Dumbledore eyed Erwin with a flicker of exasperation. Once again, the boy had him cornered, and there was little he could do about it.
"Professor," Erwin said earnestly, "it's tricky keeping everyone off Ron's back, but I can have a word with the Slytherins. Tell them to lay off stirring up trouble for him. That's the best I can manage."
Dumbledore considered this, stroking his beard. "The condition?"
Erwin leaned in slightly. "Come with me somewhere over the summer."
A pause. "Germany?"
Erwin's smile was all innocence. "Spot on."
"Very well," Dumbledore agreed, his eyes twinkling faintly. "I accept."
Erwin suppressed a grin. Victory. Even without the Headmaster's nudge, he had no intention of letting Slytherins hound Ron—not when it risked tarnishing his own reputation for fairness. If things went south, fingers might point his way. Besides, Ron was never a real threat; Erwin's goals lay elsewhere.
In truth, this was a steal for Erwin. Who turned down a free favor from the greatest wizard alive?
"If that's settled, Professor, I'll be off."
"Hold on, Erwin. There's more." Dumbledore's tone grew warmer. "How's Harry been lately?"
Erwin raised an eyebrow. "Hasn't Professor McGonagall filled you in? He's been a model student these past few days."
Dumbledore nodded sagely. "Harry's... unique. He carries a special burden."
Erwin simply nodded, offering nothing more.
Silence stretched across the office, thick as the portraits' watchful stares.
Dumbledore waited, but Erwin stayed mum. The Headmaster sighed inwardly—bantering with this lad was exhausting.
"Aren't you curious about his uniqueness?"
Erwin shook his head. "Not really. It doesn't concern me. I'm just your average young wizard, after all."
Dumbledore's fingers twitched toward his wand, but he reined in the impulse. "Harry has a vital role. You've heard the tales: he vanquished Voldemort and saved us all."
Erwin cut in smoothly. "Sorry to interrupt, Professor, but evening study hall's underway. If this is story time, can we save it? I need to oversee things—my godfather, Professor Snape, is tied up brewing potions. If I slack off and trouble brews, he won't go easy on me."
Dumbledore blinked. "You've accepted Severus as godfather?"
Erwin nodded, all wide-eyed sincerity.
A spark lit in Dumbledore's gaze. "Splendid. He'll be an excellent guide."
"Couldn't agree more. So, may I go?"
"Erwin," Dumbledore pressed, his voice grave, "Hogwarts faces peril."
Erwin feigned a shudder. Inside, he smirked—the old fox was finally cutting to the chase.
"That's dreadful!" he gasped, clasping his hands. "But I trust the staff. With you at the helm, Professor, we're unbreakable. Hogwarts is the safest haven in the wizarding world—I'm certain of it."
The Headmaster leaned forward. "This threat demands your aid. Or rather, only Harry can confront it. You must stand by him."
Erwin tilted his head, puzzled. "Me? I don't follow. What danger stumps you but not Harry? No offense, but he's brilliant—yet leagues below you. Even I'm no match for the professors. I can't imagine a crisis you couldn't handle that he could."
"Power alone doesn't solve everything," Dumbledore replied evenly.
Erwin chuckled. "True enough. Though most troubles stem from a lack of it, don't they?"
Dumbledore's temples throbbed. "I recall you mentioning Harry's need to mature. If I read you right, this 'crisis' is engineered for his growth. A setup?"
The Headmaster's eyes narrowed in admiration. "Astute as ever. Indeed. Ever heard of Nicolas Flamel?"
"The legendary alchemist? Creator of the Philosopher's Stone—turns base metal to gold, even bestows eternal life?"
"Precisely. And the Stone is here, at Hogwarts."
Erwin's eyes widened in mock awe. "Incredible! Only at Hogwarts would something so mythical turn up."
Dumbledore faltered. That wasn't the shock he'd anticipated.
Impatient now, he dropped the pretense. "The Dark Lord endures. He's lurking within these walls, scheming to seize the Stone."
Erwin gasped. "Horrible! Catch him quick, Professor—that's ghastly."
"Voldemort's state is... intricate," Dumbledore explained. "I cannot locate him. Only Harry can. And in turn, Voldemort hunts Harry. The boy is at risk, Erwin. You must protect him."
Erwin rolled his eyes inwardly. The old man spinning tales again? Dumbledore likely knew Voldemort's every twitch. This was pure fabrication.
"Good lord, that's dire!" Erwin exclaimed, rising. "I must warn Harry—drag him back to Gryffindor Tower if I have to. Can't let my mate face that alone."
He made for the door.
Dumbledore's expression hardened. "Erwin, wait. Harry can face Voldemort. Your role is to support him—to end this threat for good."
Inside, Erwin scoffed. For good? More like leveling up the prophecy's grim game. As Snape had put it, Dumbledore was grooming Harry like a lamb to the slaughter.
"Understood, Professor," Erwin said aloud, voice steady. "I'll look out for him."
As he exited the office, the stone gargoyle swung shut behind him. The Headmaster's elaborate web had snared the wrong fox—this time.
...
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