Chapter 16 - Dumbledore

"Ginger Newt." called Alder.

The gargoyle on the third floor stepped aside and a staircase started to move by itself. Alder slowly climbed and knocked on the door.

"Please come in." called a soft voice from inside.

When Alder entered the room, what caught his attention first was a huge portrait hanging on the wall behind the desk of the Headmaster. Around it were all kinds of small portraits. Most of them were sleeping while few took a glance to the newcomer.

"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore." said Alder.

"Good evening, Alder. Please have a seat." Dumbledore showed a chair placed on the other side of his desk. "What would you like to drink?"

Alder sat down and said "Coffee, Sir.".

Dumbledore waved his hand a cup of coffee appeared before Alder.

"Thank you."

"You can also have some biscuits." Dumbledore showed a plate full of ginger newts.

'Did he decide today's password according to what he wanted to eat today?' thought Alder. He took a sip from the coffee and pleasantly surprised.

"It's quite fragrant sir, I wonder if you can conjure some food too? I heard the conjured food is not as nutritious as regular food." asked Alder.

Dumbledore chuckled and conjured a biscuit that looks the same as those on the table.

Alder took a bite from each of them and understood the difference in an instant. The conjured one felt plain but it was enough to fill someone's belly.

"What do you think?" asked Dumbledore with a smile.

"Not pleasant but it could make someone feel full. But I think it's more easy to copy an existing food or enlarge them." said Alder truthfully. His anxiety dropped dramatically from his entrance till now. He felt no invasion to his mind and he feared nothing other than that. Even if Dumbledore used Legilimency, it seemed it would be only at the level of understanding the truth of his words. So he simply decided to be himself.

Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed, you will find out why in your Transfiguration class in the future. Now, do you know why I have called you today?"

'It should be about Chamber of Secrets…' thought Alder but he said another, since there could be a couple of reasons as he simply said his other guess.

"Is it about my request for staying at Hogwarts at holidays?"

Dumbledore nodded calmly and said "I heard your circumstances from before; we would of course not let you return to such a place. But I wanted to hear your thoughts on the matter myself.".

"Professor, although I like the Muggle World, it has a lot of entertaining activities; I don't want to return to the orphanages. And I know, with all my respect, you may be able to find a foster home for me, I don't think I will feel any belonging there like I do towards Hogwarts. If I've requested it before coming here casually, just to get out of that place, I sincerely want to be part of Hogwarts now." said Alder softly. Although he came alone to this world, he really wanted to belong somewhere. At least have someplace that his mind could be free without worries.

Dumbledore said nothing and nodded slowly.

"I'm also willing to work, Sir. I can help Hagrid if you would like me to do so." added Alder, he didn't want to feel like a freeloader.

Dumbledore smiled widely and said "Please rest assured, if we want you stay here permanently, it will not because of such a reason. Although you're free to help anyone you want, you won't be a worker here, especially at your age.".

Alder also smiled but didn't say anything. While waiting for Dumbledore's response he also took a glimpse at the phoenix standing on its perch next to the desk. He was too stressed to even focus his attention to the bird before. And when he really checked it out, only thing he could think of was 'Beautiful…'.

Dumbledore also noticed his gaze but didn't say anything, simply smiled. He finally saw an expression on Alder's face that fits his age.

"Professor, can I?" said Alder extending his hand to the phoenix.

"Go ahead."

Alder came before the phoenix and put his hand before it, as if saying I have no threat. It looked at Alder and also slowly got closer to Alder's hand. Alder, without hurry, brought his hand closer and finally started caressing the phoenix on the head. With his gentle movements the eyes of the phoenix also closed till only slits remained and its mouth opened slightly. Clearly enjoying the touch.

Dumbledore didn't interrupt him at all. Only when almost two minutes passed, as Alder sat down again, Dumbledore opened his mouth. "I will discuss your request with your teachers. Now, do you have anything to tell me, Alder?" asked Dumbledore calmly.

"Yes, Professor, one last thing." said Alder. Dumbledore also leaned forward slowly. "I wonder if Godric Gryffindor's office is located here?"

Dumbledore's eyebrows rised a little but he kept his calm despite his surprise. "And why do you think so?"

"Today I asked Professor Binns if we're passing by the offices of our founders without noticing. And I shared my conjunctures about how it's possible Salazar Slytherin's office to be located in the Chamber of Secrets. But Professor Binns told me even you couldn't find that Chamber, Professor. So I don't really care about that place. But today, I think I've found a clue about Godric Gryffindor…" then Alder told about his train of thought.

Dumbledore listened him without interrupting and at the end of Alder's speech, he was smiling gently.

He spoke softly "When I was a student, every time I came here, I felt a strange connection. Only after becoming the Headmaster I have learnt the reason. And you're right, actually partially right. There is such a study room in the residence belongs to the Headmaster. Although the place we're in is used as an office, the thing you're looking for probably is there.". At this time Dumbledore smiled. Alder also scratched his cheek waiting for Dumbledore to continue. "But I dare say it doesn't only belong to our founder anymore, because each Headmaster and Headmistress leaves part of his/her research there, so I can say it's the product of all the Headmasters."

Some of the portraits were paying attention to their conversation and nodded to his remark.

"Do you think I can take a glimpse, Sir? The knowledge there probably is beyond my level, so just quashing my curiosity a little bit is enough.".

The portraits looked at each other but said nothing.

Dumbledore also took a look at them and shook his head with reluctant expression. "I'm afraid although they trust my judgement; the decision is not only mine to take."

"It's alright, Sir. Of course I don't want you or any one of respectable Headmasters and Headmistresses to feel bad about it. It was just a fleeting thought." said Alder, although the rewards were rich, they couldn't overweight the goodwill of Dumbledore.

Seeing Alder really not caring about it, Dumbledore's expression also eased completely, and said "Thank you for your understanding, Alder. You can return to your dormitory if you have nothing else to ask.".

"No, thank you for answering my questions, Professor. That was all, I wish you a good night." said Alder with a smile.

Dumbledore nodded and also said with a smile "Good night, Alder.".