"Professor Dumbledore!"
When McGonagall burst into the Hogwarts headmaster's office, there was another wizard in the room—a short, stout man with a mess of gray hair, dressed in a pinstriped cloak and purple pointed shoes.
Seeing Professor McGonagall barge in, he made no attempt to hide the surprise on his face.
"Oh, sorry, minister."
Professor McGonagall's cheeks flushed, and her voice trembled slightly. She pressed her lips together, apparently not expecting the Minister for Magic to still be there. Only after apologizing did she turn back to the master of the office, her expression extremely grave. "But I have something to report to the headmaster... Albus, I need a moment."
"Of course, of course... As it happens, Professor Dumbledore and I have finished our discussion as well."
Cornelius's expression was somewhat unnatural. He picked up the dark green top hat beside the desk, rose to his feet in agitation, and gave the Hogwarts headmaster a slight nod. "Then, Albus, I hope you will seriously consider our proposal..."
With that, he headed straight for the fireplace.
"London!"
At the crisp call, golden-red flames whirled swiftly inside the fireplace. Cornelius stepped into the fire and vanished from the headmaster's office in an instant.
Professor McGonagall's gaze swept from the Sorting Hat on the shelf to the Gryffindor Sword in the cabinet, before finally falling on Phoenix Fawkes, who was dozing nearby with his wings tucked in.
"Minerva, perhaps you need a cup of hot chocolate."
The old wizard behind the desk tapped the tabletop. A steaming cup of beverage floated lightly before the witch, swaying beneath her nose as though urging her to drink it quickly.
Professor McGonagall had no choice but to take the cup and sip it.
She immediately calmed down considerably.
Then she suddenly hesitated, not knowing where to