Ian had thought he would need to chat with Fawkes the Phoenix in the Headmaster's Office about raising baby phoenixes and wait quite a while before meeting the old headmaster, who would have finished cleaning up the aftermath.
He had never expected this.
Even though he had Apparated with the Black Phoenix, Albus Dumbledore had still arrived before him—or rather, had this headmaster been waiting here for quite some time already?
Ian noticed Albus Dumbledore's attire. Though he wore the same standard purple robe, this Albus Dumbledore had a dark red scarf wrapped around his neck.
Beyond that, there was also a difference in how neatly he was groomed. The Albus Dumbledore in the underground chamber had clearly been rather unkempt, while the one before him was impeccably dressed and groomed.
Surely he could not have run faster than a young wizard and still had time to freshen himself up? Feeling that something was strange, Ian's mind turned, and he tentatively asked a question.
"Mr. Aberforth?"
He felt that was perhaps the best explanation.
"If my information is correct, at this very moment, Aberforth has shut down his shop because of some of my discourteous behavior and is listing my sins before Ariana's grave in our old hometown." Albus Dumbledore gently shook his head and gestured for Ian to sit.
"Uh, I remember you just told me that you and Professor Nick LeMay needed to deal with Voldemort's aftermath, and that it would be a while before you could meet with me..."
As if suddenly realizing something, Ian swiftly pulled out his Marauder's Map. Yet he saw only one Albus Dumbledore icon on it.
That icon was still dealing with a group from the Ministry of Magic, while several other heads of house had gathered in Snape's office to investigate