All those striking features coming together made Julian look regal, even faintly imposing, despite his age.
"You clean up rather nicely, I would say," Helena remarked, clearly impressed.
"Thank you. That's the whole idea of the getup," Julian replied as he dismissed the conjured mirror.
"TEMPUS!" A light tap of his wand.
"4:48. I should head to the headmaster's office and wait for my escort," he said, then left the workshop and locked it behind him.
...
The few students still at Hogwarts gasped and pointed as he passed through the corridors on his way to Dumbledore's office.
McGonagall was waiting by the large bronze griffin statue that guarded the entrance to the headmaster's area. She smiled with open approval when Julian approached.
"You clean up well, Mr. Ravenclaw," she praised.
"I would certainly hope so, with the effort I put into it," Julian replied, smirking.
"Best be on your way up," she said. "Your escort should be arriving any moment."
Then she turned to the statue. "Cricket crunchies!"
The griffin statue shifted aside to allow passage.
Julian could only shake his head at the ridiculous password Dumbledore had chosen this time. McGonagall was clearly only there to let him through. After she said the password, she left, giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder on her way out.
...
Julian steeled himself.
For the first time all year, at least as far as he was aware, he was going to be alone with Dumbledore.
His anger had dulled with time, but he still disliked the man.
When he stepped into the office, he was caught off guard by how messy it was. Artifacts, books, scrolls, and strange objects were stacked in careless piles along the sides of the room. A row of portraits lined the wall, all of them watching Julian as he watched them back.
Once he was satisfied with what he'd seen, he turned toward the large wooden desk at the far end of the office. Or rather, to the right of it from where he stood.
A large red-and-gold bird perched on a metal stand, looking at Julian with familiar warm golden eyes.
"He has been quite looking forward to this meeting, you know," a calm, aged voice said lightly.
...
Julian's gaze flicked to the source of the voice.
Dumbledore sat behind the desk with both hands plainly visible, neither holding a wand. He wore his usual grey robes and half-moon spectacles, his expression gentle.
"I may have visited sooner, had the circumstances been different," Julian said, eyes narrowed, his tone icy.
Dumbledore sighed. "I admit I overstepped my bounds earlier this year, and I apologize for any problems that may have caused you," he said sincerely.
Julian's hostility eased, just a fraction.
...
"The resemblance is rather uncanny, you know," Dumbledore said suddenly, looking momentarily lost in thought.
"In what regard?" Julian asked, not understanding.
Dumbledore's eyes focused again. "Your eyes. I am one of the few in the world to have the privilege of meeting both a thunderbird and a phoenix before. Besides being birds, did you know the only visible trait they share is their eye color?"
Julian gave a short, quiet sound, almost a laugh without humor. "I was horrified when it chose me, you know. I thought I was completely ruined, since the nail that stands out the most…"
"Is the first to be struck down," Dumbledore finished calmly. "Yes, I believe that is the rest of the phrase."
He paused, and when he spoke again, his voice carried exhaustion.
"I cannot claim to not understand your thoughts at the time. An orphan with extraordinary talent and personality. It reminds me very much of another pupil of mine who did not turn out how I had hoped."
...
"It was my own fear of precisely that which drove me to my actions," Dumbledore continued. "I sought to provide you a sense of security, of protection. But like so many plans before, I was far too self-absorbed to realize what I had done until it was too late, and I ruined it instead."
Julian studied him, then spoke without softening the truth.
"You know, I was so overcome with anger that I came this close to attacking you that day with the most powerful spell I knew at the time. Only later did I realize that it might have satisfied my wrath in the moment, but it would have ruined my future."
He held Dumbledore's gaze steadily.
"I don't like you. Nor do I think I ever will. But that doesn't mean a level of cordiality can't exist between us."
"So unless there is a true need, we stay out of each other's way. Agreed?"
...
Silence sat heavy in the office for several long seconds.
Then Dumbledore nodded slowly and spoke a single word.
"Agreed."