There is a gargoyle on the Seventh Floor of Hogwarts Castle.
It serves as the gatekeeper to the Headmaster's Office and is also a rather exquisite work of art.
"Professor Dumbledore's taste—"
Vincent, thought for a long time before finally reaching out to touch it.
"I think he would like something more abstract."
Hermione, who was holding the notebook, let go of one hand and tiptoed to touch the head of the gargoyle.
"It's just an ordinary decoration."
"Maybe."
Vincent withdrew his hand and gave the password to go in. "Pumpkin Pasties."
The dripping stone beast trembled slightly and jumped to the side, revealing the slowly cracking wall behind it.
A spiral staircase that automatically ascends comes into view.
"Professor, are you there?"
No one answered.
Vincent and Hermione went inside.
On a large table in the Headmaster's Office, there were all sorts of strange and somewhat abstract little objects.
Some of them were spinning, and some were making very funny noises.
"Professor Dumbledore doesn't seem to be here."
Vincent walked up to the portraits of people snoring.
"They are all former principals."
Hermione pointed to one of the paintings, "This is Armando Dippet, the professor's former headmaster."
She moved to another picture next to it, "This is Phineas Nigellus Black, the previous headmaster."
"Oh." Vincent noticed that Principal Phineas's lips twitched and even his eyelids were trembling slightly.
"Black ..." He shifted his gaze to the back of the door.
A strange, old, red bird perched on a branch.
Vincent approached it and took out his wand.
"A phoenix!?" Hermione's gaze shifted between the strange bird and the staff handle.
Aside from the difference in tail feather length, there are many other subtle differences between the two.
"Oh, is this a phoenix from Asia?" Dumbledore appeared quietly behind the two.
Compared to the flustered Hermione, Vincent calmly put away his wand.
"Professor, does it have a name?"
Fawkes.
She's been listless lately; she'll probably rise from the ashes soon.
Dumbledore turned and walked toward another small table.
"Hello, Fawkes," Vincent greeted him before following him.
Fawkes opened his eyes slightly, then closed them again.
As soon as Hermione arrived at the table, she opened her laptop and looked across at the other side. "Professor, we're going to conduct a test of the size limits of Transfiguration today."
"No rush." Dumbledore his hand and conjured a small dish full of candy.
"Sit down and chat first, I just finished breakfast."
He picked up a yellowish-green candy and put it in his mouth.
"Hmm—it tastes pretty good."
Vincent could clearly see the corner of his eye twitch slightly.
Hermione picked up a piece and put it in her mouth, instantly squeezing her face in disgust at the sour taste.
"Professor, this wasn't created using magic, was it?"
Dumbledore. "Vincent, you already have some of the headmaster's privileges."
"Is—is that so?" Vincent shifted his gaze to the shelf behind him.
There lay the dirty Sorting Hat and a magnificent sword inlaid with rubies.
Dumbledore followed the gaze and turned away. "This is one of Godric Gryffindor's belongings."
A sword custom-made for him by Ragnuk the First, the most skilled silversmith among the Goblin.
"Is it pure silver?"
"The Goblin have incredible skills that allow them to work any metal into something indestructible."
Vincent stood up and looked at it with great interest.
"Hi~" The Sorting Hat bent down from the crack. "Child, we meet again."
He bowed slightly and said, "Hello, Mr. Hat."
After a brief exchange, he obediently sat back down.
According to legend, this sword is not something just anyone can wield.
Only a true Gryffindor can pull it out.
Vincent looked Dumbledore.
"Child, it has no scabbard."
He then looked at the Sorting Hat, which was grinning.
These are all Gryffindor relics; the sword was probably kept in his hat.
Dumbledore gave him an approving look.
But Vincent blinked.
"Go ahead," Dumbledore said with a smile as he stood up.
He put the sword into the Sorting Hat.
"Undetectable Extension Charm?"
"More than."
Vincent picked up the Sorting Hat and found that its weight was no different from before.
Such advanced magic demonstrates just how powerful the Founders were nearly a thousand years ago.
If he had the chance, he would really like to see all of their belongings.
Unfortunately, apart from the two items in front of us, the rest have all disappeared into the long river of history.
"Professor, what should I do?"
"Put your hand in, and if it deems you qualified, you'll touch the hilt of its sword."
"What if we fail?" Vincent pulled his right hand back from under his hat brim. "What if we touch the blade?"
"Of course not."
Dumbledore looked at Hermione, who was also very interested, and said, "Miss Granger, wouldn't you like to give it a try?"
"No, Professor," she said, but her gaze remained fixed on the Sorting Hat.
Dumbledore, smiling without saying a word, watched Vincent slowly insert his right hand.
"Uh—I failed."
Vincent lowered his head.
A portrait quietly opens its eyes.
Just as Hermione was about to say something to comfort him, he suddenly pulled his hand away.
Along with it came a precious sword.
Surprised?
Vincent, who had just received a pair of eye rolls, was now enjoying its wonderful touch.
It must be said that the Goblin's craftsmanship is truly amazing.
He could forge such a pure silver sword to be indestructible, yet it's not even as heavy as his "Lucy," which was made using modern technology.
Are you sure you don't want to give it a try?
Vincent put the sword back in the Sorting Hat and handed it to Hermione, who had her head turned away.
"I'm not interested in any of this." She glanced at it discreetly, then quickly regained her composure.
He shrugged at Dumbledore and put the Sorting Hat back on the shelf.
"You are a true Gryffindor, Vincent." Dumbledore glanced discreetly at a portrait of a man with contorted features.
"Thank you, Professor." Vincent sat down humbly.
"Wouldn't you like to try some candy?"
He pushed the plate back. "Professor, I have no interest in things I know are bad."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully.
"I think it's time for the Owl Club to announce its formation."
Vincent and Hermione were both stunned.
"Having a healthy body is having the greatest freedom."
Dumbledore winked mischievously. "I hope my students will be free from illness and pain, and not have to endure such unbearable suffering."
Vincent was the first to react, looked extremely unnatural.
How about we chat first?
So it was a test first!
"Professor, should I understand?" He blinked his big eyes, feigning ignorance.
"Ha~" Dumbledore smile. "Minerva is right, you're not an easy little wizard to fool."
Hermione, who seemed to understand but not quite, suddenly widened her eyes.
She stiffly turned her head toward Vincent was still pretending to be stupid.
After McGonagall fell, Dumbledore also fell?
But this eerie atmosphere doesn't seem to fit the bill.