Returning to the Gryffindor common room from the library, Albert discovered that his three roommates were nowhere to be found.
I pushed open the dormitory door, and sure enough, no one was inside. It's better that they're not here; no one will bother me while I write this letter.
Albert picked up his wand, tapped the cabinet, unlocked it, took out the box, and continued writing the letter to his family.
After writing the letter, Albert used a copying spell to make a new copy of the parchment and also to make a new copy of the original photographs.
One copy was for his parents, and the other for his grandfather, Luke. Although he was far removed from the wizarding world, Albert knew that the old man would certainly want to see the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
After all, it was a childhood dream, and also a regret.
As for the beginning and end of the two letters, Albert naturally needed to write them separately.
After writing the letters, Albert placed them into cardboard boxes he had conjured with Transfiguration, and also put the gifts he had bought from Hogsmeade into the boxes separately.
Of course, pumpkin juice and butterbeer, the signature drinks of the magical world, are absolutely indispensable.
After packing, Albert realized the package to be sent home was a bit large. He couldn't help but worry whether his small owl body could bear the weight of the package and whether he could deliver it safely to its destination.
"Looks like I'll have to borrow the owl from the school," Albert muttered. He picked up a quill pen and wrote his name, the sender's name, and the return address on the package.
Then, he stacked the two packages together, held them in his arms, and closed the door behind him as he left the dormitory.
As Albert passed through the common lounge, carrying a package, he attracted the attention of others.
However, he ignored the occasional curious glances from others and continued walking up the castle until he reached the West Tower, where the Owl Hut was located on the top floor.
Fortunately, I've practiced karate and exercise regularly, so my physical fitness isn't as bad as it was in my previous life. Otherwise, carrying the package up and down the stairs would probably have been exhausting.
As Albert was walking up the outer staircase, he heard hurried footsteps behind him. He immediately moved closer to the staircase and saw a large man rushing up, probably also to mail something. He almost bumped into Albert.
"Is it really that urgent?" Albert looked up at the man's back and muttered to himself.
A short while later, Albert saw the other person again. He didn't know what had happened to the person; it seemed that he had tripped and fallen, and there was some straw and... owl droppings stuck to his robe.
As the man walked past Albert with a gloomy face, you could smell the stench of bird droppings on him.
The owl hut is a round stone room with open windows. Because it's located high in the sky, the air inside is relatively well-ventilated.
However, Albert didn't plan to go in, because the floor of the owl hut was covered with straw, owl droppings, and rat bones. Slipping on bird droppings in this place was not a fun thing.
That reckless, unlucky guy just now serves as the best cautionary tale.
Albert stood at the doorway and looked inside. He saw that the owl hut housed hundreds and thousands of owls of all kinds, and he couldn't find Shera among the large number of owls.
"Shera." Albert called softly inside. His call displeased some of the owls, but it was clearly effective. Shera noticed Albert's arrival and flew towards him.
"This is a package for Grandpa Luke. If you receive a reply, remember to bring it back." Albert handed Grandpa Luke's package to Shera. Shera chirped softly a few times, as if to reassure him. Then, the owl gripped the rope of the package with its talons, spread its wings, and disappeared into the sky with the package, which was slightly smaller than its body.
After Shera flew away, Albert looked at the owl hut again. He needed another or two stronger owls to deliver another package for him.
Owls at the school are available for students to borrow.
However, Albert couldn't determine whether the owl belonged to the school, so he went straight to the point: "I have a big package that needs to be sent, and I don't know who would be willing to help me."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a large, strong gray owl landed in front of Albert, clearly willing to take on the job.
"Thank you, this is my gift, I hope you like it." Albert took some owl nuts out of his pocket, held them out in his palm to the gray owl. It seemed very satisfied with Albert's reward, devouring the owl nuts, then grabbed the remaining larger package, spread its wings and flew away.
What an amazing and human-like creature!
Albert watched the owl fly out of sight and sighed softly before turning and leaving the owl hut. He had no intention of staying in a place full of straw and owl droppings forever.
As Albert was heading to the castle hall, he inadvertently saw Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, who had been chased out of the forest by Hagrid. His lips twitched involuntarily. These three guys really hadn't given up their wicked intentions. They actually sneaked into the Forbidden Forest and were caught by Hagrid.
Albert walked toward the three of them and happened to hear Hagrid lecturing them, saying that if they tried to sneak into the woods again, he would tell Professor McGonagall and put them in solitary confinement.
"Good afternoon, Hagrid!" Albert greeted Hagrid with a smile, then casually asked Fred and the other two, "What's wrong with them?"
"It's you! These three mischievous brats are really bold. They've only been in school a short time and they dare to sneak into the woods! Aren't they afraid of being carried off by some dangerous wild animal?" Hagrid dragged a dry branch, glaring fiercely at Fred and the others. "I know I can't control you. But, Professor McGonagall..."
"Hagrid, what are those creatures in your hair?" Albert subtly interrupted Hagrid, pointing to a strange creature on Hagrid's head and shoulders that looked like tree bark and twigs.
"What, oh, you mean these? They're called Bowtruckles. These two are injured, and I need to bandage their wounds." Hagrid's attention was successfully diverted.
"Hagrid, you can take care of these magical creatures?" Albert asked with admiration. "I heard that the course on protecting magical creatures is only available in the third year."
In fact, the admiration on Albert's face was genuine. After all, Hagrid's thick fingers were actually able to bandage these little things.
"I learned from Professor Bourne, who is a professor of protecting magical creatures. However, he is quite old now, and I occasionally go over to help him take care of those magical animals," Hagrid said with a proud look.
"Can I watch you bandage the hunchback?" Albert asked, gesturing to the three men as he gestured for them to apologize.
"Hagrid, we know we were wrong," Fred said quickly. "We also wanted to see how you bandage these little things."
George and Lee Jordan nodded repeatedly, looking like they knew they were wrong.
"This is the last time. Come with me!" Hagrid did not refuse and invited Albert and the other three into his cabin.