Harry Potter and the Candy Factory

"How was your trip this time?"

In the Great Hall of Hogwarts, Dumbledore sat in the center of the head table, looking at Charlie, who walked in slowly with McGonagall as the doors opened, a gentle smile on his face as he softly inquired.

"It feels wonderful…"

Charlie wasn't too reserved in front of Dumbledore, but rather felt a sense of warmth as if he had returned home.

He looked up, gazing at the candles floating in the air of the hall, and the illusory night sky above, squinting his eyes, and truthfully replied.

"I really miss that time… the days I spent studying here are the warmest memories in my mind, and whenever I encounter difficulties, I always recall them, like…"

Charlie paused, closing his eyes, and after hesitating for a moment, gave a more precise answer.

"Like a haven that can give me enough shelter, at least in my heart, it helps me block the storms from the outside world."

In the seats above, listening to Charlie's words, Dumbledore's face was ruddy, and his smile remained.

Professor Flitwick deeply agreed, unable to help but empathize with Charlie, gently wiping the corner of his eye with his finger. Professor Sprout gently pressed her hand to her chest, her eyes flickering.

Even Professor McGonagall nodded with satisfaction.

As for Snape… Charlie's gaze subconsciously turned to the head of Slytherin House—it was empty.

"Don't worry…" Finally, Dumbledore spoke again.

He looked at Charlie's face, which had matured far beyond what it was twelve years ago, his gaze gentle, but with a hint of unique seriousness.

"Just like you said… Hogwarts will always be your haven, a place for you to shelter from the wind and rain."

Dumbledore smiled even more brightly as he said this, using a seemingly joking tone.

"If one day your candy factory goes bankrupt, I will welcome you back at any time to take a professorship at Hogwarts."

However, Charlie couldn't help but be stunned when he heard these words.

He looked at Dumbledore's gaze, which was still so kind and gentle, being watched by him was like being bathed in the sun, never producing strange feelings, always so comfortable.

Charlie knew that Dumbledore's words contained a deep meaning… With the headmaster's words, if that day really came when the factory "went bankrupt," then Hogwarts would be the only retreat for him and the remaining house-elves!

At that time, Hogwarts would no longer be just a haven for his soul, but would truly shield him from all external pressures.

"Okay…" With this thought, Charlie's expression became serious, and he stood in front of Dumbledore, bowing solemnly to the headmaster known as the "White Dark Lord."

"Alright, Charlie."

McGonagall patted him on the shoulder gently, and said softly.

"Come on, that's your seat, just go sit down… The children will be here soon."

Charlie didn't act too pretentious, nodded, and slowly strolled through the four long tables representing the four houses, and came to the head table of the professors, sitting in the empty seat next to Professor Flitwick.

"Long time no see… Professor Flitwick."

Charlie whispered a greeting to Professor Flitwick.

"Long time no see, little Charlie."

Flitwick nodded, also leaning over and asking softly.

"Professor McGonagall!"

After Charlie was seated, Dumbledore turned to McGonagall and continued.

"I guess Filch is probably bringing the freshmen… Go meet them, and let the other students in as well."

… … … … … … … … … … …

Soon, not long after Professor McGonagall left, a group of young wizards wearing the uniforms of various houses poured in chattering from the gate.

Then, in groups of several, they quickly and skillfully found their places and sat down.

Immediately afterward, as the last figure Charlie was extremely familiar with walked into the hall, the door slowly closed again.

"… … …"

Snape stepped forward, raised his head, and his gaze intertwined with Charlie's.

Charlie clearly saw that Snape's eyes flickered, bringing a bit of uneasy fluctuation.

Charlie smiled, winking at him, and nodded slightly.

Snape didn't speak, hesitated for a moment, then also nodded to Charlie, and then came to his seat and slowly sat down.

On the four long tables below, sharp-eyed young wizards quickly noticed something, their eyes with a bit of curiosity and inquiry, beckoning to the partners around them, looking at Charlie, who was bright and handsome among the professors above.

"Who is he, a new professor? I don't seem to have ever seen him before."

"Maybe it's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor… What do you guys think?"

"But he looks so young…"

"I don't care, but he's really handsome, I feel like he's even more handsome than Gilderoy Lockhart… I don't understand, why isn't he the winner of the Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award?"

Although it was messy below, Charlie could guess the general idea from their eyes and expressions when they spoke.

The corners of his mouth faintly curved up, with a bit of restraint.

Compared to Russell's straightforward admiration, this kind of secret praise made him feel more pleasant.

However, Charlie didn't enjoy it for too long.

Because soon, when the door opened for the third time… everyone quieted down, all casting their eyes towards the group of ignorant freshmen behind Professor McGonagall.

Harry seemed to be feeling so many gazes focused on him for the first time, and couldn't help but feel nervous for a moment.

He pursed his lips, and subconsciously grabbed Ron's sleeve, refusing to let go.

However, compared to Harry's nervousness, both Draco and Ron behaved very naturally.

Ron's gaze immediately fell on the Gryffindor young wizards.

He immediately found the red hair that was unique to his family among the students.

He saw Percy, Fred, and George. Obviously, the three of them had also found him, Fred and George cheerfully reached out to him, greeting him, while Percy raised his head, nodding to his brother with a pretended reservedness.

Draco's eyes were proud, closely following behind Professor McGonagall, his chin raised, unreservedly accepting the gazes from all directions.

He slowly looked around, from the Gryffindor students to the Slytherin, then raised his head, looking at the group of professors above.

Suddenly, Draco's eyes froze—he looked incredulously at the figure among the professors, who was also sitting upright, looking at him with a smile.

For a moment, his heart beat fiercely, and even his already fair skin began to gradually turn red, almost losing his composure and shouting out.

"Uncle!!!!!!!"

Draco shouted loudly in his heart.