Violet Summer: The Philosopher's Stone

Chapter 6: A Wise Man's Word

 A few weeks at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry began with a warm embrace of an early morning. The students had finished their breakfast and dispersed to attend their first classes.

Toni's distance from Harry, Ron, and Hermione continued into the weeks following. This time, neither Ron nor Harry attempted to approach Toni or inquire about her days. It saddened Toni, knowing that she wasn't entirely blameless due to her own efforts to avoid them over the weekend. After what had been revealed in Hagrid's hut, she understood their hesitance. Still, it weighed on her to feel that their friendships had become fleeting and ephemeral.

Despite her lingering thoughts about her friends, Harry and Ron, Toni found herself free from their combined class with the Slytherins that day. Gryffindor and Slytherin were scheduled to have a joint flying class, but Toni's extensive broom experience had earned her a special request from Headmaster Dumbledore. Instead of participating in the class, Toni was to assist him. The exact nature of her task remained unknown to her. She had assumed it would involve helping him organize or write letters. After breakfast, Professor McGonagall briefly collected her and escorted her to the hidden entrance of the Headmaster's office. There, she stood waiting for Dumbledore to arrive.

The wait seemed like an eternity. Toni almost wished she were out in the courtyard with her fellow students, flying on brooms. However, her wait soon came to an end as Dumbledore appeared at the end of the hallway, carrying a large bundle of parchments in his hands. Toni stood up and waited until the Headmaster towered above her, exchanging a smile as their eyes met.

"Miss Rothley," he began, "I apologize for keeping you waiting. Professor Quirrell was causing quite a fuss, and it took up a significant portion of my time, I'm afraid."

"That's alright. I wasn't waiting for long," she replied, offering a smile despite her lie. Dumbledore chuckled and gestured for her to step forward with him.

The two of them stood before a majestic statue of a large gargoyle. Toni couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as Dumbledore leaned in, whispering a secret command to the statue. Slowly, it began to turn, revealing a staircase that spiraled upward to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore glanced at Toni briefly before making his way up, with Toni following closely behind him.

Upon entering the office, Toni was greeted by a spacious circular room adorned with rounded windows that offered glimpses of the outside world. The walls were adorned with portraits of esteemed headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts. A collection of shelves held numerous books, while a peculiar, withered bird sat on a perch beside the main desk. Toni focused her gaze on it, gradually realizing that it was a phoenix, albeit appearing aged and nearing the end of its days. The sight both captivated and saddened her. However, her attention was swiftly diverted as Dumbledore placed the parchments on his desk and settled into his seat. Retrieving his wand from his robes, he gestured it through the air, summoning a chair to the opposite side. With his outstretched hand, he invited Toni to take a seat.

Toni settled into the chair, her curiosity piqued as Dumbledore unfolded the parchments and scanned through them before setting them aside. Leaning closer to the desk, she mustered the courage to ask, "Dumbledore... May I inquire what you need me for?"

Meeting her gaze with a tender smile, Dumbledore paused for a moment before responding, "It's not about what I need you for, but rather what you need from me."

Toni furrowed her brow in puzzlement, awaiting further explanation. Dumbledore rose from his seat and approached the phoenix, gently caressing its neck.

"You are an exceptionally gifted young witch, Antonia. I foresee a great future ahead of you," he remarked. Turning back to Toni, he continued, "I believe that your fear of letting others know the truth about your circumstances is misguided. Building connections and nurturing friendships will be the foundation of your true power."