Chapter 37:
Almost the same instant my head hits the pillow, I am asleep. Hours later, I am awakened by a soft tapping on my forehead. Opening one eye cautiously, I see the same house elf, Dobby, standing beside the bed.
"Yes, Dobby?" I ask groggily.
"Harry Potter asked Dobby if he knew where Mrs. Snape was. Dobby said he would find Mrs. Snape for Harry Potter." The elf says.
I sit upright. "Is Harry all right, Dobby?" I ask, more frantic than I had meant to.
"Oh, yes, Mrs. Snape." Dobby answers. "Dobby did not wish to worry Mrs. Snape. Harry Potter was only curious."
Raising a hand to my chest, I feel my heartbeat out of control. Taking a few deep breaths, I smile small at Dobby. "Please tell Mr. Potter I will come find him in an hour. There are a few things I need to take care of before then. Thank you, Dobby."
Dobby bows low and disappears from the room. I raise myself up from the bed, looking around the room. Wedding-day Severus and myself wave to me from the far wall. There is sunlight streaming in from the small window. I get up and walk to the bathroom.
Stepping in to the bath, I lower myself into lavendar-scented water, tempured perfectly. I stay in the bath for twenty minutes, washing accumulated grime from underneath my fingernails and scalp. Finally feeling clean, I emerge freshly scrubbed.
"That's better, dear." The mirror says warmly. I merely nod in agreement and step back into the bedroom. The students arrive this evening, with classes commencing tomorrow morning. Knowing I should do something to prepare for their coming, I dress quickly and head to my classroom.
Standing in the doorway, I catch my breath. The cavernous room is empty except for furniture. Placing my worn travel bag on the nearest desk, I open it up and begin extracting items from it.
I place a palm-sized replica of a sasquatch between two of the windows. Across the room from it, I set three figurines, a banshee, a mummy, and a bogeyman, on the floor. I continue placing objects around the room, on shelves, and on the wall. When my bag in finally empty, I wave my wand around the room. Instantly everything grows to full-size. Nodding in satisfaction, I stride purposefully towards the office entrance. Throwing wide the wooden door, I survey what is to be my headquarters, a smile on my face.
I place a second bag on the large desk in here. Opening it with a swish of my wand, books fly out, arranging themselves alphabetically on the three shelves. Once they have finished, I fish out a few more items and arrange them on my desk. The last thing I pull from the bag is a picture frame containing a photo of Severus and myself from a night spent in Diagon Alley
We had been strolling in Diagon Alley before taking an unexpected turn into Knockturn Alley. Before long, the denizens of the alley had surrounded us and were accosting us for money. Severus was able to extricate us from the situation. Once back on the well-lit promenade of Diagon Alley, a photographer found us and insisted on taking our photo. Thrilled by my hero, I agreed, pulling a reluctant Severus into a close hug, giving him a kiss on the cheek just as the photographer snapped the photo.
I place the photo in the topmost drawer of my desk, knowing full well the student population of Hogwarts is not ready to accept their surly potions master as a happily married man. Sitting down in the overstuffed armchair at my desk, I sigh contentedly.
My eyes wander over the room, stopping when they reach the doorframe. There, leaning against the door, is Harry Potter.
"Delighted to see you, young Harry!" I exclaim, rising from my chair. "What say you of the décor for the new term?"
He looks back over his shoulder before turning to take in my office. Giving a brief nod, "It'll do."
I stare at him incredulously. I am quite pleased with the overall effect of these rooms. "It will do? It will do? That is all you have to say?"
He gives a small chuckle. "All right. It's quite nice." He amends.
Still unacceptable. "Surely there must be more." I prompt. He gives serious consideration to the rooms once more.
"They are really quite nice. You've had a fine time getting things in order." He says.
Ah. He is bitter at Remus' departure. There is nothing I could have done to the rooms to garner his explicit approval. Very well. "Thank you for the glowing support, Harry. Now, why is it that Dobby awakened me from much-needed rest?"
Harry suddenly becomes shy, shifting his gaze downward, avoiding my eyes. He taps his feet together. "Come. Sit, Harry." I command gently. He does, still avoiding my gaze.
After a few more moments of silence, he looks up. "Is it hard being a Dumbledore?" he asks.
I stare hard at him for a few moments, carefully picking my words. "Yes." I answer finally. "But perhaps not for the reasons you would think. I admit when I was younger I was quite angry with both my grandfather and his brother for making me have a false name. I was furious when I was not allowed to attend Hogwarts, instead having to live in the States. I have heard you are quite a sight when you are angry, Harry." He at least has the decency to look somewhat abashed at this comment, "But I assure you, my tantrums would put yours to shame.
"Being a Dumbledore is, in reality, no more difficult than being a Weasley, or Longbottom, or Malfoy, I have since learned." I continue on.
Harry scrunches his face up in disgust. "Being a Malfoy? How is that difficult?"
"The Malfoys, as any of the old pureblood families, have certain expectations. There are certain ways one is expected to behave, expected to act, expected to marry. The other pureblood families, while perhaps not as fanatic about it, have the same traditions. So it is with the Dumbledores. Uncle Albus has done an excellent job during his life of maintaining the way. My grandfather, on the other hand, was not quite as willing to fulfill his role. I have tried to follow what has been set before me, but it has been difficult." I finish my long-winded speech with an arm gesture meant to signify my acceptance of my fate.
Harry has been watching me attentively for the past few minutes, "But what about Voldemort? Why do you have to meet with him? How is that part of the plan?"
"You truly are not frightened of his name, are you, Harry?" I ask, ignoring the question.
"No. Voldemort murdered my parents. He's a killer. That's all." He said determedly.
I nod, at a loss for words. "I am meeting with Voldemort on my uncle's orders." I lie immediately. "I am gaining his trust slowly."
It is Harry's turn to nod. "Do you think I can beat him?" he asks suddenly.
"Oh yes, Harry. I think you can. But it will not be easy." I answer quite serious.
"What has he told you?" Harry says.
I look curiously at him. "What makes you think he has told me anything?"
"Nothing. I just thought maybe it came up. You've been spending a lot of time with him lately." He says.
"I'm afraid nothing has come up. If it does, I shall pass it along immediately." I assure him.
Harry nods and stands. Apparently our interview has ended. Harry gleaned some information from our conversation that I was not aware of. I am on my guard now. He knows something. Damn.
He leaves and I am left in my office alone, absentmindedly fingering the photo frame.
Almost the same instant my head hits the pillow, I am asleep. Hours later, I am awakened by a soft tapping on my forehead. Opening one eye cautiously, I see the same house elf, Dobby, standing beside the bed.
"Yes, Dobby?" I ask groggily.
"Harry Potter asked Dobby if he knew where Mrs. Snape was. Dobby said he would find Mrs. Snape for Harry Potter." The elf says.
I sit upright. "Is Harry all right, Dobby?" I ask, more frantic than I had meant to.
"Oh, yes, Mrs. Snape." Dobby answers. "Dobby did not wish to worry Mrs. Snape. Harry Potter was only curious."
Raising a hand to my chest, I feel my heartbeat out of control. Taking a few deep breaths, I smile small at Dobby. "Please tell Mr. Potter I will come find him in an hour. There are a few things I need to take care of before then. Thank you, Dobby."
Dobby bows low and disappears from the room. I raise myself up from the bed, looking around the room. Wedding-day Severus and myself wave to me from the far wall. There is sunlight streaming in from the small window. I get up and walk to the bathroom.
Stepping in to the bath, I lower myself into lavendar-scented water, tempured perfectly. I stay in the bath for twenty minutes, washing accumulated grime from underneath my fingernails and scalp. Finally feeling clean, I emerge freshly scrubbed.
"That's better, dear." The mirror says warmly. I merely nod in agreement and step back into the bedroom. The students arrive this evening, with classes commencing tomorrow morning. Knowing I should do something to prepare for their coming, I dress quickly and head to my classroom.
Standing in the doorway, I catch my breath. The cavernous room is empty except for furniture. Placing my worn travel bag on the nearest desk, I open it up and begin extracting items from it.
I place a palm-sized replica of a sasquatch between two of the windows. Across the room from it, I set three figurines, a banshee, a mummy, and a bogeyman, on the floor. I continue placing objects around the room, on shelves, and on the wall. When my bag in finally empty, I wave my wand around the room. Instantly everything grows to full-size. Nodding in satisfaction, I stride purposefully towards the office entrance. Throwing wide the wooden door, I survey what is to be my headquarters, a smile on my face.
I place a second bag on the large desk in here. Opening it with a swish of my wand, books fly out, arranging themselves alphabetically on the three shelves. Once they have finished, I fish out a few more items and arrange them on my desk. The last thing I pull from the bag is a picture frame containing a photo of Severus and myself from a night spent in Diagon Alley
We had been strolling in Diagon Alley before taking an unexpected turn into Knockturn Alley. Before long, the denizens of the alley had surrounded us and were accosting us for money. Severus was able to extricate us from the situation. Once back on the well-lit promenade of Diagon Alley, a photographer found us and insisted on taking our photo. Thrilled by my hero, I agreed, pulling a reluctant Severus into a close hug, giving him a kiss on the cheek just as the photographer snapped the photo.
I place the photo in the topmost drawer of my desk, knowing full well the student population of Hogwarts is not ready to accept their surly potions master as a happily married man. Sitting down in the overstuffed armchair at my desk, I sigh contentedly.
My eyes wander over the room, stopping when they reach the doorframe. There, leaning against the door, is Harry Potter.
"Delighted to see you, young Harry!" I exclaim, rising from my chair. "What say you of the décor for the new term?"
He looks back over his shoulder before turning to take in my office. Giving a brief nod, "It'll do."
I stare at him incredulously. I am quite pleased with the overall effect of these rooms. "It will do? It will do? That is all you have to say?"
He gives a small chuckle. "All right. It's quite nice." He amends.
Still unacceptable. "Surely there must be more." I prompt. He gives serious consideration to the rooms once more.
"They are really quite nice. You've had a fine time getting things in order." He says.
Ah. He is bitter at Remus' departure. There is nothing I could have done to the rooms to garner his explicit approval. Very well. "Thank you for the glowing support, Harry. Now, why is it that Dobby awakened me from much-needed rest?"
Harry suddenly becomes shy, shifting his gaze downward, avoiding my eyes. He taps his feet together. "Come. Sit, Harry." I command gently. He does, still avoiding my gaze.
After a few more moments of silence, he looks up. "Is it hard being a Dumbledore?" he asks.
I stare hard at him for a few moments, carefully picking my words. "Yes." I answer finally. "But perhaps not for the reasons you would think. I admit when I was younger I was quite angry with both my grandfather and his brother for making me have a false name. I was furious when I was not allowed to attend Hogwarts, instead having to live in the States. I have heard you are quite a sight when you are angry, Harry." He at least has the decency to look somewhat abashed at this comment, "But I assure you, my tantrums would put yours to shame.
"Being a Dumbledore is, in reality, no more difficult than being a Weasley, or Longbottom, or Malfoy, I have since learned." I continue on.
Harry scrunches his face up in disgust. "Being a Malfoy? How is that difficult?"
"The Malfoys, as any of the old pureblood families, have certain expectations. There are certain ways one is expected to behave, expected to act, expected to marry. The other pureblood families, while perhaps not as fanatic about it, have the same traditions. So it is with the Dumbledores. Uncle Albus has done an excellent job during his life of maintaining the way. My grandfather, on the other hand, was not quite as willing to fulfill his role. I have tried to follow what has been set before me, but it has been difficult." I finish my long-winded speech with an arm gesture meant to signify my acceptance of my fate.
Harry has been watching me attentively for the past few minutes, "But what about Voldemort? Why do you have to meet with him? How is that part of the plan?"
"You truly are not frightened of his name, are you, Harry?" I ask, ignoring the question.
"No. Voldemort murdered my parents. He's a killer. That's all." He said determedly.
I nod, at a loss for words. "I am meeting with Voldemort on my uncle's orders." I lie immediately. "I am gaining his trust slowly."
It is Harry's turn to nod. "Do you think I can beat him?" he asks suddenly.
"Oh yes, Harry. I think you can. But it will not be easy." I answer quite serious.
"What has he told you?" Harry says.
I look curiously at him. "What makes you think he has told me anything?"
"Nothing. I just thought maybe it came up. You've been spending a lot of time with him lately." He says.
"I'm afraid nothing has come up. If it does, I shall pass it along immediately." I assure him.
Harry nods and stands. Apparently our interview has ended. Harry gleaned some information from our conversation that I was not aware of. I am on my guard now. He knows something. Damn.
He leaves and I am left in my office alone, absentmindedly fingering the photo frame.