Leaving the principal's office, they descended the long spiral staircase. Torches flickered unsteadily along the stone walls, and the gargoyle by the door was still exactly as it had always been.
"Professor McGonagall is actually a very nice person. She's just too serious, so lots of students were afraid of her when they were in school." Hermione walked ahead with her hands behind her back, practically skipping down the stairs in high spirits. "But I think having her as principal is the best choice for the students."
"I think so too. Hogwarts is a school, after all. Strict school rules might not suit the tiny handful of geniuses, but they're better for most ordinary wizards."
Su Ming nodded behind the girl. The two emerged from the tower housing the principal's office and stood on a platform, waiting for the shifting staircase to swing over from elsewhere. He lowered his head, lit the cigarette in his mouth, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"Anyway, she's definitely better than Hagrid would be as principal."
"Hehe! How could Hagrid possibly become principal? Professor, honestly, you're making those sarcastic jokes about people again." Hermione lightly punched him, then tidied her hair. They might be seeing many familiar faces next, so she needed to make herself presentable. "His strange fondness for magical creatures, along with his somewhat regrettable spellcasting ability, basically means he could never hold a position like that."
A bell rang overhead. Amid a rumble, the distant staircase broke apart and rotated through the air before reassembling in front of them.
They could go down now. This staircase was not user-friendly at all. Scheduled things really were no substitute for smart homes.
They continued downward, chatting and laughing until they reached a viaduct connecting the principal's tower to the main castle. Looking down