"Oh? Is that so?" Headmaster Albus Dumbledore replied lightly.
Umbridge's face flushed a furious, boiling red.
Fudge stared at Dumbledore, wearing a foolishly stunned expression, as though he couldn't believe Dumbledore had actually said that… He turned to Kingsley Shacklebolt and the other two Aurors.
The three Aurors each took up a separate position, watching Dumbledore with tense expressions… their hands drifted toward their wands.
Percy Weasley looked completely flustered… still clutching his notebook and quill.
"He is not alone!" Professor McGonagall shouted, one hand reaching inside her robes.
"No, he is alone!" Dumbledore said sharply. "Minerva, Hogwarts needs you!"
At his words, Professor McGonagall drew her hand back.
...
"Enough talk—seize him!" Fudge shouted, whipping out his wand.
But Dumbledore was faster. Jon saw the tip of the old wand flare with a brilliant silver light.
The silver flash spiraled through the room, and with a cannon-like boom, the floor shook...
Professor McGonagall reacted instantly, grabbing Marietta Edgecombe and Harry Potter and forcing them to the floor. But she clearly had no time left to worry about Jon…
Jon bent forward to drop, but—he heard Fawkes's sharp cry… A golden light flared in front of him as the phoenix spread its wings, shielding Jon from the blast.
The remaining six people weren't so lucky… Under Dumbledore's full-strength strike, dust filled the air as all six collapsed one after another.
Fawkes vanished, leaving only Dumbledore and Jon upright. Dumbledore gave Jon a casual wink, then lowered the Elder-wood wand.
Professor McGonagall was still on the ground but completely unharmed… and the two students were perfectly protected beneath her.
Jon felt awkward—after all, he had just sold Dumbledore out, and now he had to face Professor McGonagall and Harry Potter.
"Ah—" he let out a soft cry, then fell beside a portrait, closing his eyes and pretending to be knocked out.
...
"Are you all right?" Dumbledore walked to the other side, sounding genuinely concerned.
"We're fine!" Professor McGonagall said as she stood, pulling Harry and Marietta up with her.
The dust settled. Harry was slightly out of breath…
As the dust settled, the ruined office emerged again: Dumbledore's desk was flipped over, the long table toppled, and the silver instruments on it shattered.
Six Ministry officials and Christopher Patrick lay sprawled across the floor. Overhead, Fawkes circled gently, letting out soft cries.
"It's a pity I had to put a spell on Kingsley. Otherwise, it would've looked too suspicious," Dumbledore murmured.
"Where are you going, Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked, worry in her voice. "Grimmauld Place?"
"I'll be back soon." Dumbledore didn't answer her question directly.
Then he turned to Harry Potter. "Listen to me, Harry. You must study Occlumency with everything you have. Do you understand? Remember—seal your mind."
Harry Potter nodded blankly.
"We need to go!" Professor McGonagall called Harry Potter and Marietta Edgecombe. "They could wake up any moment."
Jon heard their footsteps leaving. At the same time, Headmaster Phineas Black's tiny whisper sounded in his ear: "I can't… I can't hold it in anymore… it's too funny…"
...
"Hahaha…" Headmaster Phineas Black burst into laughter.
Jon could no longer hear McGonagall or the students. He quickly pushed himself up, looking around at the devastated Headmaster's Office.
"Nice acting, kid!" Headmaster Black said, clutching his stomach as he pointed at Jon.
A large, red-nosed wizard charged over, swinging a fist before giving Jon a sharp knock on the head. "You idiot, you nearly ruined everything!"
It was Headmaster Dexter Fortescue, glaring furiously at Phineas Black.
"This was just too funny…" Headmaster Black protested, one hand on his stomach and the other on his head. "And I didn't expose anything."
"I agree with Phineas!" Albus Dumbledore walked over, giving Jon a warm smile. "You weren't hurt, were you?"
"I'm fine… Fawkes was here!" Jon jumped up with renewed energy.
"You handled things well. If you hadn't altered Miss Edgecombe's memory, this wouldn't have gone nearly as smoothly," Dumbledore said, giving him a look of praise.
He also handed Jon a red piece of candy.
"What's this?" Jon asked curiously.
"Nosebleed Nougat. One of the Weasley twins' little tricks—very effective!" Dumbledore explained. "I accidentally ate one myself once."
"What else do I need to do at school, Professor Dumbledore?" Jon asked quickly.
"That's up to you. Just do what you believe is right," Dumbledore said with a playful smile. "But remember to come clean up here often. Look at the state of this place!"
As he spoke, he pointed to the pile of ruined silver instruments on his right.
"Understood!" Jon nodded seriously.
"Then farewell for now," Dumbledore said.
Fawkes gave Jon a reluctant look before circling above Dumbledore. Dumbledore raised a hand and grasped the phoenix's long golden tail. With a burst of flame, the two vanished.
Jon looked around. Umbridge and the others were still unconscious… He turned to Headmaster Phineas Black and asked, "Did Headmaster Derwent leave any message for me?"
"No!" Phineas Black shook his head quickly.
"Liar!" Dexter Fortescue shouted.
Headmaster Black sighed and nodded. "She told me to tell you that the girl's condition seems much better. The pained look is gone from her face—she looks like she's simply sleeping."
"Alright, thank you." Jon nodded, then swallowed the Nosebleed Nougat.
"Ah—!" He yelped and collapsed onto the floor.
A stream of blood poured from his nose, splattering everywhere in a gruesome display.