Layer upon layer of staircases marked by the passage of time passed beneath their feet.
Figures flashed past one after another in the windows along the castle's outer walls.
Before long, they reached the floor where Professor Dumbledore's office was located.
As Cypher and the others' eyes widened slightly, the professor showed no intention of stopping.
Instead, he continued upward without pause.
Without slowing his steps, Cypher turned his gaze toward Iris.
In his line of sight, Iris also shook her head lightly in confusion. Cypher understood that she did not know where the professor was taking them either.
He had intended to ask, but at the turn of the stairs, Cypher noticed Professor Dumbledore's brows tightly furrowed, as though he were pondering something important.
Cypher temporarily suppressed his curiosity.
The professor would not harm him. Once they reached their destination, he would naturally find out.
A gilded—or perhaps solid gold—door opened silently.
Golden sunlight streamed through crystal windows into the magnificent room, making the glittering golden vessels even more dazzling.
Fortunately, Cypher had seen the wealth of Iris's family and the others' families before. Otherwise, he truly would have been stunned.
"I told Horace that a school is a place of work and shouldn't be so... ostentatious. But he believes this can demonstrate the authority of Hogwarts's Deputy Headmaster, making it easier to wrangle with those Ministry of Magic officials..."
So you and Headmaster Armando Dippet simply allowed Professor Slughorn to do this? Cypher sneered inwardly.
"Sit..."
Professor Dumbledore gestured for Cypher and the others to sit on the dragonhide sofa.
He then walked to a gem-studded standing cabinet nearby and pointed his wand at it several times.
Before long, Professor Dumbledore returned and sat opposite Cypher with a bottle of slightly viscous blue drink.
This was definitely