"Fleur Delacour? I thought you would come tomorrow. It's already so late tonight."
After opening the door and seeing his visitor, Karn said a few words before returning to his desk, leaving the doorway clear. Pheobe came inside and closed the door.
What she was about to discuss might damage the Delacour Family's reputation, so Pheobe had to keep it confidential.
"Professor Pent, pleased to meet you. I'm Fleur Delacour, from Beauxbatons."
Pheobe's palms clenched slightly. She had come on impulse and actually had no idea what to say. Occasionally, late at night, she had heard bits of news from her parents. Knowing that her family faced bankruptcy, she had come here on impulse, but she had absolutely no idea what she should say.
"I know your name. You're a champion in the Triwizard Tournament. Everyone at Hogwarts knows you. But if you don't know what to say, you can go back and rehearse first. I'm rather busy right now, after all."
Karn's words suggested that he wanted her to leave. It was admittedly a little rude to send someone away just after inviting them in, but he really was busy. He needed to craft alchemical items, look up unfamiliar ancient runes, and perhaps inquire about wizards proficient in Ancient Runes so he could ask them for some guidance.
Karn's time was extraordinarily precious now. Even if he could spare a little, he did not want to listen to Pheobe introduce herself again.
Pheobe also saw the expensive magical materials on Karn's desk. There were around two pounds of mithril alone. As for adamantine, which only goblins in the Wizarding World could produce and which reportedly cost nearly a hundred Galleons per gram, there was a piece the size of a baby's fist on the desk.
"Professor Pent, it's..."
Pheobe