42: What Goes Around Comes Around!

The Phoenix named Fawkes gently used its beak to tidy Ian's messy hair.

The atmosphere in the air seemed to freeze.

Big eyes stared into little eyes.

Dumbledore's raised hand was awkwardly suspended, neither able to remain raised nor lowered. Even with his Occlumency mastered to the fullest, the old man could not conceal the embarrassment on his face.

"It seems Fawkes likes you very much. That is truly rare. Most of the time, Fawkes is rather aloof toward humans."

Dumbledore could only use words to break the awkwardness of his current situation.

"Professor..."

Ian clearly knew that the fluffy bird perched on his head was definitely one of the most terrifying creatures in the wizarding world. He looked pleadingly at Dumbledore.

Doing his utmost to keep his head balanced.

Although he had always been curious about Phoenixes, this was like Lord Ye's love of dragons: cat lovers who liked lions probably would not want to greet one face-to-face.

"Don't worry. A Phoenix possesses wisdom far greater than that of humans. It is only playing with you." Dumbledore's eyes behind his spectacles were also filled with astonishment.

He truly had never seen Fawkes become so close to anyone other than himself. Even kind and courageous Young Wizards had never made Fawkes this willing to groom their "feathers."

That was right.

Fawkes now looked as though it were grooming Ian's feathers, utterly affectionate.

"Ms. Elena said that you usually enjoy playing with birds. Perhaps you also possess a talent for connecting with Fantastic Beasts, just like Master Newt Scamander."

This was probably the most reasonable explanation Dumbledore could think of. As everyone knew, only members of the Dumbledore family possessed the ability to summon a Phoenix in times of crisis.

These special and powerful Fantastic Beasts did not owe their lives to generation after generation of reproduction, but rather to some sort of response to the bloodline possessed by the Dumbledore family.

Perhaps other families might also possess similar bloodlines.

However.

As for Fawkes alone, it had been born for Albus Dumbledore. Its will and emotions should have shared a deep connection only with Albus Dumbledore.

"Newt Scamander? The author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?" Ian still did not dare move recklessly, trying his best to keep both his body and head balanced.

Dubai tycoons would also say the lions they kept were gentle. But did the servants around those Dubai tycoons dare to gamble on it?

"Yes, he and I are Old Friends. We once fought together, inseparable." Dumbledore gazed at the person and bird before him, his Eyes flickering faintly for no apparent reason.

"If he knew there was a child like you at the school, perhaps he would no longer refuse my invitation to teach. It seems that when I return, I will need to write Newt a tempting letter."

An expectant smile appeared on Dumbledore's face.

"Uh, I don't think I have that kind of talent... I only feel that your bird is toying with me..." Ian could feel the Phoenix moving atop his head.

It had already begun grooming Ian's eyebrows. Being so close to the dangerous area around his eyeballs made Ian worry that he might get pecked.

Who knew whether a Phoenix might be curious about moving eyeballs?

Too terrifying.

Who would have thought that a master bird-player would one day be played by a real bird?

"Enough, Fawkes. It is time for us to return."

Dumbledore saw Ian's nervousness and finally called out to the Phoenix.

"Kree!"

After letting out a reluctant cry, the Phoenix still answered Dumbledore's call. It gently rose from Ian's head, transformed into a streak of red light, and returned to Dumbledore's side.

"If you need any help, you can come to me, or Professor Snape. He is cold on the outside but warm-hearted within. We would both be more than happy to help you solve your problems."

It was unclear whether Dumbledore meant magical research or other matters as well. He smiled and waved at Ian, then vanished from the room in an instant along with the Phoenix.

The turbulence in space gradually subsided.

Only Ian remained in the quiet living room, still shaken.

Perhaps because he had yet to recover from the fright.

He did not notice the delicate pattern on the Back of the Hand gradually fading away—indeed, even Dumbledore had Failed To notice that it had lit up earlier.

Perhaps.

It was because no one but Ian could see it.

"Phew~"

Space twisted.

Dumbledore's figure appeared in a corridor of Hogwarts Castle.

Night Curtain had fallen.

A layer of soft, mysterious moonlight draped the castle corridor like a gauzy veil. Ancient wall lamps lined both sides of the winding hallway, giving off a dim yet warm glow.

"Fawkes, you were rather too rude today. You frightened that child." Dumbledore Walked Over to the window, with the Phoenix resting on his shoulder.

"Kree!"

The fiery-red Phoenix crooned softly.

"You mean you think he needs your care?" Dumbledore did not understand the language of Phoenixes, but he had lived with Fawkes for many years after all.

"Kree!"

The Phoenix responded once more.

"Truly incredible... Two special children."

A night breeze swept in through the window.

Dumbledore looked at the moon outside. His aged face was calm, yet in those deep, dazzling Eyes seemed to be reflected the utterly different figures of a boy and a girl.

He was thinking.

He was puzzled.

He murmured softly.

"I only hope it is not as I imagine..."

The old man's figure looked somewhat stooped in the night wind, carrying a sense of weariness.

And just then.

"Tap, tap, tap~"

Footsteps Sounded.

A man wrapped from head to toe in black robes Walked Over from the depths of the castle, carrying several boxes. The scent of medicinal herbs began to spread through the air.

"Severus."

Dumbledore did not turn around, yet accurately called the newcomer by name.

"Heh, Albus, it seems you have begun suffering from insomnia again. Perhaps I can give you a bottle of Dreamless Sleep Potion, so that you may at least avoid being tormented by nightmares for one night."

Snape stopped, wearing a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"I have only just returned from outside."

Dumbledore finally turned around and looked at the boxes in Snape's hands. "Though I do feel that I will have insomnia tonight, I would still like to rid myself of my dependence on potions."

Faced with that answer.

Snape merely nodded.

"A foolish choice."

He was as sharp-tongued as ever.

"Are you not going to brew Felix Felicis?"

From the ingredients in Snape's hands, Dumbledore deduced what Snape was doing. This probably counted as a way of changing the subject.

"If you want a potion, I will be in tonight."

Snape lifted his foot again and headed toward his office.

And just then.

"Wait."

Dumbledore suddenly spoke.

"Changed your mind?"

Snape turned back expressionlessly.

"I merely wish to ask something else. Of course, this request is only to satisfy my curiosity. I hope you will not misunderstand because of it."

Dumbledore seemed to be weighing his words. Seeing Snape's impatient expression, he finally lowered his voice and asked somewhat hesitantly.

"When you have the time, could you go back and look through the Prince Family genealogy? See whether, among the most recent five generations, there was ever a marriage between the Prince Family and the Dumbledore family?"

The same corridor.

The same two people.

However.

This time.

It was Snape's turn to be dumbfounded.