Will only rose to leave after discussing the remaining details with Scrimgeour.
Back at Hogwarts, Will ran into someone on his way to Professor Flitwick's office.
An old man with a white beard and white robes stood in the middle of the corridor, a crimson phoenix perched on his shoulder-Dumbledore had returned after a long absence.
Fawkes flapped over to Will's shoulder and kept rubbing his head against Will's.
"Long time no see, Will." Dumbledore smiled cheerfully.
"I see 'Professor Dumbledore' quite often," Will said with a smile. "You seem to be in a good mood. Has the Horcrux hunt been going well?"
"Not particularly. Shall we take a walk and talk?" Dumbledore shook his head, though his expression remained unchanged.
Will was about to say something when Dumbledore added, "I've already spoken to Professor Flitwick. I'm borrowing you for a little while."
"Then let's take a walk." Will did not refuse.
Dumbledore had been away for so long, and Will did not know what he had returned to do this time. Naturally, he wanted to have a chat with him.
The two stepped out of the castle. It was bitterly cold outside, with snowflakes drifting down, but neither seemed to notice.
The snowflakes landing on Fawkes melted straight into droplets. Seemingly displeased, he burst into crimson flames, vaporizing every snowflake that came near.
With Fawkes perched on Will's shoulder, the flames burned right beside his face. Flames hot enough to vaporize snowflakes occasionally licked his hair and face, yet Will showed no reaction.
"Truly remarkable, Will," Dumbledore said as he watched. "To have come this far at such a young age."
"Just a few little tricks, hardly worth mentioning." Silver flames occasionally flickered beside Will's face as well. "So, Professor Dumbledore, you seem rather cheerful for someone whose Horcrux