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Chapter 27 — The Headmaster's Misunderstanding: She Is a Kind and Good Child
"Headmaster Dumbledore," Hydras said earnestly, "I am innocent."
Dumbledore was slightly taken aback.
Based on what he knew of Hydras, he had expected far stronger resistance.
But when he recalled that she had just used a Demiguise's precognitive ability to glimpse possible futures, he immediately understood.
What an enviable talent…
Since she clearly wanted to speak properly now, Dumbledore naturally put away his playful attitude.
In truth, he had been investigating Hydras for five years already, and believed he understood her well enough.
It was simply that people of his age tended to enjoy teasing the young—
a thoroughly bad habit.
"I know, child," he said gently.
"You were hunted by the Grey family and left with no choice but to kill Norton Grey."
He took a sip of tea.
"Of course, later, during the carriage robbery, four more people died."
"With Bode Grey's… rather despicable methods, one might interpret that incident as him attempting to reclaim what he believed was rightfully his—bandits dying accidentally in the struggle, perhaps—but…"
Dumbledore's deep blue eyes fixed on Hydras.
Her shoulders tensed without her noticing.
"Never again take a life so lightly," he said slowly.
"It does no good for the soul."
"And moreover," the old Headmaster added earnestly,
"every life is precious. We have no right to take another's life at our own discretion."
Hydras remained silent for a long time.
Then, quite suddenly, she felt like crying.
For all her glamour over the past five years—becoming a famous singer in the Muggle world—
she had really only been running.
Hiding from arrest.
No matter how brilliant her success among Muggles, it could never erase the truth:
She was a wanted criminal in the wizarding world.
Dumbledore's calm understanding shattered her last layer of defence.
For the first time, she felt that the strongest white wizard alive…
was standing on her side.
And in this lifetime, she had never been spoken to like this by an elder.
"Child," Dumbledore said softly, noticing the faint redness in her eyes,
"can you tell me why you don't wish to attend Hogwarts?"
Hydras hesitated, then slowly shook her head.
The old Headmaster chuckled.
"Let me guess—your parents?"
Seeing no reaction, he continued gently,
"There are many children of Death Eaters at Hogwarts. We do not discriminate against them…"
"No," Hydras shook her head. "That's not it."
"Ah." Dumbledore poured himself another cup of tea.
"Then you're worried about your biological father—Voldemort. Tom Riddle."
This time, Hydras was genuinely frightened.
"You—how could you possibly—"
Dumbledore smiled, inscrutable.
"When you appeared at the Malfoy dragon reserve, you displayed an exceptional command of Parseltongue.
After teaching at Hogwarts for so many years, with students scattered everywhere, one inevitably becomes… well-informed."
"Furthermore, you can freely enter and leave the Gaunt family manor without triggering its defences. I have been there myself—every protective enchantment relies on bloodline recognition."
"So really, the conclusion is obvious."
"You are the daughter of the Dark Lord—Voldemort."
Hydras lowered her head, silent.
"I also know," Dumbledore continued,
"that you were born with an overwhelming surge of magic, and that Voldemort intended to use you as a weapon against me."
"I heard from your house-elf, Momo, that from that moment onward, you deliberately forced magic out of your magic circuits and dispersed it into your body. Is that correct?"
He looked at her with unmistakable admiration, making her cheeks heat despite herself.
"Most wizards go their entire lives without understanding the existence of magic circuits.
Yet you understood them from birth."
"Of course," he added, "that isn't the important part."
"I believe you did this to prevent Voldemort from using you—
and deliberately pretended to be a Squib."
Hydras nodded.
Though her ultimate goal differed, the logic of pretending to be a Squib was indeed the same.
Dumbledore spread his hands.
"You see? You're such a kind, good child. How could Hogwarts possibly refuse you?"
—Wait.
How did this become kind and good?
No, no, absolutely not, Headmaster!
I just didn't want to get dragged into your war with Voldemort!
I wanted to lie low and live comfortably!
…
Seeing her silence, Dumbledore did not press her.
In his view, a child who could distinguish right from wrong from birth was extraordinarily rare.
Historically, only Merlin himself had shown such precocity.
Driven by her innate sense of justice, this child had chosen to stand against her own biological father.
A natural paragon of goodness, he thought.
She was likely afraid that once she entered Hogwarts, Voldemort's return would place her in an unbearable dilemma.
Dumbledore never doubted the prophecy—not for a moment.
If he were in her place, he could not guarantee he would choose justice over blood either.
However—
One prophecy restrained Hydras.
Another forced Dumbledore to push her into something she did not want.
And Dumbledore believed the originator of that second prophecy was even more reliable than Professor Trelawney.
Not to mention that the Ministry of Magic was watching this matter closely.
Hydras had to go to Hogwarts.
As Dumbledore's misunderstanding deepened, Hydras found herself completely at a loss for how to explain the truth.
"I…" she finally said.
"Is it possible for me to take correspondence courses instead of attending Hogwarts?"
"No, child," Dumbledore replied gently, seeing her reluctance.
"Your case is… unique. You are beginning your education at sixteen."
"This has occurred only three times in recorded history. You are the fourth."
"And all three previous cases were tied to ancient magic—magic of an extremely high order."
"So you—Audrey Astray—are now under the Ministry's strict observation. Ancient magic has not appeared for nearly a century."
He sipped his tea, frowned, then added two sugar cubes.
"To them, you are more important than Harry Potter."
"They will not allow you to wander freely."
"Ancient magic?"
Hydras froze.
Of course she knew the term.
As a devoted Harry Potter fan, she had bought Hogwarts Legacy on release day.
Ancient magic was the core of that game's storyline.
She had always assumed it was non-canon.
She never imagined it truly existed.
And now—
receiving her Hogwarts letter at sixteen,
ancient magic,
the parallels—
Her mind went blank.
She wanted none of this.
"So if I attend," she asked weakly,
"do I start from first year? I'm already sixteen…"
"No," Dumbledore said.
"There is precedent. You will begin directly in fifth year."
"That means that in your first year at Hogwarts, you will sit the OWLs."
Hydras had left the Lestrange household at eleven.
She was not a typical Muggle-born—no further explanation was needed.
"I won't go. I refuse!"
She bristled instantly.
Three precedents already felt ominous.
Now this confirmed it.
Five years of curriculum in one year?
That was insanity.
Even Hermione couldn't manage that!
Just thinking about it was terrifying!
Dumbledore rubbed his temples.
This girl's resistance to Hogwarts had reached near-pathological levels.
Is she afraid of facing her father?
He was not heartless—
not anymore.
He would never force a daughter to fight her own father.
Completely unaware that Hydras was simply, profoundly lazy.
Silence fell.
Finally, she asked quietly,
"Is it truly unavoidable?"
Dumbledore nodded.
"Even I must show the Ministry the respect it is due. It represents the order of the wizarding world."
Hydras: "..."
She was not impulsive.
After her outburst, she quickly calmed down and assessed reality.
If she refused Hogwarts, the Ministry would harass her endlessly in pursuit of ancient magic.
If her true identity were exposed—
That would be the end.
She would lose her brother.
Her career.
Her precious fortune.
America?
Don't be ridiculous.
Did she think the American wizarding authorities didn't exist?
At least in Britain, Dumbledore could shield her.
In America, she would be walking straight into a lion's den.
"…Then, Headmaster Dumbledore," she said at last,
"let's return to our original discussion."
"I want compensation for the money I'll lose by attending Hogwarts—
in the form of lifting the warrant for my arrest."
"What do you think?"
She had planned to erase the warrant with money after the final battle.
But if Hogwarts was unavoidable, she would maximise her gains.
Dumbledore agreed readily.
This was a small favour—far preferable to paying millions of Galleons.
"I can guarantee that."
Hydras nodded.
Aside from the brutal first year, Hogwarts wasn't unbearable.
Starting in fifth year meant graduation in just three years.
The final battle?
Ha.
She'd go straight to America after graduation.
Britain could burn for all she cared.
Having sorted everything out, her mood finally lifted.
The only remaining issue—
Academic pressure.
Sigh.
Her carefree days were over.
But having survived the Chinese university entrance exams in her previous life, she could accept this.
One year of suffering for a lifetime of comfort.
Not ideal—but acceptable.
Seeing her finally agree, Dumbledore relaxed and added:
"The Ministry believes you lack sufficient understanding of the wizarding world.
They see the OWLs as a way for you to integrate quickly."
"So they've set one condition."
"You must sit all twelve OWLs."
"And you may only advance to sixth year if you pass every single one."
He chuckled.
"I don't think that will be a problem for you… will it?"
Hydras rolled her eyes.
Just passing all of them?
Who do you think I am?!
[Important — remember this. It will be on the test.]