Chapter 1.

HARD TALK

- Professor Dumbldore. Albus. Are you sure we should agree and fulfill that demand? It would be an absolutely unheard violation of the school rules! And totally unjustified! Especially these days, after You-Know-Who had been defeated for almost 11 years we should not indulge in such over- precautions.

The Deputy Headmistress gave a reproachful look to her collocutor. She never doubted the Headmaster Dumbldore's judgements. Even surprisingly irrational at first sight, they always proved right in the long run. He always managed to see the core, and noticed good in people or events, where everyone else failed. But this time she felt obliged to state her total disapproval of the situation. Even Dumbldore could not put personal liking above the common sense and rules. At least, not now.

Headmaster Dumbldore was sitting at the table of his study, watching thoughtfully at the fireplace with a lively comforting fire in it. He didn't interrupt the heady speech of his colleague.

- Professor McGonagoll. Minerva. For almost eleven years I've been telling, that evil hasn't been defeated completely. Voldemort was bereft of his power, but not killed. He's been hiding somewhere, accumulating his strength and power. The battle is not over yet, and I'm afraid, many deaths will forego it. So, no additional measures can be called over precautions. I'm very glad, that the Superior Auror does'n listen to the Ministry's groundless affirmations about total suppression of Voldemort's followers and everyone's complete safety. It's reassuring to know that such an influential person continues supervising the training of the most powerful Aurors.

- Lucrecius Serpentus definitely is one of the most powerful wizards and the most skilled and experienced Superior Auror and trainer of Aurors of all times, but let's put it clear, he's almost as paranoid, as Mad-Eye Moody. Or even worse. Alastor Moody's just his apprentice. As for the Lucrecius Serpentus. - McGonagoll shook her head in rebuke - That tragedy didn't teach him anything. We should let the children have their childhood and not force them into the hardships of the big world before their time. -

- Yes, Professor. That tragedy didn't teach him anything. But it should have taught us. You' wrong as for my reasons of accepting Lucrecius' conditions. - Professor Dumbldore's blue eyes, holding the wisdom of ages, were piercing with heat right inside Professor McGonagoll's heart - It's not in my rules to judge the Aurors' trainee. Those Aurors trained by Serpentus are the most powerful wizards, thoroughly mastered the art of war. No other Auror or a Death Eater can confront them. And there's a too great responsibility lies in Serpentus' shoulders. He's the only one who can stop anyone of them if he becomes a traitor. And he'll never hesitate, as we know now. Though, even once is too much. I can't ask Serpentus for humanity, because the warrior's task will always be to kill a few to save many. But we are not warriors. And our task is to care about all and each one. And we should do our best to prevent the repitition of such tragedy. So I agree for this step not to deprive a child of it's childhood, but to give it the childhood while it's still a child. Now our task is to fill the hart of this child with love and humanity. And then it will be Serpentus's turn to finish the training.

For some time two professors were sitting in silence, brooding over the past, which was holding so many mistakes, and so much sorrow, and over the future, which was no doubt holding as much sorrow, but it was holding the hope as well.

Suddenly the Headmaster Dumbldore turned to the Deputy Headmistress, all the heat and sharpness gone from his stare, twinkles dancing in his eyes.

- Tea, Minerva?