Chapter 10: Halloween

It was a slightly overcast autumn morning with the cool rays of the sun filtering through the windows of the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts. The shiny machines on tables throughout the room glinted whenever the sun pushed through another cloud. The school had not yet come to life. The yearly Halloween party had taken place the previous evening, and although the festivities had been broken off early because of an incident, many of the student were still taking advantage of the free morning to sleep in and get a good night's sleep.

Albus Dumbledore inhaled with pleasure the scent of his morning tea just as the fireplace flickered green and a man dressed in black robes stepped through the flames.

"Good morning, Severus," he greeted him smiling. "Please sit. Did you have a pleasant trip?"

"Certainly not," grumbled Severus Snape. The armchairs were far too soft for his taste but he settled into one of them anyway, and he took in all the details of the room around him. It did not escape his attention that the newspaper was already open on the desk. He anticipated where this conversation would lead. "I had to take a round-a-bout route because of Midas Fox's security precautions. He is watching to make sure that I don't leak anything about his precious little golden boy to the press.

As one might expect, Albus ignored the complaint entirely and immediately plunged into his favorite topic.

"Oh yes, Harry! Well now, how is he? Are his studies progressing well?"

Severus had not difficulty in translating these word into what his old headmaster really wanted to ask, "Is there a reason to remove him from the Dursleys?" and "Does he have magic talent worth mentioning?" He resolved to answer the more unpleasant question first.

"He is promising in some areas," he admitted reluctantly. "A disaster in potion, but he has a certain talent for Defense. But he is lazy and inattentive. What few talents he has he had neglected, just like his father did."

Actually, it was more than just a little talent, even if Severus would never admit it. Two weeks ago he had started teaching Harry practical Defense. His eager student had learned very quickly not only the jelly-leg spell, but the full body-bind as well, even though it was second year material. Otherwise, the boy was a complete mystery. On some days his essays were acceptable. Indeed, while stylistically they always left a lot to be desired, they were thoroughly researched and the content had few errors. On other days he had the impression that Harry spent the shortest amount of time possible and just slapped something together in order to be able to at least turn in something.

"I understand," said Albus, leaving Severus with the nasty feeling that he did exactly. Albus Dumbledore had always been able to read between the lines. He was so good in it that he didn't even have to avail himself very often of occlumency. "What are they having him doing then, while they allow him to neglect his talents?" A smile played around his lips and Severus had the impression that he was laughing at him.

Severus was just about to begin a long tirade about the spoilt brat when Albus interrupted him.

"Thinking it over, maybe it would be better if you if you simply show me your memories." He said pointing to his own temple. "If it is alright with you."

It was not alright with Severus, actually. He hated to have his thoughts displayed. But he also knew the benefits of such an approach, therefore he agreed, and together they looked at his memories.

It was a strange feeling to watch his own behavior from another point of view. Now it struck him for the first time that Harry only ruined his potions, when he felt Severus watching him. Well that was it! A good brewing master could not let his attention be distracted from his task by anything or anybody. Maybe he should keep an even sharper eye on the boy from now on.

Of the Dursleys, he had only a few memories. Some were of parties, which Petunia had given, that he had observed from afar. Others of Harry with his cousin riding his child's motorcycle as they played a kin do catch me game, before he had departed for boarding school. And lastly, of Vernon, as he left being driven to the golf links by his chauffeur.

Albus looked at closely every memory, and finally let one of Petunia's parties solidify. Er betrachtete lange die Villa. He took a long look at the mansion.

"A large house on a large plot of land, is not it," he murmured thoughtfully.

"The house is a mansion, and this plot of land, is a property," said Severus scathingly. "As you can see, there is absolutely nothing to be concerned about. Potter is waited on hand and foot.

"That certainly may be so," replied the wise headmaster. „Doch wer bezahlt das alles?" "Nevertheless, who pays for everything?"

Severus' eyes got large and he looked at him. He knew immediately what Albus meant, and he was appalled by his own blindness. He was a spy, he should have noticed immediately. Vernon Dursley did not work. However, he threw around money like it was nothing. Money, which as Severus now recognized, legally belonged to Harry. It would be one thing if this money was used exclusively for Harry. But the extravagant parties, designer jewelry, and expensive cars, were things that only served the Dursleys. Obviously they were not beneath stealing from their own nephew.

"And there is another thing. Has it struck you at all that none of the staff seems to notice Harry?"

"And why should they? The boy is not even polite enough to greet you."

"Now, now!" The tone was probably intended to be pacifying. However, Severus absolutely hated to be treated like a rebellious child. "He always greets you very politely. And if Midas is approaching, he almost radiates. But the housekeepers – apparently they do not perceive him at all, and he reacts accordingly. A consequence of the Fidelius charm?"

"Well, if they do not know that he is there, then Midas Fox is just paranoid, which is not the worst trait. If we have difficulties finding Potter, then not Death Eater will succeed."

"Except if he slangs a camera around his neck. I would be more comfortable if Harry were here at Hogwarts, especially after recent events…" he stared thoughtfully into space. Severus pulled up an eyebrow questioningly.

"What event?" he asked pulling Albus from his thoughts.

"A truly remarkable story. During the festivities yesterday somehow a troll got into the castle. He nearly injured a first year. Fortunately, she succeeded in escaping from the girl's toilet and in holding the door closed long enough until reinforcements could rush to help her."

"A Troll? In the castle? The Philosopher's Stone… "

"… Is still in place. Do not worry about it. Your task is to take care of Harry. "

With a bad feeling Severus thought of the stone which lay hidden in the castle, protected by many bobby-traps. He had himself created one of the traps before he had staged the dispute with Dumbledore and left the school. But the incident with the troll made him suspect that someone, already inside the castle, had their sight set on the stone. And here he was, forced to spend his time with Potter, while someone was trying to steal the precious gem. He did not know how he could endure it.

……………………..

A/n: In the book Harry says to Ron at one point that Hermione would not have needed their assistance at all, if they hadn't locked her up with the troll. I just assumed then that she would have been able to escape from the toilet.