The Headmaster's office at Hogwarts is located within the Headmaster's Tower, a semi-detached structure set slightly apart from the main body of the castle.
To reach it, one must first go to the third floor and arrive at the base of the tower. There, a staircase once guarded by two stone gargoyles awaits. After the correct password is spoken, the gargoyles step aside, and the staircase hidden behind them slowly rises, carrying the visitor straight up to the Headmaster's office.
The moment Leonard stepped inside, a wave of scorching heat and blinding light surged toward him.
He reflexively took a step back, raising his hand to shield his eyes.
The light was so intense that he couldn't open them at all. Left with no choice, Leonard activated his magical vision, peering through his closed eyelids to see what was happening inside the office.
The instant his magical vision opened, it felt as though a newborn sun had appeared before him. The light wasn't piercing, but its presence was overwhelming, carrying an immense pressure, as if its suppressive power were utterly unmatched.
When the light finally faded, Leonard saw a phoenix seemingly formed of flames descend slowly, landing atop a humanoid mass of condensed magical energy.
He froze, then quickly deactivated his magical vision. Only then did the true appearance of the Headmaster's office come into view.
A bird whose feathers looked as if they were burning stood perched on Dumbledore's shoulder, affectionately rubbing its head against his cheek.
Dumbledore, a kindly old man with snow-white hair and beard, gazed on with calm blue eyes that seemed filled with wisdom capable of seeing through everything.
And that bird clinging so closely to him…
A phoenix.
The word flashed through Leonard's mind.
Though called a phoenix, this wasn't the mythical creature of legend, but the magical beast known as a Phoenix. This extraordinary creature could defy death itself, shedding its body before the moment of demise and being reborn as a juvenile to grow anew.
It was also the only known creature capable of enduring a Killing Curse and surviving.
What would happen if his plant devoured magical materials from a Phoenix?
The thought made Leonard's gaze toward the phoenix turn distinctly suspicious.
Phoenix materials were never sold on the market. The only person qualified to obtain phoenix tail feathers was Mr. Ollivander of Ollivander's Wand Shop, who received them directly from Dumbledore for use as wand cores.
Even then, the quantity was pitifully small. Leonard felt embarrassed at the thought of even asking Mr. Ollivander. If he did, there would almost certainly be no phoenix-feather-core wands available for sale that entire period.
Perhaps his stare was too aggressive, because the Phoenix seemed to notice. It turned its head toward Leonard and let out a clear, melodious cry, its eyes filled with warning.
Ah… it noticed.
Leonard guiltily shifted his gaze away and looked toward Dumbledore instead.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, I am Leonard William," Leonard introduced himself politely, just in case the elderly professor—who always seemed fixated on the Chosen One—might fail to recognize him and create an awkward situation.
"Oh, I remember you," Dumbledore said with a smile. "You are Mr. William who saved Draco Malfoy. Many professors have mentioned you to me. They say you are diligent, intelligent, and very kind."
As he spoke, Dumbledore placed the Phoenix onto a nearby perch and turned back to Leonard.
The stream of praise left Leonard feeling a little flustered.
"You flatter me," Leonard replied, looking somewhat embarrassed. "I only did what I should have done."
"What impressed me the most, however," Dumbledore continued warmly, "was what Filius told me—ah, your Charms professor. Ancient magic. A truly remarkable power."
Leonard showed no surprise at all. Professor Flitwick informing Dumbledore about ancient magic was entirely within his expectations. If Flitwick hadn't done so, Leonard would have begun to suspect that something was amiss.
"I only discovered my special trait by accident," Leonard said, a hint of regret in his voice. He looked up at Dumbledore with clear anticipation. "But I don't feel that I've truly mastered ancient magic. If it weren't for Professor Flitwick, I wouldn't have even known that this power was ancient magic."
"Headmaster Dumbledore, do you know about ancient magic? How should I learn it?"
Dumbledore shook his head gently. "I'm afraid not, my child. I don't possess such a precious gift. If Filius cannot teach you, then I have no better solution."
"Alright," Leonard said with a shrug, sounding a little disappointed. "Even without ancient magic, my own magical talent isn't bad. Perhaps I can still become a great wizard like you…"
"Perhaps you may even surpass me," Dumbledore said reassuringly. "Though I lack the talent for ancient magic, I've heard many legends about it. Those who possess such a gift are all once-in-a-thousand prodigies. Study diligently, and even without ancient magic, your future achievements will not be inferior to mine."
After offering his reassurance, Dumbledore asked, "By the way, Mr. William, is there something you came to see me about?"
Leonard nodded. "Yes, Headmaster. Professor Sprout told me that it was you who transplanted the Whomping Willow to Hogwarts."
"That's correct," Dumbledore replied. "Is there a problem?"
"About that," Leonard said directly, "Professor Sprout showed me the scar you left on the Whomping Willow. I wanted to ask—how did you manage to turn a wound into the Whomping Willow's weakness?"
When dealing with someone so upright, there was no need for roundabout questions that might raise suspicion. If the other party was willing to speak, asking directly was the simplest approach. If not, probing indirectly would only make one seem suspicious.
Even so, Leonard's question still surprised Dumbledore slightly.
"This matter is still too complex for you at the moment," Dumbledore said. "However, I can give you a hint. The key lies in Transfiguration."
"Transfiguration?" Leonard echoed, confused.
"That's right," Dumbledore explained. "Transfiguration is the most important and most complex branch of magic. Many spells are fundamentally based on its principles. Beyond that, I cannot say more. The rest must be understood and learned by you alone."
Leonard fell into deep thought.
He felt there was no reason for Dumbledore to deceive him, and linking changes in magical flow to Transfiguration didn't seem unreasonable at all.
After all, the technique he had developed to calculate and alter another person's magic, throwing it into chaos, had itself been derived from his understanding of Transfiguration.
Adding yet another mystery that required answers from Transfiguration didn't seem strange in the slightest.
...
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