Amelia Bones adjusted her cloak, the heavy wool settling around her shoulders with an air of absolute finality. She turned toward the fireplace, preparing to take her leave, but paused, casting one last look at the Headmaster.
"One final logistical note, Albus," Amelia said, her tone professional but weary. "The Dementors are to remain stationed at the perimeter for the remainder of this week."
Dumbledore frowned slightly, the twinkle vanishing from his eyes. "I had hoped the capture of Peter would expedite their removal, Amelia. The atmosphere they create is... deleterious to the students' well-being."
"The motion to remove them has been officially passed by the Wizengamot," Amelia assured him quickly. "But until the rat is safely secured behind the walls of Azkaban on Thursday, the Ministry considers the threat of his presence—to be active. Standard procedure dictates we maintain the current security perimeter until the primary target is incarcerated."
"I understand," Dumbledore nodded grimly. "We shall endure them for a few more days."
"See that you do. Good evening, Albus. Mr. Malfoy."
Amelia threw a pinch of Floo powder into the grate and stepped into the emerald flames, vanishing back to the Ministry to oversee the final preparations for Halloween.
The office fell quiet, the silence broken only by the soft, rhythmic puffing of a silver instrument resembling a celestial globe. Fawkes the Phoenix was noticeably absent tonight, leaving his golden perch empty and denying Orion the comforting distraction of the bird's humour-filled banter.
Dumbledore remained seated behind his desk, watching the flames die down. He let out a long, slow breath, seeming to age visibly in the quiet aftermath of the meeting.
"Thank you, Orion," Dumbledore said softly, turning his gaze back to the young Slytherin.
Orion blinked, momentarily surprised by the sincerity in the Headmaster's voice. "I beg your pardon, sir?"
"Accolades and medals aside," Dumbledore continued, a gentle, weary smile touching his lips. "I really want to thank you. Personally. For your contributions in this entire affair."
He laced his fingers together, resting them on the polished wood of his desk.
"We might have faced a seemingly insurmountable amount of bureaucratic and political trouble if you had not possessed the foresight to involve your father in the initial disclosure. The Wizengamot is a fickle beast; it requires the right handlers. And the fact that you chose to bring the rat directly to Professor Lupin in the first place... it was the catalyst for truth. You chose the one man who could recognize the lie immediately."
"I am glad to have helped, Headmaster," Orion replied smoothly, maintaining his polite facade. "It was the most efficient course of action."
He decided to pivot the conversation slightly, probing for a specific piece of intelligence he had been monitoring.
"Speaking of Professor Lupin," Orion noted, crossing his legs casually. "I noticed a rather small article in the Daily Prophet a few days ago. It briefly highlighted the fact that he is a werewolf, revealed during his testimony. Yet, no one seems to be giving it much thought. There was no public outcry, and the story was not repeated."
Dumbledore's smile widened slightly, a look of profound relief washing over his features.
"Ah, yes," Dumbledore chuckled softly. "I was actually expecting quite a severe hammering from the press and the Board of Governors regarding that particular revelation. But it seems the narrative favored us."
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair. "Professor Lupin's own pivotal role in uncovering the deceit was heavily noted in the transcripts. The fact that the truth came out directly because of his vigilance and his courage to testify meant that we had a strong, positive narrative to embellish. We framed him as a hero who overcame the fear of his 'condition' to secure justice."
"A masterful spin, Headmaster," Orion conceded, genuinely impressed by the political maneuvering.
"Suffice it to say, we have retained him for now," Dumbledore concluded, though a shadow of worry remained in his eyes. "The wizarding world is currently directing all of its outrage and attention entirely at Peter Pettigrew. We hope to bury the knowledge of Remus's affliction beneath that outrage, as long as no incidents occur. I do hope, at least, that the parents remain distracted."
"As long as he remembers to take his Wolfsbane Potion, the risk is minimal," Orion agreed. "Uncle Sev is brewing it for him, I assume?"
"He is," Dumbledore confirmed, his eyes crinkling slightly at the edges. "Though Severus makes his displeasure known with every cauldron stirred."
A companionable silence settled over the office for a few moments. It was the calm before the storm. Orion knew Dumbledore wasn't just keeping him here for a post-op debrief.
Dumbledore shifted his posture, leaning forward slightly, the easy, grandfatherly demeanor evaporating instantly. The atmosphere in the room tightened, growing heavy with sudden, serious intent.
"Speaking of Remus," Dumbledore said, his voice dropping into a quiet, intensely focused register. "There is one thing I wished to speak to you about, Orion."
Orion didn't flinch. He kept his expression perfectly neutral, meeting the Headmaster's piercing blue gaze without blinking.
"I at first did not want to push this subject," Dumbledore continued slowly, carefully choosing his words. "I felt it was perhaps a private matter. But now that we have a quiet moment, and given the weight of the events we have navigated together... I wish to talk to you about it."
Orion felt a cold thrill of anticipation run down his spine. The waiting game was over.
Here it is, Orion thought, mentally squaring his shoulders, preparing for the philosophical duel he had been anticipating for over a month.
They were finally going to talk about his Boggart.