a/n: Hmmm…I guess everyone of those few that were reading this story have totally forgotten it. Except maybe lavender dusk, who actually made me finally continue the story. Thank you. I have actually been thinking about continuing it for a long time, but I had some difficulties at deciding when in canon the story takes place. Now I finally know: Kevin's tale starts at approximately the same time as OOTP begins. That's also why his last name isn't Whitby, as I originally planned it to be. Kevin, however, has NOTHING to do with Buffy Summers. But anyhow, on with the story:

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The Staff Meeting of Crackpots

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Once more, the note they had composed caught Kevin's eye. Determinedly, he grabbed the parchment and, without for once lifting the pen off the paper's surface, copied the note word to word on the bottom of the letter. Then he slowly raised the pen and waited. Half terrified, half elevated, he watched the writing disappearing from the parchment like it would have sunk into the tissue. He could hardly breath. What would happen next? He had practically called them a bunch of freaks. How would they answer?

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Some students mistakenly assumed that Albus Dumbledore's grandfatherly batty manners, including the funnily twinkling eyes and the seemingly infinitive capability to invoke good humour from the most unfortunate occurrences, were meant to baffle and mislead only the poor, unexpected student body. Others knew better. Albus aimed to baffle and mislead everybody.

Professor Severus Snape had at a time simply interpreted his employer's manners as a very successful attempt to torture his staff, especially his potion's instructor. Later, he had reluctantly abandoned this explanation. Not altogether, no, but sadism alone could not reach to cover the extremities Albus' conduct sometimes took, nor the insistent continuity he practised it with.

Throughout the years, Severus Snape had created numerous theories and analyzes: Albus was being manipulative and bluffing in order to lull his opponents to think they had nothing to fear from him; Albus' parents had been extremely severe considering proper conduct and the adolescent rebellion against rules had, probably for reasons a Muggle psychiatric could have explained, stretched well beyond it's normal duration; Albus was trying to seem approachable – and he actually thought his tactics worked with others than Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs; Albus was trying to seem intimidating – and actually thought such subtle techniques worked with Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs or Minister Fudge; the batty conduct was Albus' way to handle stress and to falsely convince himself of everything always ending well; or , the most plausible reason of them all: it was all Albus' big elaborate scheme in order to avoid blame when everything would eventually collapse – he would just claim not to have been mentally stable at the time he had made the fatal decisions, and he would have ample evidence to back him up.

Because of this deep insight Severus Snape possessed on the matters of Albus Dumbledore's conduct, he somehow wasn't very surprised to find the honourable Headmaster giggling to himself in the middle of a prolonged staff meeting.

The meeting had been organized in order to discuss this years Muggle-born students, and Severus had nearly an hour ago closed his ears from Poppy Pomfrey's whines and excuses. If nothing else, the illogic she practised was enough to wear him down.

She had started with an indignant rant about some muggle-born future-student's bad language and manners and the way he hadn't shown her proper respect. Then, the insufferable woman had started to guiltily whine how she had scared the same insignificant student. How had the brat both disrespected her and been afraid of her? According to Severus' own experience, fear very nicely and conveniently created respect – at least if one didn't count that insufferable Potter-boy.

Merlin knew that with the Order business and the looming war, Albus really couldn't spare Minerva when contacting the future students of Muggle origin, but wasn't it simply glaringly obvious why Poppy Pomfrey wasn't the best candidate for the task? The irritating woman was a capable medi-witch, yes, but outside of the hospital wing her whole demeanour totally changed and there was nothing that could even hint of her being capable at anything. Well, if this year's crop was to be the normal bunch of dunderheads, they could maybe identify with the woman, but otherwise Severus couldn't see any valid reason to rob the shoemaker of their last.

As mentioned, Severus wasn't very surprised to find the honourable Headmaster giggling to himself. He was alarmed, however. A laughing Albus never predicted anything good and a giggling Albus? He almost shuddered.

"Poppy, dear", Albus Dumbledore offered gently, "As it happens, I can reassure you that you did not, after all, manage to very much scare young Mr. Summers."

"Albus, I blew up the branch and threatened him in front of his father! It was inexcusable!"

Inexcusable? Why had the blasted woman whined for an hour if not to get absolution and forgiveness? Severus felt his irritation growing. He had always believed in amends, as in actual deeds. Mere words and apologies meant nothing, especially when not even addressed to the offended party. He hoped Albus would get on with whatever had amused him so, if only to silence the annoying woman.

For once, Albus Dumbledore chose to act according to his Potion Master's wishes. "Young Mr. Summers has sent us a letter."

"How? He's a muggle-born, he doesn't have an owl!"

"No, Poppy, he doesn't. Instead, he actually worked out he could use our initial letter not to inform us if the scheduled meeting wasn't convenient, but instead to send us a message. Rather...unexcited message, I'm afraid." Albus chuckled and handed the parchment to Professor McGonagall.

"I'll say!" exclaimed the witch, after glancing at the message. "Well, what a pity that he's a muggle-born. He would have fitted perfectly with your lot, Severus. His attitude reminds me very much of you, actually." She handed the note to Professor Snape. "Don't you think?"

Internally, Severus Snape sighed. He really didn't have the necessary energy or will to engage in petty verbal swordfights with Minerva McGonagall, and he wasn't at all interested in what the witch thought of him, personally. The message she handed him wasn't any more interesting. Why on earth were they wasting time and effort on some insignificant child? Was he the only one that understood there was a war going on? He read the message, anyhow, and to avoid letting it time-consumingly circulate from hand to hand, he read it aloud.

"Dear Sirs, could we still discuss with someone from Hogwarts' staff, preferably by telephone or via e-mail. The acceptance letter Kevin Summers received is very odd by any normal standards - as you should know, were you not a bunch of crackpots yourselves - and we would need something we could show to all the people wondering if we have all of a suddenly gotten crazy. Sincerely, Kevin Summers, soon-to-be-a-magician-against-his-own-will."

"Actually, Minerva, I believe Mr. Summers will fit your lot quite nicely. He seems to be rude as well as reckless," was all Severus Snape was ready to say concerning the letter, although he had to admit it showed unusual insight for an eleven-year-old. Very few muggle-borns actually realized they had no choice but to accept the magical education they were offered. Still fewer could accurately describe Hogwart's staff before even meeting Albus Dumbledore. Crackpots, indeed.

"Severus Snape! I –" Thankfully, Professor Flitwick interrupted McGonagall's rant:

"Excuse me, but I don't understand…how and why would the child need to explain Hogwarts to anyone? Poppy, didn't you tell them they were not to tell anything to the other muggles?"

"Yes! Of course, I did! But you heard it yourself, the child is impossible!"

"Now, now, Poppy", Albus soothed through a lemon sherbet, "maybe we just do not know everything about Mr. Summers' situation. Perhaps I should contact him myself."

What? Severus Snape added one more incident into his growing collection of proofs of Albus Dumbledore's illogical and irrational conduct and lack of common sense. He certainly didn't like or accept the special treatment and extra attention poured on Harry Potter, but there at least was some reason for that, if only the Dark Lord trying to kill the brat. This, however, was a totally normal case of a totally normal muggle-born. They had a procedure for situations like that. It certainly didn't demand the Headmaster's personal attention.

However, Severus Snape recognized the twinkle in his employer's eyes. There was nothing to be done. One Mr. Kevin Summers was soon to have some hard evidence on the magical world's crackpottiness.

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a/n: There. I know it wasn't very long, but the next chapter is already half written. I have never before written Snape or Dumbledore, so I'd be very interested in your comments and opinions on how I managed with them.

If there's someone who would like to beta for me, I'd also be grateful. Preferably someone who knows something about English social services and bureaucracy, if that's not too much to ask? lol. I'm not a native speaker nor have I any English friends. (boohoo, pity me and beta for me…)