"Attempted kidnapping in broad daylight."
"Breaking and Entering private property."
"Kidnapping a Gringotts Goblin and holding him against his will in bond."
"Multiple uses of curses on sentient beings."
"Property damage to the Hogwarts Express"
"Throwing two students off a moving train through the windows."
"Kidnapping fellow students in chains."
"Assaulting and disabling the Honeydukes Employee."
"Theft of the Honeydukes Food Trolley."
"Hanging another student to the ceiling."
"Knocking Harry Potter unconscious."
"Threatening the staff with violence."
"Injuring dozens of students in an mass melee in the train, inflicting extensive damage to the Express."
"Hospitalizing said students in the Saint Mungo Hospital."
"Engaging Professor Quirrell in a duel."
Vice-Head Mistress McGonagall sighed, her shoulders visibly sagging further with each and every additional mention of a crime. "And she not yet even been sorted."
Dumbledore empathized deeply with his old colleague. Neither of them was getting any younger, and every crisis only added to the whites of their manes. At times like these, he felt his age and contemplated retirement.
"It appears that we have in our midst a rather mischievous troublemaker," he remarked with a gentle chuckle. "I must say, not even the Weasley twins, nor the Marauders themselves, have managed to cause quite as much chaos in so brief a span of time. It is almost admirable."
"Headmaster!" McGonagall scolded sharply. "I implore you not to treat this lightly. The girl threw two students off a moving train. Had their accidental magic not intervened at the last moment, they might have suffered fatal injuries! Multiple students even had to be admitted into the hospital wing! It's a bloody miracle nobody was killed! If she hadn't fallen asleep from hunger who knows what would have happened!"
"Yet no one was injured."
"By sheer luck!"
"That is concerning in more ways than one," Flitwick began, adjusting his glasses with his index finger. "But I must say that I am perplexed. She's 10 years old and without training. How could she have subdued so many people? I find it hard to believe an untrained child could have defeated 34 other students in a magical duel, not to mention holding her own against a professor. Most were 6th and 7th years with multiple prefects mixed in between! Are we certain that the girl was truly the culprit? Might she not have been set up for nefarious reasons?"
"The girl… Nayuta… Is… Rather talented," Snape admitted begrudgingly.
"Gasp! A compliment from Professor Snape? Has our Potion Master been kidnapped and replaced by a-, all right, all right," Flitwick raised his hand in surrender to Snape's glare, although a glint of amusement sparkled in his eyes. "Calling her 'rather talented' must be the understatement of the century. However, magical talent does not equate to skill in dueling. No matter how brilliant the girl is, defeating that many opponents should have been impossible without training."
"So she was trained before coming here…" McGonagall pondered.
"No…" Snape rebutted. "Her fascination with magic and the Wizarding World was genuine. Someone with previous training would not have acted the way she did."
"How can you be so sure that it wasn't an act?"
"Some children are skilled liars, but deceiving themselves is something only masters could do."
"Severus!" McGonagall exclaimed in horror. "You can't be telling me that you used Legilimency!"
"You can't possibly expect me to allow such a suspicious child to enter Hogwarts without an investigation," Snape scoffed. "Besides, I only skimmed her surface thoughts."
"Putting aside Severus's rather questionable use of magic, we're back to square one, aren't we?" Flitwick let out a weary sigh, his tiny frame slumping slightly in his chair. "None of this makes sense… It's simply impossible for an untrained child to breeze through dozens of other students. Even dueling champions would struggle to match her skill. And where in the world did the girl learn all those spells listed in the action report if she was never trained? Baffling, I must say…"
"That… Would be me…" Snape admitted sullenly.
"What were you thinking? Some of those spells are reserved for 7th-year students!" McGonagall glowered disapprovingly."
"I am well aware, Professor..."
"Then what's your excuse!"
"I…" Snape started. To Dumbledore's shock, the man almost looked… Embarrassed? The headmaster of Hogwarts leaned closer, interest renewed and curiosity bursting. This was something he had to hear.
The Potion Master continued with a sigh. "When Nayuta tried to kidnap the Gringott's Goblin, I tried to put an end to it. But she refused no for an answer," he explained, his voice tinged with annoyance. "Normally such blatant insubordination would warrant a year's worth of detention, but the concept of punishment is lost on her. So instead, I made a deal with her, promising more displays of magic in exchange for the Goblin's release… But it seems she had reneged on our agreement…"
Snape frowned, displeased at the memory of the betrayal.
McGonnagal stared in disbelief. "Are you trying to tell me… A student… A STUDENT… forced YOU, Severus Snape… To compromise?"
"….."
Dumbledore laughed heartily, a few tears escaping the corner of his eyes as he wiped them away with a finger. Though he knew it was hardly appropriate to find amusement in such a situation, he simply could not help himself. "I must say Severus, I never would have imagined a day where you, of all people, would be hoodwinked by a child," he remarked, his aged blue eyes twinkling with mirth.
"It just goes to show that we can never truly predict the action of those around us, no matter how much we think we know them," Dumbledore said, his smile growing wider as he shook his head.
It was not uncommon for young wizard and witches to yearn for powerful spells beyond their level of expertise. Yet, granting such requests was a rarity, as the lack of foundational knowledge often led to disastrous results.
Severus Snape was known for his strict and unyielding ways, bordering on the edge of totalitarianism. He had little patience for what he saw as recklessness, making it all the more surprising that he had indulged the desires of the girl, despite the circumstances.
Indeed, the Headmaster was taken aback by Snape's unexpected leniency, as he had always been the last person one would expect to entertain such notions.
"I'm glad you find this situation so amusing, Headmaster," Snape scowled. "But… I did not teach the girl. I merely showed her the spells."
"Well, how is it that she can cast those spells?" McGonagall inquired, her brows furrowed in concern. "It's not as though one can simply cast a spell by laying eyes upon it."
Her tone was stern, but a hint of curiosity was laced within it that failed to escape Dumbledore's notice. As a seasoned educator, he knew all too well the dangers of attempting magic beyond one's capabilities. His colleague would be keen on understanding how the young student had come to learn such powerful spells.
"….." Once again, the Potion Master fell silent once more, his expression a mix of concern and deep contemplation. His brows furrowed as he appeared lost in thought, lost in some deep worry that Dumbledore couldn't quite decipher.
"Severus?"
Snape let out a deep, heavy sigh. "As I said before, Nayuta is talented," he began, his voice low and measured. "But let me be clear. That was not a compliment. She seems to have an uncanny ability to cast spells she has only seen without using a wand."
The Potion Master's expression was stern, his eyes fixed intently on his audience. He seemed to emphasize the gravity of the situation, aware of the potential dangers ahead.
A stunned quiet silenced the room.
"Severus… Are you certain?" Fillius asked in a tone that betrayed his skepticism.
"When I first encountered the girl, she used some form of innate magic to have a monkey steal my wand," Snape recounted, his expression flashing annoyance at the memory. "I took it back with a wandless and incantless Accio, but she stole it once more using the same spell in the same manner."
He paused, his expression darkening as he spoke. "At that time, I had dismissed it as an accident, a fluke of magic that happened to mirror the spell's function. But now, it seems that the matter is far more complex than I had initially assumed."
"What?!"
Dumbledore let out a deep, heavy sigh as he removed his half-moon spectacles and set them down carefully on the corner of his desk. He raised a hand to rub his temple gently, the weight of his years and the growing burdens of his responsibilities weighing heavily on him. As the murmurs of his colleagues faded into the background, the Headmaster allowed himself a moment of introspection, his thoughts turning inwards.
His mind was fraught with concern from the moment he heard Snape's report on the newest addition to his ward. No child should ever be subjected to such cruelty at the hands of another. While Nayuta's actions were understandable given the circumstances, they only underscore that power was not suited to one so young. Her past, methods, and raw talent all reminded him too much of a young Tom Riddle, though even he had not gone so far as to kill in his early ears.
He had initially planned to speak to Nayuta to alleviate her fears and help her work through any trauma she may have suffered at the hands of the muggles. But now, he found himself plagued with worries of his own, noting the eerie parallels between her and the former Dark Lord. He had never imagined encountering a child as talented as Tom Riddle again, but Nayuta seemed to outclass every Wizard and Witch in history in terms of raw power and skill.
Oh, how he wished his spy was lying, but one did not assign a man as a triple agent without some level of implicit trust.
The country was only now starting to recover. The scars from the previous war were still too fresh. If a Dark Lord was to rise again…
The mere thought filled him with dread. The possibility of the land being torn apart by war once more struck him deeper than any Cruciatas curse. A darker part of him… One that he wished he could ignore… whispered into his ears to take action before it was too late. To cull the bud while it was still in its infancy.
Nayuta had shown a willingness to use violence to get what she wanted. The consequences of further escalation were too great. Perhaps it was time to set aside his morals and act before she became too powerful to stop. He needed to prevent the rise of another Dark Lord, no matter the cost.
"Then what shall we do? We cannot expel someone so prodigious," murmured McGonagall with a furrowed brow.
"I was not aware that one's prodigious talents absolve them of consequences," Snape retorted with a scowl.
"That's not what I meant, Severus, and you know it," McGonagall countered with fervor. "The news of what transpired on the train will eventually reach... Certain families. If we were to expel her, she could fall into the hands of less scrupulous parties. Moreover, even if we break her wand, it would hardly make a dent in her abilities, especially if she's capable of wandless magic. She must be disciplined for her actions, but expulsion would hardly be beneficial to anyone."
"Indeed," Dumbledore interjected. "This is a school, after all. If a student errs, she must be corrected with a guiding hand."
"Then what should her punishment be?" Flitwick inquired. "Even disregarding the two children that she ejected from the train, assault and kidnapping are grave consequences. If she were older, she would face severe reprimands from the Ministry."
"But she isn't. She is but a child, and thus will be dealt with appropriate levels of punishment," McGonagall replied.
"And what would the appropriate level of punishment be? What punishment could equate to the multitude of crimes that could warrant expulsion a dozen times over? Afternoon detention?" Snape scoffed.
"Then what do you suggest Severus?"
"That's the crux of it, isn't it? The girl's crimes are too numerous for any punishment short of expulsion to suffice. But that is not the problem," Snape sneered. "Even if we pardon her, Lucius Malfoy will not let this slide. His son was humiliated, but he's not stupid. The girl is powerful, and thus valuable. Lucius could lobby the Ministry to have her adopted by one of his preferred wizarding families, citing her delinquency as an excuse. I believe we all know why that would be less than ideal."
"But she is muggle-born!"
"Her parentage is unknown," Snape said, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "I had thought it strange that she carried no surname, but now it appears all the more likely that someone had tampered with the Quill and Book to obscure her origins."
"Is that even possible? Who could have possibly managed to pull such a thing under our watch?" Flitwick's voice wavered with uncertainty as he interjected.
"Headmaster," Snape started slowly. "Did Grindelwald have any descendants?"
The Potion Master's words hung heavy in the air as a chill rand down Dumbledore's spine as he listened. The mere mention of the name froze him in his chair as the mere spark generated a conflagration of memories, both fond and painful.
For a moment, he reminisced.
Of their friendship.
Their shared dreams.
And most of all, their…
"Severus, are you suggesting…?" McGonagall trailed off, unable to finish her question in disbelief.
"Oh dear…" Flitwick sighed, his small frame seeming to shrink even further. The weight of the situation was heavy on them all.
"It's the only possibility that makes sense, doesn't it? How else could she be so powerful? Why else would anyone bother to go so far as to hide her surname?" Snape pressed, his voice low and urgent. "I doubt she is Grindelwald's spawn, but she could easily be his grandchild. If this is true, then it may be possible that his Knights are still-."
"Enough…" Dumbledore intervened. His voice was soft, but the tone carried an air of finality that silenced his peers. "Let us not color our perception with unproven possibilities. I'm afraid it will only lead us down an uncomfortable path.
He stood up, his eyes meeting each of his colleagues in turn. "As for Lucius and the Ministry, I will handle it. Now… If that is all…"
"Headmaster," Snape interrupted. "Before we leave, there is still another matter to discuss."
"Another? Don't tell me it has to do with Nayuta again!" Flitwick asked in disbelief. "How could one child cause so much mischief?"
"I'm afraid it does. Do any of you know of Ragnuk the Traitor?" Snape asked solemnly.
Dumbledore sighed, as he felt the ache in his head worsen while his wrinkles deepened. "That's whom she kidnapped?"
"By Merlin's Beard…" Flitwick swore.
Snape nodded. "While he has mostly left society at large and remains controversial, he still wields a great deal of influence and respect in Goblin Society."
"And who is this… Ragnuk?" McGonagall asked in concern.
"He is the greatest Metal Smith in history, and that is no exaggeration," Flitwick answered darkly. "Nowadays, however, he has been known for his… questionable hobbies. But many among his race still look up to him as akin to a hero. If he decides to take revenge, we may be forced to expel Nayuta. The Ministry may administer our laws, but the Goblins control our finance. One is far more important than the other for most Wizarding families."
"Will he pursue charges? Could we not convince him? I'm sure that such an outstanding individual can be reasoned with."
"Outstanding? Hah!" Flitwick snorted. "He may have cleaned up his act, but at one point, he was known as Ragnuk the Thug."
"The concern is of not the man himself, but of Goblin society," Snape began, his voice law and measured. "I know of his character, and this incident would not trouble him greatly. However, if we fail to administer a suitable punishment to Nayuta, it is not unlikely that the Goblins will leverage their influence on the Ministry's purse."
"Dear Merlin… I don't believe any student has brought such trouble since the opening of the Chamber of Secrets…" McGonagall swore.
"I do not like it, but at this point, we may need to expel her," Flitwick grudgingly said. "Perhaps she could be transferred to a different school? I have contacts in Beauxbatons. They could perhaps expedite the transfer."
"As long as she doesn't go to Durmstrang, it may be for the best," McGonagall sighed.
"I did not realize that we allowed the Ministry or Goblins to dictate how we deal with our students," Snape sneered in derision. "Or that we were so weak to be trampled by bankers and syphocants."
"Severus, it is not that simple."
"Your reasoning is flawed," Snape's voice dripped with disdain. "This is not a matter of protecting Nayuta or of expediency and convenience. We do not expel students to save ourselves from toil. But most of all, it is about the principle of the matter. We all agreed that the girl should be kept within our school, but now you seek to expel her the moment you learn the victim is of repute? True, a crime was committed, and thus, punishment must be dealt. Severity may vary, but our principle must remain constant. We cannot alter our standards based on who the perpetrator or victim is."
"Nayuta nearly murdered two students!" McGonagall rebutted hotly. "The last student who was suspected of murder was expelled."
"Your comparison lacks any semblance of fairness. You seem to be forgetting that the former involved no murder. Despite Nayuta's foolish and stupid behavior, no true harm was inflicted. She is but a naïve child who has yet to undergo any formal education. As I recall, your stance was different regarding a case regarding a Werewolf, even when the perpetrators were clearly old to face the consequences."
McGonagall was silenced.
"Snape, that is not approp-," Flitwick started.
"Regardless, we do not change our policies just because of pressure from outside. Our path is clear. We will do as we have always done and commit to our duties."
Dumbledore smiled as he gazed at Snape, his eye twinkling in amusement. "Yes, Severus is correct. Nayuta will be punished for her actions but we do not punish for the sake of punishment but to teach. Expulsion will serve no benefit for anyone."
"Then what will her punishment be Headmaster?" McGonagall asked.
"That will be up to the head of the house she is sorted into."
Flitwick groaned. "I would love to have a child of her talent in Ravenclaw, but I do dread the paperwork that will come attached."
"Put aside such worries. I will deal with the Goblins and give concessions if necessary. And do not worry Severus, no harm will be done to the girl," Dumbledore chuckled.
Snape raised an eyebrow but otherwise remained silent.
"Now, if that is all... I believe we have delayed the sorting enough."
At his dismissal, the heads of each house began to move. "Severus, please stay."
Snape stopped, glancing at him with an annoyed frown as his colleagues left for the opening ceremony. "Is there something else Headmaster? I don't believe there is anything else to speak about."
"What do you think about Nayuta?" Dumbledore asked with a shine in his eye.
"What are you insinuating?" Snape snapped.
"Nothing… Other than that, you seem to be quite taken with the child."
Snape scoffed in disbelief. "Ridiculous."
"Is it?" Dumbledore questioned. "As McGonagall said, Nayuta's actions were reckless and senseless. She had endangered the lives of her students and hurt your Godson. You have called for expulsion for much less minor and have a reputation for bias. Yet you defended her.
"Unrelated," Snape growled. "The girl is too powerful to be ignored. While Lucius may be furious with what was done to his son, he will not be blind to her potential. She is a weapon… If we do not wield her, then someone else will."
"If you say so," Dumbledore chuckled.
"It is exactly as I say so. If that's all Headmaster…"
"Yes, thank you for entertaining this old man. You may leave," Dumbledore dismissed.
As the billowing black cape of Severus Snape disappeared from sight, Albus Dumbledore let out a silent chuckle. Who would have imagined that Snape would be so taken with a child? Despite the man's mastery of Occulmency and his penchant for harsh words, his concern for Nayuta was unmistakable.
However, Dumbledore's amusement was short-lived as he pondered the gravity of the situation Nayuta had brought upon herself. The allure of power was a disease that plagued many wizards and witches. If they could not possess it, many found themselves attracted to someone who did like moths to a flame. This same attraction allowed Tom Riddle to amass a fervent following despite his lunacy, and Nayuta seemed to be on a similar path. The warning signs were all too clear for Dumbledore to ignore.
But in the end, warnings were merely heralds of potential possibilities. It was far too early to predict which path Nayuta would ultimately choose. The future was a mystery; only time would tell what fate had in store for the young girl.
To his shame, he had contemplated murder. The mere thought of such a heinous act was repulsive, and he could scarcely believe the depths to which he had sunk. But thoughts were only thoughts. While his worries were understandable, it was not reasonable. The girl's actions were that of an immature child who had yet to learn right from wrong, not of a vainglorious madman. He would never allow for the rise of another Dark Lord but he would not stoop to assassination, even if he believed he would regret it years later as he had done years ago.
As the Headmaster of Hogwarts and Chief Warlock, his name was synonymous with power and wisdom. Yet blinded by Tom's brilliance, he had failed to recognize the darkness within the child that would become the Dark Lord. He had seen only what Tom had possessed and failed to see what he never had.
Love… That was the key.
Perhaps it was because he had never felt the love of another that he became so merciless.
Perhaps it was because he never learned to love another that he became so remorseless.
Perhaps it was because he never felt the warm embrace of another that he became so cold.
Then the solution was simple.
Nayuta would learn love.
He would make sure that she was showered with it. Whenever she was down, a pair of loving arms would hold her. When she was discouraged, kind words would lift her spirit. Whenever she was lonely, she would know that she was surrounded by a family that loved her.
Her actions suggested a life of difficulty. But that was fine. She was still young and had an abundant number of years to experience so much more. He would fill her life with joy so she would have no time for the memories that tormented her. He would ensure she received all the love every child deserved, and he knew just the man to help him.
As usual, any and all reviews will be appreciated