The Principal's Office - 2 Visits

Refuse the principal's summons?

Does she fit too?

Pollyanna pressed her lips together, no longer displaying her usual composure. After a long pause, she finally managed to squeeze out a sentence:

"Don't joke around."

Her unease amused Edmund. He clapped for Pollyanna, drawing the attention of the others. The little witch was taken aback by his smug, wait-and-see attitude, hesitated for less than half a second, then pulled him out of the lounge.

"You're getting more and more rude to me," Edmund complained, half-jokingly. "Why don't I see you being this rough with those... well, useless guys? All you do is bully the kind me all day long."

Pollyanna was taken aback by his retort, but she obediently released her grip. She knew she couldn't afford to offend this powerful figure in front of her. The little witch turned to look at Edmund, her eyebrows almost knitted together.

I thought you liked it this way.

"what?"

This time, Edmund was truly stunned.

"Isn't that so? You'll play around with Potter, but look down on Travers. The former isn't afraid of you and asks nothing of you, while Travers is the opposite, so you hardly ever give him a second glance."

"I think you just enjoy being offended. You don't care about it, you want to pretend that you're equal to everyone else." And people who truly believe this are unlikely to be so approachable.

"I've almost never seen you get angry at anyone—well, except Avery. But that's only because he's really stupid enough to actually think he has the right to question your choices and positions."

After speaking rapidly, Pollyanna took a breath, looking flustered, and then spoke again in a more submissive tone.

"Since you like it this way, I can treat you the same way Potter and the others do. You're down-to-earth, and if you're still willing to pretend to be friends with me, that would be my honor."

Edmund looked at Pollyanna with a half-smile, and the little witch almost dared not meet his gaze.

Is he genuinely afraid, or is he just pretending?

Edmund didn't care about the answer.

"You're so smart, I'm so lucky," he said ambiguously. "So, what do you want to do by dragging me out like this?"

"Are you having trouble finding the principal's office, or would you like me to walk with you for a bit in the dark? Or perhaps you have something else to ask?"

Pollyanna paused for a moment, then asked in a low voice:

"...Headmaster...Headmaster...do you not like Slytherin very much?"

Edmund was taken aback; he hadn't expected her to care about this.

"It depends on whether you want to hear the truth or just pleasantries. If you're asking for my judgment, I'd say this old man speaks with impeccable tact. I didn't feel ostracized at all; on the contrary, I was flattered."

His tone was perfectly normal, showing no sign of surprise whatsoever. Pollyanna saw him turn his head and gave a subtle, fake smile.

"And that in itself is very abnormal, isn't it? Unless he's like that with everyone—so wary yet so warm and polite to everyone; but it's not impossible, though." Edmund paused. "He wants to please me, really wants to."

Pollyanna's expression twisted, as if she were intoxicated by his narcissism.

Edmund had no intention of explaining his mother's past with Dumbledore to her, so he put away his smile and said seriously:

"Therefore, I don't think he would target you or make things difficult for you. To be honest, you're not worthy. I do suspect that he gives preferential treatment to current students. Look how considerate this old man is—he's afraid of causing you trouble, so he even asked the dean to convey his invitation to you."

"But if you think he's easy to deal with because of this, you're sorely mistaken! Pollyanna, if you have a secret to keep, you can't afford to let your guard down for even a moment."

Edmund narrowed his eyes, which were exactly the same as Dumbledore's.

"If you accidentally find him kind and reliable... then all your problems are over!"

"A big shot like him doesn't need to use magic to deceive people."

Upon hearing this, Pollyanna's throat bobbed nervously. Edmund looked closely and saw that she was trembling slightly, clearly having been right.

This girl really does have a secret!

“…You’ve piqued my curiosity, Anna,” Edmund said in a low voice, his blue eyes gleaming coldly in the moonlight. “Don’t you have anything to tell me?”

Pollyanna froze, glancing nervously at Edmund. Her lips trembled, and she finally lowered her head.

"Alright then," Edmund shrugged. "I'll see you off."

This time, Pollyanna didn't refuse, and the two continued on in silence. Edmund led the way at first, but he had absolutely no talent for directions and took at least two wrong turns.

Fortunately, Pollyanna was preoccupied and didn't give him a death stare. Thankfully, Hogwarts didn't make things difficult for them anymore. After climbing a long, long staircase, they finally arrived at the gargoyle statue.

"Coconut ice cream."

Without changing the password, Pollyanna whispered it over, and the dripping stone beast jumped to the side.

Logically, Edmund should have headed home by now. But instead of retreating, he went ahead, knocking on the door before Pollyanna could, and then expertly pushed it open.

Dumbledore hadn't locked the door after all. Edmund poked his head in first, and Pollyanna, somewhat surprised, instinctively tugged at his hat, trying to pull him back.

Edmund surveyed the headmaster's office with unreserved air. It was largely unchanged from his last visit, the only difference being Dumbledore's location.

Dumbledore stood by the fireplace, seemingly talking to someone. Fawkes, scratching at the fabric sofa with his claws, was the first to spot Edmund. He gave a long cry as a warning, and only then did Dumbledore turn around.

"Edmund!" the old wizard with the silver beard said, frowning.

This call carried a hint of reproach; it was the most emotionally charged thing the old man had said to Edmund since he had met Dumbledore.

Edmund, far from being afraid, grinned and squeezed through the door, even considerately making room for Pollyanna.

"Anna doesn't know how to get to the principal's office, Principal, I've brought her here."

Pollyanna lowered her head and nodded without objection.

Dumbledore frowned seriously, and after a few breaths, he sighed helplessly, as if he remembered that Edmund was resistant to gentle persuasion but not to force.

Good evening, you two. Thank you for your kindness, Edmund.

"But you've successfully completed your mission and fulfilled your duty as a friend. Go back and rest, Edmund. I'll take her back to the lounge, don't worry."

Tsk.

Edmund wanted to argue a bit more, but seeing Dumbledore's expression, it seemed there was no room for negotiation. He raised an eyebrow helplessly and said considerately:

"Alright, Headmaster. See you tomorrow, Pollyanna."

But just as he landed and turned around, a strange, muffled voice came from the direction of the fireplace.

It was a trembling male voice, weak and seemingly filled with sorrow.

"Pollyanna...Pollyanna! Has she arrived? Has she arrived? Dumbledore, bring her here, God, God!"

The fireplace creaked, and the man let out a shrill, beast-like howl.

"Six years! Six years! Pollyanna!"

"It's Daddy! It's Daddy! Do you remember me?!"