No one was there!
Harry's heart sank, his thoughts descending into chaos as one theory after another fell apart.
Neither Dumbledore nor Vaughn was here. Did that mean he had been overthinking everything-that Dumbledore really had gone to the International Confederation of Wizards, while Vaughn was simply busy?
Guilt followed close behind. Harry knew better than anyone how good Dumbledore and Vaughn had been to him.
Every young witch and wizard at Hogwarts knew the headmaster gave him, the Chosen One, special treatment. Vaughn had also spared no effort teaching him Occlumency in his first year.
And now he was actually suspecting them, even sneaking into the Headmaster's Office. He was horrible!
Harry's breathing grew rapid. Noticing something was wrong with his friend, Ron patted his shoulder. "Hey! Harry, I bet that even if you guessed wrong, Vaughn and Dumbledore are still hiding something from us!"
Harry looked up blankly, confused.
Spotting the snacks on the desk, Ron's eyes lit up. He walked over, picked up a sweet, and popped it into his mouth. "Vaughn's always liked being cryptic. If he actually told us everything, I'd find that strange."
"Cryptic?" Harry blinked. Ron shrugged. "You know, talking in circles and making everyone else guess."
"Vaughn says he hates people who talk in riddles, but he does it himself!"
Harry thought Ron's explanation was a little convoluted, but he understood what he meant.
Talking in circles and making everyone else guess?
Thinking it over, that really did fit Vaughn's style.
Ron's joking distracted Harry, easing some of his guilt.
Just then, a smarmy voice suddenly rang out.
"Oh! Am I dreaming? Two young wizards have actually sneaked into the Headmaster's Office?"
The sudden voice startled both Harry and Ron. Their bodies went rigid, and when they exchanged a glance, each saw