The Stone Beast at the entrance to the Headmaster's Office silently turned aside after they gave the password, "Lemon Sherbet." The Spiral Staircase slowly rose, carrying them into the circular room filled with the humming of strange silver instruments. Dumbledore sat behind his broad desk, his blue eyes sharp and profound behind half-moon glasses, as though he had long expected their arrival. His gaze fell directly on Hermione's hand.
"It seems you have brought back a... rather troublesome little gift." Dumbledore's voice was calm, without a trace of emotion.
Hermione carefully placed the Poison Fang on the desk covered with a Velvet Tablecloth, and Lynn promptly removed the layer of Starlight Seal. The instant the seal vanished, a faint yet unpleasant chill spread through the room once more. A small silver instrument in the corner immediately let out a rapid, buzzing warning.
Dumbledore raised a hand slightly, and the buzzing stopped at once. He extended his long fingers but did not touch the Poison Fang directly. Instead, he lightly brushed its cover with the tip of his wand. A soft white light appeared at the wand's tip, scanning the surface like a searchlight.
"A powerful Dark Magic Contract... a fragment of a soul... the young and ambitious Tom Riddle," Dumbledore murmured, as if speaking to himself and explaining it to them at the same time. "A highly intricate trap, capable of drawing upon the holder's life force and will as nourishment to restore itself to this world." He looked up, his gaze sweeping over Hermione and Lynn. "Miss Ginny Weasley?"
"Yes, Professor." Hermione hurriedly gave a quick yet clear account of Ginny's unusual behavior, the trail of ink, the counterattack in the broom cupboard, and Dobby's appearance. She particularly emphasized how Lynn had used Star Power to seal and disperse