All characters belong to J.K Rowling
The Greater Good
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was not happy, the looks of disbelief, directed at him were hard to ignore as he tried to eat his meal. Platitudes were wasted as he spoke his piece and encouraged the students to continue on with the feast. His words were ignored as he warned the students about the third floor. "A most horrible and painful death awaits", he said, hope to strike a small fear and a large curiosity within their minds. They didn't care, no one was listening.
"There is no boy-who-lived", he was hearing the constant whisper." Names not even Harry". "Wait 'til my Father hears this" a voice came from the Slytherin table. Damn Merlin. He would have to close down the owlery as soon as the feast finished, he couldn't have this leaking until he had mitigated the damage.
Albus sat … contemplating the mistakes he had made. No not mistakes, he didn't make mistakes. He did what was necessary to ensure his vision of the future. Wizarding Britain was putty in his hands. Malleable. He was their guide, holding the reins, ensuring they followed the correct path. Pitting each side against each other, his vision holding true. The road was narrow, but he lead them all to where they needed to be. Sacrifices had to be made.
The-boy-who-lived was supposed to be just that. It was times like this that Albus missed his dear friend Gellert. The friend of his youth, but even Gellert could not adhere the the wisdom of his vision and had turned away. War for the cause always had casualties. There was no more nobler cause than the Greater Good.
Little of his thought was actually spared on the child that was now in the hospital wing. He hadn't even spared the girl a glance, not noticing her at all until she was the only one left unsorted. Merlin damn it, he inwardly seethed. James himself had referred to the child as his little Harry. Her magic had hidden her, he had only seen what he expected. He had never once, in his dealings with her, realised she was a girl. She was not the-BOY-who-lived. He should have been told. If was for the Greater Good that he knew these things.
Albus thought back to last time he had met the child. Wearing the same clothes as that stupid muggle oaf of a son. "Ah, my boy", Albus had exclaimed as he spoke about wonders that would await. Not that the child would remember, it was not then the time. She had not contradicted him, holding her tongue. Blasted child. GIRL, he sneered the word in his mind. NO. She would not ruin his plans. She would learn. She would not hide her secrets. NOT FROM HIM.
Albus was infuriated he hated secrets. He had prided himself on his knowledge of others, for what they didn't want known. He was supposed to know what was to be kept hidden. It was for the Greater Good. SECRETS, he raged. He was Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Headmaster of Hogwarts. Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. Supreme Mugwump. Defeater of Grindelwald. Didn't that mean anything to these people. Idiots. Fools. Dimwits. Nincompoops.
He was the one everyone asked advice of, the one everyone relied on, the one everyone looked up to. He should not be kept from their secrets. He was the one they were supposed to trust above all others. He had carefully cultivated his image, to bind their loyalties, their obedience. Playing them against each other. It was for the Greater Good.
He paused in his thoughts to speak to Minerva, affronted when she turned her back. Continuing her conversation with Flitwick. Well that would not do. Albus opened his mouth and closed it quickly. He choked his words down. He did not want to raise Minerva's ire. He shuddered at the thought of the tongue lashing he would no doubt receive later. Usually he found it amusing when she released her anger, but then, he wasn't usually on the receiving end.
Thank Merlin, the feast is finally done, he thought to himself as he directed the prefects to lead the students to their dorms. Formulating his plans, he directed his staff to a meeting. Not noticing that Poppy and Severus had never returned to the feast. Not noticing that Hagrid had never even appeared. Those matters were inconsequential. They would do as they were told. Do as he instructed. He would not be cowed by the words of a mere child. His reputation, his image, would be coming out intact. He would make sure of that.
He was ALBUS PERCIVAL WULFRIC BRIAN DUMBLEDORE. They would do well to remember that. There were always casualties in war. Sacrifices had to be made, it was for the Greater Good.
