The Sorting Hat's snores suddenly sounded.
On the walls.
The portraits of past headmasters had originally intended to continue playing their role as eternal spectators, but Armando Dippet, a recent Hogwarts headmaster, silently led them off to visit other Picture Frames in the school.
Even Hogwarts's most unpopular headmaster, the irritable Phineas Black, followed without a word, quietly disappearing from the Headmaster's Office.
"Ah?"
The clever Ravenclaw prefect Penelope had not noticed this, but she still sensed that something was off about the atmosphere and could not help looking at Fawkes, who had brought her to the Headmaster's Office.
On the tall gilded perch.
The feathers of the Phoenix named Fawkes were falling out. Though she did not know why, its lively form was still so beautiful that it seemed dazzling.
"I was asking around about something, and word reached you this quickly?" The helpful senior student Penelope had merely put her willingness to help into action.
She had not expected the ghosts to report her to the headmaster.
"Miss Clearwater, there are no secrets at Hogwarts." Dumbledore smiled softly and poured himself a cup of tea. Honey Black Tea steamed inside the exquisitely crafted porcelain cup.
"Would you like some?"
The Ravenclaw prefect apparently had not prompted Dumbledore to bring out the snacks he kept in his office. In truth, Penelope, whose heart was filled with confusion and a little unease, had no mind for tea.
"No, thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore. I don't think I broke any School Rules, did I?" Penelope only cared whether this inexplicable attention would get her punished. She had merely been asking about a pair of seemingly nonexistent twins. Had it really become serious enough for the headmaster to summon her for a private talk?
Under normal circumstances.
The selfless Dumbledore did not enjoy