A/N: Okay, finally I managed to upload another update. I know it had been three years, but college life had been too hectic and tumultuous for me to concentrate on this. Now that I am out of college and committed to the blissful schedule of a full-time job(without any homework..hehe), I can probably devote more consistent time for this fanfic. Most of my old followers might have forgotten this fic I guess, but I welcome new readers. Also to those reviewers who kept reminding me that this was a story I should be getting back to. Thankyou. I believe I am more mature now, but might have become more boring too. This chapter does not show much action as a result. I await the reactions for this chapter.

Chapter 10

Snape entered the Headmaster's office with an obvious limp in his gait. "That damned dog! How are you to focus on three heads at the same time? I swear Quirrell would be begging for mercy when all of this is over!" he vented out as soon as he entered. Fawkes let out a tranquil and high pitched squeal at the sight of him. Which only served to make Snape frown more.

Albus Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk reading a large and heavy book sprawled upon the table with his glasses on when the Potions Professor entered his office. He hardly bothered to look up as Snape took a seat in front of him. For a moment Snape let the old man sit quietly and read his book. The man was the smartest mind Snape had ever known. It had always been a mystery how his brain comprehends the complexities of this world with such startling clarity.

"That was a mighty gamble you played. He could have gotten hurt." Snape said at last, breaking the silence, his patience wearing thin. There was no accusation in his voice. Only curiosity. Snape had been around Dumbledore since a long time and the one thing he had learnt if nothing else during all these years is that you can always trust Dumbledore, even though his methods might often become a bit controversial. Beneath all that kind exterior, his gentle temperament, his calm nature, this old fart possessed a mind capable of ruthlessness that came from fighting numerous wars and thwarting countless powerful foes in his lifetime. Grindelwald and Voldemort were only the most prominent ones, the most powerful ones, the ones mighty Dumbledore had trouble with.

Severus Snape was just a child when Albus Dumbledore fought Gellert Grindelwald. He did not know just what kind of monster Grindelwald had to be to stand up to the mind of Dumbledore for as long as he did. But Severus Snape had the opportunity to be the closest servant of Voldemort in his prime. Only a select few knew the lengths Dark Lord went to outwit the Headmaster of Hogwarts. It was a testament to the prodigal, devious and tenacious mind of Tom Marvolo Riddle to have risen in power from under the shadow of the man whose intellect and power had been unrivalled and only grew in prominence like an ageing wine.

Albus Dumbledore was wary of Lord Voldemort. Lord Voldemort was outright paranoid about the Headmaster.

"If there had been gambling involved, Adam would be one of the last cards I played Severus." Dumbledore said at last, breaking the silence after a few more silent unnerving moments. Seriously, sometimes Snape wondered if Albus took so long to reply simply to annoy people.

"Try telling that to Lily would you." Snape said with a frown. "You know how she is like where the brat is concerned. I can't imagine her sending him back here after all of this."

Albus smiled at Snape's worry over Adam. "Why Severus, are you worried about Adam or are you more concerned about the distance his absence would replenish between you and Lily?" Snape just glared at Dumbledore. They both knew the truth.

"Even I would not dare bring the wrath of that woman upon me, rest assured. I was there remember, if things had gotten out of hand, I think the combined might of our humble powers might have been sufficient for a bunch of trolls." Dumbledore told him with a chuckle.

Snape's eyes widened at the revelation. "You mean she knew? She even approved of it?" he asked in disbelief. " Are you insane? She just gave you permission to test Adam like that?"

"You continue to underestimate the strength and resolve of that woman Severus. She knows what's coming. She knows what needs to be done. "

Snape just grunted at the old man as he looked out of the window dismissively. It was true.

"That boy has his mother in him. Such power..." Snape said after a while, it wasn't often that Severus Snape harboured doubts on victory against a mage of any calibre. Let alone an eleven year old fledgling.

"And his father too, no doubt." Albus added, and Snape grunted again.

"He fights like none of them though." Snape observed, looking at the setting sun over the horizon as it's dwindling rays trickled through the window into the office. Fawkes, perched beside the window bathed in the heat, looking content in it's rest.

Albus smiled grimly at that. "Adam has his gifts." Dumbledore told Snape as his old frame slowly got up from behind the desk. Closing the book carefully he walked around, towards the window. Admiring the view as he stood beside the window, one hand, wrinkled, yet strong reached to stroke Fawkes, to which the phoenix simply offered it's head, chirping happily at the affectionate gesture. "Yet, I didn't anticipate he would choose a fight over escape."

Snape raised his eyebrows at that. Third time. This was the third time in all these years he had known the Headmaster, since the last time one of his elaborate plans fell out of expectations. The man knew people, knew their minds, their nature at levels beyond Snape's comprehension. When Dumbledore made plans, he knows the outcome. Victory or Defeat is decided even before the battle is fought. "He wasn't meant to fight? Then…how?" Snape asked in wonder.

"Such surprise Severus? I am honoured to be held in such high regards by a man as proficient as you" Albus said looking back at Severus with a chuckle, looking over his glasses. "Even though I am just an old fart."

Snape reflexively pulled up his shields over his mind, panic enveloping his thoughts. How? How was the man capable of such power, such command over everything magic? How was he accomplishing feats of mind and sorcery of such high abilities without a hint of exertion? Even against him? The man whose accomplishments in Legilimency was acknowledged by even the Dark Lord.

Years ago, when Severus Snape had asked to change sides in the ongoing war, Albus Dumbledore had asked a token of faith for his resolve. He asked to be allowed access to Snape's mind, something not many would even think of asking. The mind of a powerful wizard was one of the most treasured commodities he possessed. Especially someone who dealt with as many secrets as Snape did. Many would chose death over the possibility of their mind razed by a stranger. Even the Dark Lord did not ask for it. Not because he would be refused. Lord Voldemort barged into the minds of his victims with ruthlessness, irrespective of their fortifications. He did not need permissions. Yet a capable Legilimens like Snape knew ways to deceive someone as mighty as him from the most beloved secrets that Snape possessed.

The Dark Lord knew this. He had no way to know if Snape was being truthful or not. He just accepted it. Since there was not many ways to find the intentions of powerful wizards, if the Dark Lord could not accept that fact then he wouldn't have had such deadly roster of mages under his wing.

Therefore it was useless to ask a powerful wizard as capable as Snape for such a permission. But Snape had been earnest in his promise. Resolving to show his loyalty. His belief. His choice. Yet doubtful too, in how the old man would even perceive the depth of his commitment.

He needn't have worried. If Dumbledore had wished resorting to ways of his former master, then not even Snape could have hidden any secrets. Snape knew that now with certainty. But he had never known Dumbledore to inflict such cruelty on anybody no matter how heinous a person before him was or how important the information that person possessed was.

The wizened man seeped through the minds unknowingly. Snape could protect himself, of course as he consistently did when in presence of Voldemort if not for how disarmed he felt when around Albus Dumbledore. The man among many of his qualities, possessed an aura that commanded such assurance that none could feel threatened, none could feel endangered unlike with Voldemort who makes most just curl into a ball in a far off corner by his mere presence.

Dumbledore just looked at Snape in amusement, his pure white beard hanging low under his chin reflecting the golden sunlight, his abnormal robes shimmering against the light, the pattern of stars on them no doubt charmed, his cerulean eyes sparkling with strength.

Snape felt like a bucket of cold water was just thrown over his head. His hair stood at end, as he exerted far more force than necessary to fortify himself. It wasn't needed, but he had been thoroughly blindsided.

"It is refreshing to know there are at least some who still catch you unawares." Snape said in spite, annoyed to be shown his inferiority, such drastic difference in capabilities. "For better or for worse, I would certainly be enjoying having a boy like that to some extent."

Dumbledore turned back to the scene outside, his back silhouetted against the light from where Snape was sitting. He was silent again. Dumbledore knew which boy Snape talked about.

"Harry Dursley needs to be looked after." Dumbledore said at last, more to himself but for the benefit of Severus too.

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