The door to the Headmaster's Office closed softly behind them. The silver instruments in the room gave off faint chimes, puffing out thin wisps of smoke, while the portraits snored softly as usual.
"Sit, Wade."
Dumbledore settled behind his desk and waved his Wand. A teapot and two porcelain cups sprang out of a cabinet and landed on the desk with a clatter.
Then Wade heard a clear cry—
A golden-red bird fluttered down from its perch and landed lightly on the table just in front of him.
Phoenix Fawkes tilted its head, its bright eyes watching the boy with what seemed to be curiosity and a hint of inquiry.
Then it gently lowered its head, and a tear fell onto the back of Wade's hand, gleaming like a pearl.
Wade paused. The cool liquid on the back of his hand vanished in the blink of an eye, and his body seemed to feel a little lighter as well.
He smiled and said, "Thank you, Fawkes... but I'm not hurt."
"Perhaps it thinks you are hurt," Dumbledore said as he lifted the steaming teapot. "Just in a place the naked eye cannot see."
Fawkes gave a cry and rubbed its head against Wade's arm before flying back to its perch, though its eyes remained fixed on Wade.
"Fawkes still likes you so much."
Dumbledore said with a smile. He poured the tea, rummaged through his drawers, and took out two plates of snacks—the cream toffees and Chocolate Frogs he had mentioned before.
"Travel is tiring. I thought sweets might always make one feel better. Go on, have some, Wade."
Wade thanked him politely, but only held the teacup in his hands.
For the moment, he had no interest in sweets.
Dumbledore pushed the plate of Chocolate Frogs forward again and