Disclaimer: I don't understand the need for these silly disclaimers. It should be fairly clear by now that I am not J.K. Rowling - I don't have the money, I don't have the breasts, and I don't have the published books. And the idea of making money off of this tripe is positively ludicrous. But here we are, yet another disclaimer. I'm not J.K. Rowling, I'm not making money off of this, and I'm sure that many of these ideas have been done to bloody death in hundreds of different fanfics, so just plaster on a smile and enjoy the ride.

Across the castle, another, very different conversation was occurring, as Severus Snape swept somewhat scarily into Dumbledore's office, robes billowing out like a particularly juicy thunderstorm just before it swept an outhouse away in some forsaken part of middle America.

Dumbledore knew that his actions would have repercussions – possibly far-ranging ones. But he also knew that Harry was right. He had calculated with the life of a child, and arguably got the better end of that calculation – Harry was, against all odds, seemingly reasonably well-adjusted and unharmed. But the reason Dumbledore had seemingly changed so much over the past day or so was because the talk with Harry made him realize that while he could easily manipulate people around the chessboard as pawns, he very rarely was the one who had to pay the price for the "Greater Good". It was always the people he was manipulating that paid the price. People were even dead because of choices he made. And as he looked back on his actions, he had to answer the question "was it worth it?" And he had to admit to himself that, no, it was not.

And so he found himself on the receiving end of Snape's wrath, not for the first time.

Snape swept in and refused to sit down, instead leaning up against one of the walls of his office and staring contemptuously at the Headmaster.

"Headmaster, what was the meaning of what you did in the Great Hall tonight?", Snape sneered. "Draco was just putting that Potter brat in his place, he needs to be taken down a peg or two-"

"SIT DOWN and shut up, Severus", Dumbledore stated, in a tone that brokered no discussion or argument. Snape sat down.

"Headmaster-"

"I said shut up, Severus. As in be quiet. STOP TALKING. Zip it."

"Head-"

"Zzzzz"

"But-"

"Zipit"

"B-"

"Zippity-doo-dah"

Snape opened his mouth.

"Z-"

Snape closed his mouth.

"Severus, do you know how many students got an OWL in potions since you became the potions teacher?"

Snape said, "I hardly see -"

Dumbledore leant forward on his desk, eyes blazing.

"Severus, answer the question."

"... Less than half. But they..."

"Severus, you will speak when spoken to. Do you have any idea what effect this is having on our society? We can't find qualified people to be aurors. We can't find people qualified to make medical potions. Your failure to produce people skilled in even the basics of potions is having a detrimental effect on this society that will take years to repair, just as it took years to create."

"My failure? These dund-"

"Severus, I said shut up! Those 'dunderheads', as you so politely put it, are capable of being productive members of society in every other way, but they appear to have grown up with a life-long hatred of potions. And for many of those students, you are the only exposure to potions that they will ever receive in their education. The responsibility for their failure lies solely on you!"

For once, Snape was silent. Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers, looking every bit the powerful authority figure he was.

"I allowed this for years, Severus. I allowed it because I allowed my trust for you in matters of fighting Voldemort to cloud my judgement. I made a mistake, and because of this mistake, I caused the wizarding world nearly irreparable damage. That mistake, Severus, was allowing you anywhere near children. You obviously cannot even stand the children that you are entrusted to in your own house, and you have allowed a society in your house that has poisoned the entire school. And those children that are not entrusted to you, or whose parents are not influential in Voldemort's circles – you are downright abusive! And what of Harry, who has done absolutely nothing to you?"

Snape's face contorted into a sneer, and Dumbledore sighed. "Severus, that is exactly what I mean. I can't even mention his name without your face betraying your emotions."

Dumbledore leaned forward.

"Severus, your service in the fight against Voldemort is much appreciated. I value you highly for that, and don't think that your contributions in that regard are unnoticed. But I cannot allow the battle against the forces of evil to spill over into the education of children, as much as some would love to see that happen. So, as of now, you are relieved of your post as head of Slytherin house, and you are also from now on restricted to teaching fourth year and above. I will be teaching the first three years. Every single one of your house points – both given and taken – will be reviewed by me or Professor McGonagle, and are subject to reversal at any time. As well, you are required to develop a curriculum for your classes, one which I will personally review and approve, and you must teach the basics of potion interactions – there will be no more placing a potion on the board and refusing to supervise anyone but your house. You will, from now on, comport yourself in a professional manner and you will not allow any sabotage of potions from anyone in your classes, no matter which house they are in. If a student needs additional help, you will arrange it. You will ensure that everyone in your class is treated with respect – by you, and also by their fellow students. I will, on occasion, be observing your class at random and invisible to you. If you cannot abide by these rules – spy or not – I will expel you from this school and find someone who can. Do I make myself clear?"

"Headmaster-"

"Severus. This is not up for negotiation. This is what must happen for you to be allowed to stay. Your only other option is to leave this school tonight and never return. I ask you again.", and Dumbledore looked over his glasses at Snape. "Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?"

Severus gulped.

"Crystal, Headmaster."

Dumbledore resumed his usual grandfatherly manner. "Splendid, splendid. Now, off you go. You have some lesson plans to create. Please send Draco up to my office when you return to the dungeons."

Snape swooped out without a backward glance.

A few minutes later, Draco entered Dumbledore's office.

"Have a seat."

"Headmaster-"

"Mr. Malfoy. I understand that you believe that you rule the roost here, as they say, but it is time that you realized that you do not. Your father is no longer a member of the Board of Governors, and he no longer has any sway here. I would advise you to remember to whom exactly you are speaking. I have forgotten more than you, or your father, will ever know."

Draco began to turn red, but wisely stayed silent.

"As of a few minutes ago, I have relieved Professor Snape of head of house duties for Slytherin. He will no longer be protecting you. I have put him on a very short leash – the type of behavior you showed in the Great Hall will not be tolerated again. Do you understand?"

"I should have known you'd be taking his side. Wait till my father-"

Dumbledore rubbed his eyes again, for what seemed like the fifth time that evening.

"Mr. Malfoy, are you going to spend the rest of your life hiding behind your father's robes?"

Malfoy opened his mouth, but Dumbledore continued talking, drowning out his protests. Dumbledore's voice raised to a shout, and he looked every bit the aged and powerful wizard he was.

"This is not a game, Mr. Malfoy. This is not some exercise in house loyalty where the loser loses house points, this is not a childhood game of who can insult the other until one runs home crying to mum. This is serious business where people lose their lives, and before all is said and done, it may be people you love, or it may be you! This is WAR! You have not experienced war! People die! Think carefully about where you put your loyalties, for not all paths will see you to your majority! What good is your father's money if you're not alive to spend any of it?"

Draco cringed at Dumbledore's words.

"You will behave, Mr. Malfoy. There will be no more incidents like the entire school witnessed at dinner this evening. You will not do so because to ignore me may see you expelled, though it will. You will not do so because this is what is expected of you as the scion of house Malfoy, though it is. You will not even do so because you are bringing disrepute onto your family by your callous, unthinking, and frankly childish behavior, though you are. You will do so because you are playing games that should not be played by those with far more wisdom and experience than you, and I will not see you getting yourself into further trouble while you are attending my school . I ask you again. Do you understand?"

Draco nodded.

"Good man. Your new head of house will be meeting with your house shortly to explain this to the rest of your house. Off to bed with you", he stated, his kindly grandfatherly visage now firmly in place again. Draco left the office far less confident of himself than when he walked in.

A few minutes later, there was another visitor. One he had been expecting.

"Enter, Minerva."

Minerva walked in and sad down across from Albus without preamble.

"Albus, you know that I as well of the rest of the staff have been hoping you would start dealing with the bullying that is rampant in this school for years. But until now, you have refused. Why the sudden change?"

Albus leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

"Minerva, this afternoon, after a task that turned out in a way that I could not have predicted in a million lifetimes, a boy sat in that very chair and told me in no uncertain terms that he has lost the will to live. And as he did so, I was struck right here" - Albus pointed between his eyes - "with the abrupt and sobering realization that it was entirely due to my actions that he felt that way."

McGonagall was silent.

"I sent him to live with his relatives – in spite of specific instructions from his parents to the contrary. I did not check up on him, relying on a doddy old woman who spent far more time with her cats than with other people. I allowed Snape and the Slytherins to bully him from his very first day here. I set up a trap for Voldemort on the third floor, telling the entire school to avoid that hall, knowing that that would probably entice them better than anything else I could have done. I did not recognize what the Basilisk was until he had already killed it. In a thousand different ways, I have failed that boy, and today he walked right up to a bloody dragon and dared it to kill him."

McGonagall gasped, her lips pursed to a thin, lipless gash. "He did what?", she spluttered.

Albus nodded. "And as I looked back on my decisions over the past many years, even those that led to Riddle coming to power and taking so many lives, I realized – with the help of that young boy who is wise beyond his years – that I was so convinced that everyone could be saved that I was willing to sacrifice any amount of innocent lives to bring that one life back from the brink. No matter what the cost."

Albus sighed.

"But today, I reaped what I sowed. I didn't treat that boy as a person. I did what I felt I had to in order to mold him into the savior this world needed. And because I didn't treat him like a person, he doesn't see himself as worth anything. He lost his will to live because I took it from him.

Maybe from one perspective, Minerva, I did what I had to – but... at what cost?" Dumbledore sniffled. "Have I lost such perspective that I consider the life of one brought back from evil to be more valuable than the life of one that never went there in the first place?"

Minerva stood up and went around the desk. She conjured another chair, and sat down next tim him. And, not for the first time, she held her headmaster and long-time friend while he cried it out.

Scene Break

Hermione was fast, but Harry was faster, and it didn't take long before he caught up with her and grabbed her arm. "Hermione... wait. Please."

Hermione turned around, her eyes stained with tears.

"I'm so sorry Harry I don't know what came over me I shouldn't have done that I understand if you don't want to be my friend anymore I'm so embarrassed" - all the words came tumbling out like promises from American politicians.

Harry had no idea how to deal with a crying girl, so he did three things. He conjured a tissue, and he wiped her eyes. Then he pulled her gently behind a suit of armor.

She looked up at him with an unreadable look (unreadable to a fourteen year old, a slightly older and more experienced wizard would have called that look the "Give it to me hard and don't be shy about it number four look"), and he sighed.

"Tell me one thing, Hermione. Did you mean that?"

She looked down at her feet, and slowly nodded. Harry rubbed his head with his right hand. He was a boy! He was raised with the Dursleys! He didn't know what to do! So he went for honesty. If he wasn't going to care, by Merlin, he was going to do it right.

"Hermione... 'Mione...", he said, hesitating. "I don't know what I'm doing. My only examples of that kind of love were my aunt and uncle, and trying to imagine that... imagine a walrus and an ironing board..."

They both shuddered.

"Look, Hermione... I'm not saying no. Merlin knows you've been my best friend since we got on the train, and I can't think of anyone... but I'm broken. I can't say yes. I don't know how to say yes. Please, if you mean it, just have patience with me. If you really mean it, let me figure out what it means on my own time. Please."

Hermione shuffled her feet, and finally nodded. "Okay, Harry. I can't say I understand, but I know you're telling me the truth. I'll give you time."

Harry sighed with relief. He hadn't completely buggered this up.

"But Harry?", Hermione said, lifting her head, almost purring in a way that made him react in a completely unfamiliar way.

"Yes, Hermione?", he said, adjusting his trousers, suddenly aware of how he could feel her breath on his face. She smelled like vanilla.

"I'm not going to make this easy for you", she said, and gave him a tender, chaste kiss, before stepping out from behind the suit of armor and walking away.

Harry listened to her footsteps receding down the hallway. It took him a good five minutes to wipe the silly grin off of his face, before following her down to hall to their shared common room.

A/N So it looks like this is going to be a Harry/Hermione fic. Wonderful. But will the road there be smooth, or will it be rocky? Will it end that way? Find out along with me.

I want to say something about how I see Dumbledore. I see Dumbledore as a fundamentally good but very flawed man – his subconscious desire to atone for the accidental murder of Ariana has driven him for years – he thinks that every time he saves someone from the dark, maybe he is atoning for his sister. But maybe it's time, now, for him to let go and move on. I see Harry as a survivor, and believe me, I know what it is to be a survivor. Hermione will have to have a lot of patience.

Dumbledore is still of the Beating for the Other Team persuasion, but he and Minerva have been friends for many, many years, and that comes with its own type of intimacy that transcends plumbing.

I hope you enjoyed the opening shots of Dumbledore trying to atone for his many, many mistakes.

Read? Like? Review!

Update 7/23/16: As a reviewer pointed out (a little bit rudely, but he/she was correct), Lucius is no longer a member of the board of governors. Which actually played right into my hands, so I made the correction. A few other minor, non story affecting changes, such as correcting the spelling of McGonagall.

Update 7/24/16: An anonymous reviewer pointed out that "I sowed what I reaped" is nonsensical. That is fixed.