The Headmaster's Office is still the same Headmaster's Office, with the same layout as before, except that there are a few more strange little decorations now.
When Vincent entered, he greeted the portraits of the former principals who were pretending to be asleep with great politeness.
Unable to wake the headmasters who were pretending to be asleep, he went to the Sorting Hat that was placed on the shelf.
Good afternoon, Mr. Hat.
The Sorting Hat split open in the middle, forming a gaping, smiling mouth. "Child, long time no see! I've composed a few new melodies based on those Muggle records you gave me. Would you like to hear them?"
"OK."
"Ah—oh—um—" The Sorting Hat opened its mouth and sang a school song with a particularly light and lively rhythm, but the tone was so strange that it sounded like it was being sung with a mouthful of phlegm.
After it finished singing, Vincent gave it a warm round of applause.
Hermione, standing to the side, clapped somewhat awkwardly, while Dumbledore clapped with an appreciative look.
"Mr. Hat, did you borrow a melody from the Dance Choir's 'Sweet Dreams'? I think your singing skills need improvement. Their lead singer, Anne Lennox, studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is known for her captivating, semi-opera-style singing. Her androgynous voice is quite unique, and her ethereal, profound, and heavenly voice touches the soul. She is considered one of the best female voices in modern times."
The Sorting Hat tilted slightly forward from the large slit in the middle. "I was wondering why my singing sounded strange; it turns out it was a problem with my singing technique."
Vincent talked to it a lot, Dumbledore listened with great interest the whole time. Hermione got used to it and was no longer reserved, occasionally chiming in with a few words.
As dusk approached, the Sorting Hat's singing skills showed significant improvement.
Although it still sounds a bit like someone has phlegm in their mouth, it's not exactly unpleasant to listen to. It's somewhat like Mary Manson when she first formed a band across the Atlantic Ocean.
After the topic of the Sorting Hat creating a new melody had passed, Vincent, having obtained its permission, drew the Sword of Gryffindor and examined it closely.
It must be admitted that the Goblin's skills are indeed superb.
Vincent compared the sword with the Flamel Ring he wore on his left index finger and concluded that although both were made of silver and iron, their craftsmanship and magical properties were completely different.
After all, they were manufactured in different eras, and their most basic functions are also different, so it's normal for them to have some differences.
Vincent returned the Sword of Gryffindor, then smiled and turned to the gilded perch beside him to tease Fawkes.
It seems to have lost weight since I last saw it.
Vincent habitually pulled out a bag of cookies. "Here, have some more. I also have potato chips and dried fish."
Hermione noticed that Dumbledore's lips twitched suddenly.
They've been rambling on and on since they came in, it seems they're determined to maintain control.
However, experience counts, Dumbledore quickly returned to his smiling demeanor.
Until Vincent leisurely took a barbecue grill out of the Flamel Ring.
"Professor, it's already dinner time. Hermione and I are still developing, you won't mind, will you?"
Dumbledore looked defeated and shook his head helplessly. "You win, boy."
A victorious Vincent wisely put the barbecue grill away. "What's with all this talk of winning or losing, Professor? Do I look like the kind of person who's so petty?"
Hermione quickly covered her mouth, trying hard to suppress the urge to laugh.
She remembered that three years ago, in her first year of high school, at the same place and around the same time, Dumbledore had tested Vincent several times.
Now the roles are completely reversed, Dumbledore, who had questions to ask, is now in the hands of Vincent.
This truly echoes the ancient Eastern proverb that Cedric recently learned from Qiu Xue: "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; never underestimate a young man's potential."
It's rare to see Dumbledore wearing the mask of pain, and Hermione, while suppressing a laugh, straightened her back slightly, looking rather proud.
The joyful atmosphere didn't last long.
Vincent, who had taken the initiative, suddenly said, "Professor, I'm really hungry. Ask me any questions you have."
Dumbledore slowly walked to the huge round table with claw-shaped legs and sat down.
He waved his hand gently, moving all the small items on the table to a nearby small table with thin legs.
Then he snapped his fingers, and three steaming dinners appeared on the huge round table in front of him.
"Mr. Wayne, Miss Granger, let's talk after we finish eating."
Dinner was a traditional Britain stew, probably because Dumbledore getting old and his teeth and stomach weren't in good shape.
After the meal, the empty plates on the table were replaced with black tea and colorful candies.
Dumbledore picked a red one and put it in his mouth, his old face immediately contorting in a grimace. "Oh— Merlin! My luck is terrible, I actually picked the Dragon's Breath Chili flavor."
Vincent and Hermione quickly withdrew their hands.
Even after all these years, Dumbledore still enjoys these strange and unusual new candies.
"Won't you have one?"
Vincent shook his head vigorously, "No, Professor, you know me, I won't try things I know are bad."
Dumbledore smiled and took a sip of his black tea. "Well, let's get down to business."
His expression turned serious. "Mr. Wayne, Miss Granger, do you think Principal Karkaroff is the one who cursed the dragon?"
After thinking for a moment, both of them shook their heads.
"Why?"
Vincent nodded to Hermione, who then explained her reasoning.
"Professor, although Principal Karkaroff is a former Death Eaters, if he did it voluntarily or under pressure from Voldemort—that man—then his performance this afternoon was far too over the top."
Hermione analyzes Karkaroff's character from Muggle psychology perspective, especially his exaggerated rage and hysteria after Moody points out that he had secretly gone to the Forbidden Forest.
A normal person would definitely feel wronged if they were wronged. They would be angry, become hysterical, and even argue their case, or lose their rationality.
Karkaroff's reaction was like a cat suddenly bristling when its tail was stepped on, far more exaggerated than a normal person's behavior, like a madman actively provoking Moody.
Needless to say, he must have hated Moody to the core, but at the same time, he also had a deep-seated fear of Moody.
Therefore, all of Karkaroff's exaggerated rage and hysteria on the surface are just a paper dragon breathing fire. In reality, he is a frightened bird that has been tormented countless times by the Cruciatus Curse. Once his sore spot is touched, he will lose all reason and become a complete madman.
"In conclusion, I don't think Principal Karkaroff is acting. People with a scheming mind are often good at pretending. Every word he says and every action he takes will have a certain degree of purpose."
Hermione took the black tea Vincent offered and moistened her throat. "And his behavior was really terrible. Not only did he insult Professor Moody, but he also showed strong dissatisfaction with the British Ministry of Magic. This will only provoke them and increase their suspicions about him."