Chapter 10
Albus Dumbledore is sitting at his desk, his fingers steepled at his chin in contemplation. After being informed of the events that had transpired during yesterday's Dueling Club meeting, he immediately retreated to his office to think. He first addresses the issue of the serpent Ron Weasley had conjured the previous day. Harry seems to be hell-bent on keeping it, which could easily cause problems in the future, especially with the public image he is trying to create for the young boy. However, with Severus' support, it is unlikely that Dumbledore will be able to deny Harry his request without facing dire consequences. Although, allowing Harry to keep the snake could benefit Dumbledore in certain ways. If he obliges, then he is one step closer to reclaiming the firm grip he had on Harry's life. If Dumbledore can begin to earn Harry's trust, then he can easily slip back into Harry's life through subtle manipulation.
The Headmaster is still deep in thought when Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall burst through the door, making their way hastily over to his desk.
"Albus!" McGonagall calls, her tone frantic and her eyes wide with worry.
"What is it, Minerva?" Dumbledore questions calmly, glancing up to see the two Professors standing before him.
"There's been another attack. Another student has been petrified, along with Sir Nicholas." McGonagall explains.
Dumbledore leans forward, sighing and nodding his head as he processes the news. "I see," He pauses, evaluating the two Professors. Severus, as expected, is eerily calm, his expression impassive, making him impossible to read. This is much the reason that Dumbledore has continued to keep the man close, so he can keep an eye on the Slytherin Head of House. Minerva, however, is noticeably fidgety, and Albus immediately deduces that she has not yet finished speaking. He raises a single brow and waits for her to continue.
"Albus… Harry Potter was found at the scene. And, with recent events in mind, namely the realization of Potter's… gift, people are concerned that he may have something to do with these attacks."
There is a brief silence as Albus considers her words. "Yes, I can see how people would be concerned. Severus, have Mister Potter brought up to my office immediately." The Headmaster gives a slight nod toward Severus as he finishes speaking and deftly observes the Potions Master's demeanor. There is an almost imperceptible clench to his jaw and his eyes narrow ever so slightly when the request is voiced. However, despite his obvious discomfort at the idea, he nods curtly and stalks from the room, leaving Albus and Minerva alone.
Dumbledore's office descends into a weighted silence that holds the promise of further conversation. Albus, sensing this, simply waits for Minerva to speak her mind. He doesn't have to wait more than a few seconds before she begins opening and closing her mouth in an attempt to voice her question. Finally, she sighs, glancing down and shaking her head before speaking.
"What do you think of all of this, Albus?"
"Well," Dumbledore leans back slowly in his seat as he searches for a response. "I believe that if we allow this to continue, then history will surely be doomed to repeat itself."
Minerva gasps, reeling back at the subtle implications of the Headmaster's words. "What are you saying? Do you suggest that we close the school?"
"Unfortunately, that may be our only option if the situation continues to escalate. Soon, we will begin to receive letters from the students' parents. I have already received correspondence from Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy about recent events. As you know, they hold large amounts of political power, and they will quickly gain the support of the other families if they choose to seek it. If they come to the decision that Hogwarts must be closed, then I am afraid we will have no other choice." Albus finishes solemnly, silently cursing the Malfoys. It must be known that Albus Dumbledore does care for his students. However, if Hogwarts is to be closed until the situation is resolved, then he would prefer it to be on his terms.
McGonagall sighs heavily, bringing her fingers to her temples and rubbing small circles into her skin as she tries to ease her ever-growing headache. "I do suppose you're right. I just wish there were another way."
Dumbledore nods his head firmly, his eyes grim, and opens his mouth to speak. However, before he can reply, there is an aggressive rap on the door, alerting him and his companion to the arrival of Severus and Harry.
"Come in." Dumbledore calls, beckoning them into his office. As the door begins to creak open, he expertly schools his previously solemn expression into one more appropriate to the facade that he is attempting to maintain with Harry.
The Slytherin and his Head of House make their way into the room silently. Severus closes the door lightly behind them, the soft click of the wood sliding into the frame is the only sound that dares to break the deafening silence that holds the room hostage.
Harry moves to stand before Dumbledore's grand desk, fidgeting under the Headmaster's critical gaze.
As previously stated, Harry holds a great dislike for long, drawn-out silences. Therefore, he decides to take matters into his own hands, raising his gaze to meet Dumbledore's and saying, "You wanted to see me, sir?" Harry's tone is icy, yet bored, and its similarity to Severus' own does not go unnoticed by the room's occupants. Severus finds himself struggling to hide his beam of pride. He knows that facing Dumbledore is the last thing his charge wishes to be doing, and his ability to overcome the mixed emotions that he is no doubt feeling impresses Severus immensely. Yes, Harry Potter has come a long way in the past year. Severus has absolutely no doubts about whether or not he belongs in Slytherin. Over the course of getting to know the young boy, whom he now holds guardianship over, Severus has realized that, despite the uncanny physical similarities between James and Harry, his charge is truly nothing like his father.
"Ah, yes. Harry, please, have a seat." Dumbledore says airily, gesturing first to the wooden chair that Harry is standing stiffly next to, and then to the intricately designed teapot sitting on his desk. "Tea?"
"No, thank you, sir. And I would prefer to stand if that's alright." Harry replies tersely, his gaze flitting around the room as he subtly observes his surroundings, casing the area for anything out of the ordinary as he makes sure that the manipulative Headmaster doesn't have anything planned. It's not that he doesn't trust his guardian implicitly. However, it never hurts to verify for yourself. Harry has learned that the hard way, and he isn't keen on allowing history to repeat itself.
Dumbledore gives Harry a brief nod and quickly plants a warm smile on his face, taking care to conceal his annoyance at the Slytherin's refusal. Harry, however, has been learning how to read people since he could walk, and he immediately sees through the Headmaster's pleasant facade.
It takes superhuman effort for Harry to suppress the eyeroll and exasperated scoff that bubbles up at Dumbledore's continued efforts to manipulate and control him, despite the events that had transpired at the end of Harry's first year. There is something to be said about the man's determination. But, one would think that he would give up the charade after his schemes were revealed to the Wizengamot.
"Very well." Dumbledore concedes as he pours himself a cup of tea, intentionally allowing a suspenseful silence to settle over the room. A few tense moments pass before Dumbledore begins speaking. "Now, do you know why you're here?" Dumbledore says lightly, folding his hands and placing them neatly on the desk in front of him.
Harry resists the urge to say, "Of course I know why I'm here! What do you take me for? An idiot Gryffindor?" Unfortunately, sass will get him nowhere in this situation. And, despite what Draco would have you believe, Harry is capable of controlling what comes out of his mouth. Just because he usually chooses not to, does not mean that he doesn't know how. So, instead of responding in his native tongue (sarcasm), he feigns obliviousness and innocently answers the Headmaster's query.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, sir."
Harry takes note of the almost undetectable narrowing of Dumbledore's eyes and immediately counts the Headmaster's subtle reaction as a personal victory. Harry's not entirely sure what it is that he's won, and frankly, he doesn't really care. He has emerged victorious, and that's really all that matters to him at the moment.
"I see." Dumbledore begins, plastering on a fake smile as he goes to take a sip of his tea. Once he sets his cup down, the Headmaster looks back at Harry with that same infernal twinkle in his eye that seems to never go away.
It makes Harry sick to his stomach.
"Well, Harry, it is safe to say that you have managed to surprise a great many people with your performance yesterday. In fact, I have to admit that even I did not see that coming." Dumbledore's tone is laced with humour and he chuckles softly when he finishes speaking, making Harry grind his teeth in anger and frustration. "In any case, Professor Snape has informed me of your desire to keep the snake-"
"Adira. Her name is Adira." Harry interjects with a glare.
"Right, Adira. My apologies." Dumbledore takes another sip of his tea. "Now, Harry, you must understand the risk I would be taking by allowing you to keep her."
"Yes, sir. I understand."
"However, I believe that I can trust you to keep her in check, especially considering your unique gift."
Harry's heart soars at Dumbledore's words, and he has to fight to keep the smile off his face. He realizes that Dumbledore likely has an ulterior motive for allowing him to keep Adira as a companion, however, he can't find it within himself to care. He'll take a moment to evaluate Dumbledore's intentions later, probably in the company of Severus and Draco.
"There will be a few conditions, of course. We must have a sample of Adira's venom so we can have the antidote prepared in case anything were to happen. And, we must know Adira's species, for further safety reasons. Furthermore, you will not be allowed to bring Adira to class without express permission from your Professor. I'm sure that Professor Snape would not mind her presence. However, I do believe that some of your other instructors would find it uncomfortable to have her in their classroom. Are these terms acceptable?"
Harry, once again, has to fight to conceal his excitement. He's not entirely sure what he had been expecting, but the terms Dumbledore has laid out are much more relaxed that what he had been preparing himself for.
"I understand your conditions. Thank you, sir." Harry replies calmly, his tone even and his expression stoic.
For the second time tonight, Severus finds himself filled with pride for his young charge. Albus, however, loathes Harry's recently developed ability to mask his emotions in stressful and tense situations. In fact, this is one of the reasons why Dumbledore had wanted Harry to be sorted into Gryffindor; A house that would cultivate expression and encourage openness about one's feelings. Slytherin, however, teaches lessons that are quite contrary to those taught in Gryffindor. Which, perhaps, is the reason for the ongoing rivalry between the two houses. At this rate, it won't be long before Dumbledore isn't able to get a read on the young Slytherin at all, which will make Harry much harder to manipulate.
"Wonderful!" Dumbledore nods, smiling and looking at Harry warmly. "Now, Harry, unfortunately there is something else that we need to discuss." Dumbledore pauses. "Can you describe for me the events that transpired earlier this evening?" Despite being phrased as one, the Headmaster's statement was not a question. His firm tone leaves no room for disobedience, and Harry can't help but wonder if what he's seeing now is a step closer to the real Albus Dumbledore. The man behind the mask, so to speak.
"I was on my way to the library when I found them. Justin was laying on the floor and Sir Nicholas was just hovering in the air. Neither were moving. I went over to check on them, just to make sure they were still breathing, but before I could a group of students came around the corner and saw me. Obviously, they were concerned and went to get Professor McGonagall. When she arrived, she told me to return to my common room. I assume that afterwards she came directly to you, sir."
Dumbledore is silent for a few moments before he responds to Harry's explanation.
"I see." He states simply, sighing and leaning back in his seat, a look of contemplation etched across his features. He sighs once more before saying, "That will be all for now, Harry. Professor Snape will escort you back to the Slytherin dormitories."
Harry nods, grateful that this discussion has come to an end and that he can finally leave Dumbledore's office. The room is stifling, and Harry can't help but feel uncomfortable. This is Dumbledore's office, after all. Which means that it's the manipulative Headmaster's space, and therefore, enemy territory.
"Thank you, sir." Harry states before turning and following Severus from the room.
Once the pair has made their exit and the door has clicked shut behind them, Minerva takes a shaky breath and addresses Albus.
"What are you thinking, Albus?"
And, for the first time in quite a while, Albus Dumbledore finds himself without an answer.
"I don't know, Minerva. I do not know."
Meanwhile, Severus and Harry are walking briskly through the dark castle corridors that lead down to the dungeons. The trip up to this point has passed in complete silence. But, contrary to the usual, Harry does not find it uncomfortable. It's the same way with Draco.
'I guess when you really care about someone, any time spent with them is good. Even if you don't talk about anything.' Harry is still contemplating this when Severus stops suddenly, about fifteen feet away from the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room. Harry ceases walking and turns to face his guardian.
"Sir?" He inquires, tilting his head slightly in confusion.
"Harry, I want you to know that I am proud of you for how you handled yourself tonight. I have no doubt that you belong in Slytherin. You've represented us well, and I expect you to continue to do so. Do you understand?" Severus says this in his usual monotone, however, this time Harry can sense an undercurrent of pride and fondness in the man's tone. Harry gives a slight smile.
"Yes, sir. Thank you." Harry replies softly. Severus gives him a nod of approval and a rare smile. Well, more like a minuscule upturn of his lips, but Harry counts it as a smile nonetheless. Besides, for Snape, that's practically a grin, considering his stony nature.
Without another word, Severus begins walking again, with Harry following closely behind. They stop at the door, and Severus bids Harry goodnight before sweeping off to his chambers in a flurry of midnight robes.
Harry gives one more small smile as he watches his guardian's retreating figure, and as Severus disappears from view, he mumbles, "I love you too." With a light chuckle, Harry pushes open the door and retreats to his dormitory for the night, collapsing onto his bed and immediately falling asleep.
HELLO OUR LOVELY READERS!
(...that's a little dramatic.)
We're back! We wanted to thank everyone for the amazing comments and support about our temporary break from the story. Life has been stressful lately so we appreciate the positive things we were reading. Anyway, we hope you enjoyed this chapter and you continue to do so for the rest of the story. As always, any mistakes you see or suggestions you have are appreciated.
Ta for now!
Raven_Grey1469 and FreerSpirit