Minerva left Kyle at the gargoyle on the eighth floor after helping him with the password.
"Lemon Drop."
The headmaster's office looked the same as always. Fawkes lounged lazily on his perch, barely lifting his head to greet the young visitor.
Kyle placed some dittany leaves next to the perch as a greeting gift.
This time, Dumbledore didn't play his disappearing act. He simply sat there smiling, a familiar bottle on the desk before him.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you." Dumbledore said, rising to hand him the suppression potion, "You know, just like last time."
"Of course, Headmaster." Kyle nodded, accepting the bottle, "I'll get this to Michael right away."
"Hmm... there's no rush. If you're not busy, would you mind chatting with this old man for a while?" Seeing Kyle's silence, Dumbledore added, "No need to be nervous — just casual conversation, like when you were at Newt's."
"I'm just a bit surprised." Kyle scratched his head, "But Headmaster, um... I only have dittany leaves now, really no more bluebells."
"...Fawkes has a good temperament, he won't stay angry forever." Dumbledore's expression froze slightly but quickly returned to normal, "I received your Christmas gift."
He conjured a fresh glass of lemonade for Kyle.
"I finished reading it that very day and have read it many times since... truly fascinating."
At first, Kyle thought he was just being polite, but then he realized his mistake.
Dumbledore pulled out two pairs of wool socks from his desk drawer. One was red with gold trim, the other slightly smaller in blue and pink. Both socks had a large letter "A" embroidered on them.
Kyle looked up and asked instinctively, "Did you... knit these?"
"Yes." Dumbledore said proudly, "I have quite a talent for knitting socks. Succeeded on my first try."
Kyle opened and closed his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.
What was happening to the wizarding world?
The Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Order of Merlin, First Class, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and universally acknowledged as the most powerful white wizard Albus Dumbledore... was proud of his sock-knitting talent?
And judging by his expression, he was genuinely delighted about it.
"You knit very well, Headmaster." Kyle said dryly.
"Thank you." Dumbledore put away the two pairs of wool socks and sighed, "My greatest regret this year must be not preparing a Christmas gift for you. How dreadful."
Kyle waved his hands dismissively. He hadn't expected a gift from the Headmaster anyway.
Yet as a model student, he couldn't bear to see Dumbledore troubled by guilt.
'Perhaps I should just ask for a gift myself?' Kyle pondered, rubbing his chin.
Though it seemed somewhat brazen, he didn't mind a little embarrassment for the Headmaster's peace of mind.
He glanced toward the corner of the office, where a dusty mirror stood — probably not worth much. Or perhaps that rough stone basin beside it would do.
After all, this was merely for show — choosing something worth mere Sickles would be most fitting.
"I'm so thoughtful." Kyle mused, making no attempt to hide his intentions.
Beside him, Dumbledore seemed to catch on, his mouth twitching slightly.
"Headmaster, could you give—" Kyle began.
"Give you another glass of lemonade? Of course." Dumbledore tapped the desk, conjuring a fresh glass.
"No, I meant tod—"
"Today's weather is quite nice indeed."
Nice weather?
Kyle glanced outside — it had been snowing all day without pause.
But Dumbledore didn't let him speak again. He too looked out the window and said wistfully, "I hadn't noticed how late it's gotten."
Kyle understood the hint.
Though disappointed he couldn't ease the old man's troubles, he said dutifully, "Then I'll head back now. Michael is waiting for his medicine."
"Would you like to take some snacks back?" Dumbledore pulled open a drawer filled with all sorts of candies and preserves.
Kyle was about to refuse, but then he noticed these weren't ordinary sweets — they were premium candies, including varieties he had never seen before.
"Thank you on Michael's behalf."
When Kyle left the headmaster's office, his pockets were stuffed with treats.
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭
As the oak door closed...
In the headmaster's office, Snape emerged from his hiding place, his eyes narrowing as he studied the chair where Kyle had sat.
"I'm curious, Severus." Dumbledore said, securing a gleaming golden lock on the drawer, "You specifically requested Kyle's presence, yet you concealed yourself."
"You dismissed him too soon." Snape said flatly, "Our agreement was for him to remain here thirty minutes."
"Students have their own affairs to attend to." Dumbledore replied, sipping his tea, "We mustn't impose too much on their time, Severus."
"Is that so..." Snape cast a glance at the Mirror of Erised before heading toward the door.
"Severus." Dumbledore's voice halted him, "Your prejudice against Kyle runs too deep."
Snape turned, "What exactly are you implying?"
"Kyle is a good child." Dumbledore said calmly, "I know that on Christmas Day he gave gifts to every professor — even Mrs. Norris, the least popular among students, received a pack of dried fish."
"Oh?" Snape drawled, eyes narrowing, "What are you suggesting?"
"I believe he simply forgot about his Potions professor through momentary carelessness." Dumbledore said with a smile, "You know, even I make such basic mistakes occasionally. It's perfectly normal — you shouldn't harbor prejudice against Kyle because of this."
"Perhaps it wasn't forgetfulness at all."
With a cold snort, Snape yanked open the door and stormed out of the headmaster's office without a backward glance.
✭✭✭
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