It Begins With a Letter
Dick had been living with Bruce for two years when the letter came. It wasn’t terribly unusual for Dick to get letters. Junk and spam mail was common as any other household, and were similarly thrown away. This however was not the same. The letter came on a summer afternoon while Dick was playing outside. It wouldn’t be found until the next day.
Alfred Pennyworth was a punctual man, he had his routine. Have breakfast ready by eight, wake up his young masters, grab the mail, hand Master Bruce the paper and then sort the mail. Alfred takes pride in his routine and it’s never a simple day when it is disturbed. He knew as soon as he found a letter addressed to his young Master Dick adorned with a red wax seal that today was going to be anything but simple. He opens the letter and looks it over before humming and handing it to Bruce.
He was still half asleep at the table, drinking coffee and glaring blearily at the newspaper. Dick was humming and swinging his feet in tandem.
“Master Bruce, I have something here that requires your attention.” he said.
Bruce grunted and looked over the letter. He glared as he reread the letter two, three times.
“What happened?” he said through a mouthful of eggs.
Alfred turns to him, “You have been invited to attend a school.”
“Huh?”
Bruce hands Dick the letter, “Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”
“ ‘A school representative will be arriving today to provide answers to any questions you may have.’. Signed ‘Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore’. “ Dick said.
“When will they be coming? ‘Today’ is so vague, how’d they know when we got the letter? This feels like a joke.” he said.
Dick was interrupted by a knock on the Manor door.
“Holy timing Batman.” he whispered as they looked towards the entrance hall.
They all went towards the door, Alfred in the lead and Bruce as a barrier for Dick. Alfred opens it to reveal two older figures dressed in long flowing robes and similar pointy hats. The man stepped forward and spoke.
“Good morning, my name is Albus Dumbledore and this is Professor McGonagall. I am the headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I trust that you read my letter?”
“Yes, I am sure you and Master Bruce have much to discuss.” Alfred says as they’re led inside to Bruces’ study.
Dick hops up onto the window sill behind the desk as Bruce gestures to the two strangers to sit. Dick studies them, he's not sure he can trust someone with such weird fashion. McGonagall catches his eye and smiles pleasantly, he is not reassured.
“I’ll be honest, Headmaster, when I read the letter I thought it was a joke.” Bruce says as Alfred appears, setting down some tea and blueberry scones.
“I’m sure it must seem that way, but I assure you, magic is very real.” Dick marvels at the floating spoon as it stirs in cream and sugar.
“And please, call me Albus.” he said.
Bruces’ gaze flickers between them. “Of course.”
“Tell me more about this school. I’m afraid I’ve never heard of such an academy.”
“Ah yes, the magical world is a well kept secret. Muggles have persecuted wizards and witches throughout history so it was deemed the right decision.” he said.
Bruce hums and glances back at the letter, his frame filling out the armchair as he listens. Albus begins telling him about the school, possible courses, costs, and the like.
“Is Hogwarts the only magical school? And how do you know Dick has magic?”
“Oh of course not, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded in the seventeenth century in Massachusetts. I’m sure mister Grayson will receive his acceptance letter within the next couple days.” he said.
“At Hogwarts there is the Quill of Magic and the Book of Acceptance. When their name is written in the book, we know they have magical ability and send out letters accordingly.”
“But not every child with ability is in the book? Why come all the way to Gotham if there is another school states away?”
“While Ilvermorny is a prestigious school, because mister Graysons’ name was in the Book of Acceptance, I believe someone in his family attended Hogwarts in the past.”
“That can’t be true, I don’t have any other family.” Dick said.
Dumbledore and McGonagall exchanged a glance before she spoke.
“Due to the prejudice in pureblood families, it is possible that one of your parents or grandparents were born without magic. And as such given up for adoption without much contact to the magical world.” she said.
Bruce looked over to him, “Both your parents were adopted weren’t they Dick?”
He nodded slowly and Bruce hummed. Dumbledore stands up and claps his hands together softly.
“I’m sure you need time to process and make your decision.” he said as the two stood up.
“Mister Grayson, I hope to see you in the upcoming year, and if not I’m sure you’ll thrive. Hogwarts is a family and would welcome you with open arms.”
Dumbledore smiles more with his eyes than the rest of his face, his eyes twinkle with a spark of joy. They both give a small nod and follow Alfred to the hall and outside the Manor.
“Holy wizard Batman! This is insane.” Dick said.
“Language.” he said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I didn’t even say it!” he whined.
“Just because you substitute the word for another doesn’t mean I don’t know what you’re really saying.”
“The one time you use your imagination.”
Dick melts off the window sill and on to the floor. Bruce huffs and he sees his smile before he turns to the letter again. Success.
“Regardless, I don’t Like this ‘Hogwarts’. It feels too convenient that a secret magic society, that nobody has heard about, just happened to reach out to us about a boarding school abroad.”
“However, if there is such a place, and if you are part of it Dick, this would be a golden opportunity to gather some intel.”
“But what about Robin? Who’s gonna watch your back if I’m not here? You can’t bench me B.” he said.
“Chum..” Bruce looked to Alfred as he came back in.
Alfred shut the door and turned toward them, straightening out his coat.
“It seems to me, Master Bruce, that the young master has a potential mission ahead of him.”
The two looked at him with an identical hum.
“Out there is a society of people previously unknown to us, with abilities unknown to us, with enemies . Unknown. To. Us.”
“And, while it is no ‘tour around the world’, this is an ample opportunity for Master Dick to acquire some more varied experience and new skills in the field. I believe that having an ‘Undercover Robin’ could be very beneficial for the lad. He might even make some friends .”
Alfred said that last sentence with an eyebrow at Bruce. He was still in denial about being ‘work friends’ with the Justice League. Personally, Dick just wants to meet Superman.
“I will say, I am partial to this ‘Hogwarts’, I quite miss England. It’s been far too long since my last visit.”
“Will you really take us to see where you grew up Alfie!?” Dick was bouncing up and down on his toes.
“I don’t see why not.” Bruce said as they both turned to him.
“Let us begin preparations then.”