Author's Note: This marks the beginning of a long-term project upon which I've decided to embark. The prologue is deliberately vague; more will be revealed in the first chapter.
Prologue
Albus Dumbledore was pacing around his office. His hands were linked behind his back, his robes swishing back and forth with the momentum of his quick strides. Minerva McGonagall sat watching him from a small but adequate armchair she'd conjured about ten minutes ago. Dumbledore hadn't spoken once in that time.
Finally, the headmaster sighed and stopped in front of one of his tables of instruments. Rather than examining any of them, he touched his temples as though from the pain of a headache.
"I had hoped his aunt and uncle wouldn't give him permission to go to Hogsmeade," he muttered.
Minerva blinked. She'd passed on all the permission forms last week, but it hadn't occurred to her that Harry Potter's would be a problem. "Whyever would you be worried about that? I'm sure Potter is thrilled."
"Harry's approval is not my… foremost concern," said Dumbledore tersely. He turned to face Minerva, and there was none of the usual twinkle in his eyes. "It may sound harsh, but my priority right now is the boy's safety."
"His safety will be assured," said Minerva, frowning slightly. "He will be with the other students. Nothing of note has happened as of yet this year. Quirrell is dead, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named remains out of sight and out of mind, the Chamber of Secrets has been shut down for good…"
"And yet there is always something," said Dumbledore. "Believe me, Minerva, Hogsmeade is the last place I want young Harry to be this year."
"You're not going to revoke his permission?" asked Minerva sharply.
Dumbledore shook his head. "No, I'm afraid I do not have that privilege. I will have to watch from afar and pray that nothing… untoward happens."
Minerva's frown deepened suddenly. "This doesn't happen to be about Severus, does it?" When Dumbledore didn't answer, she pressed, "You've asked him to Hogwarts to teach every year for a decade, Albus! Why would you deny Potter a chance to meet the man who might have been his Potions professor? You know how much he loves the subject!"
But Dumbledore refused to answer any more of her questions. As Minerva gave up and left the office, Vanishing the armchair behind her, she couldn't help but wonder if Potter's love for Potions was exactly what Dumbledore was concerned about.