NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Star of the Orphanage, Meeting Snape Again
Chapter 12: The Star of the Orphanage, Meeting Snape Again
Charlie focused on the details of Occlumency: Fortified Edition, mentally rehearsing various scenarios.
The magic within him flowed subtly.
Once he fully mastered this, things would become much more convenient in the future.
Even though he had yet to grow into his full potential, he would still be able to resist most searches and suspicions.
"Hm? Albus, I sensed a slight magical fluctuation from Charlie," McGonagall suddenly said.
"I believe you must be mistaken," Dumbledore replied without even turning his head.
Upon hearing their conversation, Charlie immediately ceased his practice.
Better to play dumb.
Dumbledore, of course, knew that McGonagall was not wrong.
However, he had no intention of letting too many people learn about Charlie's unique condition.
It was best to brush past the topic for now.
Before long, they had finished tidying up the scene.
Dumbledore and McGonagall both bowed deeply before the bodies of Harry's parents.
Then, they prepared to return to Hogwarts with Charlie and Harry.
As for James and Lily's funeral arrangements, those would need to be handled separately later.
Charlie was well aware of what would happen to his younger brother, Harry.
Because of the protective magic their mother had cast, Harry had to be sent to his aunt's house.
As a blood relative, his aunt's home would reinforce the magic's protective effect, keeping Harry hidden from the Death Eaters and ensuring he could grow up safely.
As for himself…
Charlie already had a good guess.
Most likely, he would be placed in an orphanage.
After all, sending Harry to his aunt's house was a necessary measure.
But if they also sent Charlie, who knew if his aunt would even keep them both? She might just send both of them to an orphanage instead.
Charlie didn't really mind.
Technically, he was also Harry's blood relative, so he should be protected under the same magic.
But it was highly unlikely that Dumbledore would allow Harry to stay with him.
Two orphaned infants in an orphanage? That was a risk.
Separating them would at least ensure a higher probability of safety.
Time passed quickly.
Dumbledore and the others didn't linger.
Just as Charlie had predicted, Harry was sent to his aunt's house.
After settling Harry, they began discussing where to send Charlie.
"Actually, if you trust me, I could raise him."
The one speaking was Rubeus Hagrid, the half-giant.
Dumbledore almost reflexively cast a spell when he heard this suggestion.
"Hagrid… are you sure you wouldn't accidentally feed Charlie to your Acromantulas one day?"
Hagrid's bearded face visibly trembled at the remark, as if he felt wronged.
"I think many wizarding families would be willing to take this child in," Professor McGonagall suggested after a moment of thought.
"Yes… that's true. However…"
Dumbledore hesitated for a while.
"…However, for Charlie, I believe it would be best for him to grow up away from the wizarding world for now. It would be safer and better for his development."
With those words, silence fell over the group.
After a long pause, they all agreed with the decision.
And so, Charlie's fate was temporarily sealed.
He would be sent to an orphanage.
Still in the same city as Harry.
As dawn broke,
Dumbledore and Hagrid set out, bringing Charlie to an orphanage.
Before leaving,
Hagrid hugged Charlie, then handed him a small cage.
Inside was a baby owl.
He instructed the orphanage caretaker to take good care of it and to give it to Charlie once he was old enough to look after it himself.
Of course,
They had to pay extra for that.
Finally, Dumbledore approached Charlie.
He had thought for a long time before making his decision.
Then, he handed Charlie a ring.
"May you be healthy, safe, and happy."
After making all the necessary arrangements, Dumbledore and Hagrid left.
From that moment on, Charlie embarked on his new life at the orphanage.
Time passed slowly.
Everything seemed to have settled into peace.
Charlie had now reached the age of ten.
For the past nine years,
It seemed as though the wizarding world had nothing to do with him anymore.
And Charlie was more than happy with that.
At the orphanage, he had become a living legend.
Leader of the kids
Academic prodigy
Genius
A business mastermind
Thanks to his extraordinary intelligence,
He absorbed knowledge, understood the world, and processed information at an astonishing pace.
Even in practical life skills, Charlie had achieved a masterful level.
Cooking, for example.
During tough times at the orphanage, Charlie would often come up with solutions.
At first, the orphanage staff didn't believe him.
But after several occasions where Charlie's advice turned out to be completely correct
And even saved the orphanage from shutting down
His status and image among the staff changed drastically.
Some of the elderly nuns at the orphanage would even pray under the moonlight:
"Charlie is a gift from God."
Charlie had long since grown numb to such praise.
One day,
After feeding his owl, Charlie grabbed its cage and walked out of the orphanage.
Along the way, both children and teachers greeted him warmly.
Today was his usual day for a stroll.
This rather boring activity brought a small sense of enjoyment to his life.
After wandering for half a day,
Charlie returned to the orphanage entrance.
He hadn't spoken to anyone along the way.
One more year to go.
Once he turned eleven, he would receive his Hogwarts acceptance letter.
As long as he kept a low profile for another year, everything would be fine.
Suddenly.
Charlie's expression shifted slightly.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Then, he shook his head.
An old acquaintance had arrived.
Charlie turned around, his gaze piercing through the crowd.
And within that crowd
A dark figure stood, looking at Charlie with cold indifference.
Severus Snape.
At first, Snape hadn't noticed Charlie turning around.
But then he realized
Charlie was looking directly at him.
Snape's heart skipped a beat.