"Father Benedictus! Come out!"
After finally returning to the orphanage and dumping the big fish she'd caught into the kitchen's fishpond, the silver-haired little girl, without hesitation, headed straight for Benedictus's room.
Everything that had happened today, she wouldn't have believed it without Benedictus's scheming behind the scenes.
Whether it was Professor McGonagall's potion skills or Dumbledore's way of placating her with good food, it all definitely referenced Benedictus's advice.
"Open up! You traitorous father, selling me out—don't you dare sell me and then refuse to open the door!"
Boom!
Elena forcefully kicked Benedictus's room door, creating a loud noise, but it didn't budge.
Turns out, barging in required an essential condition—the door shouldn't open outward.
Ouch!
Feeling the piercing pain in her toes, the silver-haired girl instinctively pouted, a layer of mist forming in her eyes. Feeling more aggrieved, she sat on the cold stone steps outside, hugging her knees.
Clearly, once she left Benedictus's room, a certain elderly cat lady and a certain unscrupulous father made a dirty deal, selling her out completely.
Creak...
The wooden door slowly opened, casting a soft orange light.
"Ah... well, come in first."
Benedictus glanced at Elena sitting with her back turned, sighing helplessly. He knew her temperament—she'd definitely throw a fit when she came back. Stepping out, he squatted, slipped his hands through the girl's bent knees, and without a word, simply pulled her into the room.
Yowl!
Pouting, Elena swiftly turned her head and bit hard on Benedictus's sturdy arm, gritting her teeth before wriggling out of his embrace and sitting on the bed, fuming.
"Who asked you to meddle? When did I ever say I wanted to go to the magical world?"
"So, you've decided to go to Hogwarts?"
Benedictus, unbothered, rubbed the bite mark on his arm, closed the door, and gently asked.
"What else can I do? I've made an unbreakable vow; now I have no choice."
Elena raised her left hand sarcastically. Fortunately, she had argued her case, so she hadn't signed an overly restrictive contract. Overall, it wasn't too bad.
"You see, you do want to learn magic. It's time for you to soar to broader horizons."
Benedictus smirked, ruffling Elena's hair with force.
Over six years, from a little one to an almost eleven-year-old girl, regardless of Elena's verbal resistance, her eyes and subtle movements betrayed her longing and hesitation.
Benedictus knew that the only reason holding Elena back from the magical world was his tie to the orphanage. So, when Professor McGonagall visited and he learned a bit about the magical world, he promptly expressed immense interest and cooperation.
"Don't ruffle my hair, it won't grow... tall."
Elena shook her head slightly, trying to free herself from Benedictus's control. She didn't argue about going to a boarding school; Benedictus had mentioned it before.
"So, what are you doing?"
Elena's gaze swept the room—the mess had doubled since she left in the morning, as if Benedictus had emptied all the cabinets and boxes.
Benedictus stood straight, scratched his stubbled chin, casually spreading his hands.
"Obviously, I'm packing for you. Last time, you almost ran away from home in winter with just a small sleeping bag in your backpack."
"What? You knew!?"
Elena's expression froze; that might have been her most failed attempt at running away. Before that, she'd thought she had been stealthy.
"Don't forget what you did before that, sneaking out to the lake at night."
Benedictus felt a headache thinking about it. At least now, with Elena going to a magical school, judging from Professor McGonagall's description and the magical displays, she might behave a bit.
In Benedictus's opinion, a group of adult wizards with high magical abilities should have no trouble managing a little girl.
Also, amidst peers with similar magical prowess, Elena might finally make a few friends. Teachers at public schools had mentioned that although Elena looked like a child, she'd always been on the outskirts of the group.
"Magic and all, I'm completely clueless. But about boarding schools, I've got some understanding. I've prepared for you."
Avoiding memories of the past, Benedictus redirected the conversation. He dragged over two huge black leather cases, proudly patting them.
"Um, did you pack..."
Elena raised an eyebrow skeptically, eyeing the chaotic room. She found it hard to imagine that Benedictus, who couldn't even fry an egg properly, could handle packing luggage.
Facing Elena's doubtful look, Benedictus smiled faintly, calmly crouching down to open the first black leather case.
"I specifically asked Professor McGonagall, Hogwarts arranges accommodation for students. But you, being delicate, I worry you won't adapt to school bedding. So, I've prepared two sets of clean bedding and pillows for you."
From the case, Benedictus took out two neatly folded down comforters, slightly frayed at the edges but still the most luxurious in the orphanage.
"I'm not that delicate, and besides, which wizard brings their own bedding to school?"
Seeing the two sets of comforters that took half the suitcase, Elena was momentarily stunned, then immediately snatched them from Benedictus's hands, a bit embarrassed as she explained.
Before Elena could finish, Benedictus proudly presented a pile of clothes, eagerly handing them over.
"Here are some daily clothes... and undergarments. This afternoon, I went back to town and got a few outfits you like. It should be enough for this semester."
Without letting Elena finish, Benedictus revealed a collection of clothes. Two Lolita outfits, two plain stylish short-sleeved shirts, one denim mix, and three casual dresses—all nice but definitely not Hogwarts attire!
Elena imagined the Hogwarts corridors—amidst a group of wizards in black robes, suddenly, there's a girl in a skirt, short sleeves, and sneakers. That scene was too non-magical.
If any professor saw that, it would be an immediate deduction of points, right?!
"No, no, no! It's too weird! Everyone at school wears black robes..."
Elena dropped the comforters, about to grab Benedictus's clothes, but then hesitated—wait, what do they wear under those robes?
She suddenly remembered in the original series when poor Professor Snape got his pants enchanted. It seemed like there wasn't much under the robes except underwear.
So, in the movies and books, they never mentioned what clothes the wizards wore under their robes. Even if they went commando, unless someone intentionally lifted the robes, it was hard to notice, right?!
Elena shivered at the thought, solemnly taking the clothes from Benedictus, putting them back in the suitcase, and said seriously.
"Father, you're right. I'll leave a set of bedding and take some leggings, jeans, and everyday clothes."
As she spoke, Elena wondered about the amount of fabric under those robes during summers at Hogwarts—it was something to investigate after the
school started.
"Father, what about that other suitcase? More clothes?"
Elena neatly stacked the clothes back in the suitcase and turned, curious, looking at Benedictus.
"I guarantee you'll love it. Want to guess?"
Benedictus shook his head mysteriously, pushing the other large black suitcase toward the girl, signaling her to open it.
"Ugh, so mysterious..."
Elena rolled her eyes but softened her gaze. It was probably just regular school supplies, but a surprise was nice.
Snap!
As she unlatched the black suitcase, the lid popped open.
"This... all for me?!"
The items in the massive case were clearly divided into three categories:
On the left were neatly arranged paper books. At the top were two, 'Advanced Mathematics' and 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.'
On the right, it was filled with various snacks and beverages.
In the center lay a brand-new set of German Zwilling Four Star Series knives, something Elena had been eyeing for a long time.
Benedictus smiled, gently scratching Elena's nose, and said indulgently.
"I won't always be with you now. Stay safe in the new world; remember to take care of yourself."