The door to the Headmaster's Office closed gently behind him, and the silver instruments in the room emitted faint tinkling sounds, spraying thin smoke, while the magical portraits, as always, emitted soft snores.
"Have a seat, Vid."
Dumbledore sat down behind the desk, and with a wave of his magic wand, the teapot and two porcelain cups sprang from the cabinet, clattering onto the table.
Immediately, Vid heard a clear and melodious cry—
A gold and crimson bird gracefully flew down from its perch, landing lightly on the table in front of Vid.
Phoenix Fawkes tilted its head, bright eyes gazing at the young man, curiosity and inquiry evident in its look.
Then, it gently bowed its head, a tear falling onto Vid's hand, glistening with a pearly sheen.
Vid was stunned, the cool liquid on his hand vanished in a blink, his body feeling slightly relieved.
He smiled and said, "Thank you, Fawkes... but I'm not injured."
"Perhaps it thinks you're hurt," Dumbledore suggested, picking up the steaming teapot, "in a place that the naked eye cannot see."
Fawkes chirped once, nudging its head against Vid's arm, then flew back to its perch, but its eyes remained on Vid.
"Fawkes still likes you very much."
Dumbledore said with a smile. He poured the tea, rummaged through his drawer, and took out two plates of snacks, the previously mentioned cream toffee and chocolate frogs.
"After a tiring journey, I think sweets can always make one feel better. Have a taste, Vid."
Vid politely thanked him but merely held the teacup in his hand.
He wasn't interested in sweets just yet.
Dumbledore pushed the plate with the chocolate frogs forward again, saying, "Perhaps you'd like to try these? This batch of chocolate frogs is quite lively, especially reserved for you."
Vid: "..."
How lively could chocolate frogs be? Unless there's a real frog inside.
But looking at the anticipation and amusement in the Headmaster's eyes, he still put down the teacup and picked up the small box, the deep blue wrapping paper as smooth as before, dotted with a few golden stars.
Vid tore open the packaging, and in the instant the lid was opened, a brown-black shadow shot out.
Appearing unreactive, he slightly leaned back, his hand a fraction of a beat too slow as the frog went "plop" onto Dumbledore's desk.
"Look, I told you it's energetic."
The Headmaster chuckled, unsurprised by the outcome.
He swiftly grabbed the fleeing frog, and the chocolate frog immediately stopped moving; in stillness, it only resembled a real frog in outline.
But Vid's eyes conveyed he still had little interest in trying it.
Dumbledore, however, took a bite without concern, his eyes brightening slightly: "Oh, they've added raspberry and hazelnut this time, the flavor's indeed improved."
Looking at the remaining chocolate frog in his hand, he spoke with deliberate intent: "Young people are easily deceived by appearances, often missing the chance to grasp the essence."
Vid's expression grew more serious, contemplating what Dumbledore might be hinting at, when the Headmaster regretfully said:
"Like my cockroach clusters, there are far too few who appreciate their deliciousness."
Vid chuckled: "They make the sweets look so bizarre, destined to lose many potential customers... Besides, it's not that people refuse cockroach clusters, sometimes they just fear there's a real cockroach mixed in."
Speaking, his gaze casually glanced downwards, about to discard the remaining packaging when his eyes momentarily halted.
Within the box, a card depicted a black-haired youth staring at him, a slight calm and serene smile on his lips, gray eyes revealing insight, seemingly able to discern the thoughts within hearts.
At the instant their eyes met, the youth in the card quietly nodded then lowered his gaze, looking at the book in his hand.
This, this is...
Vid's heart thumped heavily.
He recognized it as a photo taken during the Magic School tournament by a reporter, but didn't expect it to appear here.
Vid looked up briefly, finding Dumbledore watching him with a grin.
Then back to the card, his movements almost stiff as he flipped it over.
[Vid Gray
Currently studying at Hogwarts School, known as one of the most gifted contemporary Alchemists.
His renowned inventions include: Magic Communication Device Friendship Book, Communication Pea, Flow Mirror, the best companion Poppet Pet, and the ever-popular Soft Light Badge.]
"Congratulations, Vid."
Dumbledore's voice aptly sounded, his tone filled with sincere gratification.
"Appearing on a Chocolate Frog Card is a significant recognition of a wizard's influence in a particular field. Moreover..."
He winked with a touch of childlike delight:
"Given your age and potential, I have no doubt your card description will be updated many times in the future. You might even become the record holder with the most versions."
"Collecting all versions of Chocolate Frog Cards is a great joy for many wizards—including myself."
Vid held the smooth card, a surge of warmth rushing to his ears, his expression appearing somewhat embarrassed; his shoulders weighed a bit, as if feeling some invisible pressure and expectation.
At the same time, undeniable joy sprouted in his heart.
Dumbledore observed his complex expression, remarking thoughtfully: "Keep it, it's your honor, don't be ashamed of it."
"Speaking of card updates, perhaps you haven't noticed, but someone has been removed from the Chocolate Frog Cards this time."
Vid paused, then understood something: "The Headmaster of Ilvermorny—Agilbert Fontaine?"
"Yes." Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, his voice lowering: "As headmaster, he secretly persecuted young wizards of Muggle origin, involved himself in political maneuvers, even allegedly violating the Confidentiality Law severely..."
He paused, his tone heavy with disappointment: "He was an old friend of mine, but I truly didn't expect... Fontaine would do such things."
The office fell silent for a moment, the atmosphere abruptly becoming solemn.
In Vid's peripheral vision, he suddenly saw something move—the portrait of Phineas Black couldn't stand still, incidentally waking, peeking at the two of them in the office.
He was always restless, unlike another Headmaster Dallys Derwent—that witch was quite skilled at feigning sleep, always appearing as if in deep slumber.
Outside the window, snow continued to fall. Inside the office, it was so quiet that the sound of the snow settling on the window sill could be heard.