Professor McGonagall escorted Kael to the gargoyle on the eighth floor and left, helping him out with the password before she went.
"Lemon Sherbet."
...
The Headmaster's Office looked the same as always, with Fawkes still lazing on his perch. The phoenix merely lifted its head slightly as a greeting when Kael entered.
Kael took out some Dittany Leaves as a greeting gift and placed them beside the perch.
Dumbledore didn't vanish this time; he simply sat there with a smile, and a familiar bottle was on the table in front of him.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you." Dumbledore stood up from his chair, handing the Demon Suppression Potion on the table to Kael: "You know, just like last time."
"Of course, Headmaster." Kael nodded, accepting the bottle and said, "I'll take it to Mikel now."
"Hmm... there's no rush. If you have nothing else to do, would you mind chatting with an old man like me?"
Seeing Kael remain silent, Dumbledore continued, "No need to be nervous, just casual chatting, like when you're with Newt."
"I'm just a bit surprised." Kael scratched his head and said, "But, Headmaster, um... I only have Dittany Leaves now; I'm really out of Bellflowers."
"..."
"Fawkes has a good temper; it won't hold a grudge." Dumbledore's expression froze momentarily but quickly returned to normal.
"I received your Christmas gift." He handed Kael a cup of fresh lemonade and said, "I finished it the same day, and I've read it many times since... utterly fascinating."
Initially, Kael thought Dumbledore was just being polite, but he soon realized he was mistaken.
Because Dumbledore really did take out two pairs of woolen socks from the drawer.
One pair was red with gold trim.
The other pair was slightly smaller, in shades of blue and pink.
Both pairs had a large letter "A" embroidered on them.
Kael looked up and instinctively asked, "Did... you knit these?"
"Yes." Dumbledore said proudly, "I discovered I have a knack for knitting socks; nailed it on the first try."
Kael opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.
What is going on with this Magic Realm?
The head of the International Confederation of Wizards, a First Class Merlin Knight of the Order, Chief of the Wizengamot, the Magic Realm's most powerful White Wizard Dumbledore... feeling proud about his sock-knitting skills?
He looked so pleased, even a little smug.
"You did a great job, Headmaster." Kael said awkwardly.
"Thank you."
Dumbledore put away the two pairs of woolen socks and suddenly sighed, "My biggest regret this year might be not preparing a Christmas gift for you; it's just terrible."
Kael waved his hands repeatedly.
He never expected a gift from Dumbledore, anyway.
Yet, being the model student he was, Kael didn't want Dumbledore to be burdened with guilt.
An old man being tormented by guilt—how heart-wrenching.
"Maybe I should just ask for a gift myself?" Kael thought to himself, stroking his chin.
As shameless as it might seem, enduring a little embarrasment for the Headmaster's sake was worth it.
Kael instinctively glanced at the corner of the Headmaster's Office, where a dusty mirror sat. It couldn't be worth much, so why not choose it?
Or maybe that roughly made stone basin next to it would do.
After all, it was just for show, picking such a cheap item, possibly worth ten Sickles each at a street vendor, was perfect.
"I'm really thoughtful, aren't I?"
Kael didn't hide his intentions.
Beside him, Dumbledore seemed to have guessed something and slightly twitched his mouth.
Just then, Kael turned his head, "Headmaster, could you give me..."
"A cup of lemonade? Of course, not a problem."
Dumbledore tapped the table and poured another cup of lemonade.
"No, I mean tod..."
"Today's weather is indeed nice."
Nice weather?
Kael glanced out the window, the snow had been falling all day, and it hadn't stopped yet.
But Dumbledore didn't give Kael a chance to speak again. Instead, he looked out the window and said somewhat nostalgically, "I didn't notice, it's this late already?"
Kael immediately understood.
Though he was a bit regretful that he couldn't help alleviate Dumbledore's troubles, Kael still dutifully said:
"I should be leaving now; Mikel is waiting for the potion."
"Need to take some snacks back?" Dumbledore opened a drawer filled with various candies and preserves.
Kael initially wanted to decline, but he suddenly noticed those candies seemed high-end, with many varieties he had never seen before.
"Thank you on Mikel's behalf."
When Kael left the Headmaster's Office, his two pockets were bulging with candies.
The oak door closed behind him.
In the Headmaster's Office, Snape appeared from nowhere, squinting thoughtfully at the spot Kael had just vacated.
"I'm a bit curious, Severus."
Dumbledore closed the drawer and hung a gleaming lock on it.
"You specifically asked me to call Kael here, yet you hid yourself."
"You dismissed him too soon."
Snape said expressionlessly, "As we agreed, he should have stayed here for thirty minutes."
"Students have their own matters to attend to." Dumbledore took a sip of his tea and said, "Severus, we can't take up too much of their time."
"Oh? Is that what you think?" Snape glanced at the Magic Mirror in the corner and then headed towards the door.
"Severus."
Just then, Dumbledore suddenly called out to him, "I think you're too prejudiced against Kael."
Snape stopped, turned, and asked, "What are you trying to say?"
"Kael is a very good boy." Dumbledore said calmly, "I learned that he gave a gift to every professor on Christmas Day; even the least popular Mrs. Norris received a bag of fish snacks."
"Oh～～" Snape squinted, stretching his tone as he asked, "What are you trying to say!"
"I believe he might have simply overlooked his Professor of Potions."
Dumbledore smiled and said, "You know, even I make such simple mistakes from time to time; it's normal. You shouldn't hold a grudge against Kael because of it."
"Perhaps he didn't forget at all."
Snape snorted coldly, then opened the door wide and left the Headmaster's Office without looking back.
...
...