AutumnXd
patreon
Chapter 8: The People in the Leaky Cauldron
🕑 Added 2025-06-27 16:04:33 +0000 UTCBringing Fairytales to Hogwarts!
During his first week in this world, Viktor had passed by the Leaky Cauldron many times, but had never gone in. It was always crowded with wizards and looked oppressively warm inside.
The Leaky Cauldron was a narrow, old building, with creaky steps that groaned under every footstep. Everything inside had a greasy sheen, giving it a rather grimy appearance. Viktor and Harry entered through the back door, descended two levels of stairs, and arrived at the pub's bustling barroom.
It was packed with young witches and wizards, since the new school year was about to start.
"Dad! I want a Nimbus 2000!"
"No way, first years at Hogwarts aren't allowed broomsticks. You can use your brother's at home—"
A little wizard in a school cloak dashed past Harry, running up the stairs with his parents. They brushed right by.
Harry looked after them wistfully.
He really wished someone would take him school shopping too…
Oh, wait. That was exactly what was happening.
Never mind, then.
Realizing this, Harry sneaked a glance at Viktor, who stood expressionless beside him.
Even though Viktor always brought a sort of chill with him—making everyone instinctively move out of his way—having him around was still much better than wandering alone in an unfamiliar place. At least now, Harry didn't look much different from other young witches and wizards accompanied by their families.
Do they all know magic already?
Harry couldn't help wondering.
Lost in thought, he followed Viktor into the main hall—only to find that Viktor had suddenly stopped.
Huh?
Harry looked up in confusion, and saw an old man with white hair sitting in the center of the room, gazing at him kindly.
The other patrons around him were unusually silent. Even the bartender was sneaking glances at him, as if the old man were someone truly important.
"Harry, there you are," said the white-haired man—Dumbledore.
"It's been a long time. The last time I saw you, you were only this tall."
He gestured to about knee-height, smiling warmly as he looked at Harry. Today, he wore a blue robe covered in playful patterns, making him look a little whimsical.
But after speaking, Dumbledore didn't explain anything further to Harry. Instead, he turned toward Viktor.
"Mr. Vanderboom, I didn't expect to meet you here."
"May I ask why Harry is with you? I recall you don't live anywhere near him, and Harry has been missing for two full days. His family is quite worried."
"Aunt Petunia wouldn't worry about me."
Harry mumbled softly.
But none of the adults seemed to hear or care.
Viktor, meanwhile, had already noticed two people standing behind Dumbledore—one in a black cloak, stern-faced and alert, clearly from the Ministry of Magic. The other was a two-meter-tall, burly, bearded giant.
Viktor remained unfazed.
"Harry wandered into my home by accident. I'm just returning him."
"By accident?" the Ministry wizard questioned.
"Is your residence under magical concealment? If it is, no outside wizard should've been able to enter. If it isn't, why was Harry gone for two whole days?"
"My house uses a special concealment enchantment, different from the usual Fidelius Charm. It blocks both Muggles and regular wizards. Harry may have some unique trait."
"But according to wizarding law—" the man's eyebrows rose sharply.
"That's enough, Rufus," Dumbledore suddenly said in a calming tone.
"Now's not the time to investigate that. Let Hagrid take Harry home first—it's not safe for him to be out."
Hagrid's face was still streaked with tears. Clearly, he had been crying just moments ago. From their position in the pub, it was clear that he and Dumbledore had been discussing Harry.
Hagrid blew his nose loudly and stammered:
"No problem! Harry—the poor lad—he's been outside for a whole day and night! Must be exhausted!"
"...Thanks, but I actually slept fine last night."
Seeing the giant's emotional reaction, Harry instinctively stepped back.
He looked at the three adults in front of him with suspicion. He didn't know any of them, yet they spoke to him like kindly relatives. Compared to these strangers spouting endless explanations, Harry actually trusted Viktor more—
At least Viktor wasn't forcing conversation on him.
"That's Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts. You'll be seeing him often," Viktor said softly, having noticed Harry's wary movements. He turned back to Dumbledore.
"Harry arrived near my house yesterday morning. I was interviewing at Hogwarts at the time, and Baba Yaga—who lives with me—didn't notice him until the evening. He was tired, so we let him sleep first and planned to bring him back this morning."
"That matches the timeline—I remember you were still at Hogwarts when Harry disappeared," Dumbledore nodded.
Viktor nodded back, face unchanged.
"If you have any concerns, you're welcome to visit my home and inspect it. I don't mind if you set up some extra protective enchantments around it to prevent future intrusions."
"I appreciate that."
Dumbledore didn't decline, merely nodded with a smile.
"In fact, I have some other matters I'd like to discuss with you."
"But—" Harry started to protest.
"It's alright, Harry. I know you have many questions. Hagrid will explain everything in due time, and he'll also deliver your acceptance letter."
"You've been away from home too long. I think it's important you see your aunt and uncle first."
Dumbledore's pale blue eyes gazed at Harry gently as he added:
"Take him home, Hagrid. Use the subway."
"Oh—sure!"
Rubeus Hagrid stepped forward heavily, lowering his head to look at Harry. He tried to soften his booming voice.
Harry could tell they meant well, but everything was happening too quickly—and he hadn't had a chance to say anything for himself. He wanted to refuse Dumbledore and stay to learn more, but all the adults around him left no room for argument.
Lost in thought, Harry glanced up at Viktor one last time.
And Viktor was looking right back at him.
?
…Why did this guy look kind of reluctant?
Viktor stayed quiet for a moment, then, just before Harry left, bent down and handed him something.
It was a small, old pocket watch with a copper casing—Harry had seen him tuck it into his coat earlier.
Viktor said softly:
"A gift."
"If you ever find yourself lost or overwhelmed by questions, the hands of this watch will guide you toward the answers… Think of it as a free bonus for a future deal, Mr. Potter."
"You can't afford the price now—but you will soon enough."
