Still mulling over Vaughn's words, Harry asked instinctively, "Why?"
Ron, who had been trembling like a quail moments ago, spat viciously and snapped, "Running into that guy first thing in the morning—my day's definitely going to be cursed!"
Harry burst out laughing. Ron's antics actually eased much of his frustration.
"Come to think of it, weren't you going to see that old bat? How did you end up coming out with Vaughn?"
Harry opened his mouth, hesitated, then decided not to mention what had happened in the Potions office. Although Vaughn had not told him to keep it secret and did not seem to mind if he told others what he had seen.
But lately, Harry had constantly been mocked for having a big mouth, and he did care somewhat about his reputation. Never mind being tight-lipped—at the very least, he could not earn himself the nickname of someone who could not keep his mouth shut.
He decided he would ask Vaughn when he had the chance before considering whether to tell Ron.
So he casually brushed the matter aside and returned to Gryffindor Tower with Ron, who was still chattering away with complaints.
While Harry and Ron headed back, Vaughn, who had left ahead of them, did not return to Slytherin in the dungeons. Instead, he left the dungeons and made his way up the stairs to the headmaster's office.
Unlike the past while, when the spiral staircase had been raised and the office sealed away, today the staircase to the headmaster's office was lowered, bright light spilling down from above.
Vaughn climbed the steps. He had only made it halfway when Dumbledore's voice came from above. "Vaughn, my dear, is that you? Come on up. I was just about to brew a pot of fine tea for you!"