Chapter 38 Tom: Moved? How could I possibly harbor such a ridiculous emotion?!

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At that very moment, Levi silently summed things up in his mind.

His mistaken assessment of his own abilities this time was entirely due to the fact that most of his understanding of the wizarding world still came from the memories he had retained from before crossing over.

Compared with reality, that knowledge was actually rather shallow.

He had previously thought that this superficial understanding would be enough. In hindsight, he had been far too blindly confident.

The problem could be either minor or serious. For now, he had merely misjudged his own abilities.

But if one day he misjudged the abilities of an enemy, that could cause real trouble.

In the end, it all came down to one sentence: he had not read enough books.

And in the British wizarding world—or even the European wizarding world—where could one find the greatest collection of books?

Based on Levi’s current and rather limited knowledge, the library with the largest collection in the wizarding world was at Hogwarts.

That was why Levi was now filled with anticipation for the start of term.

While Levi eagerly looked forward to the beginning of the school year, Dumbledore was equally eager for Levi to enroll.

In his eyes, someone who could reach such a level through self-study was an exquisite piece of uncarved jade.

As a professor, how could he not be delighted to discover such a gifted student?

“I once taught another student who was extraordinarily talented in Transfiguration. She is now the Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts.” Dumbledore smiled. “I believe she will take an immediate liking to you.”

Levi asked in surprise, “I thought you were going to be our Transfiguration professor?”

“I used to be,” Dumbledore said. “However, after she joined Hogwarts, I switched to teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.”

“This professor must be exceptionally talented. What is her name?” Levi asked curiously.

“Minerva McGonagall…”

“What?”

Levi stared at Dumbledore in astonishment.

According to his memories, Professor McGonagall should still be only a few years old at this point. There was no way she could already be teaching at Hogwarts.

However, if this was the world depicted in the Fantastic Beasts films, Professor McGonagall had indeed already become a professor.

Only now did Levi finally confirm that the world he was living in differed slightly from the one he had previously imagined.

“What is it? Have you heard of her before?” Dumbledore asked, somewhat puzzled.

Levi’s reaction had indeed been rather extreme.

“Er… I saw her name in a magazine about Transfiguration…” Levi explained.

Dumbledore said cheerfully, “It must have been in Transfiguration Today, then. Believe me, that is hardly surprising. However, with your abilities, I am certain it will not be long before you publish a Transfiguration paper of your own in that magazine.”

“You are making me blush… So, in order to help that day arrive sooner… Professor, could you find me some books to read?” Levi asked without the slightest embarrassment or hesitation.

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“Pfft…”

Tom, who had been drinking water, spat it out immediately.

Ask a professor directly for books? Right! Why had he never thought of that?!

Not only could they get a reading list recommended by a professor, they could also save a huge amount of money on books!

Honestly, what a shamelessly clever little schemer!

Levi shot Tom a glare at his lapse in composure.

“Cough, cough… The water was too hot. Sorry…” Tom hurriedly tried to salvage his dignity.

“As for books on Transfiguration, I do have quite a few I could recommend to you.” Dumbledore seemed even happier at the mention of books. “Once I return, I can send some to you.”

“Mm… Actually, I would also like to explore my talents in other areas. So…”

“Haha, of course. I have plenty of books on the other subjects as well. I can put together a reading list for you.” Dumbledore spoke with a hint of pride. “To put it modestly, even Headmaster Dippet’s collection at Hogwarts is not as extensive as mine.”

Beside them, Tom gripped his water glass tightly, his eyes turning red with envy.

It was true that good students generally received more affection from their teachers, but this was taking preferential treatment to an entirely different level…

“Would that really be appropriate? Your time is so valuable…” Levi said hesitantly.

“It is no trouble. I happen to have some free time lately. In fact, I ought to return to my educational duties.”

“Then Tom and I really cannot thank you enough!” Levi said excitedly.

Tom, standing beside him, was slightly taken aback. What did Levi mean by including him?

Could it be… that he would be getting a share of those books too?

He… he actually had no intention of keeping them all to himself?!

For a moment, Tom felt a little ashamed. After all, if their positions had been reversed, he would absolutely have kept everything for himself.

Even hesitating would have been disrespectful to knowledge!

“It is only what a professor ought to do, especially for students as outstanding as you two.” Dumbledore smiled.

Tom asked uncertainly, “P-Professor, may I read those books as well?”

“Tom, what a foolish question. Those books are being sent for the two of us to read together!” Levi looked at Tom as though he were an idiot.

It was only when Dumbledore failed to object that Tom finally believed him.

Although neither of them had mentioned him explicitly just now, they had never forgotten him after all…

Why were his eyes suddenly feeling hot? Could it be…

No. How could he possibly be experiencing such a ridiculous emotion?

…

Dumbledore was in such high spirits today that he did not remember the real reason for his visit until he was nearly ready to leave.

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“You cannot stay at the Hog’s Head forever. So I am currently looking for suitable guardians for you…”

“Professor… there is no need to trouble yourself. We are not really accustomed to becoming part of someone else’s family,” Levi said abruptly.

Tom glanced at Levi in surprise. He had not expected Levi to be so bold.

So much for taking things slowly. He had simply said it outright! If Dumbledore refused, would that not expose their plans in advance?

But since Levi had activated his “skill,” Tom could only follow along.

“Yes, Professor. We were never particularly good at fitting in at the orphanage either… I am worried that our presence might affect someone else’s family.” Tom wore an awkward, uneasy expression.

It had to be said that, thanks to someone’s guidance, Tom’s acting had improved considerably of late.

Dumbledore was slightly stunned. He had not expected the two boys to be worried about such a thing.

“You need not worry. I promise that the guardians I find for you will be exceptionally kind and tolerant. You will both be well cared for in their home. You do not need to feel any pressure.”

Levi firmly shook his head.

“Professor… I do not know why, but Grindelwald has set his sights on us!”

“He could suddenly appear in front of us at any time!”

“We… we do not want anything else to go wrong and put other people in danger!”

“When we think back to what happened that day, we still shudder. If Mr. Kowalski and his family had arrived even a day earlier, they might already have been killed because of us!”

“So no matter what you say—even if you expel us—we will not accept any guardian.”

After hearing Levi’s words, Tom silently exclaimed in his heart, “Beautiful!”

They had nearly dragged other people into danger before, so from now on, they were unwilling to endanger anyone else. It was a flawless excuse!

Levi’s speech had struck directly at Dumbledore’s weakness.

When other people’s safety was involved, even if there were only a one-in-ten-thousand chance of danger, Dumbledore would still take the matter extremely seriously.

Sure enough, Dumbledore knitted his brows, looking troubled for a moment.

“We plan to buy a house after some time and move out of the Hog’s Head. We certainly have enough money. Besides, we have already troubled Mr. Aberforth for long enough,” Levi added, pressing his advantage.

“How could you do that?” Dumbledore waved his hands repeatedly. “Stay here for the time being. Besides… you are still young. How can you possibly live without guardians? And… although your concerns are not entirely unfounded, I do have a solution. All we need is a Fidelius Charm…”

Levi was utterly dumbfounded.

Seriously, sir? You are not giving us even the slightest opening!