At Borgin and Burkes

Along the path leading to Hogwarts' gates, the flowers and grass by the roadside had begun to sprout, presenting a scene full of life.

At the fork beside the Greenhouse, Professor McGonagall, draped in black robes, was seeing off the frail Teaching Class instructor, Tykros. She briefed him on several students: the two who had taken leave because they had already mastered Apparition, and the student who could Apparate after only two lessons—Seamus Finnigan, Loren Morgan, and Hermione Granger...

Professor McGonagall's voice was steady and unhurried, every bit the official Deputy Headmaster handling school business. Tykros could tell that this Gryffindor Head of House had deliberately concealed certain details, out of a professor's wish to protect her students and an elder's care for children.

Professor McGonagall did not say it, and Tykros did not ask.

Though the road was not long, the two of them tacitly slowed their pace, leaving themselves ample time to talk.

The wind blowing in from the lake and the Forbidden Forest swept across the grounds and brushed against exposed skin, carrying a slight chill. Perhaps Tykros's body was simply too weak; he lowered his head slightly and used his collar to cover his neck, which was even fairer than a woman's, then said wistfully:

"Whether it is the Department of Transportation or the Apparition Instruction Committee, no one had ever thought of this method before. Seamus Finnigan—oh, Loren Morgan's Eyes-Closed Practice Method has greatly reduced the difficulty of learning Apparition. It has been a tremendous help not only to Hogwarts, but to this year's students as well. From the perspective of wizards around the world, it has milestone significance for learning Apparition."

"I will pass along your praise."

"What a pity. I did not get to meet Mr. Morgan this time."

"..."

Professor McGonagall looked