At Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Adelaide was saying her final goodbyes to her parents before departure.
Considering that Adelaide was still unable to control her vast magic, continuing to stay with her parents would undoubtedly be like a ticking time bomb. Dumbledore persuaded her parents to let the child go live with him in Britain.
Since the child was too young, Dumbledore dared not use intercontinental Apparition with her, so he chose a safe and fast Muggle mode of transportation: an Airplane.
Hmm, it definitely wasn't because Dumbledore was curious and wanted to try flying; he was just thinking of Adelaide.
As Adelaide's guardian in the Wizarding World, Dumbledore would be responsible for her daily education and living arrangements in Britain until she turned 17 and came of age.
At the airport entrance, Adelaide's eyes were glistening with tears, but she pretended to be strong and said, "Mom and Dad, don't worry, I'll take care of myself."
Lucy was already sobbing uncontrollably. She stepped forward and hugged Adelaide tightly: "Darling, you must keep in touch with us often."
Karl stood nearby, his eyes red, and gently patted Adelaide's shoulder: "Child, you are different from us... I believe you will achieve great things, even in the Wizarding World."
Just then, the boarding announcement sounded over the loudspeaker.
Adelaide took a deep breath, released her mother's embrace, and holding Dumbledore's hand, walked toward the security checkpoint.
After passing through the security channel, they arrived at the waiting hall. Dumbledore led her to an empty seat.
Yesss!
I've finally gotten rid of math!
Adelaide's rich micro-expressions after sitting down were all observed by Dumbledore opposite her. He could see the four-year-old girl's excitement, nervousness, and agitation, as well as a hint of sadness and unease, but notably, no reluctance to leave.
It was truly strange; she seemed to have no sense of belonging to her homeland, Canada.
Dumbledore decided to probe Adelaide. He softened his tone and asked gently, "You're about to leave this place. Won't you miss it at all?"
"Oh, once I learn how to write, I will write letters to my parents often."
"No, I mean this country. After you leave this time, you won't be able to return until you turn 17 and come of age."
Adelaide tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said, "I don't know why I should miss it. Besides Mom and Dad, there's nothing here I particularly care about."
Dumbledore's heart stirred, and he pressed further: "You don't have any friends or playmates your age here?"
Adelaide pouted. A bunch of screaming, pants-wetting Little Brats—were they worthy of being her friends?
"No."
Oh no!
Dumbledore said nothing more. A dark shadow flashed quickly through his mind—but Adelaide had both parents; surely she wouldn't turn out that way?
The Airplane took off. Adelaide curiously pressed against the window, covering her ears and looking outside.
Dumbledore watched her from the side, silently resolving to guide her into the Wizarding World and help her find her own bonds and sense of belonging.
At this moment, Adelaide's heart was full of anticipation for her new life, without the slightest melancholy about leaving her homeland.
The concept of a hometown was too vague for her, a Transmigrator. She yearned more for Hogwarts, that place filled with magical wonders, which was where her soul truly desired to be.
Filled with longing for the Wizarding World, Adelaide actually fell asleep on the plane.
She opened her eyes and found herself lying face-up on a patch of soft white clouds.
Adelaide sat up and looked around incredulously—where was my plane?
Where were the big plane and Dumbledore!
"My dear child, please don't be nervous. You are currently in a dream."
Adelaide looked in the direction of the voice and saw a kindly old man standing on a cloud not far away, wearing a starry robe, who looked even older than Dumbledore.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Merlin. If you have heard my stories, you should know that I am half Incubus, which allows me to freely enter the dreams of mortals."
Adelaide's eyes widened. Merlin the Great Sorcerer was actually real!
"Perhaps in your original world I was a fictional character, but in this Wizarding World, I truly exist."
Hiss, this guy actually has Legilimency... Wait, he knows I'm a Transmigrator!
With her identity exposed, Adelaide was enveloped by a massive sense of fear. Merlin couldn't possibly be planning to—
"My child, please calm down. I bear you no ill will."
"Karl and Lucy's eldest daughter was a stillborn in the original timeline; she was never meant to be born. It was I who inserted your soul, creating the existence of Adelaide Grindelwald."
Adelaide breathed a slight sigh of relief. If her transmigration was due to Merlin, the other party was unlikely to wish her harm.
Seeing Adelaide relax, Merlin continued: "Five years ago, while observing the celestial phenomena, I inadvertently discovered an unknown soul breaking the Plane Boundary and entering the Wizarding World, where it merged with an evil soul fragment."
"If this continues, the savior will fail, and the Star of Doom will shroud the entire Wizarding World thirteen years from now."
"The Laws of the Plane restrict me from manifesting in the mortal world, so I need your help, my child."
Adelaide nodded vaguely; she mostly understood.
Another Transmigrator merged with one of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes. If left alone, this entity would destroy the Wizarding World in 13 years.
Merlin could not descend to the mortal realm and needed her help to assist the savior against the enhanced Horcrux.
"Uh, I think instead of sending a dream message to me, you should send one to Dumbledore, who is right next to me."
How could she, a Background Extra without a Protagonist Halo, possibly fight Lord Voldemort?
Merlin shook his head, "No. I can only enter his dreams, but I cannot communicate with him or give him hints."
"Wizards born in the Wizarding World possess their own Destined Paths from birth. Restricted by the rules, I cannot interfere with their future."
Saying this, Merlin winked at Adelaide.
"But you are different. You are an Outsider. Your Destined Path can only be written by you—and if you are willing, you can also change the Destined Paths of others, provided you do not expose the Nature of the World."
"What do you mean by 'not exposing the Nature of the World'?'
"It means not exposing my existence, nor your status as an Outsider along with the evil fragment."
Adelaide nodded, feeling a little excited inside.
"Understood, I will do my best to save the Wizarding World!"
She secretly resolved to reverse all the 'Knife Scenes' in the original work that made her cry!
Seeing Adelaide's determined gaze, looking ready to save the world immediately, Merlin said with satisfaction, "The path ahead is difficult. I have a small gift for you."
"After arriving in Britain, remember to go to High Park at Blenheim Palace between the Winter Solstice and the Summer Solstice and look for an old oak tree whose trunk is split in two."
"You are different from others. Normally, no wand in the Wizarding World would suit you. Find that old oak tree at the right time, and it will grant you part of the materials for your wand. You can obtain the other part from Dumbledore's Phoenix."
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