The legendary Mirror of Erised, a well-known alchemical object, allows anyone who stands before it to see their deepest desires.

It’s very magical.

“Is this… a mirror of the soul?”

Kyle resisted the urge to go and take a look. He turned his gaze elsewhere.

“It seems you recognize the Mirror of Erised.”

Dumbledore appeared behind Kyle, seemingly out of nowhere. He said gently, “I'm glad you can resist its allure. Many adult wizards can’t do that.

They linger before it, becoming obsessed with what they see, even driven mad.”

“I just don’t want to add to my worries, Headmaster." Kyle turned around and laughed, "I'm pretty content with my life now."

"A wise choice."

Dumbledore walked around Kyle and came to stand in front of the mirror, gently stroking the golden frame, "I have to admit, you’ve already surpassed this old man. Even I can’t resist coming to take a look at it sometimes."

“What do you see when you look in the mirror?" Kyle asked at the right moment, "The truth of magic? Or even more profound theories?"

"You’ve made me blush, Kyle.”

“I’m probably not as great as you think. Because I saw myself holding a pair of thick woolen socks.”

“You can never have enough socks.” Dumbledore winked, "Christmas comes and goes, and I haven’t received a single pair. People insist on giving me books.”

Kyle had reason to suspect that Dumbledore was hinting that he should give him a gift. After all, Christmas was only two months away.

Just as Kyle was thinking about whether to give him something, Dumbledore returned to his desk. He poured himself a cup of tea and a plate full of candies.

"Would you like something to drink, Kyle?"

“Lemonade.”

Dumbledore nodded. Soon, there was a large cup of lemonade on the table.

Kyle took a sip and found it tasted like normal lemonade. It didn’t taste any different just because he was in the Headmaster’s office.

When he finished the whole cup of lemonade, Dumbledore opposite him was still leisurely sipping his tea. He didn’t speak.

The portraits of past Headmasters on the wall were very quiet too. They were all quietly snoring in their frames, but occasionally someone would half open their eyes and sneak a peek at him.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Kyle felt very uncomfortable in this atmosphere.

Just then, the whistle of the Quidditch match came from outside the window.

Kyle steadied himself and took the initiative to ask, "Headmaster, do you need me for something?"

"Look at me, I was so busy drinking tea that I almost forgot the important thing."

Dumbledore slapped his forehead, got up, and took Kyle to a tall, gold-plated perch behind the door.

A fiery red phoenix was standing there. This was Fawkes.

“Fawkes has been in a bad mood lately." Dumbledore said with worry, "But I don’t know what the reason is. Can you ask him for me?"

"Is that so?"

Kyle understood. He turned to look at Fawkes. He knew that the phoenix could understand what Dumbledore had just said.

Fawkes glanced at Kyle and then turned to look at Dumbledore. A look of disdain appeared on its bird face, and it squawked reluctantly.

Kyle nodded, "No wonder you’re so angry."

“What did he say?” Dumbledore asked curiously.

Although he was a language genius, he could even teach himself Parseltongue and Gobbledegook. But it was different with phoenixes. The language of these ancient creatures was very obscure. Even he couldn’t understand it completely.

Besides, angry Fawkes sounded a bit accented. He couldn’t understand it even more.

Kyle considered his language carefully and said, "Headmaster, Fawkes wants you to stop putting cockroach clusters in his food."

Dumbledore’s expression was one of disbelief, "I always thought he liked them."

Hearing Dumbledore's words, Fawkes immediately turned around angrily and faced him with his rear.

It was a phoenix. It wasn’t a chicken, why would it be like bugs?

Dumbledore realized he had made a mistake and quickly apologized, trying to make up for it.

But Fawkes ignored him. No matter where Dumbledore went, it would change direction, always showing him its backside. It even covered its head with its wings. It wouldn’t listen to him at all.

In the end, Kyle had to use his white willow leaves and a moonflower to finally appease the angry Fawkes.

Don't get it wrong. This moonflower wasn't from the common room. It was a prize he received for helping Professor Sprout clean the greenhouse.

It was unfortunate that he hadn’t even had it warm before it was gone.

Watching Fawkes gulp it down in a few bites, Kyle was heartbroken.

“I knew I could count on you.”

Dumbledore happily patted Kyle on the shoulder, "I would have had a hard time calming him down without you."

“No problem, Headmaster." Kyle forced a smile, “Anything else? If not, I want to go watch the Quidditch match."

Kyle touched his chameleon-skin bag. He didn’t want to stay here a minute longer.

What if Fawkes decided it didn’t eat enough and made a fuss again? He was just a first-year wizard. He didn’t have any extra herbs to offer.

Besides, it wasn’t his phoenix. Let Dumbledore deal with it.

“One more thing. Don’t worry, it won't take up much of your time." Dumbledore turned and took a potion from a drawer behind his desk.

"This is an anti-magic potion for Mickel."

Dumbledore explained, “I was going to have Madam Pomfrey bring it to him, but I think he might not want to go to the infirmary. You're here. Just take it back with you."

Kyle took the potion and asked, "Headmaster, has Mickel still not learned to control his magic?"

"It's not easy." Dumbledore thought for a moment. "But Pomona said he's making good progress. He shouldn't need the anti-magic potion anymore by the time he's in second year."

Kyle nodded.

“Remember." Dumbledore instructed, "I know Snape's anti-magic potions might not be very tasty. But it's very important for Mickel. So, make sure he actually drinks it and doesn’t just find a place to dump it."

"Don't worry, Headmaster. Mickel is my roommate." Kyle smiled. “I'll make sure he drinks it all."

“Then I’m not worried." Dumbledore picked up his tea again, "Go watch the match. It shouldn’t be over yet."

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