The revolving staircase came to a slow stop in an ominous silence. The oak door swung inward on its own, revealing the full view of the Headmaster's office: the circular room was filled with curious silver instruments that emitted faint hums; portraits of former Headmasters hung on the walls, seeming to doze, though the gazes leaking through their half-lidded eyes carried scrutiny.
Dumbledore sat behind an enormous desk, his blue eyes behind half-moon spectacles especially profound in the candlelight. Fawkes perched on a gilded stand nearby, his magnificent tail feathers hanging low.
"Please, sit, Severus, Yanqing." Dumbledore's voice was gentle, yet carried unquestionable authority. Before him sat two steaming cups of honey tea, their cloying sweetness strangely at odds with the room's somber atmosphere.
Snape sat stiffly in his chair, his back ramrod straight as though facing judgment. Lin Yanqing appeared somewhat more at ease, but his hands quietly clenched in his lap.
"First, I hope you understand that the safety of every Hogwarts student is under my... and the professors' care." Dumbledore pressed his fingertips together, his gaze moving slowly between them. "Especially when overly close interactions between certain... different Houses may be connected to some recent unpleasant incidents."
He did not mention Wilkes by name, but his meaning was unmistakable.
Snape's jaw tightened. "We have nothing to do with Wilkes's coma, Headmaster." His voice was cold and hard, sharpened by defensiveness. "The Ravenclaw and Slytherin prefects do not seem to have much contact."
"Of course, of course." Dumbledore nodded lightly, as though accepting his explanation, but those blue eyes still seemed to see through everything. "There may not be much contact, but Hogwarts's walls sometimes witness activities more complicated than lessons." His tone shifted slightly, remaining calm but carrying immense weight. "I have noticed that you seem to