"Harry Potter and the Shadows of Merlin"

Dyna hadn't expected things to wrap up so quickly. When he returned to his room at the Leaky Cauldron, it wasn't even lunchtime. He raised an eyebrow, noticed the note on the floor, and hurried inside.

He dispelled the Disillusionment Charm, restoring his normal appearance, and changed into Hanna's brother's old clothes. The little girl's fashion sense was impeccable—she'd chosen just the right size. In the wizarding world, fashion hadn't changed in centuries, so clothes from twenty years ago still looked good. To Dyna, Hanna's hand-me-downs looked nearly brand-new.

He sat by the window for a while, lost in thought. Memories of his mother, his previous life, the identity of his enemies, and what life would be like at Hogwarts all drifted through his mind. Unnoticed, it became noon.

There was a knock at the door. Dyna opened it to find Hanna holding a plate of food and another, tall, thin, and graceful figure in green robes. The moment he saw the distinctive glasses, he knew exactly who it was: Professor Minerva McGonagall.

"Hey, Dyna," Hanna greeted, smiling at the sight of his new clothes. "This is your lunch. Also—this is Professor McGonagall from Hogwarts. She wants to speak with you."

Dyna accepted the plate. "Thank you, Hanna." She nodded and hurried off, blushing slightly when she caught him smiling at her.

Dyna gestured to the sofa. "Professor, please sit. If you don't mind, may I eat while we talk?"

McGonagall observed his sadness—understandable after four years in Azkaban and the loss of his only mother. Normally strict and formal, she softened. "Of course, child."

He ate quietly. "Thank you, Professor."

She sighed thoughtfully before speaking: "The plan was to have our groundskeeper take you shopping for school supplies, but after Professor Snape described your condition, we grew concerned. I've come to buy everything you'll need for your first year and then escort you to Hogwarts."

Dyna shook his head, setting down his fork and knife to swallow his last bite. McGonagall nodded, seeing his composure. "Tell me why you wish to decline."

Dyna looked at her. "I often heard my mother say that every Hogwarts freshman must board the Hogwarts Express and cross the Black Lake by boat to start their magical lives properly. That was her greatest wish. I want to do this journey as she imagined—my mother will be pleased in heaven."

It wasn't a lie—his gentle mother had always believed entering Hogwarts was a rite of passage.

McGonagall covered her mouth in surprise. Dyna's words proved that Azkaban hadn't destroyed his core goodness. Even if he had lived next to Sirius Black, Snape's assumptions might've been wrong.

"Very well, child. Finish your lunch quickly. Then we'll go to Diagon Alley. You'll need a wand."

Dyna nodded. Though McGonagall thought this might buoy his spirits, he showed no outward excitement. Still, he agreed.

Shopping

They moved through Diagon Alley, purchasing new robes, books, and a cauldron—usual first-year kit, no need for details. No pet this time; Hogwarts covered only essential expenses. But McGonagall bought him an extra copy of One Hundred Magical Applications of Transfiguration from her own salary, a small gift to encourage his talent.

Finally, they reached Ollivander's Wand Shop. The shop looked old, its golden sign peeling but still legible: "Ollivander's: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C."

Inside, Mr. Ollivander appeared from behind stacks of boxes, his presence quiet and composed.

"Minerva! It's rare to see you bringing a young wizard here personally!" he said.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Ollivander," McGonagall greeted. "I've brought Mr. Avery—Mr. Emrys—to select his wand."

Dyna turned to McGonagall. "I don't want to be called Avery. May I take my mother's name?"

McGonagall blinked. "Are you leaving the Avery family?"

Dyna gave a bitter smile. "Have they ever treated me like family?"

She was silent. He continued softly, "So, from today on, I am Dyna Emrys."

McGonagall nodded again. "Mr. Emrys, this is Mr. Ollivander."

They proceeded through the wand selection. In no time, Dyna found a wand: twelve and a half inches long, made of ebony, with a Chinese Fireball dragon heartstring core.

McGonagall clapped her hands in delight. "Ebony wands are excellent for Transfiguration!"

As the Transfiguration professor, she was delighted to hear this. Ollivander added, "This wand is also exceptionally good for offensive spells."

They paid seven Galleons. McGonagall and Dyna left the shop, wand in hand.

Back to the Leaky Cauldron

On their walk back, McGonagall asked, "Mr. Emrys, Professor Snape mentioned your hair was dark chestnut. But it's white now. Why is that?"

Dyna lowered his gaze. "I don't know. I woke up one day and it was white."

"When did this happen?"

"The day after Professor Snape brought me here. I think it changed because I missed my mother too much."

McGonagall fell silent, reflecting on the boy's suffering and resilience.

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