Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related characters are copyright of J. K. Rowling and Warner Bros. This story has no intention of making money and all credit goes to J. K. Rowling's hard work and ideals. I'm just a fan that wants to write about other Defense Against the Dark Arts Teachers who taught at Hogwarts.

Chapter 10 - The Barman

Clara needed a distraction to keep her mind and emotions constantly away from Severus. For several weeks she tried avoiding any encounters with Severus and decided to head over to Hogsmeade one Saturday morning. Trudging through the snow she looked around the town and went inside the Hog's Head Inn wanting to try a new place and to get out of the cold. She removed her white cloak and rested it on a bar stool next to her. Today she was back in her muggle attire as she really despised wearing dresses. The barman appeared and asked if she wanted anything to drink. Clara thought about what she wanted but her eyes were focused on the window. All her students seem to keep talking about this butterbeer drink, not something they have in American. Feeling adventures she said "One butterbeer please."

The man responding, "One butterbeer coming right up." Clara was twirling her finger on the wood moving it in unfamiliar patterns as she dwelled on the mystery behind how a little boy, Harry, survived a killing curse? Her research hadn't brought much luck, when the barman finally placed the butterbeer next to her. She took a sip as the warm liquid slide down her throat. It was extremely delicious and then she looked up at the man to thank him when she realized that he looked oddly familiar. He didn't seem quite skilled in Occulmency as she could easily invade his mind before she responded. "Excuse me, but you wouldn't happen to be related to Albus now would you?"

The barman glared at her before he retorted back, "He's my brother!" The man sounded very resentful and made Clara question if they had some sort of fallout. "Not many people can recognize the relation."

"I'm Clara Cummins, the current professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts…and you are?" Clara had her hand out waiting for him to return her handshake.

The man huffed, shook her hand, and said "Aberforth Dumbledore, I wouldn't be surprised though if he didn't even mention the fact that that job you have is cursed. No one last more than a year at that job."

"I'm sorry but it seems to me that you two do not get along. Would you care to divulge why that is? After all if you say my job is cursed, I won't even be around long enough anyways." She smiled at him to await his response.

"Everyone thinks my brother is such a saint. I'll have you know that he is the reason our sister, Ariana, is dead. Albus and his friend Gellert Geindelwald thought about leading a revolution in ending the International Statue of Secrecy and create a world where witches and wizards rule." Aberforth had anger on his face.

"Wait, I'm confused. I thought Albus defeated Grindelwald in a legendary duel and Grindelwald was imprisoned for his crimes. Surely they were never friends." Clara was intrigued by this dark past Albus had.

"Shows you how much you know about Albus Dumbledore." He sighed and began washing the tables.

Clara finished her drink, tipped the barman, and decided to put her white cloak back on before heading back outside and towards the castle.

It was early December and Clara was sitting in her office reading through large stacks of newspaper to try and unravel the mystery behind Tom Riddle. She decided to look through the muggle papers to see if there were any unexplainable deaths that would make the obituaries. She came across an article explaining the Riddle House murder in which a husband, wife, and there adult son were all found dead. Their deaths baffled the local police and this told Clara that this most have been from the killing curse. But what was really interesting was the fact that the adult's son name was Tom Riddle.

Morfin Gaunt was accused of the crime, along with his confession, and was later sent to Azkaban. Interesting, Riddle's father was a muggle, and considering Riddle was on a crusade known for murdering muggles or muggle-borns it seemed like it would be odd that this Morfin Gaunt would be the murderer. It must have been disappointing to Riddle to find out he has a muggle father. Clara then decided to investigate any marriages that occurred around the time Riddle was born based on the age Tom Riddle Sr. was in his obituary report. He did marry a women name Merope Gaunt and then the lightbulb clicked. Morfin must be related to Merope. Clara grabbed a pen and a piece of paper and began writing something down.

Albus,

I would look into the Riddle murder from Morfin Gaunt, even though he confessed to the crime, I suspect there might be more than meets the eye. Also it seems that Tom Riddle's mother is Merope Gaunt and I believe she is related to Morfin.

Hope this helps,

Clara

She went outside her office and was lucky to see a student passing by. She grabbed the student and said, "Miss Li, would you please deliver this note to Professor Dumbledore."

The student looked scared as if she did something wrong before she relaxed and nodded her head "Yes Professor Cummins."

"Thank you." Clara patted her shoulder and returned to her office. It was beginning to get dark outside when Clara decided to head down to Poppy's office to ask for a sleeping draught. The late nights grading and researching in order to avoid sleeping was catching up with her. She knocked on her door and Poppy smiled when she responded "Clara, how can I help you?"

"Poppy, I was wondering if you had a sleeping draught in your stores, I seem in need for a temporary deep sleep to get my mind off grading." Clara said, Poppy could see the bags under her eyes.

Poppy's face frowned. "I'm sorry Clara, but I just recently ran out. You wouldn't believe how many students need it right around this time of year. I'll let Severus know and he will brew you a bottle. Goodnight" Poppy closed her office door.

Clara sighed as she turned around and headed back to her office. She decided to have a glass of wine and stared into her fireplace. She tried to distract her mind and began thinking about how someone could survive a killing curse. She grabbed a book, sat on her sofa near the fireplace, and started reading. By the time she finished her second glass of wine she heard a knock on her door. She waved her wand to open the door.

Severus was standing outside and he said "Poppy told me you needed this." Severus lifted his hand up to show a small vial.

Clara turned her head towards him, but tried to avoid his eye contact. "Yes, yes I did…Just set the vial on my desk. Thank you, Severus." She turned her head back towards the fire expecting Severus to leave soon before she noticed that he hadn't even moved from her office door.

Severus still had an expressionless face when he raised one eyebrow and retorted back, "Having troubles sleeping?"

Clara turned her head back to him and simply said, "Yes." She turned her attention back to her book.

Severus could see the bags under her eye and saw that there was a wine glass next to her sofa. He decided to ask "Care to go into more detail." He finally stepped inside her office.

Clara trying to be vague responded, "Not really, no." She turned her head back to the fireplace.

"Well as your colleague," he paused for a moment before he seemed to decide on something. "And friend, if you would like to discuss the matter...I may consider listening to what you might have to say."

Clara took her glasses off and rubbed the bridge between her nose with her fingers. She sighed before saying, "Thank you Severus, I'm honored, but it's simply just a combination of many late nights of grading and researching."

Severus swiftly walked over to Clara's desk and placed the vial down and then left. However, undenounced to Severus, Clara had tears streaming down her eyes as he was leaving. She hated feeling this way, not being in control of her emotions, but secretly a part of her was happy that Severus said friend just a few moments ago. That night Clara had a good night's sleep, but she suspected it wasn't because of the sleeping draught.