Alastor looked about, trying to read the faces around him. His father had told him there was a trick to this, to reading what the people around you felt just by looking into their eyes and seeing the expressions on their faces. Alastor had never thought to question his father, who spent his whole life dealing with stubborn diplomats and their sneaky plans, but now he was wondering if he could ever make sense of the bewildering expressions all around him. Fear and hope and wonder and things he couldn't even begin to understand were all around him. He had to think There has got to be a better way to do this.
Only one other student in the hall seemed to be as alert as he was, gazing all around with blue eyes that twinkled in the dim candlelight. He was a short boy with short auburn hair . Not much to look at, really. He was gazing around, however, with an expression of pure delight, as though Christmas had come early. Alastor thought that, if nothing else, the boy would at least share some of his enthusiasm. Walking over, he sidled up and said "Ah, hello there, my name is Alastor. Alastor Moody. I don't suppose I know you, mister...?
The blue eyes looked oddly at him for a moment, the boy still smiled and said "Pleased to meet you, Alastor Moody! My name's Albus Dumbledore, and this is the most amazing place I've ever seen in my life! Those carriages were amazing, and did you see that gigantic squid in the lake? It was just me and my bother and mum growing up, so this is the most people together in one place I've ever seen! What about you?"
Alastor took a small step backwards, somewhat bemused by the barrage of words. "Ah..I'm from London. My father works at the Ministry, and I've been to Hogwarts a few times before with my uncle, professor Moody." He tried, and failed, to keep a note of pride from entering his voice. "He teaches Defense against the Dark Arts, did you know that? Everyone says he's the best professor of that subject to come along in fifty years."
Albus looked impressed. "Wow. That must be smashing, to have an uncle as a professor. Mum doesn't talk to any of her relatives anymore, she says they all stopped coming around after she married a muggle. Sad, isn't it? Why don't people just live and let live? It would make the world a better place."
This revelation made Alastor pause for a moment and consider. He knew his father would be unhappy if he knew that his son was associating with a mudblood, but on the other hand, the boy was friendly, and might be persuaded to help with some of Alastor's extracurricular activities. He'd be a good accomplice, and keeping a friendship secret would be fairly easy.
Decided, he nodded and said "Yes, Albus, that would be a fine thing indeed."
