Chapter 84: Dumbledore's Woolen Socks

Professor McGonagall left after she delivered Kyle to the gargoyle on the eighth floor, and even helped him say the password before leaving.

"Lemon Sherbet."

...

The Headmaster's office was the same as always. Fawkes was still sprawled on the perch, only raising his head slightly when he saw Kyle as if to say hello.

Kyle took out a bunch of white willow leaves as a gift and placed them beside the perch.

Dumbledore did not disappear this time, he was just sitting there smiling, with a familiar bottle on the table in front of him.

"I hope I haven't disturbed you." Dumbledore stood up from his chair and handed the potion to Kyle: "You know, just like last time."

"Of course, Headmaster." Kyle nodded, took the bottle, and said, "I'll go give it to Mickel."

"Well... don't rush, if you have nothing to do, would you like to chat with this old man?"

Seeing that Kyle didn't speak, Dumbledore continued, "Don't be nervous, just a casual chat, like when you were at Newt's."

"I'm just a little surprised." Kyle scratched his head, "But Headmaster, that... I only have white willow leaves now, I really don't have any bellflowers."

"..."

"Fawkes has a good personality and won't be angry all the time." Dumbledore's expression stiffened slightly but soon returned to normal.

"I received your Christmas present." He poured Kyle a glass of fresh lemonade, "I finished reading it on the same day, and I reread it many times... it's truly fascinating."

At first, Kyle thought Dumbledore was just being polite, but the next second he realized he was wrong.

Because Dumbledore actually took two pairs of woolen socks out of his desk drawer.

One pair was red with gold trim.

The other pair was slightly smaller and was blue and pink.

Both pairs were embroidered with a large letter "A."

Kyle looked up and subconsciously asked, "Did… you knit these?"

"Yes." Dumbledore said proudly, "I'm quite talented at knitting socks. I succeeded on the first try."

Kyle gaped, not knowing what to say.

What was going on in this wizarding world?

Dumbledore, the President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Order of Merlin, First Class, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, the most powerful white wizard in the wizarding world… was actually showing off his talent for knitting socks?

He looked genuinely happy, even a little proud.

"You knitted them well, Headmaster," Kyle said dryly.

"Thank you."

Dumbledore put away the woolen socks and suddenly sighed, "My biggest regret this year is that I didn't prepare a Christmas present for you. That's really too bad."

Kyle waved his hands.

He hadn't expected to receive a gift from Dumbledore in the first place.

But then again, as a model student, Kyle didn't want Dumbledore to feel guilty all the time.

An old man, being tormented by guilt. He couldn't bear to see it.

"Maybe I should ask for a present." Kyle thought to himself, stroking his chin.

Although it was a bit shameless, for the sake of the Headmaster, he would endure this small injustice.

Kyle instinctively looked towards a corner of the Headmaster's office. There was a mirror covered in dust. It shouldn't be worth much. Maybe he should choose that.

Or maybe that crude stone basin beside it.

It was all for show anyway. Choosing something like that, which probably cost a Sickle for ten on the street, was perfect.

"I'm so thoughtful."

Kyle didn't try to hide his intentions.

Dumbledore, sitting next to him, seemed to have guessed what was going on. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

At this time, Kyle just happened to turn back, "Headmaster, you can give…"

"A cup of lemonade? Of course, no problem."

Dumbledore knocked on the table and ordered another cup of lemonade.

"No, I meant to…"

"The weather is truly good today."

Good weather?

Kyle looked out the window. It had been snowing for the whole day. It hadn't stopped.

But Dumbledore didn't give Kyle another chance to speak. He looked out the window too and said with emotion, "I didn't even notice, it's already so late."

Kyle instantly understood.

He was a little disappointed that he couldn't help Dumbledore solve his problem. But Kyle still said, "Then I'll go back. Mickel is still waiting for his medicine."

"Would you like to take some snacks back with you?" Dumbledore opened a drawer. It was filled with various candies and candied fruits.

Kyle was about to refuse, but then he noticed that the candies all seemed to be high-end goods. There were even many kinds he had never seen before.

"I'll thank you for Mickel."

When Kyle left the Headmaster's office, both of his pockets were bulging with candies.

As the oak door closed, Snape came out from somewhere in the office. He looked at the spot where Kyle had been sitting, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"I'm curious, Severus."

Dumbledore closed the drawer and put a shiny little lock on it.

"You asked me to call Kyle here. Why did you hide?"

"You let him leave too soon."

Snape said emotionlessly, "We agreed that he was supposed to stay here for thirty minutes."

"Students have their things to do." Dumbledore took a sip of tea, "Severus, we can't take up too much of their time."

"Oh? Is that what you think…?" Snape glanced at the Mirror of Erised in the corner and then walked toward the door.

"Severus."

Dumbledore suddenly called out to him, "You're being too biased against Kyle."

Snape stopped and turned around. "What do you mean?"

"Kyle is a good kid." Dumbledore said calmly, "I heard that he gave every professor a present on Christmas. Even Mrs. Norris, who's not very popular with the students, got a bag of dried fish."

"Oh?" Snape narrowed his eyes and drawled, "What are you trying to say?"

"I think he might have just forgotten about his Potions professor."

Dumbledore smiled faintly, "You know, even I sometimes make this kind of silly mistake. It's normal. You shouldn't be so prejudiced against him because of this."

"Maybe he didn't forget."

Snape snorted and then pulled the door open. He left the Headmaster's office without looking back.

…

…

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