Professor McGonagall left Kyle at the eighth-floor entrance, right by the Dripping Stone Gargoyle, and helped him with the password before departing.
The Headmaster's Office looked exactly as Kyle remembered. Fawkes lay peacefully on his perch, and upon seeing Kyle, he raised his head slightly, as if in a casual greeting.
Kyle took out a handful of Dittany leaves, a small gift, and placed them near Fawkes's shelf. Dumbledore, unlike last time, was present—sitting in his chair, smiling warmly, with a familiar bottle set on the table in front of him.
“I hope I'm not disturbing you,” Dumbledore said, rising from his chair and handing Kyle the bottle of Magic Suppressing Potion on the table. “You know, just like last time.”
“Of course, Headmaster,” Kyle nodded, taking the bottle. “I’ll deliver it to Mikel right away.”
“Well... there’s no rush. If you’re not busy, would you like to keep an old man company for a chat?”
Seeing Kyle hesitate, Dumbledore added, “Don’t be nervous; just a casual chat, like when you were at Newt’s place.”
“I’m just... a little surprised,” Kyle admitted, scratching his head. “But, Headmaster, um… I only have Dittany leaves on me. I really don’t have anything else.”
“Fawkes has a forgiving nature; he won’t stay angry forever.” Dumbledore’s face froze momentarily, but he quickly returned to his usual self. “I received your Christmas gift,” he said, gesturing for a fresh glass of lemonade to appear for Kyle. “I finished reading it that very day, and I’ve reread it many times since... it’s truly fascinating.”
At first, Kyle thought Dumbledore was simply being polite, but the next moment he realized he’d been mistaken.
Dumbledore reached into a drawer and took out not one, but two pairs of woolen socks.
One pair was red with gold trim, while the other was a smaller, blue-pink pair. Both were embroidered with a large letter “A.”
Surprised, Kyle looked up and asked without thinking, “Did you… knit these?”
“Yes,” Dumbledore replied, clearly pleased. “I’m actually rather good at knitting socks. Managed to get it right on the first try.”
Kyle opened his mouth to reply but found himself at a loss for words.
What was going on in the wizarding world? The Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Grand Sorcerer and First Class Order of Merlin, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and the world’s most powerful white wizard, Dumbledore, proudly showing off his hand-knit socks?
Judging by the delighted expression on Dumbledore’s face, he was genuinely proud of his handiwork.
“You knit very well, Headmaster,” Kyle managed to say.
Dumbledore put away the two pairs of woolen socks and then, with a sudden sigh, said, “I think the one regret I have this year is that I didn’t get you a Christmas present. It’s truly disappointing.”
Kyle waved his hands quickly, wanting to assure Dumbledore he’d never expected a gift.
But then again, as the model student he was, Kyle didn’t want Dumbledore to be weighed down by guilt. Seeing an elderly wizard, especially one as revered as Dumbledore, tormented by a feeling of guilt was more than Kyle’s heart could bear.
'Why don't I just ask for a gift myself?' Kyle thought, running his hand along his chin.
It felt a bit shameless, but he didn't mind suffering a little embarrassment for the headmaster’s sake. His eyes drifted around the office and landed on a dusty mirror in the corner—something that didn’t look valuable. Or perhaps the rough stone basin beside it would work just as well. It was just a decoration anyway, so choosing something cheap and replaceable seemed perfect.
'I’m really being considerate,' he thought.
Kyle made no effort to hide his appraisal. Nearby, Dumbledore seemed to pick up on his thoughts, his mouth twitching slightly.
Just then, Kyle turned to him. “Headmaster, perhaps you could give…”
“Give you a glass of lemonade? Certainly,” Dumbledore said, tapping the table to summon another glass.
“No, I meant maybe today…”
“Today is indeed a beautiful day.”
Beautiful day? Kyle glanced at the window, noting that it had been snowing all day and hadn't stopped yet.
Before he could respond, Dumbledore looked outside as well and remarked, almost wistfully, “I hadn’t realized it was already so late.”
Kyle understood. Though he regretted he couldn’t ease Dumbledore's concerns, he replied, “I’ll be on my way then. Mikel is waiting for his potion.”
“Would you like to take some snacks with you?” Dumbledore opened a drawer, revealing a collection of sweets and candied fruits.
Kyle was about to decline, but then noticed the candies were all high-end, including many types he’d never even seen before. “I thank you on behalf of Mikel.”
By the time Kyle left the headmaster’s office, his pockets were stuffed with sweets. The heavy oak door closed behind him.
Inside, Snape appeared from the shadows, eyeing the spot where Kyle had been sitting, his gaze narrowing thoughtfully.
“I’m curious, Severus,” Dumbledore remarked, closing the drawer and adding a small golden lock. “You specifically asked me to call Kyle here, yet you remained hidden.”
“You dismissed him too early,” Snape replied flatly. “By our agreement, he should have stayed for at least thirty minutes.”
“Students have things of their own to attend to,” Dumbledore said, taking a sip of his tea. “Severus, we can't monopolize their time.”
“Oh? Is that your view…” Snape glanced at the Mirror of Erised in the corner before making his way toward the door.
“Severus,” Dumbledore called out, “I think you may have a bias against Kyle.”
Snape halted and turned back. “What are you implying?”
“Kyle is a very thoughtful young man,” Dumbledore said evenly. “As I understand it, he gave gifts to every professor on Christmas, even extending a packet of dried fish to Mrs. Norris, who is not particularly popular.”
“Oh ~ ~” Snape drawled, narrowing his eyes. “And what is your point?”
“I think it’s possible he simply overlooked his potions professor for the moment,” Dumbledore replied, a small smile playing on his lips. “Even I, on occasion, make such simple oversights. It’s perfectly normal. You shouldn’t hold it against him.”
“Perhaps he didn’t forget,” Snape retorted, before flinging the door open and leaving without looking back.