Albus had always consider himself a champion of underdogs, something he was rather proud of, however he had also become aware that the underdogs tended to originate from one House in particular.
Looking back on his time as a professor he was loath to admit that he had become so entrenched in his mission to run away from any association, let alone the depth, of the friendship with Gellert, he had in turn forced himself into an exaggerated bias.
As long as he had been at Hogwarts, whether as a student himself or a professor, there had always been a penchant for members of Slytherin House to hold up bigoted ideals of Blood Purity. He was ashamed to admit that although he was wary of the young orphan boy he met in 1940s London, it wasn't until he was Sorted into the Green House that he became fully suspicious.
He was so desperate to hide his own past and ideas that he turned his backs on them, not wanting to delve into the mindset or politics of a House that was largely isolated and despised. It never occurred to him that many of that House may have turned to the Dark and Black Arts due to their imposed exile at an early age.
If he had examined the members of the Ministry at the time, then he would have seen that most of them were past Slytherins. After all, their ambition meant they were predisposed to reach offices which helped maintain and govern their nation. Again, he was shamed to admit, he never truly thought that with the amount of power they did hold, they could have invented a myriad of ways to enforce their supposed ideology and demean the Muggleborns.
Instead, for decades he kept a blind eye to most wilfull attacks on one quarter of his school, usually done so by his own House. His most abysmal day, as both a professor and a Headmaster, was when Poppy Pomfrey came steaming into his office demanding an explanation as to why Severus Snape was uncontrollably shaking and mumbling "Black" and "werewolf". He had laid the fault on mainly Severus' feet for his determination to ruin the so-called Marauders, and gave a brief scolding to Sirius.
That day was one that brought to him the metaphor of walking a tightrope. He could hardly afford to expel the Black Heir as not only would it alienate a most powerful family, but also threaten the one member who had crawled his way out of the poisonous miasma that was his heritage.
Unfortunately, Severus had no such safety net. His mother, though a Pureblood from a relatively powerful Line, had been disowned for her marrying a Muggle, and her Half Blood son would hardly endear her back into their fold. His knowledge of the Dark Arts and his relationships with Dark families and their children made an already suspicious Albus to disregard him entirely; he was already lost. No point in trying to save him.
He did not heed Poppy's words to "open his eyes" for once, believing himself to be the better informed person out of the two. Irregardless that she was privy to their medical and health secrets, and on more than one occasion a confidant to those same students. She had seen something in Severus had not. Even Minerva had dragged him through the coals for his tactless dismissal of the wellbeing of a student, even if she didn't like him either.
So when, in mid 1980 the same student came begging at his feet for forgiveness and take his warnings seriously, he was unsure on what to do. True, Severus had still proven himself callous as he begged to save Lily instead of the family itself, but for him to so quickly turn away from his Lord and Master was a surprise. Even further that he offered to be a double agent for him. He agreed on one condition: he must make amends to the Potter family.
So as the first Order meeting with Severus came to be, he was discomforted to realise that he was the only Slytherin in the room. There were accusations thrown about of course, mostly coming from the Marauders themselves, but Lily, as she had always done so, came to his defence. Even if he was spying on the Order for Voldemort, he would still be giving them some information in return. Even if it was staged, there would be some vital pieces that could be brought up.
Surprisingly, the next person to come to his side had been Minerva, although not in the traditional way. She chastised those with a schoolyard grudge; this was war and everyone had something to lose - no matter which side. James Potter, after closely scrutinising Severus then joined in his acceptance. Along with smiling in a teeth baring grin as he threatened that if any harm should come to them through him, then he would show that just because they opposed Voldemort, did not mean they were wholly Light either.
It was another proverbial nail in the coffin which showed Albus just how much he had put Gryffindors on a pedestal with the malice that could drip from their mouths and wands.
This was the beginning of the end of Albus' bias and own prejudices, making him spend countless hours sequestered away in his office thinking on his own misdeeds. Perhaps he himself had given a shove to so many students in falling by the wayside so they could join the likes of Voldemort that much quicker.
So as he walked down the darkened corridors of his school to head down to the dungeons to meet with his surly colleague, he was sure on the decision and request he was about to make.
Knocking briefly on the door to Severus' private quarters, he couldn't help but feel certain in his judgement of this particular issue.
It was four days before Samhain and Aster was glum. Her friends and Slytherin classmates were clearly trying to work out the one-eighty in her usual disposition, she barely laughed, only just managing small smiles, her sarcastic jibes had begun to morph into malicious jabs and she barely looked up from tending to Binky and
Clacker. Only Theo and Blaise had thought of a possible reason - it was coming up to the anniversary of when her world was literally blown apart by a madman.
Theo had quickly come to the conclusion as he had managed to coax the brief facts she knew of the event, after he had voiced his confusion on how she hadn't lived with her grandfather all this time. Blaise however had no such interaction. He had utilised the skills his mother had started to teach him on how best to gather secrets and skeletons in the closets that people wished would turn to ashes. Granted, they were exceedingly basic, and all he needed to do was flick through old Daily Prophet issues before finding an obscure and compressed article, more like a notice, about the deaths of the Potters - all of them. As the rest of the issue was proclaiming the victory over the Dark Lord he couldn't get much more information. So he wrote to his mother. She had basically told them that it was likely a security to ensure that no escaped Death Eaters would try to finish off one of his attempted victims. He felt there was more to it that she had deducted but she was staying close lipped and he knew she would remain that way until ready.
So as the anniversary came closer and Aster's mood became positively despondent, he went to try to speak to his Head of House, who told them there was little that could be done. He was not about to be brushed off, so he and Theo made an appointment with their Headmaster.
They were more than aware of his disinterest in Slytherins in the past, but Madam Zabini had noticed this slowly reversing. He still favoured the Lions, no doubt about that, but he did not spurn the House of Snakes as he once did.
So, two days before that dreaded day they received a message for them to meet in his office. It was a surreal experience.
From the very obvious hint to a password, which was for some reason sweet related, to the absolute eclectic things placed everywhere there was room. A phoenix was perched by the window, somehow looking bored at everything - as if it couldn't believe his entire immortal existence was now situated in an old man's office when he had seen unbelievable things.
Before the phoenix sat the old man himself behind his desk reading a book. He must have heard the door opening but had not yet looked up at them, as if allowing them the chance to take in and analyse the room as only Slytherins could.
"Ah, Mr Nott and Mr Zabini. It was splendid to hear from you, my boys." Dumbledore exclaimed as if they were old pen pals who had not written in a while. "Come, sit down. Would you care for tea? A lemon sherbert?"
"Tea would be lovely, thank you, Headmaster." Blaise said as he sat down. Never turn down an offer of refreshment, his mother said. People tended to relax if there was something else to hold or occupy themselves.
"Now, how can I be of help to you both?" Dumbledore asked once the tea had appeared and they had all fixed their own.
"We are...concerned, sir. About Aster."
"Ah. Yes, I must admit I am too. I've noticed her low spirits these past few days."
Theo snorted quietly into his cup before he could stop it. "Sorry, sir. I mean no disrespect, but that is an understatement as to her current mood and behaviour."
Dumbledore waved a hand, "No offence taken, Mr Nott. I trust you know a substantial wealth of information regarding Aster than I do. You are, after all, her friends and classmates."
Noticing that Theo had seemed to close back up again, Blaise took over. "You see, sir. I don't know if others, barring yourself of course, has noticed the abrupt change. Our group certainly has, although they are unsure as to the cause and what to do."
"And you have an idea, Mr Zabini on what is afflicting Miss Potter? And how we can help her?"
Deciding to try and take his first question as not an insult nor patronising due to his age he straightened his shoulders as he went on.
"Yes, sir. I - we - wholeheartedly believe it is because it is the time of when her family were killed. I don't know if you know of her home life before meeting her grandfather. And, honestly, I will not discuss it with you either way. However, she has...intimated to us that she has never had the chance to properly grieve for her parents, sir."
Albus was rather astounded. To make such an impression so early on, not only to make friends with the House that would usually spurn her due to her heritage, but to establish herself fully into their esteem that they they were loyal to her. He knew that Slytherins protected their own, were steadfastly loyal too to those they deemed worthy of it - but to see it so early! It was heart warming.
"And you, Mr Nott? Do you agree with this belief?"
"I do, sir."
"Then we all are in agreement. I'm afraid there is not much we can do for her to stop feeling as such." He said before raising a hand to stop their protestations when they opened their mouths. " However, we can do out utmost to try and make her feel loved and wanted. And, as you said Mr Zabini, allow her the time to mourn. So. I have an idea on how we can make this time easier for her." He took a sip from his tea as he thought on how to word his plan.
"I would be delighted if you could tell me on whether she would be receptive to it. I was thinking that she could go see the graves. She would be excused from classes, of course. And she need not take the entire day to visit, or to not go to class."
The boys thought on the idea - they grimaced internally at knowing they all had the same thought.
"That's what we had also been thinking. As well as excusing her from the feast."
Albus winced. "Yes, the last that Miss Potter needs is people celebrating. Not to mention the...praise towards Mr Longbottom's achievement not a few days after the tragedy."
"Or just Longbottom himself." Theo mumbled to himself before freezing as he realised that he spoke out loud. He looked up to see the Headmaster looking at him with twinkling eyes, struggling to hide his amusement.
"Did you say something, Mr Nott? I'm afraid I can be quite deaf when I choose to."
Blaise's mouth twitched - it was rate that Nott forgot himself and to see the Headmaster not reprimanding him for something unflattering to another student was hilarious. Theo didn't quite think so, he was more concerned on the Headmaster's mental wellbeing that he would let something like that slide.
"Er. No. Sir."
"No matter, I often find myself thinking Professors Snape and McGonnagall have said something when they haven't. Anyway. So we agree that she should be excused from classes and the feast, to visit her parents' graves?"
"I think it should be along the lines of an offer, sir. And perhaps...making her think that she is not the only to have this open to her. Otherwise she'd vehemently refuse."
"A superb idea, Mr Zabini. And who would you think would be best to chaperone her? If she was to agree. I'm afraid I won't be able to extend the courtesy including yourselves."
"That's fine, Headmaster. I think it would be best if it was someone who knew her parents. More than just a vague recollection, if possible."
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, running his hand down his beard. Severus was the immediate thought, however his opinion of James was never truly positive - there was too much water under the bridge. Minerva could possibly be a good candidate, she adored the both of them - but she didn't really know Aster except as her Transfigurstion professor.
"We thought you perhaps could do it, sir." Nott said, interrupting his thoughts.
"Me, my boy?"
"Yes, sir. We know they were Head Boy and Girl - we looked it up - so they must have had a fair relationship with yourself. And," Nott shrugged, "you're the Headmaster. Nobody can decry you from doing such a thing. If another professor did so, it could easily be argued they stepped outside of their professional boundaries."
"You think they would not think so of me?"
"I didn't say that, sir. They will no doubt do so. But, as I said, you're the Headmaster. And, to be perfectly honest, they're too...scared of you, for lack of a better word." Nott said as I took another mouthful of tea.
"I think Nott means they're more aware of your position and power to really want to collide with you, sir. After all, your exploits are legendary."
Albus couldn't help but chuckle quietly. These boys would be a menace to deal with when they had learned more finesse in their dealings as the grew. Already they had learned how to walk around the edges just shy of disobedience and stroke the ego of another person. If Albus hadn't been so aware of his own failings, he would likely have fallen for it.
"If you say so, my boys. But if you are quite certain that I am the right person to be there for Miss Potter then I shall do so. How do you think this should be raised to her? A note perhaps?"
Blaise pulled a face. "No, I wouldn't say that. Or at least not directly from yourself. She'd find it suspicious, no doubt. I'd suggest Professor Snape to ask her to come to his office to discuss the idea. If he is open to it, of course."
"I shall bring him into the fold then. Now, was there anything else I can be of service for?"
"No, sir. That was it." Blaise immediately said, before looking confused as Nott hesitated before saying the same. It seemed that Slytherins were still a wary lot, not to be forced to divulge.
Sighing to himself at the thought of their apprehension of him, he allowed them to leave, letting him see that although Mr Nott had drank his cup of tea, Mr Zabini had merely pretended to do so. His mother's son indeed.
Aster was having a Bad Day. She had barely slept for the past week, only snatching a couple of hours here and there which were filled with green lights, the sound of pleading and laughter. To top it all off she had barely seen the portraits of her parents, making the reality of their death cutting in deeper. So when she received a note from Professor Snape telling her to come to his office straight after breakfast, she was ready to pack her things and leave the country to try out the life of a hermit.
Her familiars had been following her around the past week as she delved further into her funk, Binky barging into her lessons without a care in the world, much to the annoyance of her professors, except McGonnagall who seemed to make heart eyes at the sight of him. Her being a cat herself, she figured it was a feline thing. Professor Snape had thrown a fit when Binky strolled in, trying to get her to toss him out, but as soon as she said he could just sit on the counter along the wall so he could see her, he wouldn't get in the way. He reluctantly agreed, and was shocked to see that was the case.
Clacker had a more subtle way of tracking her - he would sit outside the windows of her classrooms or on ledges near the room if he was unable to do so. She was expecting to come in one day and he'd be sitting on the rafters of the Potions classroom. She suspected he didn't as Binky was there, but also crow feathers were a good Potion ingredient and didn't want to push the testy Potion Master further.
So as she walked down the corridors to the dungeons, people were unsurprised that she had a crow sitting on his favourite shoulder and a cat trotting next to her as if they owned the place.
Coming to the office door, she knocked before looking at Clacker.
"You going to move so you're not coming in?"
He looked at her before clacking at her, and she could imagine him saying It's not the classroom. He can't complain. She was pretty sure he could, and would, but wasn't going to give in and argue with a bird as she was bid to enter the room.
"You wished to see me, sir?"
Severus looked up from his writing, about to speak when he saw the two animals with her, making him sigh.
"I understand why your cat is here - he's been following you around like you're his mother. But your crow, Miss Potter?"
Aster wrinkled her nose. "He's been following me around too, sir." At his confusion she elaborated, "he just isn't so codependent he needs to be in the room. He usually sits outside or near the room itself. Honestly I'm surprised he hasn't started sitting on the rafters."
"Don't give it - him - it ideas. I don't wish to have a crow flapping about while Potions are brewing." She couldn't help but snort as Clacker squawked at his use of 'it'.
"He wouldn't do that sir." She told him, before slyly grinning. "He knows that crow feathers are used as ingredients."
Severus had to take a moment - he could feel his lips twitching as if to smile. He'd have considered her words as childish if he didn't see the almost sour expression the bird had. He didn't know birds could even have expressions.
"Yes, well, good. Now, to why I summ - asked you here." He still couldn't say that word without wanting to vomit, and he certainly wasn't going to say it around Lily's daughter, especially when it was the time that He wreaked havoc on her life.
"Professor Dumbledore has extended an invitation to you."
"An invitation, sir?"
"Yes. Or an offer is more likely. We are...aware...that this time of year will be...difficult for you. As such, you have been granted a leave of absence from your lessons for the day and the feast. You can - don't interrupt - also use this time to visit your parents' graves if you so wish. With a chaperone, of course."
"Will you be going, sir?"
"No." He bluntly said, dashing her hopes. "The Headmaster has seen fit to cast himself into that role for a change."
Catching her look he rolled his eyes. "Usually it is a professor, normally one who had good dealings with the...deceased. For yourself, Professor Dumbledore believes he would be best for you - for a myriad of reasons you need not concern yourself with."
"So I will be going wherever they're buried for the whole day, sir?"
Bloody hell, she didn't even know where they were buried?
"Don't be an idiot, Miss Potter. You're probably not going to be there for much longer than a couple of hours. The rest of the day is to do as you wish."
"Oh. Er, thank you, sir. Where, ahem. Where and when will I be meeting Professor Dumbledore?"
"From my understanding by the front doors at ten past nine. I believe he thinks it's best to go when the other students are already in their lessons. Or doing whatever they do in their free periods."
"Right. Er, thank you, sir."
"That was all, Miss Potter." He said before passing her a piece of parchment. "Give this to Professor Sprout so she knows you had a valid reason to being late."
With a quick and murmured thank you, she left his office, closing the door tightly as she meandered her way through the corridors to the greenhouse.
"Um, sorry I'm late Professor."
"Ah Miss Potter! I was beginning to think you weren't going to show. Mr Nott assured me that you were with Professor Snape however." Sprout jovially said as she moved her way towards her, maneuvering around the plants from sheer experience rather than looking at them.
"Er, yes, ma'am. He, um, asked me to give you this."
Professor Sprout took the parchment, barely glancing at it before she hurried Aster to her seat.
"Erveything alright?" Theo muttered to her. "What'd Snape want?"
"I'll tell you and Blaise later." She whispered back, although he had a pretty clear idea on what it was about, as it was the day before Samhain.
Once the lesson ended and they all were making their way up to the castle proper Blaise asked the question Theo had earlier.
"So what did he want to see you about then?"
"Oh. Um, about tomorrow." She licked her lips. "He, um. He's offered for me to be free of lessons and things so I can go see Mum and Dad." She mumbled, looking down at her feet - it had just rained and she didn't want to slip, it had nothing to so with embarrassment, none whatsoever.
"Oh. That's good. You going to do it?"
"I think so. It'd be nice...to be able to even just know where they are. It'll just be a
bonus to -"
"Oi, Potter! Did Snape finally get you for something then?" Lonbottom called out, pushing past the three of them and jostling her shoulder before moving off.
"He's such a charming person isn't he?" Blaise sneered, making Aster snort before she started giggling, the noise making Theo smile and Blaise grin in accomplishment.
It was another sleepless night for Aster, although she contributed a lot of it towards nerves. Nerves for seeing her parents' graves the first time, nerves for being out of class, and nervous for being in Headmaster Dumbledore's presence for the first time, let alone on her own.
As par for the course the past week, the Slytherins let her be, supplying her with copious amounts of tea to assuage any exhausted ire she had. Blaise and Theo made easy conversation, talking of things that could incorporate Aster if she wanted, or allow her to merely listen in. As such, she spent a lot of breakfast poking at her porridge rather than eating it before pushing it away in disgust.
"Here. You're eating something, even if it's just this." Pansy ordered, shoving a piece of toast into her face. "You can glare at me all you want. You're still going to eat it."
Rolling her eyes, she took it, and was about to put it down when the other girl's eyes narrowed dangerously. Deciding that to comply was the easiest, and safest, option for everyone she complied by nibbling at it, Pansy watching her until it was all gone.
"There! That wasn't so hard was it?" She beamed before turning back to her conversation with Greengrass and Malfoy.
"What do I tell the others?" She murmured to the boys.
"What do you mean? About what?"
"Disappearing today." She said as if it was obvious.
"Oh. Don't worry about that. We already said that you've got something else going on so won't be here." Blaise offhandedly commented, as he scooped the last of his eggs on to his fork before rising from his seat.
"Good luck, Fair Flower." He told her with a squeeze of her shoulder.
"We'll be here for you when you get back. If you need us, just say." Theo said quietly before moving off with the others out of the Hall.
Aster sat there with her head buried in her hands, choking back a sob at knowing that ten years today her life was ripped away from her. Ten years to that day she had lost the chance to have a loving family. Ten years since she had to go to the dastardly Dursleys.
Feeling a beak nipping at her fingers, she looked up to see Clacker, staring at her until she dropped her hands so he could hop closer to her and nuzzle her under her chin. Binky was already there, curled up on her lap for the entire meal, his claws occasionally digging into her gently when she felt a rising panic come to the front of her mind.
She sat there for about ten minutes, absorbing the comfort that her familiars provided, before the clock struck nine.
Heaving a sigh, she brought her focus back to the waking world.
"Come on then. I best not let Professor Dumbledore waiting." She breathed, poking Binky to move so she could get to her feet.
Once she got to the entryway she realised they were still with her.
"You can't come with me." She warned them.
"If it would appease them, then I dare say one could join us, Miss Potter." Dumbledore said, making her jump. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you, my girl."
"No - its, er, it's fine. Do you think one of them could? Clacker can follow us."
"We will be Apparating my dear, so he wouldn't be able to follow. But! If he is happy to, you can keep a hold of him."
"Oh. OK, that's - that sounds good."
"Splendid! Now have you Apperated before?"
"Er. I think so, with Grandfather. Although he said it was different for - others." She said, immediately stopping her thought process.
Dumbledore gave a knowing look. "Yes, Ifan does have more...abilities that most." He replied diplomatically before gesturing for them to start walking outside, Aster slinging her cloak around her shoulders.
"Now, due to Hogwarts' fine Wards, we will need to walk down to the front gate so that we can leave. Even I am unable to manipulate them unless its due to the most extreme circumstances." Dumbledore explained as they walked down the pebble pathway, keeping up a one-sided conversation with Aster as he rambled on, letting the girl get used to the idea of spending time with the Wizard.
"Now, if you could hold on to Mr Clacker, Miss Potter. Have a good grasp? Yes, now take hold of my arm firmly and don't let go. Ready? On the count of three, then. One, two, three!"
And with a crack the three of them disappeared.
A/N: I like to think that Blaise takes after his mum, and Theo has learned to be a Slytherin on his own for the most part.
I've also tried a new format with the different time skips/ POV sort of thing. If this is too jarring or whatever, let me know :)
