Elena Kaslana wasn't particularly surprised by Dumbledore's response to these three requests. That's the benefit of knowing the characters' personalities so well. Unless the Dumbledore in front of her was an imposter under the Polyjuice Potion's effect, most of Elena's requests actually aligned perfectly with Dumbledore's long-standing beliefs.
In fact, Dumbledore could be considered the most open-minded Headmaster in the history of Hogwarts. If it were Professor McGonagall standing here, the atmosphere wouldn't be as relaxed and pleasant.
"Then, Miss Kaslana."
Just as Elena started envisioning her marvelous magical academic journey, Dumbledore suddenly smiled and spoke, interrupting her thoughts.
"I have a small request as well, needing a brief discussion with you."
"Eh?!"
The silver-haired half-blood blinked, a sense of foreboding rising within her. It felt somewhat like the atmosphere when she was caught and lectured by Benedictus after causing trouble in her childhood.
"Um... can I add one more request, Professor Dumbledore? 'Professor Dumbledore, you can't make requests of me,' perhaps?"
Elena weakly raised her hand, her eyes darting around. She gently held Dumbledore's hand and playfully cooed.
Though unsure of Dumbledore's response, preemptive opposition couldn't hurt.
"It seems like quite a few of Hogwarts' owls delivering letters have gone missing this year. Miss Kaslana, have you heard about this?"
After enjoying Elena's playful antics, Dumbledore, with a slight smile and a glance over his slightly crooked nose, asked in a gentle tone.
"Haha, how would I know? Maybe they got heatstroke or lost their way... Alright, Professor Dumbledore, what's your request?"
Elena's sweet smile froze momentarily as she awkwardly chuckled. Under Dumbledore's silent pressure, she obediently sat back in the leather sofa by the piano.
"Don't be so serious; it's actually quite simple." Dumbledore slightly shook his head, speaking earnestly to the incredibly childish Elena.
"I hope you can promise never to cast an unforgivable curse on anyone, never let greed, hatred, or ambition cloud your pure soul, and never betray Hogwarts and the magical world."
"...Huh?"
The silver-haired girl glanced around, wondering if such serious words were really directed at her, someone harmless. It sounded more like something said to a potential Dark Lord in training.
"But, Professor Dumbledore, what you said is more than just a little bit." Elena chuckled, trying to change the subject.
"Promise me."
Dumbledore repeated, unmoved, his sharp, bright blue eyes fixed on Elena's face.
Admittedly, as the greatest contemporary white wizard, Dumbledore did exude an extraordinary presence when speaking seriously. At least, it was enough to intimidate a timid girl with a strong outward appearance.
"Well, um, okay. I promise."
After a few seconds of staring at the old man, Elena uncomfortably averted her gaze. In a huff, she kicked the chair's leg with her heel and grumbled her agreement, though she had no intention of becoming the next Dark Lord even if Dumbledore hadn't mentioned it.
Satisfied with Elena's response, Dumbledore nodded and adjusted his half-moon glasses, preparing to say something.
Bang!
The door of the abandoned classroom was forcefully pushed open. A giant, over three meters tall, bent down to enter, struggling through the doorway. His face was almost entirely covered by unruly hair and a tangled, thick beard, yet you could still see his beetle-like eyes shining beneath the hair.
"Professor Dumbledore, I finally found you. Tomorrow is young Harry's birthday, and we must go to—"
The giant hurriedly spoke, his voice sounding like thunder. Mid-sentence, his gaze landed on Elena, peeking from behind Dumbledore, causing him to halt his words.
"Apologies, Professor, I didn't know you had a visitor. I'll wait outside."
As he spoke, the giant scratched his face awkwardly, stomping his feet, ready to leave.
"No need, Hagrid. Miss Kaslana and I have just about finished our conversation."
Dumbledore shook his head, gesturing for Hagrid to stay, then turned to Elena with a slightly apologetic tone.
"Sorry, I have some things to discuss with Hagrid first. If you don't mind, Elena, you can wait in my office for a while—up the stairs next to that huge stone statue. You can help yourself to the snacks, biscuits, and drinks inside."
"All the food in the room is up for grabs?" Elena's eyes lit up.
After a careful thought, Dumbledore, confirming no dangerous magical items were in the Headmaster's office, nodded gently and replied, "Of course."
"Well, then, you two talk, I'll head over first."
The silver-haired girl tilted her head back, taking one last look at the suddenly appearing giant, Hagrid. Recalling the descriptions of Hagrid from the original story, perhaps he was one of the few individuals most Harry Potter fans would recognize.
Compared to the actor's image in the previous films, the Hagrid in front of her seemed even taller. However, knowing the kindness within the giant, Elena wasn't afraid. As she passed by, she boldly reached out and poked Hagrid's forearm—solid as a rock, almost as if she'd tapped granite with her fingertip.
"Professor, who's this child?"
Hagrid turned, looking at Elena, who was cheerfully leaving the classroom, perplexed.
It was the first time he had encountered someone so bold, not just unafraid but daring enough to poke his arm.
"Elena Kaslana, a rather special new student," Dumbledore, noticing Elena's action, shrugged helplessly.
Pausing for a moment, Dumbledore glanced around, waved his wand to close the door, then looked at Hagrid with a serious expression. "Let's hold off on discussing her for now. Besides picking up Harry, I need your help with something from Gringotts."
Meanwhile, on the other side,
Elena walked through the staircase guarded by the massive stone creature, reaching a slightly lit oak door ahead. There was a brass door knocker in the shape of half-eagle, half-lion. She gently pushed the door and entered.
The room's walls were covered with portraits of former headmasters and mistresses, male and female, each exuding an elegant demeanor. However, perhaps because Dumbledore was absent, the figures either weren't present or simply rested with closed eyes in the portraits.
As Dumbledore mentioned, the large wooden table in the center of the room held an assortment of food—cookies, candies, cakes, and various snacks.
As Elena prepared to sample the "Headmaster's Special Snacks," a strange sound suddenly came from behind her, akin to someone singing.
Turning around, Elena saw a magnificent, bright-red bird standing on a perch behind the door. It was similar in size to a swan, with a golden, shimmering long tail, elongated beak, and claws—Dumbledore's pet, Fawkes the Phoenix.
The Phoenix, also known as the immortal bird, was a magical creature that, although often confused with the Eastern mythological Phoenix, was a distinct entity. Latin poet Ovid first mentioned it in a poem: "...there is a certain bird that renews itself, and is reborn in the course of long ages. The Assyrians call it the Phoenix
..."
This creature was incredibly hard to truly kill. When its body started deteriorating, it voluntarily burst into flames, undergoing rebirth in the ashes. Theoretically, no matter the prior injuries, attacks, or even missing parts, it miraculously restored itself after rebirth.
From the original narrative, Fawkes was undeniably one of the wizard's most ideal pets: tears could heal, detoxify, and carry several people during flight. Its song held magic, could stand guard, deliver messages, and in places where Apparition wasn't allowed like Hogwarts, Dumbledore could instantly vanish from his office (when the DA was captured by the Ministry) using its abilities. It even "teleported" to shield its master from a fatal curse (swallowing Voldemort's Avada Kedavra spell and resurrecting).
Hence, in Newt Scamander's book, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," Fawkes was classified as an XXXX super high-level magical creature. The reason it wasn't placed in the fifth level of the Ministry's classification was that Phoenixes weren't creatures that would harm wizards and were proven to be tamed by Dumbledore.
"This Phoenix is so beautiful."
Elena gazed intensely at Fawkes's towering chest, powerful wings, and subconsciously licked her lips:
If she remembered correctly, Professor Dumbledore did say—'All the food in the room is up for grabs,' right?
For some reason, since she finished playing the piano, her emotions had been in an extremely excited state. And now, seeing such a beautiful Phoenix, Elena strangely felt a twinge of envy, a desire to break something... and hunger.
In the empty Headmaster's office, unnoticed by anyone, a moon-like glow gradually enveloped the girl's skin, emitting a faint, silvery light. Her silver locks gently floated in the office without a breeze.