Winter Night Courtyard

Leaving the Great Hall, he shut the noisy chatter and warm fireplace inside. The cold air spilling out from the Entrance Hall and courtyard jolted him awake, clearing his head at once.

Loren was about to head for the Marble Staircase when he caught a flash of silver in the courtyard from the corner of his eye. He paused, then turned in another direction, strolling down the corridor and straight into the courtyard.

On a winter night in November, a few sparse stars hung in the sky. There was no moon in sight, and the dim light was just enough to make out several bushes still standing firm in the courtyard. He did not know their names. Snow blanketed their branches and leaves, as well as the eaves and corners of the walls, turning everything into a silver world.

Yet the old man sitting on the bench wore grayish-white robes, and his fluffy beard and hair were white as well. If one did not look closely, one might have mistaken him for a snowman someone had built.

"Professor Dumbledore?"

"Loren. Good evening."

"Good evening..." Loren returned the greeting politely out of habit, then came to his senses. "What are you doing here?"

"I left the school this evening to meet a friend, and it was already rather late when I returned. I had intended to go upstairs to my office, but then I noticed how lovely the courtyard was and decided to sit here for a while." Dumbledore casually brushed the snow from the seat beside him, patting the vine-woven bench to invite him to sit and enjoy the view as well.

Loren sat beside him. "That sounds like something you would do, but it still feels strange."

Dumbledore smiled gently and began speaking before Loren could ask. "Rufus asked