Chapter 262

Following McGonagall, I came to a gargoyle statue in a niche, which immediately slid to the side, opening a passage to a spiral staircase. Having risen, we entered the office without knocking. It was large, light, and spacious, in the corners, on the tables and other surfaces of which, as always, there were various moving artifacts and other household items.

"Headmaster, I brought Mr. Knight."

"Thank you, Minerva," Dumbledore sat in his chair, turning to the window.

"Should I stay with you? McGonagall asked me.

"No, thank you."

McGonagall left the office with a nod, and I made my way to the vacant chair in front of the headmaster's desk. Taking a seat, I waited. Silence.

"Headmaster?"

"Huh?" he turned rather briskly in his chair toward me. I didn't know this chair was spinning. "Forgive the old man. I just got caught up in my own thoughts."

"It's okay. I guess."

Dumbledore smiled.

"First, I want to congratulate you on your victory in the Tournament, even though you had to share it with Harry."

"Thank you."

"Now, where was I... I won't get off-topic, even though I really want to. Sherbet lemon?"

"With pleasure."

Dumbledore waved his hand in the air, and a vase flew off the nearest table, flying rather briskly over to the table between us. It was the one with the sherbet lemons in it, with which I did not hesitate to amuse my love for sweets, even if it was in its infancy.

"Due to the recent events and the revival of Voldemort, I would like to do two things. First, I want to thank you for looking after Harry."

"It wasn't very burdensome, considering that someone dragged him through the entire tournament, wanting to keep him in maximum... integrity."

"Yes," the headmaster darkened. "There really was an intruder at Hogwarts for the entire school year, leading us all by the nose. However, faced with such a danger face to face, you, Mr. Knight, did not leave your fellow student to the mercy of fate, showing courage, which not everyone is capable of when meeting Voldemort."

"I just didn't have time to be frightened before I had to act."

"Things happen that way, Mr. Knight," the Headmaster flashed his half-frame glasses. "My second request is quite simple. We don't know what to expect. We don't know what the Death Eaters will be capable of this time. You, Mr. Knight, have absolute memory and access to all sorts of books and knowledge. The professors and I are far from omniscient, and my request is small - if we encounter something unknown to us, please give us an answer as to what it is, if possible. You see, it's hard to fight something you don't understand. Among those prepared to confront Voldemort, and believe me, he will not rest, there are none versed in the dark arts and other conditionally prohibited disciplines - prejudices accumulated over the centuries and fear of the Dark Lords."

"They say Professor Snape is good at dark magic."

"He is," the Headmaster nodded. "Good at what he knows, but he doesn't know much. I am not asking you to study or, Merlin forbid, use dark magic. To use it again. I only ask you to explain on the basis of what you already know. If the need arises. You have already learned the Restricted Section better than anyone living today."

"It is not difficult."

"Of course, to encourage the pursuit of knowledge by the champion and winner of the Triwizard Tournament, I will extend your permission to the Restricted Section for next year. And as we all know, any great wizard needs a reliable companion. Therefore, Miss Granger also receives permission for next year."

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks. However, I don't know what I could offer you in exchange for helping Mr. Potter. Therefore, if you ever need any help, any help at all, know that as long as I am headmaster here, the doors of Hogwarts are always open to you."

"Flattering to hear, Headmaster."

"Well... I won't waste any more of your time."

Rising at the same time as the headmaster, I nodded goodbye and headed for the common room. I need to get ready to leave, collect all the notes and stuff like that.