Faced with Adrian's obviously fake explanation, Ron didn't know what to say. Harry also wanted to challenge what was so "moving" about political ambition, but seeing Adrian's sincere expression, he swallowed his skeptical words.
At that moment, an elderly, steady voice suddenly filled the room.
"There's no shame in facing our deepest pain, Mr. Blackwood."
Adrian recognized Dumbledore's voice instantly. In the next second, he activated his Occlumency defenses while simultaneously spending one hundred system points to engage his SEC (short for study experience card), hoping the enhanced mental clarity would provide additional protection.
At the office entrance, Dumbledore stood quietly, his white hair and beard unmistakable. No one knew how long he'd been observing them.
"Professor..." Harry said nervously, realizing they'd used the magical mirror without permission.
Dumbledore wasn't looking at the students. Instead, his gaze fixed on the Mirror of Erised. Adrian couldn't figure out any clues from Dumbledore's reflection, knowing only that the Headmaster had gazed into it for several moments before returning to awareness.
Dumbledore approached and gently touched Harry's head, then turned his attention to Adrian.
"What Mr. Blackwood said is correct. This is the Mirror of Erised, which shows us our heart's deepest and most desperate desires. Throughout history, many people have become lost before these false visions, eventually becoming obsessed because they cannot tell the difference between what the mirror shows and reality, or whether their desires could ever be achieved."
"I don't want any of you to suffer the same fate," Dumbledore added seriously.
"Mr. Blackwood, would you mind telling me what you truly saw in the mirror?" Dumbledore asked suddenly.
Adrian hesitated, considering various excuses to avoid the question, but finally decided honesty might serve him better.
"Family," he said simply.
"Yes, I should have realized," Dumbledore murmured, seemingly moved by the admission.
"Professor, what do you see in the Mirror of Erised?" Adrian asked quickly, not wanting to give Dumbledore too much time to think about his answer.
"I see myself holding a pair of thick woolen socks," Dumbledore replied.
"One can never have enough socks. I had hoped to receive several pairs for Christmas, but unfortunately, people insisted on giving me books instead."
Adrian suppressed an eye-roll. While he understood Dumbledore was using socks as a metaphor for family, he couldn't help his internal commentary.
Didn't you just lecture us about facing our pain honestly? What happened to your principles, you old schemer?
After this exchange, Harry remembered their original purpose and interrupted anxiously.
"Professor, we came to report something urgent. A few days ago, a mysterious man in black robes learned how to get past Fluffy from Hagrid. He's probably planning to go through the trapdoor and steal the Philosopher's Stone you've hidden below."
Harry finished in a rush, then added details about Snape's injured leg after Halloween and the suspicious behavior during the Quidditch match for additional credibility.
Ron and Hermione contributed supporting details, though their excitement made their account somewhat jumbled.
"Please, sit down and tell me everything slowly," Dumbledore said calmly, seemingly unsurprised by their report. He waved his wand, transfiguring four chairs and gesturing for them to sit.
Once they were settled, Dumbledore asked, "First, could you tell me how you learned about the Philosopher's Stone?"
Isn't that following the clues you deliberately left? Adrian thought, but before he could speak, Harry and the others had already begun explaining.
"We learned from Hagrid that whatever's hidden under the trapdoor was connected to someone named Nicolas Flamel, and then we discovered he was the creator of the Philosopher's Stone," Adrian explained.
"And who do you suspect might be attempting this theft?" Dumbledore nodded, accepting Adrian's explanation.
"We think it's Snape! Or possibly Professor Quirrell," Harry said urgently.
This time, Dumbledore didn't respond immediately, falling into extended thought.
"Professor, don't you believe us?" Ron asked anxiously.
"No, of course I believe you," Dumbledore reassured them before continuing in a serious tone. "However, I also trust the professors at this school. They wouldn't engage in such activities."
Harry opened his mouth to argue, but Dumbledore raised a hand for silence.
"Fluffy isn't the only protection guarding the Philosopher's Stone. Every professor has contributed a defensive measure, including both Snape and Quirrell."
"Therefore, the Stone remains perfectly safe," Dumbledore concluded.
"Then if there are no enemies, why bring the Philosopher's Stone to school and set up so many protections?" Adrian spotted the flaw in Dumbledore's reasoning and pressed the point.
Now that he'd found an opportunity to report Quirrell, Adrian was naturally eager to suggest Dumbledore resolve this potential threat quickly.
You're leaving a professor-level enemy connected to the Dark Lord teaching first-year students, doesn't your conscience bother you? Adrian thought while maintaining his Occlumency defenses and creating believable false surface thoughts.
During their conversation, Adrian had keenly noticed Dumbledore using subtle Legilimency probes three times, when Harry told their story, when they mentioned the Philosopher's Stone, and when asked about their suspects.
The mental intrusions were brief, likely just confirming whether they were lying or hiding information rather than deep memory exploration.
Thanks to his enhanced Occlumency from the SEC, and Dumbledore not using his full power, Adrian successfully concealed his true thoughts.
"That's because I received intelligence that a very dangerous individual is indeed planning to target the Philosopher's Stone, though it's neither Snape nor Quirrell, as you suggest," Dumbledore said, giving Adrian an appreciative look without explaining further. He stood and approached the Mirror of Erised.
"Regardless, thank you for the warning. I'll have the other professors maintain increased vigilance. You should return to your dormitories now, I need to move this mirror elsewhere. If you notice anything else unusual, please don't hesitate to inform me."
"Of course, Professor. We'll go now," Adrian said, relieved that Dumbledore didn't intend to deal with Quirrell immediately. He just wanted to escape this encounter as quickly as possible.
Harry opened his mouth, still having many questions and concerns, but ultimately followed the others out of the Headmaster's office without another word.
After the four students departed, Dumbledore stood before the Mirror of Erised for an extended period, deep in thought. Finally, he spoke to the apparently empty room.
"Severus... what are your thoughts?"