27th of June 1995
It was a beautiful warm early summer day, as much as a summer day at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry could be. The halls were calm and quiet – after all the term had just ended and students had departed to spend some time with their families and recuperate after a gruelling year full of exhausting studying.
However one office, the headmaster's in particular, was filled with raised voices of an ongoing argument.
"You did what?!"
"Have you lost your mind?!"
"I understand, but was it the only option?"
"You can't trust…"
"Let's all calm down," started the weary headmaster of the prestigious school, but his voice was drowned in the storm of complaints. As it was, the portraits were suspiciously silent, as they tried to appear to not be listening to the interesting conversation of the living occupants of the room. Even the majestic phoenix Fawkes was quiet.
"But still, I'm sure that…."
"No, no, no. It can't be allowed!"
"Really, is this one of your jokes? Because I assure you, it's not…"
"I can't comprehend the workings of your senile…"
"That's enough!" The headmaster's voice did not leave the room even for the slightest disobedience.
After regaining the room's attention, headmaster calmly set back into his armchair, and looked at his shocked professors and trusted associates.
"Thank you. Now, that we have all calmed down," he started with the benign smile and understatement of the century, "I'd like to explain some of the reasons, that convinced me that this course of actions is the right one, even though, I can assure you, it was not an easy decision to make."
This on itself was strange. Dumbledore had never before tried to explain himself. Normally he would just smile and change the topic of the conversation, subtly of course.
"Few weeks ago, young Mr. Potter witnessed the rising of Voldemort," only few of the gathered had managed to hide their winces at hearing the name of the darkest Dark Lord pronounced aloud, "The situation may not reflect it as of yet, but Voldemort," winces again, "will not stay in hiding for long, and his actions will stop being covert before we will realise it. As Mr. Potter appears to be the main target in this war, he must know how to protect himself."
At this pronouncement many acceded his point, but few faces still shown their hesitation. In their minds Harry was still only a child, an orphan, so he must be protected by others. Dumbledore continued without taking heed of these few, they would be convinced in time, or they will just have to get used to the situation.
"The instructor I have selected may be unconventional, and many of you may have your doubts about their credibility, or even their loyalty. But I assure you, they are the best for this kind of situation. Any questions, and please try to talk one at the time?"
Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall started first. "Albus, I understand. You want to protect him, as do I. And Miss Potter was an exceptional student. I have always loved her. But will she know how to teach someone in such a situation?" But right after voicing these doubts, she realised they were pointless. As she said she had loved Miss Potter, she was her favourite student – very intelligent, smart, intuitive about magic, powerful and talented, unbelievably so. So she just smiled, nodded her head and waved her previous concerns away.
"But Albus, he is just a child. He must be protected by others; we can't expect him to protect himself. Oh, I know who you are talking about, and I have serious doubts she could ever be loyal to anyone. Just look what she has done to my poor Bill. But that could be expected, after all, she comes from that family, and not even such light family as Potters could ever erase the stain of that darkness." This of course, came from the Weasley matriarch, who assumed she had any say in Harry's life.
"Are you absolutely certain she will not betray us?" The cautious question came from the resident werewolf, Remus Lupin.
"Albus, you can't be serious. There are many of us in Order that can teach the brat. Why bring in an outsider with dubious loyalties?" voiced his thoughts Potions Professor Severus Snape. Of course, he would be concerned with loyalties, he was a spy after all and any leak could cost him his life.
"If I may, headmaster, I would like to inquire what could convince such a prominent figure in our world to train Mr. Potter. And also allow me to point out that she is not known for... delicateness that young Mr. Potter necessarily requires, what with his black and white outlook at the world in general." Notorious Lucius Malfoy did not let himself be left out of any conversation.
"I assure you, no information would be leaked away by Miss Potter, Severus. And to address your concerns, Lucius, I am certain that she is the right person to teach him the differences and nuances of each and every situation and the vast amounts of grey that are intrinsic part of our world, and the world in general."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I believe in her, isn't that enough?" With this announcement Severus, Remus and Lucius stayed quiet; after all it was Dumbledore's trust, which had allowed them their continuous existence and their place in society.
"When is she supposed to arrive?" It was the first time Alastor Moody participated in this conversation, strange occurrence – after all, he was the most paranoid being alive, and he hadn't once questioned credibility of discussed Miss Potter.
"She should be here in a few minutes." And with that said, the occupants of the room found their favourite places. Professor McGonagall straightened her back in the armchair in front of the desk, professor Snape stood with his back to the wall nearest to the door, Mr. Malfoy stood near the window, Remus Lupin set back on the sofa that faced the fireplace, Mrs. Weasley slumped in one of the armchairs near the aforementioned sofa and Alastor found place in the other armchair, relaxing for the first time in years, as he waited for the arrival of the newcomer.
Five minutes later there was a knock on the door. A young woman, of twenty five years, stepped into the room. She did not seem surprised at the number of people inside, as she was well aware of the lengths Dumbledore would go to ensure her cooperation. She was of medium height, slim built, with long wavy dark brown hair, and doe like blue-grey eyes. When Lucius Malfoy saw her, he was entranced. He was not accustomed to be in this state. After all, he was in presence of full blooded veela and fay on more than one occasion and never had been his attention this captured before.
She truly was the most captivating being ever. Her face was dominated by expressive eyes with thick black eyelashes, full red lips and high cheekbones. No painter could ever create more aristocratic likeness; she was ethereal, personification of everything that is beautiful. Veela would look like a normal girl, had she been standing next to her.
"Albus, when we talked, I had the impression this would be a private meeting instead of a public one." She said as a form of a greeting. And with this single utterance, Lucius and Severus understood that no matter who they were, they could never reach this level of greatness. She was the ultimate Slytherin, with the perfect mix of sarcasm, condescension, arrogance and patronisation all wrapped up and shrouded in false surprise and amusement. Suddenly they realised they were out of their depth with her.
"Alexandra, you look beautiful. The years out of school have treated you well." Albus did not let her remark get to him, even though it shocked Mrs. Weasley to the core, that anyone would talk like that to the great Albus Dumbledore. But it was her way of conduct, until she got to know you, you were just not worthy of her attention, and she got to know you only if she seriously paid you at least five minutes of her day. It was a viscous circle with her.
"I still do not understand why you insisted that I come here today. I told you already that I do not want to take any part in your war. Professor McGonagall, how good to see you again. I trust you are in good health still?" With those words she dismissed presence of everybody else, and mainly Dumbledore.
"Yes, I am. And you, Miss Potter? I heard from many accounts of you throughout the years."
"All good, I hope," replied with a smile Alexandra.
"Only the best."
Dumbledore did not let himself be put out by her dismissive behaviour and rejoined the conversation, much to the amusement of all present, but Mrs. Weasley.
"I called you here in hope to persuade you to rethink your stance on the state of war in our country and to beg you to reconsider undertaking the task of training Mr. Potter, your cousin, to help raise his chances of surviving this war." Everybody was confused by this statement, and had to go though it at least two more times to decipher it. That is everybody, but the two participants of the repartee.
"I understand your concerns, Albus. And do not worry; I am well aware that young Mr. Potter is the son of my disowned and unfortunately deceased uncle. But if you care to remember, Albus, it is your doing, which has me taking this stance. Uncle Mark wanted to take Mr. Potter in after the unfortunate happenings on that fateful night, but you refused him on the terms, that paragon of light cannot be raised in the family with questionable ties, and sent him instead to the muggle part of the family on his mother's side. The question now stands, why would you put him in my care? I was, after all, raised by Uncle Mark."
As her speech progressed, it seemed as if all fight was slowly draining out of the prominent figure of the wizarding world. 'So many years, so many mistakes.' At the time, it seemed reasonable; after all her uncle, her mother's younger brother, was Marcus Montmorency, and Montmorency was family with strong ties to the dark magic or at the very least the darkest shade of grey. He thought only of the fallout that would occur should he decide to place The-boy-who-lived with them, but now, the situation was absolutely opposite. The moment he saw that timid, shy, small and painfully self-conscious boy, he realised what a grave mistake he made.
"It was right decision, Albus. Don't worry. And who do you think you are, you foolish girl, to talk to the headmaster like that. If he asks you to do something, you do it, and you do not refuse, it is simply not done!" Mrs. Weasley just couldn't stay quiet for long, no matter how hard she tried, and especially not if someone back-talked to Dumbledore.
"Molly, please," placated Albus, then he turned to Alexandra and picked up their conversation. "I understand, and each and every day I regret the decisions I had made, and had I had the chance, I would have changed so many of them. But I cannot, no matter what so many may think, I am not omniscient. Can you not forgive, and if not forgive, then at least overlook, a mistake made by an old man? I never wanted, never envisioned, this outcome. Here I am, before you, asking, pleading, and begging for your help."
"And what do you want, Albus? You know, who I am. I can and will change neither my opinions, nor my understanding of magic. What would you have me teaching him? How to cast Petrificus Totalus or conjure a fluffy bunny? How to hug your enemy until he faints? Or confuse him with long speeches? Bore him to tears till he concedes? We both know I cannot do that." At this Alastor tried to hide his smirk. Tried being the operative word for he was noticed by Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Lupin and professors McGonagall and Snape, who were in similar predicament of faintly suppressed amusement. But the anger of Mrs. Weasley only grew.
"I never would have contacted you had I required you to change. Had I wanted fluffy bunnies and long confusing speeches, as you put it, I could teach him that myself." With a great relief Albus smiled. He knew that she would help, and was being difficult just on the principle. But he must admit, for her help, not only with Harry, but with the war also, he was ready to beg on his knees and take any penance she would give.
"Where is he?" After a long pause, where she was observing various knick-knacks that were strategically placed around the office, asked Alexandra.
"With his relatives, being a lazy slob that he is," the information came from the Potions Professor.
"Well, then it should be no problem for you to go and retrieve him, professor?" Alexandra used the same patronising and condescending tone, much to the amusement of the werewolf.
"Why you…" Severus started to rant on his erstwhile student. Perhaps she forgot who he was?
"Severus!" Albus did not wish to aggravate his young guest; she was still the wild card, concerning the war, not the training. "Could you go and retrieve Mr. Potter, please?" It wasn't question, but a veiled demand, and all present new it.
"I shall be back shortly, sir." And with that, and flair of his robes, he disappeared through the office door muttering about young upstarts and old goats.
"How about we discuss the terms, Albus?"
"Terms?" The surprised question was out of his mouth sooner, than Lucius could stop it. When she looked his way with amusement dancing in her eyes, he felt the embarrassment acutely. Lucius prided himself on self-control and anticipation of different problems that may arise throughout any conversation. But now it seemed, as if all his grooming and practice flew out of the window. He never even realised, that she, unlike Severus and himself, has nothing to atone for, and that she does not have to listen to Albus' orders. Plus the political power she wields makes them all look like children playing at being politicians.
"Of course, I wouldn't want to start teaching Mr. Potter and then have the headmaster censure me, would I? But that is not what I was talking about, what are the benefits for me if I do train him, Albus?"
"I-I….I…What would you want?" this was answered with a slight laugh from Miss Potter.
"This is not about what I want, because I can assure you, I do not want to even be here, but what you are willing to give."
"Access to the school library?" but it was met with incredulous looks from everybody around.
"I don't know. You care neither for the war, nor politics. I'm not even talking about teaching in the school, if your reluctance to teaching just one pupil is anything to go by… State your price."
"It was not my reluctance to teach someone, even though I am not ecstatic about that part either, but rather my reluctance to acquaint myself with young Harry Potter. For the next part of your assertion, if I have to be stuck in Britain, I think I should take at the very least some notice of the war, so do update me regularly of the ongoing situation. And please do remember I want full disclosure all the time, not your usual half-truths. Also do not burden yourself with my political standing; I was fully trained to take care of my responsibilities." It seemed she said the right thing, because Dumbledore stopped right away planning how to use her leverage for his own benefit, which he was not happy about.
"But I do have a proposition for you, Albus," she started, and suddenly Albus knew that he just made another mistake with the potential to have disastrous consequences.
"Whatever you say, Alexandra," stated Albus with again resigned air.
"I want three favours."
At this Albus breathed out the sight of relief, if she needed favours, she must find herself in a difficult situation, which could be of possible use to him.
"And those are?"
"I am not yet certain, but please, rest assured I will come to you if I encounter any situation where your involvement could be of possible assistance. Anytime, anyplace. Do you agree?"
"What else could I do? We both know that I need your help, and we both know that the stubbornness that runs in the Montmorency blood is doubled in you. So, yes, I accede to your conditions. If I may ask, where are you planning on taking him?"
"What?!" screamed Mrs. Weasley. "She plans to take poor Harry away, and you are allowing it?! You cannot be serious, Albus."
"Molly, please, calm down. We discussed this already."
"Mrs. Weasley, isn't it?" The temperature in the room seemed to drop by few degrees as Alexandra addressed her for the first time, and it was obvious, that this kind of her attention was not something to be desired. "Let me give you a free advice. Do not start something you have not the means to finish. Because should you interrupt my conversation, any conversation that I participate in, one more time, the consequences will not be pleasurable. I can promise you that." With that said, she turned back to Albus.
"I am thinking of the villa in Tuscany. Italian laws are much more lenient when it comes to underage magic and also the more... controversial magical areas. But if you think that you can get Mr. Potter a waiver that would allow him to use magic this summer..."
"No, no. Please, go right ahead. Italy sounds wonderful, and Mr. Potter has never travelled abroad before, so I am sure he would find the opportunity...fascinating." Dumbledore stated with his usual benign smile.
Professor McGonagall and Alastor Moody were just amused throughout the whole meeting, Albus has finally found someone, who was not afraid to oppose him and could win a fight or an argument with him. The coming years should be interesting indeed.
"Now if that is all you wanted me for, Albus, let us discuss…"