Professor McGonagall's cautious attitude delighted Harry and Ron, but they were still very nervous.
The three left the Common Room, then went down the corridor to the Headmaster's Office. The entrance was already open, revealing the spiral staircase inside.
"It looks as though Dumbledore is awake," Professor McGonagall said, leading them into the Headmaster's Office.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, fully dressed. It seemed he had not woken up, but rather had never gone to sleep. His phoenix, Fawkes, on the other hand, was sleeping soundly on the perch by the door.
"Harry, tell Dumbledore what you dreamed," Professor McGonagall said.
Harry nodded and quickly recounted what had happened in his dream. To make sure Dumbledore took it seriously, he added, "Professor, I don't think this was just a dream."
"Yes, I think so too." Dumbledore nodded, then looked at the wall, where several portraits hung. Harry recognized them as the successive headmasters of Hogwarts. Among them was one he had seen at the Black Mansion. That was an ancestor of Sirius's.
Clearly, however, that ancestor did not like Sirius very much. In fact, none of the portraits Harry had seen at the Black Mansion liked Sirius much-which was hardly surprising, since Sirius's actions and ideas ran counter to the Black family's traditions.
If Sirius had not helped Kreacher fulfill a certain wish-Harry knew it had something to do with that Horcrux, but did not know the details-even Kreacher would not have been willing to treat Sirius decently.
"You all heard that, didn't you? I need your help," Dumbledore told the portraits.
"Yes!" An old witch with silver curls opened her eyes, while a wizard with short black hair immediately nodded as well. The Black family ancestor looked rather languid, but he nodded too.
Although the other headmasters' portraits gave