Just as Ian was contemplating whether he could spare some Golden Galleons so that his good roommate could drink the Polyjuice Potion and replace him to endure Snape's persecution this time.
The castle was already within sight.
"Follow me!"
Snape looked up and saw students still peering towards the Forbidden Forest with telescopes at the window, grabbed Ian, and wanted to take him on a detour through a secret passage back to Hogwarts.
"Snape, I need to borrow Mr. Prince for a moment to learn more specifics about the Forbidden Forest." Dumbledore suddenly raised a hand to interrupt Snape's actions.
Snape's expression changed a few times.
"You're the Headmaster, what you say goes."
He gave Dumbledore a deep look, decisively releasing his grip on Ian's hand.
"Mind your own mouth and don't let me hear you boasting about your great achievements at school." Snape sternly warned Ian.
He placed particular emphasis on the words "great achievements," drawing them out in his voice. After saying this, he flicked his cloak and turned straight to walk outside the castle.
"What's he up to?"
Ian was a bit baffled by Snape's actions.
"Who knows?"
Dumbledore shrugged.
"I think we should head to the Headmaster's office to chat about my less-than-ideal student." With that, Dumbledore led Ian into the castle and up to the eighth floor's Headmaster's Office.
"Honey Jellies."
Dumbledore recited the entry password.
Ian knew it was useless to memorize it since the password to this room changed too frequently, sometimes he even thought Dumbledore had a persecution complex.
Following Dumbledore into the room, up the spiral staircase through the wooden door, Ian didn't see Phoenix Fox, and the office's windows were at an angle where sunlight pierced through.
The sunlight, like meticulously polished gold threads, passed warmly through the gaps in the curtains, casting constantly shifting shadows on the walls as the curtains swayed.
In the spacious office, a pot of hot tea was steaming on the desk, its fragrance filling the space, and beside the teacup was a peculiar pastry Ian couldn't identify.
It resembled a pancake roll, but it was filled entirely with jam.
"Care for a cup?"
Dumbledore poured himself a cup of tea, and without waiting for Ian's reply, poured one for Ian as well, downing the seemingly scalding hot tea in one go.
"I still prefer drinking honey lemonade."
Ian didn't touch the tea on the table, not because he didn't trust Dumbledore, fearing that he would add Truth Serum to the tea, but because he worried that drinking the tea would keep him awake and lead him to roam the castle at night.
Snape really seemed quite upset.
Ian thought he should lay low for a few days—he felt quite wronged too, having only intended to go out as a little mushroom picker, only to accidentally stumble upon Voldemort, this toxic mushroom.
"You can make some yourself then." Dumbledore gestured towards some honey nearby, as he sat in his chair, looking just a tad weary.
"I can hold off, it's almost time for dinner."
Ian's response prompted Dumbledore to nod noncommittally. Just as Ian was wondering why Dumbledore had invited him here and watched as Dumbledore drank cup after cup of tea without speaking.
"Do you still have the stone?" Dumbledore suddenly asked, quite abruptly, even catching Ian - who had been mulling over why Dumbledore had called him here - off guard.
"Of course, I still have it."
Ian had expected Dumbledore to discuss matters related to Voldemort, or perhaps take him on another memory tour, but surprisingly, Dumbledore was concerned about the Resurrection Stone passed on by Grindelwald.
His response brought a hint of joy to Dumbledore's face.
"I need to borrow it temporarily..." Dumbledore's eyes suddenly brightened almost frighteningly, his hand slightly trembling, then realizing his slip, he quickly made amends.
"It's for a certain purpose... a purpose that I can't reveal to you yet." This justification wasn't particularly convincing, as anyone could tell it was an excuse.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, it can't actually revive anyone, I think we all know that." Ian frowned slightly, not handing over the Resurrection Stone immediately.
"I am well aware of that."
Dumbledore's eyes flickered incessantly.
"Trust me, I won't go astray like those fools, I simply... have a plan, yes, a plan." His voice carried a deeply meaningful tone.
Yet still with that enigmatic sense.
Only, Ian's frown deepened.
"Alright."
Ian didn't continue to say anything further, nor did he share any of his thoughts with Dumbledore, instead, he directly produced a Resurrection Stone Ring that shone with a deep luster.
"Here it is."
Ian pushed the Resurrection Stone Ring towards Dumbledore.
"Thank you, thank you."
Dumbledore immediately raised both hands to cover the Resurrection Stone Ring, his voice trembling as he thanked Ian, prompting Ian to stand up promptly, sensing an underlying emotion.
"Shall I take my leave then?"
Seeing Dumbledore nodding repeatedly like a pecking chick, Ian quickly made his way towards the door of the Headmaster's Office, soon descending the spiral staircase and leaving the area entirely.
"He didn't even notice."
Glancing back at the massive stone beast that had returned to its guarding position, Ian's eyes flickered slightly, and without uttering another word, he reached directly into his Money Bag and pulled out the Living Map.
Soon.
The Living Map displayed the small black dots representing the wizards in school, naturally including the Headmaster's Office, where a single prominent dot occupied the room.
Abeforth Dumbledore.