Chapter 16
A couple of weeks later Severus received a summons from the Headmaster, asking whether he could come see him. He left Minerva in charge, and went off to the Hog`s head. Aberforth Dumbledore greeted him as he arrived "I am sorry about not letting anybody visit earlier, but I didn`t want my brother stressed by a herd of visitors. So I felt I had to ban any visitors until he was stronger, he still is a bit weak but he insisted on seeing you."
As Severus entered the room occupied by the Headmaster, it was a shock. The man didn`t look like himself at all, but seemed much older and more tired than severus would ever have imagined was possible. But as Dumbledore smiled he seemed more the same as before "good to see you my boy, please sit down. I have as always too many services to ask you to perform for me, I hope you will do me the honour of hearing me through and seriously think about what I am asking of you before you answer".
Mystified Severus sat at his bedside "what can I do Headmaster"?
"Firstly I am no longer Headmaster, so I ask that you call me Albus" Dumbledore said and proceeded to explain what he wanted from Severus leaving him speechless as a result.
Late in the evening Jen went to Severus` rooms having received a summons from him, "how is the Headmaster?" she asked
"Old and weary, and quite mad" Severus said "he wants me to take over as Headmaster of Hogwarts."
"Good, you will be an excellent Headmaster" she answered as she sat down opposite him
"He told me many things, the manipulative old b***" Severus said tiredly. I was told to keep his secrets, but I refuse to become him. I know when to ask for help, and I believe I will need it. I don`t know when I accepted the fact that I am your mate, but I have and as your mate I trust you to keep my counsel."
"Of course I will" she answered easily "I am on your side now and forever if you want me there."
Severus proceeded to explain some of what the Headmaster had told him "the Dark Lord seems to have made Horcruxes , and Dumbledore suspects Harry might be one".
Jen patted his hand reassuringly "I think I can ease your mind about that; I am very sensitive to things and people affected by the dark arts. In my time with Harry I have never sensed any such ting on him, and I`m sure I would have if he`d been affected by such darkness."
Feeling very relieved Severus told her "Dumbledore wants me to seek out objects that were of significance to the Dark Lord, and hopes I can find and destroy all possible Horcruxes . I thought I knew about dark magic after studying it for years, but I`ve never even heard about such things before today."
"Lucky for you, my father is an expert on dark arts. He has taught me a lot, and he told me about Horcruxes . I don`t remember all of it, but he can surely advise uson how to destroy them. And as I am sensitive to such things, I can help you determine what objects contain them" she answered smiling reassuringly.
Severus sighed deeply but felt a tad better, the admiration he`d had for the Headmaster had dimmed a bit upon seeing how manipulative and secretive the man could be. But he was flattered that the man wanted to recommend him as the new Headmaster. Not that Severus expected to be confirmed as Headmaster though, his reputation as both former Death Eater and dreaded teacher would surely prevent such a thing from happening.
