Actually, the temperature indoors was not that high. Although there was no air conditioning, wizards had their own ways of cooling things down.
Whether through magical cooling spells or physical cooling with ice, there was always some method to lower the temperature.
The reason Eda had broken out in sweat was because the sunlight outside was so strong, and she had sprinted all the way over under the blazing sun.
Besides, part of that sweat had already been produced while she was lazing in bed, because someone had opened the curtains blocking the sunlight.
When you are exposed to sunlight while sleeping in, and then continue running under direct sunlight, if Eda did not sweat, who would?
Since the indoor temperature was not especially high, the reason Vinda and Dumbledore had not started fighting naturally had nothing to do with the weather.
Vinda disliked Dumbledore because he had defeated Grindelwald in 1945. But that matter was already nearly fifty years in the past.
Grindelwald himself did not care anymore, so there was even less reason for Vinda to cling to it and immediately start fighting to the death the moment they met.
Moreover, Dumbledore was the headmaster of Hogwarts and was acknowledged as the greatest wizard alive. Offending such a person was clearly unwise.
Parents who truly loved their children always planned far ahead for them. For Eda's sake, Vinda would never do something so foolish.
What? You think Dumbledore was magnanimous? Even the most magnanimous people had limits to their tolerance. Vinda certainly did not believe Dumbledore would endlessly tolerate her acting without restraint.
Yes, you heard that correctly—without restraint.
In terms of identity, status, magical power, and even the opposing camps they had belonged to fifty years ago, if Vinda chose to openly fall out with Dumbledore, everyone else would only see it as the insolence of the Rosier family.
Vinda might not care about the Rosier name, but she could not ignore Eda's future. For the sake of her own personal feelings and old matters from fifty years ago, was it really worth offending one of the giants of the wizarding world, offending a man who practically held the entire magical world in his hands?
In Vinda's eyes, Eda had already suffered for many years, and Vinda did not want to see her suffer anymore. Still, taking a harmless jab or two at Dumbledore was perfectly acceptable.
Like just now—wasn't Vinda taking the opportunity to emphasize that she was Eda's grandmother, while you, Dumbledore, were merely a guest?
Vinda kept silent about Grindelwald and the past, and naturally Dumbledore would not bring them up on his own either.
According to rumor, one reason Dumbledore was so fond of Chocolate Frog cards was because the card placed his own name together with Grindelwald's.
When Dumbledore learned that Eda's biological grandmother had found her, he had already obtained firsthand information through his own channels, including the matters concerning Louis and Jessica, as well as information about Vinda Rosier.
Of course Dumbledore knew exactly who Vinda Rosier was. Discussing Grindelwald with Grindelwald's most loyal follower was not something the headmaster would ever do.
After falling in love with the same man, the "single flower of Takamura" and the "Rose of France" once again reached a tacit understanding. Both of them carefully avoided mentioning Grindelwald at all. Instead, they talked about the recent scorching weather, about French desserts, and most importantly, about Eda.
It was precisely because of Eda that Vinda and Dumbledore's lives had once again crossed paths. Dumbledore spoke about many things Eda had done at school, things Vinda had never known.
For example, how the two Weasley brothers pulled pranks while Miss Twist stood lookout for them; how Miss Twist had fleeced Mr. Black this year; and how Miss Twist had become jealous over a broomstick.
Two people whose combined ages exceeded two hundred years chatted happily over amusing stories about a girl who was not yet even seventeen. Looking at such a harmonious scene, it was hard to imagine that these two had once been both enemies and rivals in love.
Outside the sunroom, Eda wiped the sweat from her face and let out a sigh of relief. As long as they had not started fighting, as long as things had not turned hostile, everything was fine. "Old children" was not just an empty phrase. Fortunately, the two inside had not really begun arguing over Grindelwald.
Eda shot Laura a reproachful look and said, "Please, next time can you stop pausing dramatically in the middle of your sentences… You nearly scared me to death."
"What's so scary about that?" Laura replied. She had no idea what sort of wild scenarios Eda had imagined. "The two of them together are over two hundred years old. What, were they going to fight over candy or something?"
Laura glanced at Eda with disdain and continued, "You're the one who came running over looking like this. I've already had the house-elves make arrangements, so hurry upstairs and wash up. You're covered in sweaty stink."
Eda gathered up her damp hair. She also felt extremely uncomfortable, so she did not continue bickering with Laura and silently returned upstairs to clean herself up.
An hour later, after washing up and changing into proper clothes, Eda met Dumbledore again. It happened to be lunchtime, so the four of them shared a lavish meal together. Throughout the entire meal, Eda ate in constant nervousness.
After lunch, Vinda excused herself by saying she wanted to take a nap and returned to the second floor, leaving Eda to entertain Dumbledore in her place. Laura also made an excuse that she needed to go to the Ministry of Magic and left Rosier Manor.
When only Dumbledore and Eda remained in the room, Dumbledore said, "I still haven't congratulated you. Congratulations on finding family members who truly care about you."
"Mr. Weasley and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are also family who truly care about me, even though we aren't related by blood." Eda held up two fingers, indicating that besides Vinda, the Weasley family also sincerely cared for her, and she smugly bent the two fingers twice.
"Of course. Kind and warm-hearted people are always blessed," Dumbledore said.
Alain Rosier and Vincent Rosier strongly objected to that statement, while Isaac and Clive expressed their support for the Rosier father and son's objection.
"By the way, Professor, why did you come to France? It can't possibly have been a special trip just to see me, right?" Eda asked. She had always possessed a clear sense of self-awareness. She certainly would not assume Dumbledore had come all the way here just for a home visit.
"Of course not specially for you. I simply happened to have a meeting here, so I came by to see you along the way," Dumbledore said. "Since I was already here, if I didn't come visit, wouldn't someone complain about it?"
Eda curled her lips and ignored Dumbledore's teasing. Dumbledore also stopped circling around the topic and explained his true reason for coming to France. He really had come for a meeting.
The meeting was to discuss whether to restart the Triwizard Tournament. The matter had been under discussion for a long time and was finally settled this summer.
What was settled along with it was the location for this Triwizard Tournament. Among the three magical schools, Hogwarts was ultimately chosen to host the competition.
This tournament dated back to the late thirteenth century and originated among Europe's three greatest magical schools: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. The purpose of the event was to promote exchange and foster friendship among young wizards.
Although the intention was good, all kinds of accidents constantly occurred during the competition. Because of the excessively high casualty rate, the tournament was eventually discontinued.
After more than half a year of negotiations, the three schools had finally decided to restart the competition—naturally under the condition that the contestants would not die.
"So, Professor, are you hoping I'll become Hogwarts' champion?" Eda asked. She had caught the implication behind Dumbledore's words. "Will each school's champion be selected by its own headmaster?"
"The champions will be chosen by a magical object. I will not interfere with it," Dumbledore explained. "Surely you don't think you wouldn't pass the contestant selection?"
It was a rather clumsy attempt at provocation—or perhaps not provocation at all, but simple surprise on Dumbledore's part at Eda's hesitation. She seemed to have very little interest in the Triwizard Tournament or in the honor that came with it.
Eda pondered for a moment before asking again, "If I compete, wouldn't that be a bit too much bullying?" The arrogance in those words was almost outrageous, but Eda truly had the right to be arrogant.
With Eda's current abilities, there were genuinely very few people in the wizarding world capable of defeating her. If she entered a dueling tournament, she could easily take home the championship.
Competing against people her own age in the same event really was rather unfair—a complete dimensionality reduction strike.
"In September, will you still be a Hogwarts student?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Of course. When school starts in September, I'll only be in sixth year…"
"Well then, doesn't that settle it? You and they are all students. Participating together in the Triwizard Tournament, I truly fail to see where the problem lies!" Dumbledore said. At that moment, he looked exactly like a sly old fox.
Putting on an expression of pleading, Dumbledore said, "Eda, I hope Hogwarts can win this tournament. I certainly don't want Beauxbatons catching up to Hogwarts."
Emmmmm… Albus Dumbledore, crafty, very crafty indeed.
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