II
The next day, if anyone had paid attention to the number thirteen on Magnolia Crescent, they would have noticed an old man seemingly appearing out of thin air, dressed impeccably in a three part black-grey pinstriped suit, hair kept long and wavy but his usual beard cut short into a goatee.
Not that anyone had, and that is how Albus Dumbledore appeared when he rung the bell of the middle class home, a home like many others in that area, standing out only that it was ever so slightly more well kept then the rest of the neighbourhood, showing the relative wealth of its owners. The most outstanding thing about their home was the exotic snakewood tree sitting in their front yard, uncaring of the milder and much wetter British climate.
The doorbell itself was a simple thing, a clear yet loud chime in a pattern of classical muggle music he did not quite recognize.
The door was opened by a large man with the same distinctive black hair and sapphire eyes. It must be the father of the boy, he thought. The man was clothed simply in what appeared to be the remainder of a suit, the jacket done away with suspenders and slacks, collar loosened and tie outright discarded, which, considering the time of year and the heat that had plagued Britain as of late, was understandable for someone coming home from work.
'' Yes ? '' He said, looking ever so slightly annoyed.
''Good sir, I am Albus Dumbledore and I am here on a matter of great concern regarding your children. Could I spare a moment of your time and come inside ? ''
The man was in doubt for a moment, before agreeing. ''You might as well join me and my family for dinner then, there's plenty to go around, and I will not have it be said that a Slytherin was ever a bad host to a guest.''
He swiftly turned around and shouted :
''Marge, grab another plate, we have a guest.''
The interior of the house was unremarkable for a house in the 1990's, with light green and silver dominating, giving the house a light and spacious feel despite its otherwise unremarkable decoration. Putting aside his coat on a rack in the hall, he followed Mr Slytherin into the living room, which was open and connected to the kitchen and dining area.
At the table sat three people.
A tall woman with curling brown hair and haunting green eyes, yet not so tall that it detracted from her beauty.
The boy he had seen yesterday, large and strong where Harry Potter was not, and likely to reach his father's height in adulthood,
And lastly a girl of roughly ten years of age, with the same raven hair and blue eyes as her father and brother, yet instead of the strong, hard features of her father and brother, she had wavy hair and an elegant build they lacked.
On the table was a veritable feast of items including drinks, but the crowning piece was a large casserole of steaming hot lasagna, with about a third missing.
The woman studied him with a curious gaze, while the children had diverted their attention back to their plates.
''I wonder, why my husband takes in a stranger so impeccably dressed. What might be the reason you are here ? ''
He chuckled, before replying : '' My name is Albus Dumbledore, and I am here on a matter most important. It considers the education of your son Stanley Slytherin. ''
Hearing his name, young Stanley was solely focused on Dumbledore, regarding the man with a most studious look.
It drew the attention of Mister Slytherin, had by now sat down again after offering Dumbledore the head of the table and a considerable portion from the casserole.
''How do you know my son's name ? Who are you, really ? '' While watching with a gaze that could kill.
You see, Mister Slytherin, I represent an institution known as Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While this may sound incredulous or even as outright lunacy to you, but your son is a wizard. In fact, on closer inspection, your daughter is too. I am here in order to inform you of the existence of the Wizarding World, hidden from general society, or as wizards call it, Muggle Society. ''
''Before you kick me out, allow me to demonstrate. ''
With a flick of the wand he turned the wallpaper from its Slytherin green and silver into the Gryffindor color scheme of scarlet and gold, let it stay that way for a second or ten, then reverted it with another flick of the wand.
Mister Slytherin, astounded of what he had just seen, managed to produce a sentence. ''So it is true. ''
Dumbledore sat down again and sought inside his pocket. He mumbled : ''Ah, there it is. This is for you Stanley.'' while handing him his Hogwarts letter. The boy turned the letter over, but did not open it.
Instead, he studied the seal of Hogwarts on the back, looking most puzzled. Then he gave the letter to his father.
'' Father'', he said, ''I recognize the top right of the seal. It is the same noble crest as on that book grandfather gave you, you know, the one with our names in it. ''
Samuel Slytherin looked at it for what felt as an eternity, then spurred into action. He almost ran to a grand old wooden closet standing in the corner of the room, opened its ancient, creaking doors and dug in. It was not long before he found his prize. A tome most ancient, covered in dust.
Swiftly removing the dust, he laid the book on the table.
Now, Dumbledore looked more serious, as the matter at hand was most grave : ''A bright young mind indeed. That would be right. It is the crest of the Most Royal and Ancient House of Slytherin, one of the oldest and well known houses in the Wizarding World. A house long thought extinct when your distant relative Viola married a Gaunt and thus the male line of the House of Slytherin extinct. Perhaps that book can shed some more light on your relation to that line. The reason that serpent is on the book is due to the man's deeds. Your ancestor Salazar Slytherin was one of four founders of the very school I represent and am the headmaster of. Those four were Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff, Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw, who lived almost a thousand years ago. Each founded a house now represented in Hogwarts, each of them having their own virtues. Salazar's part was Slytherin, and that is how the snake became part of the letter stamp. ''
Samuel Slytherin slowly and carefully opened the book, a truly ancient tome, and on the first page it said the following :
THE DESCENT OF THE FAMILY OF SABINI SLYTHERIN AND HIS HEIRS
Turning over the page, there was but a scarce line and name. SALAZAR SLYTHERIN, CO-FOUNDER OF HOGWARTS. FATHER OF SABINI SLYTHERIN. BORN 967 IN SCOTLAND, DIED 1067 IN SCOTLAND.
That was all there was supplied on Salazar Slytherin. The next page documented a brother well known in the wizarding world, and a general message saying only ''HE LEFT HEIRS''
Then, on page three, stood SABINI SLYTHERIN, OLDEST SON OF SALAZAR SLYTHERIN AND ELANNA GRYFFINDOR, BORN A SQUIB.
That intrigued Dumbledore. Salazar Slytherin had indeed left a second son. His firstborn a squib, as an infamous blood-purist ? A shame. He now understood why a notable descendant of Slytherin left the history books of the wizarding world. Curious enough as it was, now magic found its way back into their line.
Eventually the father came to the the end, and there it stood. STANLEY SLYTHERIN, SON OF SAMUEL SLYTHERIN.
Breaking them out of silence, he tapped on the table. Attention was snapped back on the old headmaster of Hogwarts.
''As a wizard, you will need a magical education in order to master your abilities ,and for now, a wand to perform them with. Aside from your formal acceptance into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in that sealed envelope is a list of items you will need to acquire in order. These cannot be acquired in the Muggle World, and you are as of yet unable to travel there. In a few days, a Mister Selwyn will come by to connect your fireplace to the Floo Network and instruct you in its use. That way, you will be able to travel to a place known as Diagon Alley, where you can acquire all supplies for your son. ''
''But what about Harry ? '' a curious voice said. ''My friend Harry will be all alone by himself and get bullied by his cousin again when I go away.''
He could not resist himself and broke out into laughter.
''Oh, my boy, don't you worry about Harry Potter. He is as much a wizard as you. His mother was one of the finest witches of her age.''
That put the boy at rest.
''Now however, I must part ways with you. The hour grows late indeed and I have one more new student to inform this day. ''
He bowed. ''Mister and Mister Slytherin, it was a pleasure. ''
To the astonished residents of Magnolia Crescent 13, Albus Dumbledore simply vanished into thin air.
