"Cockroach Cluster?"
As soon as Audrey sat down, Dumbledore opened his little sweet box. Two cockroaches crawled out.
Audrey rolled her eyes at him, gently pushed away the phoenix, Fawkes, who was leaning on her shoulder looking for affection, and crooked her finger. A cockroach flew into her mouth.
"Tastes alright, just too sweet."
Audrey petted the phoenix and concluded: "You're so old, still eating such sweet things. It's not good for your health."
Dumbledore had been quite happy, finally having someone to share his Cockroach Clusters with.
But Audrey's words reminded him of Frank Mitchell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor from five years ago.
He had said the exact same thing to him, but then he fell down the stairs and broke his neck... (Does anyone still remember this guy?)
Stopping his reminiscence, Dumbledore said to Audrey:
"The Teeth of Hydrus that Kingsley mentioned earlier, have you heard of them before?"
Audrey immediately got anxious: "I didn't create any killer organization! Old man, don't you dare accuse an innocent person!"
Dumbledore chuckled. "I didn't say you established The Teeth of Hydrus!"
Audrey gritted her teeth in hatred: "I don't know which unlucky sod is impersonating me!"
... ...
A certain unlucky sod was currently hiding in his lair, raging at the subordinate who had escaped back to him.
"She's just a Muggle-born wizard! She hasn't spent a single day at Hogwarts! How did you mess it up?"
"Sir, we underestimated her. Her magic is extremely powerful, and we don't know what magic she used, but she can disappear."
In the dim light of the basement, the leader of The Teeth of Hydrus gradually revealed his form. A half-mask covered his left cheek: "That was probably a Disillusionment Charm, you idiot!"
"No, no, it definitely wasn't a Disillusionment Charm," the subordinate explained. "With a Disillusionment Charm, there's a faint shimmer when the person moves. Astley was completely invisible."
The leader stepped fully out of the darkness. It was Bode Gray, who had been missing for a long time.
"Stop making excuses for yourself. Don't you know how important Audrey Astley is to us? Discovering the Guardians' vaults, seeking the mysteries of ancient magic, it all rests on her!"
The subordinate lowered his head and said nothing. What else was there to say? They had failed.
Bode Gray's face was grim. He glared at his subordinate without a word. If he weren't so short-handed, he would have killed this useless fool long ago. Just looking at him was annoying!
... ...
"Of course I know it's not an organization you formed," Dumbledore smiled. "You're so lazy, how could you possibly do something like that."
It had to be said, Old Dumbledore was old and shrewd. After two months together, he had long since figured out Audrey's temperament. 'The child is a good child, just a bit too lazy.'
"Don't think you can just say whatever you want because we're familiar! Believe it or not, I'll sue you for slander!"
Dumbledore laughed heartily. This child could always make him happy.
"Alright, Audrey," Dumbledore put away his smile and became serious. "If The Teeth of Hydrus tried to kidnap you once, there will be a second time. They might even take a risk and sneak into Hogwarts."
The old man tossed another Cockroach Cluster into his mouth, chewing it loudly. "You must be extremely careful. Don't fall into their trap."
Audrey quipped: "But isn't Hogwarts said to be the safest place?"
"Of course it's the safest," Dumbledore said. "But we can't let our guard down. After all, Hogwarts still has many secrets that haven't been discovered. There are many secret passages that even I don't know the location of."
"So you called me here just to tell me to be careful?"
"Yes. Why else did you think I asked for you?"
Audrey smacked her lips: "I thought you were going to talk to me about Professor Quirinus Quirrell."
"You've noticed his problem too?"
"Mhm. The dark magic aura on the back of his head is even thicker than Professor Snape's greasy hair."
"That's your Head of House," Dumbledore glanced at the Sorting Hat on the cabinet, sighing inwardly. "If he heard you maligning him like that, you'd be in for it."
"It's fine. If he gives me a hard time, I'll just drop out. Earning tens of millions of pounds a year, isn't that nice?"
Dumbledore was speechless. The old and the young just stared at each other.
...
"Let's not talk about this," Dumbledore broke the silence. "I hope you won't interfere in Quirrell's affairs."
"Because of Harry?"
"Yes. I have my own plan."
'Isn't it just using the Philosopher's Stone as bait, setting a trap for Voldemort, and training Mr. Potter along the way?'
"Headmaster Dumbledore, is this the first day you've met me? Do I look like the kind of person who likes to look for trouble?"
Audrey said indignantly. This concerned her lazy persona; she had to argue her case. "As long as people don't provoke me, I don't care if they live or die! Stirring up trouble is tiring, okay?"
"But I heard you played another little prank on the Gray family two months ago. The Gray family is in chaos right now!"
'Er, can I say that was just on the way...'
... ...
The next morning.
Audrey was woken up by Momo.
"Little Mistress, time to get up!"
"Good morning, Momo," Audrey climbed out of bed with her eyes closed. "What class do I have today?"
"Potions in the morning, Transfiguration in the afternoon."
"Alright. Can't be late for Professor Snape's class. Gurgle gurgle gurgle..." Audrey, eyes still closed, spat out her mouthwash. Momo snapped her fingers, and the water vanished in mid-air. "What's for breakfast today?"
Momo handed Audrey a toothbrush with toothpaste. "I've prepared fried dough sticks, soy milk, and steamed buns. Shrimp and pork filling!"
Audrey opened her eyes. "You're the best, Momo!"
Momo squinted her eyes happily. Receiving Little Mistress's praise was just the best!
... ...
It was the first day of classes, and the young wizards were all up exceptionally early.
When Audrey arrived at the Great Hall, it was already bustling with people.
As soon as she appeared, she immediately attracted the attention of the young wizards.
For no other reason than the flock of ghosts floating by her side. It was hard not to notice.
"Gentlemen and Lady ghosts," Audrey really couldn't take it anymore. "It's very troubling to have you sticking to me like this!"
Audrey complained: "It's freezing cold, not to mention you're making everyone stare at me!"
The Fat Friar asked with concern: "Audrey, do you feel cold? Don't worry, I'll teach you a Warming Charm. It's very simple. I guarantee you'll be warm immediately!"
'Is this a Warming Charm problem? Besides, I already know the Warming Charm, okay?'
Nearly Headless Nick said: "Afraid of being stared at? No problem, we'll just block you from the front!"
Audrey wanted to cry but had no tears. "Everyone, is there some trait I have that's so attractive to you? I'll change it, okay? I'll change!"
The Grey Lady floated in the air, the farthest from Audrey. She said faintly:
"You are like a source of magic, a pure source of magic. We rely on the magical system of Hogwarts to exist, but Hogwarts uses too much magic every day, and very little can be spared for us."
"But the magic emanating from your body can be completely absorbed by us," her melancholy eyes looked at Audrey as she continued. "So being near you allows us to be more energetic, to feel more... 'human'."
'Great. So I've become a mobile power bank for these ghosts?'
'Fine, fine. I just wonder if there'll be a legend of the "Hogwarts Ghost Princess" in the future.'
Sigh!
Early in the morning, Audrey, who had been comfortably served by Momo, let out her twelfth sigh since leaving the Slytherin common room.
Being surrounded by this group of old timers, even the sumptuous breakfast in front of her didn't seem appetizing...
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]