Chapter 4: Snatches of Conversation
by ataraxis

"So Mr. Caine's statement this afternoon almost confirms your theories about Draco Malfoy being the next new Dark Lord. Have you discussed this with Severus yet?" Albus asked.

"I'll be meeting with Severus later this evening, after he stops by here to give you his own report. Do you meet with all the professors each evening?" Harry couldn't sit in his usual chair, he was filled with restless energy, so he decided to peruse the unusual items Albus had placed throughout his office. Harry stopped for a brief moment to touch the rim of the well remembered Pensieve.

Harry ceased his musings and turned to look at Albus, giving the old wizard his full attention. "I try to, but dealing with parents, students, the Board, and the Ministry takes a large amount of my time." Albus summoned the usual tea tray; this time there was a plate stacked with chocolate covered biscuits.

Harry looked at them, puzzled, never having seen anything like them before. "Albus, what are those biscuits?"

"Ah, yes, these. I think they call them, Tim Toms, no, Tim Tams. Anyway, the Headmaster from the Sydney School of Wizardry and Witchery in Australia sent them to me. Addictive little things, the make me want to give up my Sherbet Lemons for them. I thought you would enjoy trying one."

After sitting down across from Albus, Harry took his tea and a biscuit, bit into one and groaned with pleasure as the taste burst across his tongue. "Yes, I can see that they could indeed become addictive. Have any of the other professors had a chance to sample them?"

"Minerva and Severus have both tried, but only Severus finds them appealing. Minerva has never been a fan of chocolate, she prefers almond and coconut macaroons. Speaking of Severus, it appears you have decided to proceed with allowing him to get close to you, to Emma."

"Yes, I thought that it would be best to strengthen ties and working relations, rather than give the man a cold shoulder. A hostile working environment would not be conducive to our finding a weak link to convert among the students."

'...allowing him to get close to you, to Emma,' was heard as Severus stepped up to knock on the door to the Headmaster's office.

Severus paused at the odd wording of the sentence. 'Was Emma Malsby not who she appeared to be?' he questioned himself. He didn't chance casting an eavesdropping spell, knowing that would alert Albus to his presence, so he leaned in as close to the doorjamb as possible hoping to hear more of their conversation.

"All I ask, is that Emma not break his heart. Severus is a good man, a lonely man, and this is the first time I have seen him show an active interest in anyone else before, besides you. Amazing really, that you seem to bring out both of his deepest emotions love and hate." Albus took a sip of his tea and relaxed back into his chair. Harry watched as Albus' gaze flickered to the door leading into the office.

"I didn't really realize until this evening at dinner how much Severus was interested in me, in Emma. I tried to warn him, in as subtle a manner as I could, that I was only interested in being friends. I just hope he takes the warning. As you cautioned me last week, once this investigation is over, Emma Malsby will be no more and I will likely have moved on to my next assignment."

Harry sighed, more tired than he thought should be possible for someone who had an exciting, challenging career like his.

"I often asked Tonks how she managed, and she told me that she hated never being with her friends and family, which was why she didn't stay longer than three years with the secret service. I can see what she means now. I hardly see my friends anymore and starting an intimate relationship with anyone is virtually impossible. Perhaps I should consider transferring out and into a more normal job," Harry mused more to himself than to Albus. Harry continued to sip at his tea and nibble at the delicious Tim Tam, lost in thought.

Albus watched as the elegant Emma ruminated, all the while keeping a sharp eye on his door. Albus knew that Severus was on the other side, and had heard parts of their conversation, but only the parts guaranteed to peak Severus' interest without giving the game away, just as he had intended.

'Emma not break his heart ... seen him show an active interest in anyone else before, besides you... bring out both of his deepest emotions... ' Severus wished he could hear more clearly; snatched bits and pieces of the conversation were driving him mad with curiosity. Emma was not who she appeared to be, that much he understood. He couldn't hear what 'Emma' was saying, therefore he assumed whoever it was in the room had their back to the door, while Albus was seated facing it. He listened more closely, and learned nothing more from the now silent room. 'Perhaps I can learn who Emma Malsby is by observing her more closely. I wonder if she is someone who is taking Polyjuice potion she does seem to have a good grasp on potions. Or it could be a metamorphmagus, though those are rare and are registered. Maybe it is that Tonks individual, she is a member of the Order.' It was time to interrupt the meeting and begin his own. The door opened after the first knock.

Harry jumped from the knock on the door, sloshing a bit of tea onto Emma's robe. From the corner of his eye, Harry saw Severus enter and his eyes widened in dismay, but he calmed when he noticed that Severus appeared as normal stoic and mildly irritated not highly agitated as someone who might have heard any part of the conversation between himself and the headmaster would be.

"Headmaster," Severus nodded his head towards Albus, then turned and smiled politely at Emma. "Professor Malsby, I am sorry if I am interrupting anything important."

"No, no, Severus. Emma and I were just about done with our meeting. In fact, since you are here, I want to let you know what she overhead from Mr. Thomas Caine just before he entered Charms class this afternoon. Apparently, Mr. Caine mentioned how the new Dark Lord should be called The Great White Way, as he was intent on paving the way for all purebloods in the wizarding society. Emma thought that it could indeed be Draco Malfoy leading the new faction of Death Eaters. What do you think?"

Severus frowned, and took the seat that appeared next to Emma's. "I'm assuming that you are basing that assumption on the word 'white' in the new title that Mr. Caine wishes to give the Dark Lord. Maybe it could be based on the fact that all the newest members of the Death Eater society are Caucasian. In other words, white of skin."

"Hmm, that is true," Emma sighed. "Still, Draco Malfoy seems to be the likeliest possibility as the new Dark Lord. His father is still in Azkaban, along with his mother. His cronies, Crabbe and Goyle are still unknowns, not having been seen since the last war. It has also been reported that several of the new Dark Lord's followers come from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons as well. So it would have to be a member of the wizarding world who is comfortable with the upper class."

"That means you are assuming that the leader originates from here, and therefore attended Hogwarts. Perhaps the reverse is true, and the leader is from France or some other country from the continent. What we need is to find a student to turn or infiltrate the new organisation, because we can make suppositions all evening and come to no real conclusions."

"Agreed, Severus." Albus nodded and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "You, Emma and the rest of the staff shall meet with me tomorrow to go over the lists each of you has gathered and we will discuss each student who appears on the list in detail. Emma if you would excuse us now, Severus and I need to conduct our own meeting."

Harry excused himself from the office and went back to his own chambers to prepare for Emma's meeting with Severus.