On his way to the Astronomy Tower, Dumbledore encountered more than a few familiar faces.
First was Snape, his expression as cold and impenetrable as always, a flicker of mockery glinting in his eyes.
"How remarkable. I almost thought you'd hole up in your office all night, signing every last bit of paperwork before you'd dare leave," Snape drawled.
Unbothered by the icy greeting, Dumbledore smiled, a hint of delight in his tone—as if he genuinely enjoyed this verbal fencing. He nodded lightly, teasing back, "How remarkable indeed. I thought you'd be the last to come out tonight. But it seems we're headed for the same destination?"
Snape narrowed his eyes, his scowl deepening. "I merely came out to—"
He cut himself off, realizing the contradiction in his own words. With a derisive snort, he turned on his heel and stalked away.
Watching Snape's retreating figure, Dumbledore shook his head, his smile never faltering.
As he passed the greenhouses, Dumbledore spotted the ever-busy Professor Sprout.
"Good evening, Albus!" she called, glancing up toward the Astronomy Tower. "Wyzett should be attempting the first step tonight, shouldn't he? Has something gone awry?"
"Good evening, Pomona." Dumbledore smiled warmly. "If anything does go wrong, I suspect Wyzett will seek out Minerva straight away."
"That's true—he's such a thoughtful boy." Sprout nodded. "And with Minerva watching over him, nothing's likely to go amiss."
"Indeed." Dumbledore nodded, eyeing the flourishing pots behind her. "They're looking splendid."
"If I recall correctly, Mandrakes are at their most curious—and most troublesome—at this stage."
"Oh, absolutely," Sprout agreed. "They're terribly sensitive right now—no way they'd miss a full moon like this. If I don't let them out for a proper moonbath, they'll kick up a real fuss. And that's more trouble than it's worth."
By the time Dumbledore reached the Astronomy Tower, Flitwick had already beaten him there and was ascending the stairs.
Dumbledore quickened his pace to catch up. "Good evening, Filius."
"Good evening, Albus!" Flitwick nodded in greeting. "How odd—someone with Wyzett's talent shouldn't be having trouble on such a perfect night!"
Dumbledore hummed thoughtfully. "Perhaps we've pushed him a bit too far, a bit too quickly."
"Indeed! You're all so invested in him," Flitwick said, then chuckled, "At this rate, you'll have him switching houses before long!"
Dumbledore couldn't help but laugh. "Fortunately, there's no rule about 'house transfers.' I've been headmaster for quite some time, and I can at least guarantee that."
"Oh, I know! But seeing all you've done for him, I feel like I should step up my game, too." Flitwick waved a hand. "He's given me gifts at Christmas and over the summer. I'd feel rather guilty not doing something in return!"
Together, they reached the top of the Astronomy Tower, where Professor McGonagall was still maintaining her weather charm. Moonlight spilled over Wyzett, cloaking him in a veil of silvery light.
"Looks like a matter of the soul…" Dumbledore mused. "He's taking even bigger strides than I imagined."
Flitwick nodded. "But even this weather magic can't quite block out the moon—tonight's sky is simply too clear!"
Dumbledore stepped forward, surveying the scene. "What a curious sight indeed. Looks like you could use a bit of help?"
Flitwick sprang into action. He dashed to McGonagall's side, pulled his wand from his sleeve, and—unlike her, who aimed at the sky—pointed it toward the distant Black Lake, then raised it high.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
The Black Lake seemed to boil, water erupting into countless droplets that scattered and then gathered, transforming into a thick, drifting mist.
Under the Levitation Charm, the vast mist surged upward, merging with the clouds McGonagall had conjured. In an instant, all of Hogwarts was shrouded in gloom.
"A beautiful Levitation Charm," Dumbledore praised. "Though those Mandrakes might be a little put out—they'd barely started basking in the moonlight, and now it's gone…"
As Flitwick's incantation echoed, Wyzett noticed the gathering light slowing even further—though it had not completely stopped.
Dumbledore caught this as well. Standing at the center, wand in hand, he murmured a silent spell.
Suddenly, the world around them seemed to recede. The Hogwarts castle ahead, the clouded night sky above—all faded into the distance.
"A masterful Undetectable Extension Charm," McGonagall remarked. "If this still doesn't work, we'll simply have to try again another day."
Dumbledore had extended the Astronomy Tower—though to the outside world, nothing appeared to have changed. But from a magical perspective, the tower was now separated from Hogwarts and the night sky by an unfathomable distance.
The moon's magical influence was now all but stripped away.
With two professors and a headmaster working together, Wyzett felt as though he'd stepped into a waking dream.
Thanks to the nourishing effect of those grassy-tasting liquids, he felt a little lightheaded, but his mind remained clear.
As the moon's magic faded further, the Mandrake leaf finally drifted away from his soul labyrinth.
Its edges curled inward, folding toward its veins until it became a single, slender needle.
Wyzett hovered in a strange state, his consciousness balanced between soul and body. He could sense both the needle-like leaf and the sensation of it against his tongue.
His soul labyrinth glowed with gentle light, as if drawn by the Mandrake leaf, releasing all the beautiful emotions hidden within.
This "release" wasn't one-sided—the Mandrake leaf was "releasing" as well. Through its curled, compact form, it sent out its own magical circuits, reaching toward the soul labyrinth and forging a connection.
Wyzett savored the process, a flash of inspiration sparking in his mind—reminding him of a recent Herbology lesson.
He'd seen, through his Oculus Magicae, the magical circuits of young Mandrake leaves: intricate patterns like nails, engaged in a slow exchange with the taproot.
That same exchange, that same communication—how similar it was to what he was experiencing now!
The Mandrake leaf was connecting with his soul labyrinth, while the labyrinth sent back waves of beautiful emotion…
All that nourishment from the grassy liquids seemed to set his thoughts flowing, clarity washing over him. He could feel, more than ever, the true power of the Oculus Magicae.
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