A few days before Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel arrived at Salisbury Plain.
Far away at Hogwarts.
Inside the Transfiguration Class office.
An anxious atmosphere filled the antique, elegant room.
Luna was doing slightly better. Having brewed potions for years, she was merely curled up on the sofa, twisting her thumbs around each other nonstop, her pure blue eyes fixed unblinkingly on the hexagram array before her.
A cross rested atop the array. Once Cypher broke the seal, the pure silver cross would reflect a faint silver glow.
Prayer magic was the Holy Church's most widespread spell. In truth, it was simply the Lumos Charm, except even Squibs could light the cross through those rituals.
Cassandra clearly did not possess Luna's patience. Unable to suppress the restlessness in her heart, she needed an outlet. Yet Iris could need her at any moment, and Luna needed her company as well, so she could only pace back and forth around the office in frustration.
"Luna, Cypher shattered the Resonance Orb he was supposed to use to break the seal, but two days have passed without the slightest sign of anything happening. And he hasn't told us he's left the sealed place either."
"Do you think he..."
Just as Luna was about to stop Cassandra from "cursing" Cypher—
Knock, knock—
The office door was struck heavily.
At a time like this...
Luna and Cassandra exchanged glances. Cassandra nodded, indicating that she would answer the door.
"Professor Dumbledore... no... who are you?"
The man before her looked very much like Dumbledore, though there were still some differences. More importantly, his scent was unfamiliar to her.
Cassandra came to her senses and studied the middle-aged man before her with a wary gaze.
"This is Professor Dumbledore's younger brother—Mr. Aberforth Dumbledore. Please let him in."
Of course