"It seems you've been having a lot of fun with the Sorting Hat." Dumbledore said with a gentle smile, his eyes falling on the long Great Treasure Sword at Ian's waist.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, did you also notice my bravery, loyalty, kindness, love for peace, and fearless embrace of justice that makes people trust me?"
Ian lifted his robe to reveal Gryffindor's Great Treasure Sword.
"...."
Dumbledore was silent for a while before speaking.
"Although it's not exactly surprising, I'm afraid, Mr. Prince, that you will need to leave the sword here with me for some time. There are things it still needs to do... sorry."
It was a very sincere statement.
Ian didn't feel disappointed either.
He didn't have much swordsmanship anyway.
"Just let me take it for a spin around Gryffindor College, that's all. Um, I don't mean anything by it, I just want them to know I'm full of courage, loyalty, kindness, love for peace..."
Ian was trying to cover up.
But he hadn't finished speaking yet.
"Clang!"
As if the always open office window, the cry of the Phoenix interrupted Ian's whimsical kingly plans, and the very much smaller Phoenix Fox suddenly flew toward Ian again.
No surprise.
Fox stopped on Ian's little head again. Ian was somewhat used to it. He took out the freeze-dried food he didn't manage to give to cat-form Professor McGonagall from his pocket.
"Clang!"
Fox showed no signs of wanting to eat it, its cry sounded almost like scolding. Ian put the freeze-dried food in front of his nose, not smelling anything strange.
It was at this moment.
"Dumbledore! Look at what he's done to me! Quick! Quickly send this little brat to Azkaban! I have friends there!"
The Sorting Hat suddenly started hysterically complaining to Dumbledore.
"A change of style looks quite nice too." Dumbledore cheerfully commented on the Sorting Hat's new look, leaving the Sorting Hat a little dumbfounded.
"Is... is it?"
Its voice considerably quieter.
"But my Protective Armor..."
Even though the Sorting Hat seemed coaxed, it still seemed a bit reluctant.
After all, it was a millennium's accumulation.
"Ptooey ptooey ptooey!"
Ian rushed to the rubbish bin and spat several times, then with the steadfast Phoenix Fox on his head, walked back and raised the freeze-dried food in his hand.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, care to try some snacks?"
His voice seemed eager to share.
However, it was clear that Dumbledore wasn't yet senile.
"I still prefer cockroach clusters." Dumbledore straightforwardly refused Ian's freeze-dried food, walked to his desk, and took out a bunch of brown candies, trying to counter Ian.
"Want some?"
The brown items he held could either be candies in a cockroach shape or real cockroaches disguised as candies. Regardless of winning or losing the gamble, Ian felt it would nauseate him.
"No, thank you."
Ian put the freeze-dried food back into his robe. It was somewhat spoiled, but he wasn't planning on wasting it, thinking of giving it to Scabbers next year, who eats everything.
If the rat can't get enough to eat.
Scabbers probably wouldn't mind eating some fermented food.
"How about some other snacks then?"
Dumbledore put the cockroach clusters into his mouth, resembling a warm and welcoming elderly man, gesturing with slightly candy-stained hands for Ian to sit across from him.
"Is steak okay?"
Ian hadn't eaten much dinner; after all, Marcus Flint had been staring at him, which sufficiently affected his speed of grabbing meat with his two roommates and other little wizards.
"Can't it be dessert? I should only have desserts here."
Dumbledore showed a troubled expression.
Ian pondered slightly.
"Then get me a honey steak."
He made a concession.
"...."
Dumbledore was speechless for the second time today, he gazed at the little wizard in front of him for a long time, then clapped towards the air where no one was.
A cup of honey water appeared in front of Ian.
Probably from those house-elves who often hide themselves.
Ian looked a bit disappointed.
"I probably still have some steak left undigested in my stomach." It could barely be considered a form of psychological comfort. After drinking the honey water, Ian used another way to "eat" honey steak.
"...."
Dumbledore looked a little entranced.
"Alright, Headmaster Dumbledore, I'm ready for a debate with you now." Ian drank the entire cup of honey water in one go, then sat up straight, ready for Dumbledore's lecture.
"Mr. Prince, there is no need for any debate between us, after all, I am very aware that you have maintained enough restraint in this conflict, and that is something praiseworthy." Dumbledore's gaze felt like two abyssal pools, his gentle yet powerful voice carried an indescribable sense of lament.
"It was bullying! They ganged up and bullied me!"
Ian indignantly corrected Dumbledore's wording.
"Yes, indeed, I happened to pass by and witnessed this very inappropriate incident... I believe Severus can educate his students well, I have already sent the frightened little wizards over to him." Dumbledore nodded without refuting, but instead, comforting along Ian's words.
"I was the one scared out of wits, you see, my stomach's shrunk a whole size." Ian sighed with lingering fear, even patting his not-full stomach.