognize him.
"Oh, Noah. Perfect timing," Charlie said as he approached. "I want you to meet someone."
Charlie smiled as he continued. "Albus, this is my grandson Noah. Noah, this is, well…"
Noah smiled and nodded. "It's a pleasure. Nick speaks very highly of you."
Something felt off about the interaction. Dumbledore was the greatest wizard of his time—many said the greatest wizard alive. Yet, while Noah appeared genuinely cheerful and excited, there was little respect in his demeanor. Not the kind expected of children—or even most adults—when meeting Dumbledore.
Neither Charlie nor Adam seemed bothered, letting Noah act however he wished. Perhaps because no one in existence could make a Gray act as someone lesser.
Dumbledore himself didn't seem offended. In fact, he looked intrigued as his eyes rested on Noah.
"Oh, the pleasure is mine, young man," he said with a bearded smile. "Nick has sent me one or two letters filled with praise about his 'brilliant' new student."
"But not quite as brilliant as he was in his youth?" Noah grinned, taking a guess at something his teacher might have said.
Dumbledore chuckled. "I believe the words were 'slightly inferior to my own younger self.'"
"Sounds like him."
Dumbledore nodded, stroking his beard. "Charlie mentioned you'll be joining us at Hogwarts next semester?"
"That's right. I hope the school is truly as magical as its reputation claims."
"I believe you won't be disappointed. Even I dare not say I know all the castle's secrets." Dumbledore kept stroking his beard, then seemed to recall something.
"Ah, I believe you've already met Professor Minerva."
Noah turned toward Minerva, who was studying him with even more interest and curiosity. She wondered which 'Nick' they were talking about, already deciding to ask Dumbledore later.
Noah smiled at her and confirmed, "Yes, I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Minerva earlier."
"It was certainly… an interesting conversation," she replied, keeping her expression neutral.
Dumbledore then looked at Charlie. "Minerva told me she saw Noah conjure a pair of gloves. Quite impressive, Charlie. I had no idea your grandson excelled in areas beyond alchemy and magical studies, which Nick had mentioned."
Charlie wore a proud expression as he answered, "My dear friend, I must say my grandson is as brilliant as any wizard could hope to be. And I don't just mean children."
Dumbledore glanced at the gloves Noah was wearing, his eyes sharp. "My curiosity is piqued. I wonder if I might have the pleasure of witnessing his magic firsthand."
Noah was caught off guard, wondering if there was some hidden reason behind Dumbledore's attention.
But he didn't really mind.
"I just hope I don't embarrass myself," Noah laughed. "Performing in front of the greatest wizard alive is no easy task."
Dumbledore smiled faintly. "Somehow, your words don't strike me as entirely sincere."
Noah smirked and turned toward Professor Minerva.
"Professor, I wonder if you've ever seen a Muggle magic trick involving a deck of cards?"
Minerva blinked, puzzled. "To pick a card?" she asked, recalling a few Muggle-born students who had done such tricks at school. Not real magic, of course—just sleight of hand and illusion.
Noah slipped a deck of cards out of his pocket. His family looked confused about where he had gotten it, but said nothing.
He shuffled the cards a few times. "Go ahead, choose one."
Minerva nodded and picked a card—the Two of Hearts. Noah followed the standard trick, telling her to memorize it and return it to the deck, then handed her the pack to shuffle.
With a small smile, Minerva waved her wand, and the deck shuffled itself at astonishing speed, the cards switching places hundreds of times.
Noah found the sight amusing. When Minerva returned the deck, he tucked it back into his pocket and turned away.
"Weren't we leaving?"
His family looked confused, and his father couldn't help but ask,
"And the card?" Then, lowering his voice, he muttered in amusement, "It didn't fail, did it?"
Noah smiled, meeting the doubtful stares of the five pairs of eyes fixed on him.
"Professor Minerva, would you please check your inner pocket?" he asked, leaving everyone puzzled.
But soon, expressions of shock spread across their faces.
"What?" She reached into her robe and pulled out a card.
The Two of Hearts.
It was her card.
A glimmer flashed in Dumbledore's eyes.
Even Charlie, his father, and his mother were surprised.
Noah grinned and extended his hand. Professor Minerva reluctantly handed him the card, her eyes now deeper, sharper. The calmness she had shown earlier was gone—her guard was raised.
There were two extraordinary things about what he had done.
The first was obvious: creating or transporting a card into Minerva's pocket without a wand, movement, or incantation.
The second was even more concerning: he had breached the personal space of a renowned witch without leaving any trace. If it had been something harmful, she wouldn't have noticed at all.
His magic was impressive, but it carried an almost offensive tone. Though unintentional, the message was clear:
I am strong.
Dumbledore was the first to break the silence. "Impressive, Mr. Gray." His voice sounded nothing but surprised and even pleased, though Noah could tell the old wizard was now looking at him differently.
Hehehe, he's curious, Noah thought, wondering if he could've pulled the same trick on Dumbledore. But he suspected the answer was no.
There's no way a wizard of his caliber doesn't keep constant magical defenses.
Noah would bet even the slightest magical fluctuation near the old wizard's body would trigger a reaction.
Shaking his head, Noah said, "Please, just call me Noah. Leave 'Mr. Gray' for my father and grandfather."
Dumbledore didn't press the matter. "Tell me—did you place the card before or after claiming to be nervous?"
Noah grinned. "A magician never reveals his secrets."
Dumbledore chuckled. "I look forward to your time at Hogwarts."
They chatted a little longer before parting ways. The Gray family entered their carriage and soared into the night sky.
On the ground, Dumbledore and Minerva watched it disappear on the horizon.
"How did he do it, Albus?" Minerva asked, still deep in thought.
"I'm not sure, my dear professor," the old man said, stroking his beard. "I'm not sure at all…"
She remembered something and asked, but Dumbledore's answer surprised her even more.
"Who else could it be?" Dumbledore said. "Nicolas Flamel. My good friend has taken a student—an interesting student."
The old wizard smiled, recalling the letters he'd received from the alchemist.
"Now I understand why he sounded so delighted…"