章節 1215: Arrival of the International Confederation of Wizardry Ⅲ

Turning away from observing the delegates in the Great Hall, Master Linnaeus turned to his side to address the seated former headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Th elder wizard looked rather chipper with child-like blue eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles resting on a long, crooked nose. Cheerfully tugging on his long, silvery beard, Albus Dumbledore turns to study his former student, Emery's Linnaeus.

"It is good to see you looking so well, Professor," Master Linnaeus politely said to the former headmaster.

"Ah, well, being twenty years younger certainly puts a spring in one's step," Albus responded with a twinkle in his eye. "It is a most delightful experience," from underneath his chair he clicked his buckled high-heeled boots together in emphasis.

"I'm certain it is," Master Linnaeus's lips twitched in a sincere smile. It wasn't every day a powerful magical serpent granted a wizard twenty years of youth.

I feel quite spry, I must confess," Albus impishly grinned as he glanced down at his solemn formal robes. The robes are nearly black with silver delicate embroidery highlighting the insignia of the International Confederation of Wizards on his chest. On the other side of his chest is another insignia highlighting his position as the Supreme Mugwump.

Glancing back at the empty corner in the Great Hall, Master Linnaeus if finally unable to ignore the exasperating thought poking about in the back of his mind. "Professor, it doesn't seem odd to you that corner of the Great Hall is particularly empty."

"Not at all," Albus truthfully answered, "There is always a purpose for all things, Emery."

Master Linnaeus blinks at being called by his first name. He glances at the corner of the Great Hall, before an abrupt understanding dawns on him. He ruefully shakes his head. "As you said, professor," as he turned his attention away from the empty corner feeling much more satisfied and pleased with the conclusion at hand.

Reaching into his robes, Albus pulled out a silver pocket watch and glanced at the time, before snapping shut with a soft click. "The hour is nearly upon us, Master Linnaeus, I must ask you to clear the Great Hall along with the staff."

"Of course, Professor," Master Linnaeus bowed his head to the former headmaster, before rising to his feet. He loudly clapped his hands to gain the attention of the entire chamber. "Staff, if you would follow me, the hour is nearly upon us."

Whether they are finished eating or not, the Hogwarts staff members rise in a flurry of chairs scraping backward. The staff of Hogwarts gathered their things before hurriedly exiting the Great Hall. The only figures that remain seated at the staff table are the former Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, and two others.

The first is a very large man, Rubeus Hagrid, the groundskeeper of Hogwarts. His glossy hair is neatly styled and pulled back with a black velvet hair tie. His beard is trimmed short to accent his ruggedly handsome facial features. He is dressed to the nines, so to speak.

Hagrid is rather pale and tries not to show his nerves. His mouth feels like cotton and dry. He gulps down the last of the pumpkin juice in his goblet. He fidgets and reaches up to loosen his collar to only feel the thumb-sized jeweled broach.

Today, Hagrid was supposed to represent his mum and their people. He needed to look his best, er, at least that's what Terry and his family said. He was right thankful to Mr. Greengrass, who helped sell his mum's "shiny stones." He was mighty appreciative of having money and being able to spend it on nice things, especially on Opal.

Hagrid nervously scratched his face with one hand. Though Syliva and Terry sure helped him out by picking out a proper set of robes. They said he needed to look imposing, but approachable. They helped him pick out a set of dark gray robes, and if he said so himself, he looked mighty fine in them.

Sensing the stare from his right side, Hagrid turned his head only to see a sleek shiny cobra peering curiously up at him from the shoulder of her master. "Er, is that your snake?" He hesitantly asked the older wizard with toffee-colored skin, whom he knew was a parselmouth from India. During his rounds, he had seen the Indian wizard strolling on the grounds of Hogwarts, yet Hagrid had never so much as exchanged a word with him.

Wearing his traditional orange and white colored robes, Vaibhav Marwah flashed a crooked smile at the younger and very large wizard. In an accented English, his calloused hands came together in a traditional Indian greeting. "Namaste," he bowed his head in greeting before straightening back up. "As to answer your question, groundskeeper, Shesha was only an egg when she hatched as my familiar."

"A familiar?!" Hagrid showed envy at the sight. Familiars were still in use among purebloods, but not as common as they once were. Being a half-blood, he had never quite learned much about them. Even during his apprenticeship with Professor Kettleburn, the topic had never been broached.

"Er, if you don't me asking, jus' how does one acquire a familiar, Mr. Marwah?" Hagrid sincerely asked with genuine interest and curiosity.

A low chuckle escaped from Vaibhav Marwah as Shesha slid down the white turban head of her master and nestled around his shoulders like a blanket. The rugged hand of Vaibhav Marwah gently reaches up to scratch under the chin of the cobra, who happily hisses, "yesss," and half-closes her eyes to enjoy the massage.

"One does not acquire a familiar, groundskeeper, rather a familiar comes to one," Vaibhav Marwah gently corrected the younger wizard.

With an utterly bewildered expression, Hagrid scratches his head in confusion. "Er, sorry, but I didn't quite get the gist of that."

"I suppose you must be a muggle born or half-blood, no?"

"Half-blood," Hagrid flushed and ducked his head down in embarrassment.

"I mean no offense, groundskeeper," Vaibhav Marwah hastily explained. "The practice of binding to a familiar is no longer common practice. It is still traditionally only found among pureblood wizarding families. It is rarely, if ever discussed in front of outsiders as each family has their familial practice on how to bind a familiar."

"Oh," Hagrid visibly relaxed at the explanation. "I see, it would make sense." Not to mention, his ma was a giant, and he had never seen a giant with a familiar. And his Da had been a muggle, how was he supposed to know?

Seeing the tentative curiosity in the Hagrid's eyes, Vaibhav Marwah resumed speaking, "A familiar is a magical companion. A companion that is equal to us and respected as such," he carefully explained. "The familiar is called upon using magic. In my land, it is through a ritual. The familiar is never forcibly bound, but willing appears before us and accepts our plea to bind in unison."

Seeing the confusion on Hagrid's face, Vaibhav Marwah chuckles. "I understand that my explanation sounds confusing and frankly strange. Logically speaking, it would be impossible for Sheesha to answer my call since she was still in her egg when she came to me. Yet even as an egg she answered the call, she was delivered to me by her mother."

Still somewhat confused by the explanation, Hagrid is silent. "I am slow of understanding, and I understand that I am missing some context considering the sacredness of the ritual." He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "Er, forgive me for mentioning your age Mr. Marwah, but I gather that your familiar was summoned much later in life."

"That is correct," Vaibhav Marwah answered with a bright smile. "A familiar is called upon only when we are ready to accept such a partnership and not before. Some are young and others old, yet the path is the same for all."

"I see," Hagrid muttered before nervously fidgeting. "Er, do you think I could ever be worthy of a familiar, Mr. Marwah?"

"That is not my place to answer," Vaibhav Marwah dark eyes steadily held the gaze of Hagrid. "Rather the answer lies within your own heart, groundskeeper."

Hagrid's eyes widened before a sheepish expression appeared on his face. "I suppose not," he regretfully murmured, before brightening up. "When the time comes, Mr. Marwah, may I reach out to you on how to do so?"

"I would be honored to guide thee and share my knowledge with thee, groundskeeper."

"Please call me, Rubeus, all my friends do," Hagrid readily grinned.

"I would be honored to be numbered among them," Vaibhav Marwah offered a toothy crooked grin.

Hagrid flashed another smile, before curiously glancing around. "Er, I don't mean to be rude, Mr. Marwah, but are you a guest too?"

"Indeed, former Headmaster Dumbledore requested I remain present for the duration of the meeting."

"Well, Professor Dumbledore is never wrong," Hagrid brightly beamed before tactfully falling silent as they saw Master Linnaeus call upon the attention of all those remaining in the Great Hall.

The only one who wasn't paying any attention is Shesha, who through half-closed eyes peeks at a corner of the Great Hall. Shesha was not stupid. Shesha wants to live. So, Shesha pretends she smells nothing.