Bab 109: Meeting with the Headmaster
As Matthew arrived in front of the ugly Gargoyle Statue made of Bronze that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office he greeted it, "Hello I would like to meet the Headmaster." Stated Matthew as he watched the Gargoyle. The Statue was supposed to have the ability to talk.
Suddenly the Statue moved its mouth, "Password?"
"Hmm, so you can talk. Interesting. The Password is 'Center Shock'." Once the Password left Matthew's mouth, the Gargoyle Statue began to move. It began to rotate and a Stairway began to appear from the Ground in the Stairwell leading to the Headmaster's office. Matthew quickly stepped onto one of the upper steps and let himself be lifted upwards. After a short while, the stairs stopped at a Platform in front of a massive and old wooden door.
Matthew stepped onto the last platform and knocked on the door, after he heard no reply from the inside for a while, he was unsure how to proceed. In the end, he decided to enter the Office and wait for the Headmaster inside. After all, since he came that far he had permission to be here. The Gargoyle wouldn't have moved like with Umbridge during the fifth Harry Potter book once she forced Dumbledore out of the Castle.
The Headmaster Office was a large circular room, with a number of spindly tables upon which were set delicate looking silver instruments that whirred and emitted small puffs of smoke, as well as an incredible collection of books. This was probably Dumbledore's personal Collection. Matthew's Magic sensitivity was already so high that he felt the protections surrounding him, he probably isn't able to scan their content without breaking them or the Headmasters protection. For now, he decided against risking it, there may be a few rare books amongst them but they weren't worth the trouble.
In the center of the office stood an ancient headdesk where the headmaster worked from. Behind it on the wall hung a collection of Portraits. They were the previous Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts since the invention of the magical Portraits. The portrait of the immediate predecessor of the current Headmaster or Headmistress hung behind the Head's desk. It was the largest Portrait and was currently Occupied by Armando Dippet a pale-skinned and frail-looking Wizard with brown eyes, white balding hair, and a beard.
"Greetings Headmasters and Headmistresses." Nodded Matthew politely as the Portraits watched him and greeted back, "Will be Professor Dumbledore available today?"
"He will be soon here just sit down and wait a moment. His Wizengamot meeting should have finished by now." Replied the Portrait of Armando Dippet with a smile.
As Matthew sat down on one of the Chairs in front of the Desk he took a closer look at the Office. On top of a Shelve on the left side rested the Sorting Hat on his permanent Spot. Next to the Shelve was a glass cabinet that shined and glowed, Matthew guessed that the Pensieve was inside of it, it was currently locked. On the right side of the Desk stood a Perch for the Phoenix Fawkes which was currently empty. Behind it on the same side was a stairway that lead up to a small balcony with a Door that probably lead to the Headmaster's personal Quarters.
'Sarah be ready to scan and record the Firetravelling ability of a Phoenix. Dumbledore may arrive with Fawkes.'
Matthew hadn't to wait that long and suddenly there was a burst of flames and Dumbledore appeared behind his desk while holding onto Fawkes's legs.
"Whoa, that was cool." Muttered Matthew unconsciously in amazement as he saw it for the first time in Real life.
"Thank you, Mr. Mason. Fawkes is an amazing being." Replied Dumbledore with amusement as Fawkes thrilled happily as he landed on his Perch. Fawkes had crimson feathers on his body and a golden tail as long as a peacock's. His claws and beak were gleaming gold and his eyes were black. Today was definitely no burning day and Matthew was lucky enough to witness the Bird in its full beauty.
"Eh, hello, Professor Dumbledore. And nice to meet you, Fawkes." Greeted Matthew a bit embarrassed.
Fawkes replied with a happy thrill of his beautiful voice as he nodded at Matthew with an amused glim in his eyes.
"So how can I help you today Mr. Mason? I believe this is the first time we talk privately," asked Dumbledore as he also settled down behind his desk.
"Yes Professor. My request is actually pretty simple. I would like to take up my right for self Study instead of attending DADA Lessons. My reasoning is that I don't feel that Professor Lockhart is actually qualified to teach a class. No disrespect to your Choice in teachers. I understand that the Position of the DADA Professor is hard to fill with the teacher leaving willingly or unwillingly every year. I even have a recommendation from Professor Flitwick." Explained Matthew coming straight to the point as he handed over the note from his House-head.
"I see." Replied Dumbledore a bit in his thoughts as he took a look at the note, "I actually have no problem with that under certain conditions. You will have to at least self-study half the lessons in the Library so that Madame Pince can see that you actually Study, I will inform her to keep an eye on that. In the Other half, you can use empty Classrooms to practice the Spells since I know that actual practice is important. At the end of the year, you will have to write an exam that I will prepare personally for you. If you shouldn't at least get an Acceptable you will have to repeat that year." Said the Headmaster with a gleam in his eyes.
"I have no problems with that. I am rather excited that you will personally test me." Replied Matthew.
"Oho, well my Staff seem to always praise you in our Staff meetings. And your grades are top-notch so I want to actually test you myself. But be warned I won't take it easy on you. It will be actually harder than any test you have participated in before since I want to see your actual limits." Explained Dumbledore with his twinkling eyes.
"No Problem sir. I wouldn't expect anything less. Will, there be a practical part?" asked Matthew.
"Of course." Nodded the Headmaster, "But there is still another condition. Professor Lockhart has repeatedly stated his wish that he would like to restart the Dueling Club. We had to stop it in the Past because Professor Flitwick became Head of House Ravenclaw and hadn't the time anymore to organize it. But as you are already aware of the true nature of Professor Lockhart's abilities I was rather reluctant to accept the request. I would like that you Mr. Mason act as Professor Lockhart's assistant during the Club. It will be focused on the Pre-Owl Students. I believe you have enough skill to teach them."
"Oh yes, pleas— eh I mean I have no problem with that Condition. When would the Club begin?" asked Matthew controlling his excitement that he can legally beat up the idiot during a duel.
"It will still take a while since there would be a lot of Paperwork I have to Complete with the Department of Magical Education. The earliest would be in December." Answered Dumbledore while being visibly amused.
"Yes, no Problem Professor. Then Thank you for your permission I have no problem with your condition. I will spend my Friday DADA time in the Library. While on Tuesday's I will use an empty Classroom to practice my Spells. Have a nice evening Professor." Finished Matthew as he left the Office.
"You too Mr. Mason." Came the reply as Fawkes thrilled a goodbye.
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