Chapter 25: Broken! The Chosen One

"Yes." Professor Hicks smiled and said, "I've already heard about your situation from Professor Dumbledore. I just want to say—you are the bravest young wizards I have ever seen."

"Not every child your age has the courage to do something like this. I believe you'll all be sorted into Gryffindor."

Robert couldn't help but blink. Tom Riddle, in Gryffindor? What kind of twisted joke was this? Even the coffin lid of Slytherin wouldn't be able to hold him down!

"What's Gryffindor?" Tom asked, looking genuinely confused.

Robert reached into Tom's luggage, pulled out a book, and tossed it into his hands.

"You'll find out if you read this. You bought it, didn't you? Haven't read it yet, have you?"

Tom frowned as he glanced at the title—Hogwarts: A History.

He really hadn't read it. His attention had been completely captured by the spell books instead. If not for his curiosity about Hogwarts—and his lack of money—he wouldn't have even considered buying this one.

Professor Hicks chuckled. "I'd love to tell you all about Hogwarts' history, but I still have some matters to take care of. Can you both get into the carriage and wait?"

"Oh…" Robert nodded, already guessing what Professor Hicks was about to do.

It seemed Dumbledore had given her the task of erasing any traces of him and Tom from the orphanage.

"Alright, let's go," Professor Hicks said, placing her hands on Robert's and Tom's shoulders.

The next moment, the three of them appeared outside the orphanage—right next to a carriage!

"Ugh!" Tom retched, clearly unwell.

Robert's face also turned a little pale.

"It's your first time Apparating, so feeling nauseous is normal. You'll get used to it," Professor Hicks reassured them before disappearing again.

When she returned, she was carrying Robert's and Tom's luggage.

"Frank, can you look after them for me?" she asked the coachman.

"Of course. Just be quick—it's almost dawn," Frank replied, jumping down to secure their luggage onto the rack at the back of the carriage.

"Professor Hicks," Robert suddenly spoke up. "Can I bring my house-elf with me?"

"You have a house-elf?" Hicks looked at him in surprise.

"Yes, I found him in the alley over there a few hours ago," Robert explained, then called out, "Toby, are you there?"

Bang!

Toby appeared instantly before Robert.

"Master Wade, Toby is here! What do you need?"

The house-elf looked much better than he had a few hours ago. He had followed Robert's orders to clean himself up, and even the filthy rags he had been wearing were now replaced with a clean curtain cloth—no one knew where he had gotten it from.

Robert turned to Professor Hicks with an expectant look. "Professor?"

"Since he's yours, you can bring him."

Although Hicks was surprised, she saw no reason to refuse. She had many questions, but now wasn't the time to ask them.

"Thank you." Robert nodded.

He and Tom climbed into the carriage while Toby sat on the luggage rack at the back.

Through the window, Robert and Tom silently watched as Professor Hicks entered the orphanage.

"Don't worry," Frank muttered, puffing on his pipe. "Eulalie is a brilliant witch—she won't harm anyone inside."

"Mr. Frank," Tom suddenly asked, "is she going to erase their memories?"

Frank exhaled a smoke ring. "My name's Frank Doyle. You can just call me Mr. Doyle."

Tom nodded.

"As for Eulalie," Frank continued, "she'll erase their memories of you, adjust a few details, and remove all your records from the orphanage. It sounds complicated, but for her, it's quick work."

"By the way, she'll be teaching Charms at Hogwarts this year. Many people were surprised she left Ilvermorny to come here."

Before Frank could finish, the orphanage door opened.

Professor Hicks stepped out, closing it quietly behind her.

"All done," she said, walking to the carriage. "Let's go."

Frank nodded, climbed into the driver's seat, and flicked the reins.

Professor Hicks turned to Robert and Tom with a warm smile. "Gentlemen, are you ready to start your new life?"

Moments later, the carriage lifted off the ground and soared into the clouds.

The carriage flew through the air for hours. By now, the excitement of their first flight had worn off.

Above the clouds, Robert could finally see the blue sky and sunshine after so long in the gloomy orphanage.

Tom, however, had become engrossed in Hogwarts: A History. Upon learning that Professor Hicks was the new Charms professor, he bombarded her with questions about spells. His desire for power was impossible to suppress.

Professor Hicks answered him patiently.

Few could resist Tom's charm. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to make teachers and students alike adore him back at the orphanage.

Robert, uninterested in their conversation, stared out at the sky before pulling out The Complete Guide to Transfiguration—disguised as another book—and continued reading.

Time passed.

A sudden thump signaled their landing, pulling Robert out of his book.

"Welcome to Godric's Hollow, kids," Frank called from the driver's seat.

"Godric's Hollow is a semi-wizarding settlement," Professor Hicks explained as they stepped out. "Many wizards live here, along with Muggles who don't know the truth. It's a wonderful place to live."

The carriage had stopped in front of a house. It looked new, but the garden's plants were withering, suggesting it had been unoccupied for a while.

"This belongs to a Muggle friend of ours from America," Hicks continued. "His name is Jacob Kowalski."

"He and his family are moving to England for a while and should arrive in two days. Until then, you'll be staying here."

"Don't worry—Jacob and Queenie are wonderful people."

Robert froze. Jacob Kowalski? The legendary Chosen One?!

A sense of unease crept over him.

And Jacob's wife… Queenie Goldstein…

A powerful Legilimens.

Unlike Dumbledore, whose skill in Legilimency required active effort, Queenie's ability was passive and uncontrollable.

As long as she was near someone, she could hear their thoughts—whether they wanted her to or not.

Which meant…

If she stood in front of him now, all of his secrets would be completely exposed.

For the first time since arriving in this world, Robert felt a real sense of danger.

(End of Chapter)

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