Dumbledore watched Allie grow day by day. At first, he had been deeply worried that she would turn out different from other children—that she might become a second Dark Lord, cruel and cold.
Yet the child seemed to have been born with a heart full of love, always quick to sense the sorrow of those around her and offer comfort.
Reaching out, he stroked Allie's frizzy hair, which from a distance looked rather like a red bird's nest. While Hagrid was brilliant at raising magical creatures, he was, after all, a large, clumsy man.
This left Allie looking somewhat unkempt, with her messy hair and lopsided, wrinkled clothes. Although Professor McGonagall often came by to tidy her up, Professor McGonagall had her own duties to attend to.
That was precisely the reason for his visit today.
"Is Allie playing outside? I need to go inside and have a word with Hagrid."
Seeing Allie nod obediently, Dumbledore walked into Hagrid's hut and found him in the midst of baking a batch of biscuits. Catching sight of Dumbledore, Hagrid hastily dropped his work.
"Headmaster, what brings you here? Care for one? I'm trying my hand at rock cakes," Hagrid asked.
"Oh, perhaps in a bit. I'm here to talk about Allie, Hagrid," Dumbledore said. "She requires some specialized care and education."
Hagrid nodded in agreement. He knew full well that he lacked meticulousness when it came to raising a child, yet he was deeply fond of Allie.
"I am planning to arrange for dedicated personnel to take charge of Allie's daily life and studies," Dumbledore continued. "This means Allie will be leaving this place."
Hearing this, Hagrid felt a pang of reluctance, yet he understood it was for Allie's own good. "Where will she go? I agree with your judgment, Dumbledore, but I'm afraid she won't be used to it... you know..."
As Hagrid spoke, tears began to well up, threatening to spill over.
Perhaps because Hagrid's voice was not particularly hushed, it caught the attention of Allie outside.
Holding Fang's leash, Allie pressed herself cautiously against the door to eavesdrop.
All she could catch through the thick wooden panels were fragments of Dumbledore's voice: "Harry... brother... nearly eleven... leaving... you have other matters to attend to... will go to the Weasley..."
She had heard the name Harry before; occasionally, Hagrid let it slip, but whenever she asked further, Hagrid would clam up.
Leaving? Who was leaving? Herself? Was Hagrid abandoning her?
Allie knew Hagrid was not her father. She vaguely remembered when Professor McGonagall had explained the meaning of the word "daddy" to her; that night before falling asleep, she had asked Hagrid if she could call him daddy.
Hagrid had replied with deep regret that he was not her father, but that she could call him Rubeus—something that belonged solely between the two of them.
After that, Allie only used that name when they were completely alone, sensing Hagrid's awkwardness with it.
Hearing this, Allie pushed the door open. "I'm sorry, sirs, I was eavesdropping on your conversation..." She walked up to Hagrid and looked up at the towering man with tear-filled eyes. "Do I have to leave you... Hagrid?"
At a complete loss, Hagrid looked toward Dumbledore, who knelt down and pulled Allie gently toward him. "Leaving is simply so we can reunite all the better, Allie... Perhaps I should tell you about Harry... your brother."
"Brother? You've never mentioned him to me," Allie asked in astonishment.
"Because you were separated when you were very small, Allie. You know your health was quite frail back then... I had no choice but to separate you both... There are other things I will explain once you meet Harry." Dumbledore could see that Allie was brimming with questions.
"The Weasley family has many children, and they have plenty of experience caring for youngsters. Mrs. Weasley will also teach you things we cannot manage..." *Such as how to properly manage your hair,* Dumbledore added silently to himself.
Realizing she had no room to resist, Allie gave up fighting it; right now, she only wanted news of her brother. "I'll do as you say and go to the Weasley family... Sir, but where is my brother? Does he know about me?"
"In the Muggle world, my child. Your brother Harry is living with your aunt." Dumbledore paused before adding, "He will come to know of you... only the time is not yet right. In two more years, Allie, you both will receive your acceptance letters to Hogwarts and become wizards. Then you will be able to see him."
A flicker of anticipation crossed Allie's eyes. "I'll wait for that day to come," she murmured softly.
Dumbledore smiled and patted her shoulder. "Trust me, that day will be here before you know it." With that, he glanced at the darkening sky outside. "If you are ready, Allie, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley will come this evening to take you to the village of Ottery St. Catchpole."
"I expect you'd like to cherish the time you have left with Hagrid; I shall return a bit later," Dumbledore said, stepping outside and leaving the time to a weeping Hagrid who could not stem his tears.
Allie pulled Hagrid over to a small wooden stool and tenderly wiped the tears from his face. "Don't be sad, Rubeus... It's only two years, and I'll be back. We'll be together again then."
Hagrid pulled tiny Allie into his arms. Even though he had raised her with the utmost care, Allie was still smaller than other wizard children; perhaps with the Weasley family, Mrs. Weasley could truly help her thrive.
Wiping his eyes, Hagrid forced a smile. "Yes, I know, Allie... But I'll still miss you terribly. Dumbledore said there are matters I must attend to... for Harry's sake."
Allie hugged Hagrid tightly, then wriggled out of his embrace. "I'll miss you too, Rubeus."
Sensing the mood, Fang squeezed in closely, not wanting to be left out.
"Fang has to help me watch the grounds—what a nuisance, why didn't I think to get you a dog of your own?" Hagrid slapped his forehead in profound regret. "Then you could have taken it with you to the Weasley family. Their twins are quite mischievous; if they try to bully you, you could set the dog on them..."
Hagrid saw nothing wrong with imparting this advice; his only worry was that Allie's gentle nature would leave her run ragged by the Weasley twins.
By evening, the lingering glow of the setting sun washed over the Hogwarts grounds, bathing everything in a warm, golden hue. Clutching her small suitcase, Allie walked with Hagrid to the school gates.
Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were waiting nearby.
Professor McGonagall gave her a deep, tight embrace and handed her a copy of *A History of Magic*.
Dumbledore handed over the key to vault number 842 at Gringotts, given by Professor Snape.
Allie wanted to refuse—it was far too valuable! But McGonagall, Hagrid, and Dumbledore all persuaded her to take it.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were already waiting there. They greeted Allie warmly and helped take her luggage. Shyly, Allie greeted them in return before turning back to throw her arms around Hagrid.
"Goodbye, Hagrid. Thank you for looking after me all this time," Allie said, tears shimmering in her eyes.
"Goodbye, little one. Take good care of yourself." Hagrid ruffled Allie's hair, fighting back his tears.
Allie set off with the Weasley family on the journey to the village of Ottery St. Catchpole. Sitting by the carriage window, she watched Hogwarts recede into the distance, a quiet sense of loss settling in her heart. In the end, Professor Snape never did show up.