A sentient machine. That was not really something he was apt to give much credence to himself, as machines in general did not figure too highly into his calculations, much less living ones. Sentient objects, such as the Sorting Hat and the various stone gargoyles at Hogwarts were a different story, but they of course were enchanted.

However, the woman before him looked entirely serious, despite her smile and he was fractionally disposed to admit that she might know more about it than he did.

"Have you any reason to believe that might indeed be the case?"