"I hope everyone can keep this secret and not let anyone outside this office know... Out of respect for the headmasters, I think I shouldn't desecrate you with magic."
Dumbledore raised his deep gaze to the portraits on the wall.
"Do you intend to burn us with Fiery Fire?"
Phineas Nigellus Black, feeling disrespected, was exasperated.
"I believe the headmasters haven't gone too far down that road yet. You should know Ian Prince is always capable of finding you... As far as I know, this child holds grudges." Dumbledore spoke in a reminding manner, causing Phineas Nigellus Black to immediately close his mouth.
The situation where Slytherin students suffered various small retaliations after offending Ian was well known to him—several other headmasters' expressions were just as remarkable.
"No one dares to leak his secret, rest assured, Dumbledore..." The previous headmaster, who still looked terrified, came from Ravenclaw. "This isn't a human ability, definitely not; he may be divinely favored, a Divine Favored has emerged in your time!"
Regarding this headmaster's assessment.
Dumbledore was somewhat surprised.
Before he could inquire further, former headmaster Armando Dippet, who had passed the position to Dumbledore, solemnly reminded,
"Not only can he traverse the boundary between life and death, but this child just provided you with a prophecy!" This reminder didn't change Dumbledore's expression.
He stared at the letter in his hand, as his gaze shifted, speaking softly, "Actually, since I knew of his talents, I had suspected that if he could traverse life and death like Merlin, he might also be a prophet like Merlin. It proves he can see more than Gellert Grindelwald."
Upon hearing this.
The headmasters on the wall exchanged looks.
"You should ask him where the other things are; I suspect he could definitely give you an answer," Armando Dippet said with a furrowed brow.
Dumbledore glanced out the window and chuckled lightly.
"Ian at least told me the quantity."
Dumbledore's voice carried a sense of gratitude.
"This is already a great trust, and I should only hold gratitude for it. That child owes me nothing, yet he still risks providing me assistance."
He carefully intended to seal the letter back to its original state, treating it as a treasure of indescribable value.
Due to his previous attention to the letter's content, he had neglected other items within the envelope. Thus, when Dumbledore attempted to return the letter to the envelope.
A photograph fell out.
On the photograph.
Three people leaned close together, with varied expressions, looking very warm.
"Although Christmas isn't here yet, on this Halloween day, I think I've already received the gift that brings me the greatest joy." Dumbledore's smile was warm, his eyes still red from crying, as he gently caressed the photograph, as if to feel the smile of his sister through it.
...
Ian indeed risked for Dumbledore.
Because he turned a corner after leaving and ran into Gilderoy Grindelwald.
"He's really found another Soul Artifact, and I might be sleepless tonight because of it, so... On this Halloween, are you interested in joining me for a journey?"
No idea if the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher had secretly been spying during that time, he seemed cheerful as he extended the invitation to Ian.
Denying Ian any option to refuse.