June 1998

When the public read the articles published by Skeeter, telling the stories of the four war heroes and of Albus' machinations, it was to the surprise of no one that the public demanded Albus Dumbledore's head. With the promise of more to be revealed in a soon to be released tell-all book, authored by Rita herself, the outrage and outcry only built. It was less of a surprise when the Board of Governors at Hogwarts conceded to the demands of the public before anyone thought to question why the Board themselves had not been aware of the goings on at the school.

Albus Dumbledore was asked to resign his post as Headmaster in April. The Board assured the clamouring, angry public that they would announce a new Headmaster or Headmistress as soon as the school year had finished, and the candidates had been robustly vetted.

Speculation then ran rampant as to who would get the coveted role of Headmaster or mistress of England's premier magical school. The unofficial Ministry betting pool had Deputy Headmistress McGonagall out in front followed by Filius Flitwick, Miranda Goshawk, and Jocunda Sykes.

It was then to most a shock when Severus Snape was announced as the new Headmaster. While muttering ensued, it was overall seen that if the witch that slew Voldemort wouldn't be Headmistress, then the Spy that Helped would be the next best thing.

The Ministry's policy of interfering as much as it could in Hogwarts business received only a slight set back upon the announcement of Severus Snape taking the role. There were few who didn't remember being taught by him, and fewer still were willing to risk his infamous temper. It was with trepidation and owl post that the Ministry decided to conduct its business. So when Severus Snape swept into Percy's office three days after the school term finished in a billow of black wool, it was unexpected.

Percy double checked his appointments in a lightning-quick glance as he stood to greet the visitor.

"I do not have an appointment, Mr Weasley. However, I wonder if Kingsley might be available?"

"Certainly, Prof, Seve- Headmaster." Percy stumbled wincing at his faux pau.

"You may call me Severus still, Mr Weasley," Severus said his eyes gleaming with humour while his face remained passive.

"You may still call me Percy," Percy replied with a small nod of acknowledgement.

Severus inclined his head and refused the chair Percy offered as he moved to the Minister's door.

"I'll just see if Kingsley is available, he does have a meeting in half an hour." Percy slipped around the door and informed Kingsley of his unscheduled visitor. Kingsley was as startled as Percy had been but urged Percy to invite the Headmaster in.

Percy opened the door to his office. "Severus, the Minister can see you."

"Thank you, Percy," Severus replied crossing into the office, his robes flaring around him. Percy shut the door as Kingsley offered Severus a seat and a drink and returned to his desk. Kingsley had not yet revoked the privileges of Percy's office and the curiosity of what they spoke tickled a corner of his consciousness.

Percy debated only for half a minute before he gave into his curiosity. A twitch of his wand activated the wards to transmit the conversation to him. A second more of thought and he sent a quick spell at the door to the corridor to stop anyone entering and discovering his eavesdropping.

"What can the Ministry do for you, Severus?" Kingsley enquired.

"I have come about the former students who have recently graduated who were through one means or another linked to the Dark Lord."

"What of them?"

"They have completed their Hogwarts education and have been thrown out into the world. With the current political climate, they are not being offered work."

"Well, that's hardly surprising," Kingsley said. "Those families that have proven links to the Death Eater movement were always running the risk of such an eventuality. I am sorry Severus but what is it you want from this office or me."

"As much as I think Dumbledore is a Machiavelli menace, he believed in second chances. Some of these students haven't yet had the opportunity to spoil their first and yet the wizarding public has written them off for the actions of their parents."

"Severus, I am not sure what you think I can do."

"Employ them," Severus replied.

The room was silent, and Percy wondered if Kingsley's poker face was holding.

"Have any of them applied for positions in the Ministry?" Kingsley eventually asked.

"I believe some may have."

Percy heard Kingsley's desk drawer open and close and the thunk of a bottle on the table top.

"If they apply, then I can ensure they have a fair shot at whatever the role. I can send a memo out to the departments stating that discrimination will not be tolerated. But it guarantees nothing, I cannot stop the Department Heads picking one person over another if they are equal on paper. If they have a good reason that is related to the ability to do the job in question, then I have no power to stop them. If the student in question is obviously better qualified and still aren't picked then yes steps can be taken, but that's it. That is the extent of what I can do. I cannot cobble together some sort of committee or agency just to give these people work."

There was a moment of quiet, and Percy wished he could see into the room as well as hear.

"Very well, I shall inform them," Snape said. "There is one other thing. Draco Malfoy has expressed a desire to undertake healers training. The events at the Burrow seem to have made an impression on him. It is my understanding that St Mungo's is under the same warding as the Ministry."

"It is. While it is good to know that Mr Malfoy desires to do something useful with his time I am afraid that the Ministry of Magic cannot, and will not, make an exception for him. You must understand that if I did it would be political suicide. The Malfoys have not yet had their public fall from grace, Lucius death rather than his capture has stymied it. The information exchanged for leniency in Draco Malfoy's case has also had the same effect. If I were to make an exception for Draco Malfoy to enter the Ministry or St Mungo's as a marked Death Eater, I would be out of a job before the ink was dry. I am sorry Severus, but the answer is an unequivocal no."

"Would the Ministry stop him studying abroad?"

"No," Kingsley replied promptly. "If he wishes to leave the country and darken some other shores he is welcome to. The British Ministry of Magic has no jurisdiction abroad as you know."

There was another pregnant pause then a rustle. "Then I thank you …"

Percy hurriedly flicked his wand, cancelling the transmission and unlocked his office door. His wand was away, and his attention riveted on his paperwork when the door opened, and Severus exited the Minister's office. "Severus," Percy said standing.

Severus waved him back into his seat. "Good day, Mr Weasley," he said and swept from the room.

Percy deliberated only a moment before going to the door and sticking his head around it. "Anything you need me to do Minister?"

"No Percy," Kingsley replied looking up.

"The Headmaster…?" Percy trailed off.

Kingsley huffed in annoyance. "Like everybody else wants a miracle. Draco Malfoy wants to learn healing at St Mungo's, and Severus wants me to make an exception."

"And you aren't going to?"

"No dammit, I'm not!" Kingsley said thumping his tumbler down on his desk. "He's a marked Death Eater. No marked Death Eaters are eligible to work at the Ministry or St Mungo's. End of. If he wants to plead his case to a foreign government, then let him, although I'd say he'll be unsuccessful there as well. No one wants the headache that is employing Death Eaters. Some of the European countries might agree with the principles, but that doesn't mean they brand themselves and follow a wizard who waged war only to be beaten by children, twice! No one wants them."

"Ah," Percy said nodding. "Does the Headmaster know that Mr Malfoy's chances of studying abroad are slim?"

Kingsley shrugged. "If he doesn't, then he soon will."

Percy made a noise of agreement. "Your meeting with the Department of International Law Enforcement is in fifteen minutes, Minister."

"Very good Percy. Show them in when they get here."

"Yes, Minister," Percy said retreating back to his desk.

Percy cooked dinner for him and Audrey that evening. After they had eaten, they settled on the sofa while the cleaning charms were dealing with the dishes. Audrey curled up into Percy side yawning widely. "I'm shattered! Today was so long. Absolutely nothing interesting happened at all. Not even a wrong number called the shop asking for someone who doesn't exist. Telemarketers would have brightened my day. What about you?"

"Nothing either, really," Percy said. "Meetings, forms, the usual. Oh, Severus stopped by to see the Minister."

"He did? What did he want?"

"Hmm? Oh, it was about the graduates that are linked to the Death Eaters through family but aren't marked. He wanted Kingsley to employ them."

"Will he?"

"Kingsley? Well, the memo went out to ensure that all potential candidates are treated fairly. If a candidate is rejected who might be linked to Death Eater families, then the department will have an onus to prove they weren't discriminating. It's not much, to be honest, and I think it will be hard to prove in court either way, but it will at least keep some people honest. But I think really Severus came about Draco."

"Malfoy? The posh blonde one who was horrible to Hermione, but John and Helen looked after at the Burrow?"

"Yes."

"Why? What's the matter with him?"

"He wants to take up a healer course, but he's marked, and St Mungo's wards won't allow him through them."

"So, what will he do?"

"Kingsley? Nothing. He'll have to try his luck abroad."

Audrey peered up at Percy. "Your tone implies you think this might not be so easy."

"It won't be, according to Kingsley. No one wants to open the can of worms that is employing a marked member of the Death Eaters."

"But he was a kid. You couldn't even charge him for it, and that's it? No one wants him?"

"Technically he's wealthy enough he doesn't have to work. The Ministry might have fined the Malfoys heavily for their involvement, but I doubt very much it has made a dent in their overall wealth."

"But still."

"Still what?"

"Well," Audrey shifted moving around to face Percy. "If he wants to become a healer, he's obviously trying isn't he? He's made some bad choices, but he's trying to fix it. Don't you think it would be better to help him rather than washing your hands of him? He's gone wrong, but he's trying to turn it around."

"Perhaps," Percy allowed. "But if the Ministry is seen to be helping then we'll be open to accusations of corruption. After all, we've already offered clemency, and neither of the Malfoys has seen trial."

"Yes, but I thought it was Lucius, his father who was the ringleader?"

"Yes, it was but the name Malfoy is one of those its synonymous with power and corruption. They've blackmailed a lot of people and made a lot of enemies. If we go out on a limb further, then we'll be seen as colluding with them."

Audrey turned back around again. "I guess I understand that."

"But?"

"But, well I don't know. John seemed to think he might be redeemable and he's trying, and now it's not going to come to anything. Severus was given a second chance, and without him, you'd never have won."

Percy hummed softly. "He might be able to get on a course yet, not everyone will reject him for his mark."

"And if he can't?"

"I don't know."

The conversation with Audrey nagged at Percy. It was unfair to a degree Percy acknowledged. Malfoy had been a bully when he was at school, but it seemed ridiculous to hold that against him, few people were the same as they were in school all their lives. His actions as a Death Eater were scarce, other than the betrothal offer to Hermione, Draco had had very little traction as a Death Eater. The Ministry would have only been able to charge him for belonging to a terrorist group.

Percy understood that it wasn't easy to step out of the pigeonhole people put you in. Other than their money, the Malfoy's had no influence available to them, and Percy doubted very much that they had any friends that were publicly willing to own them never mind call in favours for them.

But a disgruntled Draco Malfoy with time and money might turn into a bigger headache. Just because he couldn't enter the Ministry, didn't mean that he could become a kingmaker.

Percy muttered to himself, regretting allowing his curiosity to drive him to listen to the Minister's conversation and wishing the whole topic would leave him alone. He sorted through the paperwork he was dealing with making sure nothing was missing before sending it sailing into the filing cabinet. Percy dropped his head into his hand tiredly rubbing his face. The nagging feeling was only getting worse, and he knew that he would be forced to do something before it would go away.

He sat up and drew a piece of parchment towards him inked his quill and wrote a short message. A small charm dried the ink folded the parchment and sealed it with magic. He crossed to his floo ignited it and tossed the parchment in. The floo would deliver it to the Ministry owlery were it would be attached to an owl and sent on its way. Percy returned to his desk feeling marginally better.

That evening he met Audrey at her flat and asked to use the large mirror Fred and George had gifted her. Audrey readily agreed and followed Percy curiously to the hall which had been the only space large enough to take the size of the mirror. Percy conjured himself a tall stool and seeing Audrey hovering conjured her one as well. Then he made the connection on the mirror.

"Percy, Audrey," Hermione said answering the mirror. "It's not often I see you. How're things?"

"Fine," Percy said. "Umm I actually called to speak to your parents, are they in?"

"Mum and Dad? Yeah, I can go get them."

"Please, if you wouldn't mind."

Hermione nodded and disappeared from the frame.

Audrey shot Percy a quizzical look, he reached over and squeezed her hand, silently bidding her to wait.

John and Helen returned with Hermione on their heels.

"Percy? Hermione said that you wanted to speak to us?" Helen asked as she and John settled on the edge of the desk. "Is everything OK?"

"Yes," Percy answered. "It's, well, the thing is, I've an opportunity to help someone. Someone who isn't necessarily the nicest person, but is trying to make a change, and I wondered if you might share your views."

"Oh," Audrey said catching on to Percy's meaning. "Is this about Draco?"

"Yes," Percy nodded.

"Malfoy?" Hermione asked in surprise. John and Helen said nothing but looked expectantly at Percy.

"He wants to take a healer course. But St Mungo's is barred to him due to his mark. He wouldn't be stopped from studying abroad by the Ministry if he secured a place," Percy explained.

Helen interrupted. "While that is lovely, so far I don't see how it involves any of us."

Percy acknowledged Helen with a nod. "I could pull strings and ensure he received a placement. But I'd like your view on it."

"Why?" John asked.

"Well, because as far as I really know, you're the only people that have spent time with him outside of school."

John rubbed his chin in thought. "Why you? Why not the Ministry, or his family, or his connections?"

"Because Severus asked the Minister," Percy said. "If the Malfoy's had enough pull to do this themselves, then I doubt Severus would have approached the Minister. The British Ministry is unequivocally not going to make an exception for him to study at St Mungo's."

"Why would you help him though?" Hermione asked coming to stand by her parents. "You, specifically?"

"Because I can, I think," Percy replied. "The Malfoy's are a political toxic waste at the moment, but that won't last. In five, ten years when everyone has forgotten, it is quite possible that the Malfoy's would be able to take a run at the Ministry again."

"Disaffected, disillusioned, wealthy. I can see why you might be concerned," John agreed. "There's not much I can tell you. That night at the Burrow he was scared. Properly scared. Not one person there was his friend. We might have done as much as we could to keep him safe, but in the grand scheme of things, it was very little. There were ten people, armed witches and wizards at the Burrow who would have happily turned on him and he knew it. But for all that, he helped. I agreed to ask for his mother to be retrieved because it was the right thing to do, as was taking him on when Severus asked us to. If you want to offer him the chance, you'll not hear a peep from me about it."

Helen shrugged. "I've got no opinion. Was he a little shit at school? Yes. Should that be held against him in the long run? Probably not. Being a Death Eater under the circumstances he was is possibly one of the few forgivable instances. And as you said, they are a toxic waste now, but in five, ten years, you might find you've got an ally when you need one."

Percy looked over at Hermione.

She also shrugged in response. "He was a git, but honestly, I've moved on. Perhaps this would give him a chance to?"

Percy nodded. "Thank you for your opinions."

The group on the other side of the mirror all made dismissive noises indicating it was nothing. Audrey squeezed Percy's hand and caught Helen's attention starting a conversation catching up on the goings on allowing Percy to sit silently thinking.

A message was waiting in Percy's in-tray when he arrived at the office the next day. It was brief and set up a time for a meeting. Percy filed it into his personal correspondence, he wrote out a short letter, signed, sealed and sent it swirling away in the Ministry floo.

That evening he left the Ministry via the floo. Arriving in the Three Broomsticks, Percy quickly made his way out the door and set off down the familiar road to Hogwarts.

Severus was waiting at the gate, his lean, dark form blending with the shadows of the growing evening.

"Good evening Severus."

"Percy, I trust everything is well?"

"Yes. Thank you for agreeing to see me."

"Come in, this conversation would be better conducted inside, do you not think?" Severus twitched his hand and the gates swung open allowing Percy admittance. The two wizards walked in silence to the castle.

"Are the Malfoy's still in residence?" Percy asked as they entered through the large front doors.

"Yes, although the term is over, and the school closed for the summer I had a number of tasks as newly appointed Headmaster. It was easier for me to remain here, so they too have done so."

"Perhaps then we might discuss my proposal directly with the Malfoy's then?"

"Indeed, this way." Severus swept up a staircase that had aligned for them at their approach and led the way to the rooms in which the Malfoys were living.

Severus knocked on the door, Narcissa answered it and graciously bade then welcome and entry. Percy handed over his outer robe to the hovering elf and accepted an armchair. Severus took the one opposite him leaving the two Malfoys to take their places on the sofa.

The elf reappeared with a tray of refreshments, and polite conversation was made as they were distributed. Once everyone was furnished with drinks and small delicate cakes a silence fell.

Percy took a sip of his tea to whet his throat then addressed himself towards the two Malfoys. "The political climate in Britain is going to be hostile towards your family. It will severely hamper your ability, Draco, to attain any position within Britain. You both understand this?"

Draco tried to sneer, but it failed to manifest past a twitch of his lip.

"Yes," Narcissa responded coolly. "Due to our actions, we have become disliked by all sides. There are Potion Masters in Italy. Severus had agreed to write a letter of recommendation if Draco's grades were acceptable."

"Yet you are considering healing?" Percy addressed Draco.

"Yes," Draco responded warily.

Percy hummed a little more running a finger over his top lip as he thought. He glanced over at Severus to find the man regarding him carefully. His eyes landed back on the two people in front of him. His last concerns lingered but his mind was made up.

"The Malfoy family is a problem," Percy said bluntly. "You are a marked Death Eater, and while Mrs Malfoy does not carry the mark, it is known that she stood by her husband. If your father had not died on the field that night, he would be in a cell. He would remain there for the rest of his life. The Malfoy family would be disgraced, the Ministry would have imposed fines for reparations to the victims of the crimes committed under the command of Riddle. It is likely you will be unable to fully escape that fate. You are likely to face disapprobation from the general populace for supporting and joining the Death Eaters despite the circumstances. Your family has already been issued with some fines to compensate those who were killed or injured. You, Draco, as a carrier of the mark will be unable to enter the Ministry of Magic and St Mungo's." Percy stopped giving the young man in front of him a moment to absorb what he had said. The pair of them held their faces in polite blank masks, but Percy could see a slight twitch in Draco's eye that indicated that reiterating the truth of their position was not welcome.

Percy took another sip of tea and continued. "It is a commonly held belief that the Treaty of Versailles was a contributing factor to the muggle Second World War. The British magical society cannot sustain another war. It cannot endure the pureblood propaganda that was the dogma of the Death Eater movement. We have no choice but to adapt, to strengthen our position, to ensure our very survival as a species by including the muggle-born into our midst. Think what you may about them, but they are first generation magic."

Draco glanced at his mother who sat solemn-faced. She nodded slightly, and Draco turned back to Percy. "I have no interest, views or otherwise towards the inclusion of muggle-borns into society. I wish to concentrate on building a career for myself. As I cannot hold a position at St Mungo's, and our inquiries to other courses have not proven fruitful, I-I don't know quite what to do."

Percy nodded. "Do the Malfoys own any property abroad?"

"The Ministry has seized a number of our assets," Narcissa answered coldly. "However, there are some that they were unable to touch."

"Very good," Percy said. "While your focus has shifted to healing, do you have any issue with relocating to Italy as suggested by Headmaster Snape?"

Draco once again glanced at his mother. "No," he said hesitantly. "I believe that that might be for the best."

"Well, then," Percy said withdrawing a shrunken folder from his pocket and returning it to the proper size. "Have a look over these and let me know if you think it would be of interest."

Draco accepted the folder glancing down at it, he began blinking in surprise. He shot a glance at Percy who kept his expression passive. Draco opened the folder moving it so Narcissa could see it as well and started reading.

Percy regarded them both while he waited. Narcissa looked up first, her impassive face better than his own and Percy reminded himself that this woman had been doing this a lot longer than he had.

"This is a prestigious course, Mr Weasley. While Draco certainly qualifies, I was given to understand that there was a waiting list and admissions were stringently allocated."

"You are correct Mrs Malfoy," Percy said unsurprised that she had researched the courses available for healer training while been confined to a suite in Hogwarts. If Draco was to be understood those without waiting lists, they had applied to, had been less than enthused by his application. "The Signora in charge only accepts the best and half of them don't make it through. Those that do, well many doors open for those that can graduate from the hospital of Santa Maria Nuova in Florence. It is the premier training course in Europe. St Mungo's takes graduates from that course without subjecting them to the usual one-year apprenticeship. It's four years. You get very little time off as the course is so demanding. The number of students that burn out before completing it is high. You must want it to finish it. Draco will need nothing lower than E's on his NEWTs and an O in potions would be preferable."

Draco nodded at his mother. Narcissa turned to Percy. "We have some contacts in Italy. If Draco wishes to attend the course, I would, of course, move to Italy with him. I would not be parted from my son."

Percy nodded in agreement. "I suspect Mrs Malfoy that the weather in Italy will suit you. However, the applications for the course this year are closed."

Draco deflated visibly. Narcissa's eyebrow climbed her forehead. "I see."

"Yes, I suspect you do," Percy said drily. "The healer in charge of the training course happens to owe me a favour. I can get you a place," Percy said bluntly to Draco. "The rest is up to you."

Draco gaped but snapped his mouth closed when Narcissa made a small noise. Severus stirred, his face impassive but his eyes communicating unspoken questions.

"Why?" Draco asked hoarsely. "Why? Why offer us clemency? Why bring my mother here? Why do all this?"

"It's not charity," Percy said firmly. "It's a fair exchange. I do this, and you both continue to cooperate fully with the Ministry. Then in July you both pack up and leave Britain for four years. You will not be barred from Britain, you will be able to return, but if I might offer some unsolicited advice?" Percy waited for Draco's nod. "Lucius Malfoy thought that turning up at the Ministry, swanning into someone's office and announcing from on high, was the way to make policy and run the government. To date, of his six-month run at playing policy maker within the Ministry of Magic, not a single motion was made law. Lucius Malfoy never worked a day in his life, and thus he didn't understand how to work. You will be given an opportunity to learn how to work. Take it. If you start that training course with the attitude you began Hogwarts with, you won't last a month."

Narcissa watched Percy thoughtfully as he spoke to her son, as he handed over wisdom that Draco would never have received from his father.

"You will need to be interviewed prior to commencing the course. It's a formality that everyone has to go through. There are no exceptions. As your current situation is somewhat delicate, I can arrange for Signora to come here as long as that is acceptable to everyone. It may take a day or three to organise. She will be aware of your mark and what it stands for, but it will not hold you back from attaining a place on the course."

Draco's eyes dropped to his arm his face twisting into something that looked like frustrated anguish.

Narcissa intervened smoothly. "Yes as long as Severus will allow is to retain use of this suite, we can be available to meet… I'm sorry what was the name of the healer in charge?"

"Signora Buonarroti."

Narcissa quirked an eyebrow.

"Yes," Percy confirmed the unspoken question. "Her family were in architecture, to begin with."

"Can I inquire as to how you met?" Narcissa asked politely.

Percy smiled a little to himself. "At a dinner. She had a small difficulty with her dress, and I happen to be quite handy with tailoring charms. I saved her from a measure of embarrassment."

Narcissa's face was politely interested. "Indeed."

Percy checked his watch for the time. The lateness of the hour caused him to grimace. "My apologies Mrs Malfoy but I shall be unable to stay any longer, I have a prior engagement this evening."

Severus stood and crossed to the door. An elf silently appeared and returned Percy's coat to him. Percy rose from his chair, bowed slightly towards Narcissa and nodded at Draco before stepping out of the room Severus on his heels. The two wizards traversed the first corridor silently.

"Might I ask why you have called in a sizeable favour for Draco Malfoy?"

Percy tilted his head slightly so he could look at Severus' face. "You might. And I might tell you that the favour I called in isn't the only favour Sophia owes me. I might also tell you that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. I do not assume I am a good man, nor do I believe I have all the answers. But if I stood by and let an alienated, dissatisfied young man like Draco Malfoy, who has enough money to do nothing but ponder how everyone hates him, I would be responsible for the inevitable trouble that would stir up. He might have been a terrible Death Eater, but that would not stop him being a political adversary. Lucius Malfoy didn't know how to run a government. What is to stop Draco Malfoy learning from his father's mistakes and doing a better job at kingmaking?"

The conversation paused while they waited for a staircase to move in their direction. As they stepped on to it, Percy continued. "It wasn't entirely altruistic. That training course is one of the more punishing ones. The hospital treats everyone from the poorest to the richest. The trainees must put up with the over-privileged whining while stomaching the sight of starving children who have been abused and thrown out on the street. That course is going to drag every scrap of emotion out of him, it's going to wring him dry and only reward him when he lets go of his prejudice and cares about more than himself and his mother."

Severus stopped forcing Percy to come to a halt with him. "You will offer him this? It is a gift more than he can possibly realise."

Percy shrugged. "It is an opportunity to make something of himself. He gets a chance. Sometimes a chance is all you need. I didn't give Draco the first chance, I doubt I will provide him with the last."

Severus regarded him for a long moment. "You have just made an ally of the Malfoy family. Perhaps Draco doesn't realise just yet how much he owes you, but I suspect in four years time he will."

Percy shook his head. "I would be foolish to say that I wasn't aware of that. I would be outright lying if I said I hope for his sake that it does turn out like that because then he would have used the opportunity the way it was meant. But I am not lying when I tell you that it isn't why I did it."

"Then why did you?"

"Because if it were any of my siblings who needed help, I would hope that someone would do the same for them if I could not. You get out of the world what you put into it. Draco Malfoy is trying. Trying to do something other than be a Death Eater, why should he not receive the help he needs to achieve that?"

"Gryffindor's. Brave. Foolish. Noble."

"Hardly noble, Headmaster. I know of some who have done more. I am simply doing what I can."