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Chapter 4:
Our reacquainting is interrupted far too soon, by the arrival of a house elf. Upon closer inspection, I realize I recognize this one. The long pencil nose, accompanied by the sheepish grin belongs to the Malfoy's house elf. For a moment I am alarmed, before remembering a letter Albus had sent years ago, saying Harry Potter had tricked the ever-impressive Lucius Malfoy into giving his elf clothes.
I have seen Lucius angry, and I cam but imagine the fury he felt that day, standing in the corridors of Hogwarts, tricked by the twelve year-old who had destroyed everything he loved, losing his house elf, only to have him end up at Hogwarts, under the employ the only one He ever feared. Irony is delicious.
As Severus has not noticed the arrival of our guest, at least I am assuming this, as his attention is still quote fixed on my jaw line at the moment, I give a slight cough. Severus pays no attention, but Dobby, bless him, takes the initiative.
"Dobby is sorry Professors, but the Professors are wanted in the Headmaster's office as soon as there are able, please."
Severus leaps off me, and promptly falls on the floor. Unable to stifle the laugh in my throat I chuckle heartily. Dobby's eyes widen. I am sure he has hardly ever been privy to the sight of Severus looking so undignified, and being laughed at I am sure would be a first. Dobby, however, remembers where it is he first met the professor and so stands quietly bewildered as Severus stands and brushes himself off. He grabs fiercely at the dressing gown, which had fallen to the side of the sofa, and glares at me.
I stop my laughter, and turn my attention to Dobby. "Did the Headmaster just send you, Dobby?"
The house elf bobs his head excitedly, "Oh yes, Professor, Headmaster summoned Dobby to his room, miss, and asked for the two professors to join him. He said it is of great importance." He stresses the last word, just as, I am certain, Albus did when he told the elf to fetch us. I wonder how many minutes have passed since Minerva left his rooms, or if she is still there, scandalized at what is going on several floors below.
Severus has once again gained control of himself and is in the process of tying his dressing gown closed. Dobby accurately interprets this gestures that the professors are up and coming and disappears with a crack.
A hand is thrust down to me, and I gratefully accept it, the sofa being far more comfortable that I had anticipated. I artfully arrange my hair, so that it will look hastily done up, which is, of course, what is expected. Though I rather fancy Dobby was expected to find us in a further state of undress than we were. Too bad Minerva has no patience.
We set off from the dungeons at a swift pace, though Severus pauses at some sound I had not detected, my ears not yet adjusted to the old castle. He stills my movement by a soft hand to my wrist. A rustle, just to our left.
"Blaise Zabini...please step out." He commands coldly.
A short child, black hair emerges from behind the balustrade. Guilty eyes glance upon the Slytherin Head of House. Severus folds him arms tightly across his chest. The younger Slytherin's head drops.
"Report immediately to the dormitory and stay. It may be the holidays, but the same rules still apply, and it is far past any possible curfew you may have. Is that clear?"
Nodding, the slender child slopes off down a side hall, Presumably to follow Severus's instructions. I am rather impressed at the show of authority, and tighten my hand around his upper arm, feeling his muscle. He smiles in the darkness at the obvious attempt of flirting and we continue.
"Have you much problems with the students wandering the halls?" I question. It was not an issue at Salem. Far too many restless spirits and ghost wandered the halls to make it either enjoyable or profitable to tread foot outside our rooms at night.
"It depends on the student. The majority of my Slytherins are very well behaved. I make it very clear in my beginning year speech that we already have enough going against us that rampant rule breaking will not be tolerated. Young Mr. Malfoy seems to be the only one thinking himself above the rules, but I cannot find myself faulting him too much for that. He has never known any other way."
"As father, as son?" I respond. Knowing Lucius as I do, I can picture quite well the progeny that sprung forth from his loins. That, and Albus has afforded me quite some insight into the little dragon during his years at Hogwarts.
Severus continues on, "Mr. Potter, on the other hand, and his fellow Gryffindors, seems quite content to continuously go against the regulations set up for their safety."
I know better than get involved in this fight, I simply nod to show I have heard. Severus smiles in the darkness. "After you, my dear," he motions to the griffin. I whisper the password for the second time that night and we ascend to the office.
And there he sits, resplendent in all his glory. And I see that this time Albus will be playing his hand differently. Before, he wanted sympathy, empathy. But with Minerva in the room, for I have spotted her off to the side, he will be playing the power card.
Very well, uncle, I shall rise to the challenge. This shall be fun.
Albus motions for us to take a seat. Severus does so immediately. I, however, opt to stand firmly behind his chair, letting Albus know straight away how things will be played. I am beginning to see why Severus continues to serve two masters. The challenge is intriguing. Playing both sides, being loyal to only you know what. Oh yes, this is going to be a fun few months. Possibly longer, if I can survive with all my skin intact. Though, playing to three masters may prove too much a challenge.
Albus is the most formidable, but a few tears on my part and he will be taken care of. Severus is proving to be less a threat than I had thought. The extended celibacy has been a treat to discover. No, it is Lord Voldemort that currently intimidates me. Though, to be entirely honest, it is not him—madmen I can deal with, it is the sane ones, like Lucius Malfoy, who believe in it with all their hearts that frighten me more. If I am to pull off what Albus and Severus both want, I shall have to convince Malfoy.
Fortunately, I am a Dumbledore.
My defenses reinforced with this thought, I turn my head to face Albus in his brilliance as we begin our second chat of the evening.
Our reacquainting is interrupted far too soon, by the arrival of a house elf. Upon closer inspection, I realize I recognize this one. The long pencil nose, accompanied by the sheepish grin belongs to the Malfoy's house elf. For a moment I am alarmed, before remembering a letter Albus had sent years ago, saying Harry Potter had tricked the ever-impressive Lucius Malfoy into giving his elf clothes.
I have seen Lucius angry, and I cam but imagine the fury he felt that day, standing in the corridors of Hogwarts, tricked by the twelve year-old who had destroyed everything he loved, losing his house elf, only to have him end up at Hogwarts, under the employ the only one He ever feared. Irony is delicious.
As Severus has not noticed the arrival of our guest, at least I am assuming this, as his attention is still quote fixed on my jaw line at the moment, I give a slight cough. Severus pays no attention, but Dobby, bless him, takes the initiative.
"Dobby is sorry Professors, but the Professors are wanted in the Headmaster's office as soon as there are able, please."
Severus leaps off me, and promptly falls on the floor. Unable to stifle the laugh in my throat I chuckle heartily. Dobby's eyes widen. I am sure he has hardly ever been privy to the sight of Severus looking so undignified, and being laughed at I am sure would be a first. Dobby, however, remembers where it is he first met the professor and so stands quietly bewildered as Severus stands and brushes himself off. He grabs fiercely at the dressing gown, which had fallen to the side of the sofa, and glares at me.
I stop my laughter, and turn my attention to Dobby. "Did the Headmaster just send you, Dobby?"
The house elf bobs his head excitedly, "Oh yes, Professor, Headmaster summoned Dobby to his room, miss, and asked for the two professors to join him. He said it is of great importance." He stresses the last word, just as, I am certain, Albus did when he told the elf to fetch us. I wonder how many minutes have passed since Minerva left his rooms, or if she is still there, scandalized at what is going on several floors below.
Severus has once again gained control of himself and is in the process of tying his dressing gown closed. Dobby accurately interprets this gestures that the professors are up and coming and disappears with a crack.
A hand is thrust down to me, and I gratefully accept it, the sofa being far more comfortable that I had anticipated. I artfully arrange my hair, so that it will look hastily done up, which is, of course, what is expected. Though I rather fancy Dobby was expected to find us in a further state of undress than we were. Too bad Minerva has no patience.
We set off from the dungeons at a swift pace, though Severus pauses at some sound I had not detected, my ears not yet adjusted to the old castle. He stills my movement by a soft hand to my wrist. A rustle, just to our left.
"Blaise Zabini...please step out." He commands coldly.
A short child, black hair emerges from behind the balustrade. Guilty eyes glance upon the Slytherin Head of House. Severus folds him arms tightly across his chest. The younger Slytherin's head drops.
"Report immediately to the dormitory and stay. It may be the holidays, but the same rules still apply, and it is far past any possible curfew you may have. Is that clear?"
Nodding, the slender child slopes off down a side hall, Presumably to follow Severus's instructions. I am rather impressed at the show of authority, and tighten my hand around his upper arm, feeling his muscle. He smiles in the darkness at the obvious attempt of flirting and we continue.
"Have you much problems with the students wandering the halls?" I question. It was not an issue at Salem. Far too many restless spirits and ghost wandered the halls to make it either enjoyable or profitable to tread foot outside our rooms at night.
"It depends on the student. The majority of my Slytherins are very well behaved. I make it very clear in my beginning year speech that we already have enough going against us that rampant rule breaking will not be tolerated. Young Mr. Malfoy seems to be the only one thinking himself above the rules, but I cannot find myself faulting him too much for that. He has never known any other way."
"As father, as son?" I respond. Knowing Lucius as I do, I can picture quite well the progeny that sprung forth from his loins. That, and Albus has afforded me quite some insight into the little dragon during his years at Hogwarts.
Severus continues on, "Mr. Potter, on the other hand, and his fellow Gryffindors, seems quite content to continuously go against the regulations set up for their safety."
I know better than get involved in this fight, I simply nod to show I have heard. Severus smiles in the darkness. "After you, my dear," he motions to the griffin. I whisper the password for the second time that night and we ascend to the office.
And there he sits, resplendent in all his glory. And I see that this time Albus will be playing his hand differently. Before, he wanted sympathy, empathy. But with Minerva in the room, for I have spotted her off to the side, he will be playing the power card.
Very well, uncle, I shall rise to the challenge. This shall be fun.
Albus motions for us to take a seat. Severus does so immediately. I, however, opt to stand firmly behind his chair, letting Albus know straight away how things will be played. I am beginning to see why Severus continues to serve two masters. The challenge is intriguing. Playing both sides, being loyal to only you know what. Oh yes, this is going to be a fun few months. Possibly longer, if I can survive with all my skin intact. Though, playing to three masters may prove too much a challenge.
Albus is the most formidable, but a few tears on my part and he will be taken care of. Severus is proving to be less a threat than I had thought. The extended celibacy has been a treat to discover. No, it is Lord Voldemort that currently intimidates me. Though, to be entirely honest, it is not him—madmen I can deal with, it is the sane ones, like Lucius Malfoy, who believe in it with all their hearts that frighten me more. If I am to pull off what Albus and Severus both want, I shall have to convince Malfoy.
Fortunately, I am a Dumbledore.
My defenses reinforced with this thought, I turn my head to face Albus in his brilliance as we begin our second chat of the evening.