Neither Dumbledore nor Fawkes was in the Headmaster's Office. A letter lay on the long desk.
As Brian approached, the letter suddenly stood upright and announced in an official tone:
"Good morning, afternoon, and evening-your faithful friend, Albus Dumbledore, is currently away on business. During my absence, Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall will temporarily oversee all school affairs. If you have an urgent personal matter that requires contacting me, please visit the Hogwarts Owlery and give your letter to a barn owl with a golden handlebar mustache."
After finishing its message, the letter remained standing. Brian felt as though it was watching him.
"...Thank you?" he said uncertainly.
Only then did the letter settle back into place, apparently satisfied.
All right, Dumbledore was away on business. That made things rather difficult. Brian had meant to ask Dumbledore whether Snape was one of the people who knew about the Philosopher's Stone. Now, he might really have to write a letter and visit the Owlery.
To be honest, he was rather curious to see what a barn owl with a golden handlebar mustache actually looked like.
When Brian left the Headmaster's Office and stepped onto the Moving Staircase, he ran into Snape coming up the stairs.
The atmosphere was awkward. After a long silence, Brian spoke first:
"...If you're here to see Dumbledore, he's not in right now."
Snape's silence deepened. His hand tightened involuntarily around the banister, whether from the cold or his foul mood:
"Did Dumbledore... say when he would return to the school?"
"No... Perhaps you could cast a Warming Charm on yourself? Oh, right, are you looking for Dumbledore on official business or for something personal?" Depending on Snape's answer, Brian intended to direct him to either Professor McGonagall or the Owlery.
But Snape seemed to have had a