By the shores of the Lake Lomond, the sky had darkened completely.
In the clear night sky, untouched by industrial haze, moonlight silently cascaded down, enveloping the lakeside in a sheer, silvery veil.
Occasionally, splashes echoed from the fish tank on the grass, disturbed by the movements of three large fish, while the pile of stones used for a fire had long cooled, their blackened surfaces covered in dew.
After a burst of flame, Elena and Dumbledore's figures appeared beside the lakeside.
"Oh, goodness, has it gotten this late without us noticing? I did say we should have followed my plan from the beginning, instead of wasting so much time this afternoon," the girl remarked, looking around with a hint of reproach at the elderly man beside her.
Dumbledore sighed wryly, choosing not to argue. He had truly come to understand what it meant to face a challenging situation. What he initially deemed a simple and unbreakable oath had consumed the better part of the afternoon. If not for Grindelwald's persuasive eloquence, they might still be negotiating.
"Moreover, this mark is rather unsightly, Professor Dumbledore. You never mentioned it would leave a scar!" Elena, displeased, raised her left hand, wrinkling her nose in a half-complaining, half-pitiful manner.
In the brilliant moonlight, the girl's pristine, young skin bore three faint chain imprints, corresponding to the three oaths she had made atop the tower of Nurmengard.
"These marks will vanish on their own after a day, unless you trigger them intentionally," Dumbledore explained calmly, unmoved.
After the lengthy verbal battle that afternoon, he had learned to maintain a pleasant disposition during conversations with the silver-haired young lady, which often involved selectively ignoring her irrelevant complaints, including her attempts at sympathy.
Observing Dumbledore's lack of reaction, Elena sighed, uninterested, pursing her lips. With bright eyes, she tugged at the long sleeve of Dumbledore's robe, tentatively suggesting, "Professor, about our trip to Diagon Alley tomorrow, upon reflection, it might not be a good idea. How about we skip it?"
Undoubtedly, in the wizarding world, Dumbledore was an undeniable "celebrity," known by everyone. Setting aside his string of titles as a savior and guardian, simply being the Headmaster of Hogwarts was enough to attract the attention of the entire magical community.
Elena couldn't fathom the spectacle that would arise if people spotted Dumbledore assisting a "poor, helpless but surprisingly voracious" young witch with her school supplies in Diagon Alley the next day.
"In fact, you need only provide me with the tuition Galleons; the rest you can leave to me," the girl tapped her flat chest proudly. "No one can easily deceive me. Even if I'm alone, I can manage to gather all the necessary school supplies."
Dumbledore lowered his head, gazing deeply at the innocent-looking silver-haired girl. He envisioned a chaotic headmaster's office, a shivering phoenix Fawkes, and an owlery largely emptied.
He wasn't worried about Elena being deceived; he was concerned about the unsuspecting shopkeepers in Diagon Alley.
Having observed Elena and Grindelwald's confrontational debate that afternoon, he felt even more determined to properly educate and monitor this dangerous half-blood young lady.
He even had a strange premonition that leaving Elena alone in Diagon Alley might lead to significant trouble, and then he, bound by the oath, would have to clean up the mess.
"No, I swear to do everything in my power to protect you until you mature into an independent witch," Dumbledore asserted firmly, shaking his head.
"Alright, it's time to head back," he continued. "Tomorrow morning at nine, I'll take you to Diagon Alley for essential items for the new term, like spellbooks and wands—"
As he spoke, Dumbledore paused suddenly, looking vexed as he smacked his forehead. "Oh, it seems I need to ask Miller for a list of required books and equipment for incoming students."
Since becoming Hogwarts Headmaster, he hadn't personally led new students to shop in Diagon Alley. Now, he couldn't recall exactly what needed to be purchased.
"Anyway, remember your oath, Elena Kaslana," Dumbledore rubbed Elena's head, bending slightly, his eyes serious. "Even though you haven't been sorted yet, you're already part of Hogwarts."
"I know, I know, stop rubbing my head all the time, you're making my hair oily," the silver-haired girl pushed away the large hand on her head in dissatisfaction. She decided that when she grew taller in a few years, she would wear ten-centimeter high heels. Let's see who'd dare touch her head then.
"As for the oath, it'll remind me on its own, no need for you to worry," Elena smiled faintly. Raising her left hand, she clenched her fist suddenly. The previously hidden chain imprints suddenly lit up, resembling fiery chains spiraling up her small arm, shining in the black night like an inviolable Valkyrie, sacred and powerful.
"Nonsense! This isn't a toy! Until your magic surpasses mine and Grindelwald's combined, never attempt to challenge the unbreakable oaths," Dumbledore's face darkened, scolding angrily.
The old man's pupils slightly contracted, gazing intensely at the three dazzling oath chains. Instantly entertaining thoughts against all oaths, even Grindelwald might struggle with it now.
Clearly, Elena had deliberately triggered the warning by simultaneously touching the prohibitions set in all the oaths. Should she execute any of those thoughts, the unbreakable oaths would instantly claim her life.
"Don't panic, it's nothing serious, just a joke. I don't plan on dying so soon," Elena teased mischievously, releasing her fist. She assumed a mature demeanor, patting Dumbledore's solemn face with the dark complexion, and said casually, "It's just... no harming others, no antagonizing the wizarding world, and preserving Hogwarts' legacy. Simple. Even if you didn't say it, I wouldn't violate them."
"Remember, nine o'clock tomorrow morning—"
Dumbledore, usually warm, finally couldn't resist glaring at the silver-haired troublemaker. He was beginning to doubt whether bringing this little mischief to Hogwarts was a mistake.
"Wait! Professor Dumbledore, there's one more important thing."
Seeing Dumbledore seemingly about to leave, Elena hastily waved her hands, grabbing his sleeve to halt him.
"What else, dear Miss Kaslana?" Dumbledore took a deep breath, maintaining a patient tone.
"It's something small, just a simple task!" The silver-haired girl turned around, struggling to pick up a bucket left by the shore. She eagerly presented it to Dumbledore, nodding towards the three large fish inside, with an expectant tone. "Professor Dumbledore, I remember a spell that extracts bones from creatures. Would you mind helping me with these fish bones...?"
Snap!
Before Elena could finish, the air in front of her suddenly crackled.
Dumbledore, his face dark, didn't even bid farewell. He simply disappeared from her sight.