"Not at all, Headmaster," Arthur replied smoothly, giving Fawkes a final gentle stroke before stepping away from the perch. "The Sorting Hat and I were just reminiscing about my placement in Slytherin."
"Indeed we were," the Hat called from its shelf. "Discussing one of my more controversial decisions in recent years."
Dumbledore moved toward his desk with unhurried grace, his robes swishing softly against the stone floor. "Yes. From what I've heard from the professors, you would have excelled in any house. It's unfortunate that you were sorted into Slytherin."
"I take offense to that," the Sorting Hat interjected, its fabric crinkling indignantly. "Slytherin was the best house for the boy, as evidenced by how he negotiated his way through the forced participation in the Triwizard Tournament. Salazar himself would have approved."
Arthur's lips curved into a slight smile. "When the Sorting Hat offered, I didn't reject the placement. So it wasn't completely the hat's decision."
Dumbledore settled into his chair, the wood creaking slightly as he leaned forward, fingers forming a steeple beneath his silver beard.
"I would have preferred you in another house so that you could build relationships within the school. As can be seen from Fawkes's behavior with you, I'm sure it would have been good for everyone." The Headmaster glanced at his phoenix. "He's typically quite selective about whom he allows such familiarity."
"Perhaps he recognizes a kindred spirit," the Sorting Hat offered. "Someone who, like a phoenix, thrives amid fire rather than being consumed by it."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at this cryptic statement but didn't pursue it. Instead, he gestured for Arthur to take a seat in the chair opposite his desk. "I assume you're here for the books we discussed, Mr. Hayes?"
"Yes, Professor," Arthur replied, settling into the offered chair. "I appreciate your punctuality in honoring our agreement."
A flicker of something—perhaps annoyance, perhaps reluctant respect—crossed Dumbledore's features before his expression returned to its usual benign inscrutability. "I've always found that promptness in fulfilling one's promises prevents... unnecessary complications." The pause before the last two words carried subtle weight.
The Headmaster opened a drawer in his desk and withdrew a large, leather-bound volume that appeared centuries old. Its cover was a deep burgundy color with intricate silver symbols embossed along the spine and edges—alchemical notation that Arthur recognized as representing processes of transmutation and purification.
"Principia Alchemica," Dumbledore said, placing the book on the desk between them. "It was given to me by Nicholas Flamel himself."
Arthur carefully kept his expression neutral despite the surge of excitement he felt. This was far more valuable than he had anticipated—a book once owned by the legendary alchemist himself, possibly containing knowledge that existed nowhere else in the world.
"I trust you understand the responsibility that comes with such knowledge," Dumbledore continued, his tone measured. "There are sections that describe processes which, if attempted without proper precaution, could have devastating consequences."
"I understand, Professor," Arthur replied seriously. "I have no intention of attempting practical alchemy without thoroughly mastering the theoretical foundations."
Dumbledore studied him for a moment longer before nodding and reaching back into the drawer. He withdrew two more volumes, each distinct in appearance. The first was bound in pale blue leather that seemed to shimmer slightly in the light, with the title L'Art de l'Enchantement embossed in silver script. The second was a darker tome, bound in what appeared to be black dragonhide, with no visible title.
"Madame Maxime's contribution on the art of enchantment," Dumbledore explained, indicating the blue book, "and Professor Karkaroff's volume on Eastern European curse theory." He gestured toward the black tome. "Both were delivered to me this morning, as promised."
Arthur reached for the books, maintaining his composed demeanor despite his eagerness to examine their contents. The enchantment text felt strangely warm to the touch, while Karkaroff's contribution seemed to absorb the light around it—a common characteristic of books dealing with darker magical arts.
"Before you depart with these, Mr. Hayes," Dumbledore said, "I feel compelled to ask: What is it you hope to achieve with such specialized knowledge?"
The question was casual in tone but probing in intent. Arthur considered his response carefully, aware that this was more than idle curiosity on the Headmaster's part.
"Understanding, Professor," he replied finally. "Magic exists in many forms across different cultures and traditions. By studying diverse approaches — whether alchemy, enchantment, or even the darker arts — one can identify the common principles that underlie all magical phenomena."
"A scholarly answer," Dumbledore observed, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips. "Yet I wonder if there is perhaps a more... practical application you have in mind?"
Arthur met the Headmaster's gaze without flinching. "Knowledge is power, Professor. Everything doesn't need to be applied directly. It can be reference for better applications in the future."
Something shifted in Dumbledore's expression—a hint of recognition, perhaps even empathy, that Arthur hadn't expected to see. "An honest answer, at least. Though I would caution that power sought for its own sake has led many a talented wizard down destructive paths."
"I seek neither power nor knowledge for its own sake," Arthur clarified, the books heavy in his hands. "They are means to specific ends — ends I believe are reasonable and justified."
Dumbledore leaned forward slightly. "And those ends are?"
"To live a free life without being controlled by fear," he replied, memories of his parents' murder briefly darkening his thoughts, "and to ensure I have the power to keep the people close to me safe."
A long moment of silence followed this statement. Finally, Dumbledore nodded, as if reaching some internal conclusion. "A worthy goal, though the path you've chosen to pursue it is perhaps more... confrontational than most."
Arthur allowed himself a small, rueful smile. "Confrontation wasn't my first choice, Professor. But seven years in Slytherin House have taught me that accommodation and compromise are rarely offered to those perceived as outsiders."
"A fair observation," Dumbledore conceded with a slight nod. "Though I would have preferred you not to have isolated yourself. I see in you the strength and means to change the wizarding world. To help Muggle-borns like yourself have better lives and opportunities."
"It's too much of a hassle," Arthur replied with a dismissive shrug. "If someone like you, Headmaster, with all the strength and influence you possess, couldn't change the way Muggle-borns are perceived in wizarding Britain, then what chance would I have had?"
Dumbledore's eyes took on a distant look. "I have failed in many ways, but that doesn't mean it's the end. From my experience, I've learned that young minds can always bring surprises where old ones see only established patterns."
"I do have ways to change things," Arthur said, the admission surprising even himself, "but they would require a radical revolution that I suspect you wouldn't approve of. And anyway, it seemed a thankless job, so I wasn't particularly motivated to pursue it."
Dumbledore studied him thoughtfully. "So may I ask, what are your plans after graduating from Hogwarts this year?"
For a moment, Arthur considered deflection, but something in the old wizard's expression made him reconsider. Perhaps, at the end of his time at Hogwarts, a partial truth was warranted.
Arthur said "Well, I have many plans. Professor, do you know of the other hidden communities on this planet?"
"Other hidden communities?" Dumbledore's eyebrows rose slightly, genuine curiosity replacing his usual calculated interest.
"Have you heard about Kamar-Taj?" Arthur asked, watching closely for the Headmaster's reaction.
He wasn't disappointed. Dumbledore's eyes widened, a flicker of recognition and surprise breaking through his carefully maintained composure.
"Kamar-Taj! That's a name I haven't heard in quite some time." The Headmaster leaned forward. "How did you learn about them?"
"I don't know much," Arthur said carefully, hiding his satisfaction at having caught Dumbledore off-guard, "just rumors about them. How they have mages who can also do things like us. I might go there after Hogwarts."
"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you," Dumbledore replied, regaining his equilibrium, "but I've been told that the way they do magic is very different from ours and is not particularly compatible."
Arthur wasn't deterred. "Maybe, but I would still like to visit them. And I wonder — since magic is real, what about other things I've read about in fiction? Aliens, superheroes. I'd like to meet them and perhaps make some friends."
"Aliens? Superheroes?" Now Dumbledore looked genuinely confused, his silvery eyebrows drawing together. "What do these terms mean?"
"Muggle concepts," Arthur explained, enjoying the rare opportunity to educate the Headmaster. "Have you heard of Captain America? He was the world's first public superhero. And aliens are beings who live outside our planet."
"Outside our planet? In outer space?" Dumbledore's expression was almost comical in its bewilderment. "How can one travel in space? How is that possible?"
"The wizarding world is behind on news," Arthur said with a hint of condescension he couldn't quite suppress. "Muggles have already set foot on the moon and might soon travel further in space. If muggles can do that, who's to say other planets don't have life as well? What if all the myths floating around — Greek and Norse mythology, for instance — are actually about aliens? The possibility exists."
Dumbledore leaned back, looking suddenly weary, the weight of his years evident in the slump of his shoulders.
"I fear I'm too old for all this. I would have preferred you stayed in our world and helped fix its problems, but I can see that your ambitions lie elsewhere, and there's nothing I can do to change that." His blue eyes met Arthur's with unexpected earnestness. "I wish you the best of luck for your future, and I hope you always maintain a clear mind and don't stray toward darkness."
"I'll do my best, Professor," Arthur promised, rising from his chair and carefully gathering the three precious tomes. Their weight in his arms felt like the beginning of something new. "Thank you for these books. Goodbye."
As the door closed behind Arthur, Dumbledore turned toward the Sorting Hat, his expression thoughtful. "What do you make of everything Mr. Hayes said? Do things like aliens truly exist? Are there other hidden communities like Kamar-Taj on this planet?"
"Perhaps," the Hat replied. "From what I know of Mr. Hayes, he's not some idle dreamer. If he believes these things possible, he must know something we do not." The ancient artifact paused before adding, "Does this make you want to start adventuring again, Albus?"
"No," Dumbledore sighed, stroking his beard absently. "I'm far too old for adventures. It's the turn of the young ones now."
"And what do you think of Mr. Hayes?" the Hat pressed. "Do you regret not listening to me seven years ago and failing to build a closer bond between him and the wizarding world?"
Dumbledore gazed at Fawkes, who had settled back on his perch and was watching the headmaster with knowing eyes. "A delightful and ambitious young man. Talented, too. Nothing like Tom." A shadow passed over his features. "However there's little use in regrets now."
"Yet you have them," the Hat observed shrewdly.
"Many," Dumbledore admitted quietly. "But perhaps it's for the best. The path Arthur Hayes walks is not one I could have guided him along, even had I tried. Some journeys must be undertaken alone."
"Or perhaps," the Sorting Hat suggested, "you simply prefer your champions to be more... pliable. Like young Potter."
Dumbledore didn't answer, his gaze now fixed on the window where the distant mountains met the sky. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts and paths not taken.
Outside, Arthur Hayes strode walked through the Hogwarts corridors, the three ancient tomes clutched to his chest, his mind already racing with the possibilities they contained.