The Old Ones of Hogwarts

Chapter 42: The Cycle of Heaven is Perfect!

A phoenix named Fox gently tidied Ian's messy hair with its beak.

The atmosphere in the air felt somewhat frozen.

They stared at each other with wide eyes.

Dumbledore's raised hand was caught in a dilemma: keeping it up or putting it down was equally awkward. The old man, who had mastered the Occlumency Technique, could no longer hide the embarrassment on his face.

"It seems Fox really likes you, which is quite rare. Most of the time, Fox is rather aloof towards humans."

Dumbledore could only try to break free from his somewhat awkward situation with words.

"professor……"

Ian knew perfectly well that the fluffy bird perched on his head was one of the most terrifying creatures in the wizarding world, and he looked to Dumbledore for help.

He struggled to maintain his balance.

Although I've always been curious about phoenixes, just like Lord Ye who loved dragons but was terrified of them, cat lovers who like lions probably wouldn't want to give a lion a cheek kiss.

"Don't worry, the phoenix possesses wisdom far superior to that of humans; it's just playing with you." Dumbledore's eyes behind his glasses were also filled with astonishment.

He had never seen Fox so close to anyone other than himself, not even the kind and brave little wizards, who would let Fox groom their "feathers" so intimately.

Yes.

Fox was now acting as if he were grooming Ian's feathers, showing great affection.

"Ms. Elena said that you usually like to play with birds, and perhaps you have a natural affinity for magical creatures, just like Master Newt Scamander."

This is probably the most reasonable explanation Dumbledore could come up with. It's widely known that only members of Dumbledore's family possess the ability to summon a phoenix in times of crisis.

These special and powerful magical creatures do not live by the continuation of generations, but rather as a response to a certain bloodline possessed by the Dumbledore family.

Perhaps other families may also have similar bloodlines.

but.

Fawkes, the phoenix, was born for Albus Dumbledore, and his will and emotions should have been deeply connected only with Albus Dumbledore.

"Newt Scamander? Is he the author of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'?" Ian remained still, trying his best to maintain his balance.

Dubai's nouveau riche will say that the lions they keep are very docile. But do you think the servants and maids around those Dubai's nouveau riche would dare to gamble?

"Yes, he and I are old friends, and we fought side by side in the past." Dumbledore stared at the man and bird in front of him, his eyes flickering slightly for some reason.

"If he knew there was a kid like you at the school, he probably wouldn't have refused my offer of a position. It seems I'll need to write a tempting letter to Newt when I get back."

Dumbledore smiled expectantly.

"Well, I don't think I have that kind of talent... I just feel like your bird is toying with me..." Ian could feel the phoenix moving above his head.

It had already started grooming Ian's eyebrows, a dangerous area so close to his eyeballs that Ian was worried he would get pecked.

Heaven knows if the phoenix was curious about the eyeballs that could move.

so horrible.

Who would have thought that a master bird enthusiast would one day be played by a real bird!

"Alright, Fox, we should head back."

Dumbledore noticed Ian's nervousness and finally called upon the phoenix.

"Clang clang!"

After letting out a reluctant cry, the phoenix answered Dumbledore's call, gently flying up from above Ian's head and transforming into a red light as it returned to Dumbledore's side.

"If you need any help, you can come to me or Professor Snape. He's a cold-faced but kind-hearted person, and we'll be happy to help you with your problems."

It was unclear whether Dumbledore was referring to magical research or something else. He smiled and waved to Ian, then vanished from the room along with the phoenix.

The fluctuations in space gradually subsided.

Back in the quiet living room, Ian was left alone, still shaken.

It was probably because they were still shaken.

He didn't notice that a delicate line on the back of his hand was gradually fading away—in fact, even Dumbledore hadn't noticed that it had lit up before.

perhaps.

It's because no one but Ian can see it.

……

"Phew~"

Space distorted for a moment.

Dumbledore appeared in the corridor of Hogwarts Castle.

Night falls.

The castle's corridors were draped in a soft, mysterious veil of moonlight, while ancient wall lamps cast a warm, dim glow along the winding corridors.

"Fox, you were a bit too rude today. You frightened the boy." Dumbledore walked to the window, where the phoenix perched on his shoulder.

"Clang clang!"

The fiery red phoenix murmured softly.

"You mean you think he needs your care?" Dumbledore didn't speak the language of the phoenix, but he had lived with Fawkes for many years.

"Clang!"

Phoenix responded again.

"It's incredible...two special children."

A night breeze blew through the window.

Dumbledore gazed at the moon outside the window, his aged face calm, yet his deep, piercing eyes seemed to reflect the distinct figures of a man and a woman.

He was thinking.

I'm confused.

He was whispering.

"I just hope it's not what I imagine..."

The old man's figure appeared somewhat hunched in the night wind, carrying a sense of weariness.

And just then...

"Da da da~"

Footsteps sounded.

A man shrouded in a long black robe emerged from the depths of the castle, carrying several boxes in his hands, and the scent of medicinal herbs began to fill the air.

"Severus".

Dumbledore did not turn around, but he accurately called out the name of the person who had come.

"Ha, Albus, it seems you're having trouble sleeping again. Perhaps I can give you a bottle of Dreamless Sleeping Pills to at least spare you a night of nightmares."

Snape stopped in his tracks with a forced smile.

"I just came back from outside."

Dumbledore finally turned around and looked at the box in Snape's hand. "Although I do have a feeling I'll have trouble sleeping tonight, I still want to break free from my dependence on potions."

In response to this.

Snape simply nodded.

"A foolish choice."

He's still as sharp-tongued as ever.

"Aren't you still going to brew Felix Felicis?"

Dumbledore deduced what Snape was doing from the medicine in Snape's hand, which could be considered a way of changing the subject.

"If you want to take your medicine, I'll be here all night."

Snape picked up his foot again and walked toward his office.

And just then...

"Wait a moment."

Dumbledore suddenly spoke up.

"Have you changed your mind?"

Snape turned around expressionlessly.

"I just wanted to ask you for something else. Of course, this request is just to satisfy my curiosity, and I hope you won't misunderstand it."

Dumbledore seemed to be carefully choosing his words. Seeing Snape's impatient expression, he hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice to ask.

"When you have time, could you go back and check the Prince family's genealogy to see if there have been any intermarriages between the Prince family and the Dumbledore family in the last five generations?"

The same corridor.

The same two people.

however.

this time.

Now it was Snape's turn to be dumbfounded.