A new chapter is up.
Come in, get comfortable, and let’s see what kind of trouble waits this time ❤️ ✦ The headmaster’s office on the eighth floor was a spacious, bright, circular room.
Portraits covered the walls.
Most of the figures inside had their eyes closed, but from the way they occasionally cracked them open, it was obvious they were only pretending to rest.
Behind the desk, on a tall stool, sat an old, battered hat.
If Edmund had been there, he would have recognized it immediately as the Sorting Hat.
Snape and Dumbledore sat across from each other.
“Now then, Severus, would you like something to drink?
Or perhaps an afternoon sweet?” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled.
“Lemon sherbet?
Toffee fingers?
A few Cockroach Clusters?” Snape frowned and refused without hesitation.
“No, Headmaster.
I came to discuss Edmund Gaunt.” Dumbledore looked slightly regretful at the rejection, but when he heard the rest, he set the book in his hand aside.
He folded his fingers on the desk, his expression becoming more serious.
“Then, Severus, tell me your assessment of Mr.
Gaunt.” Snape answered calmly.
“Composed.
Decisive.
Extremely talented.
He also has a clear sense of purpose.” After a pause, he added, “And he is something of a flirt.” “Oh?” Dumbledore adjusted his spectacles, a brief flash of amusement passing through his eyes.
He had not expected such a high evaluation from Snape.
And if he understood correctly, that last line had almost been a joke.
Dumbledore’s interest in Edmund deepened.
“I thought the Sorting Ceremony might have left you with a personal bias against Mr.
Gaunt.
I did not expect such praise.” “Yes, Dumbledore.
That is my assessment.
I have enough work without wasting time on a first-year.” Snape ignored the teasing tone and continued.
“His surname is unusual, but his temperament will not make him the next Dark Lord.
No Dark Lord arrives at school on the first day, finds himself a girlfriend, and then tries to charm a Gryffindor as well.” Dumbledore could not help smiling.
“No, Severus.
I think you misunderstand my concern.
I am interested in Mr.
Gaunt partly because of his surname, yes.” “You know as well as I do that the name will bring him trouble.
Voldemort will return eventually.
In certain forms of Dark magic, blood is often used as a link.” “Tom’s research in that area was impressive, even to me.” Dumbledore offered the explanation.
Seeing that Snape had no comment, he went on.
“In fact, I made a small investigation of Mr.
Gaunt during the summer.” At that, he gave Snape a playful wink.
Snape’s expression darkened.
If Dumbledore had already investigated him personally, what had been the point of Snape’s observation today?
The greatest wizard of the twentieth century had apparently spent his summer paying close attention to a first-year.
Snape felt he might need to revise his opinion of the headmaster.
As if he had not noticed Snape’s expression, Dumbledore continued.
“I visited the orphanage where Mr.
Gaunt lived.
They speak highly of him.
Every year, he donates a considerable sum to support their expenses.” “Most importantly, he has a phoenix.
A phoenix can drive away much of the darkness in a person’s heart and give them great courage.” “So he is not like Tom.” “I asked you to observe him because I thought you might provide appropriate help and help him grow faster.
That way, he may be better prepared for the crises to come.” Snape looked as if he had swallowed something deeply unpleasant.
Asking a Slytherin Head of House to guide a student who had rejected Slytherin was an impressive form of cruelty.
Yet when he remembered his conversation with Edmund in the Potions classroom, he hesitated.
Dumbledore seemed to see through him and added another sentence.
“Of course, Filius told me yesterday about Mr.
Gaunt’s talent in Charms.
I imagine he would be more than happy to cultivate an excellent wizard for Ravenclaw.” “No need,” Snape cut in.
“He is also the last blood of Slytherin’s line in Britain.
As Head of Slytherin, I have an obligation to offer the founder’s descendant certain consideration.” “I will speak with Mr.
Gaunt.” With that, Snape stood and left, ending the conversation.
Dumbledore watched him go with a faint smile.
“It seems Hogwarts has welcomed another interesting young man.
Imagine getting Severus to take him so seriously.” The former headmasters on the walls no longer bothered pretending to sleep.
One portrait spoke in open outrage.
“A descendant of Slytherin choosing Ravenclaw?
A disgrace to pure blood!” “Headmaster Black,” Dumbledore said mildly, “Mr.
Gaunt is not pure-blood.
According to my investigation, his mother carried the Gaunt bloodline, and his father was an ordinary Muggle.” Hearing this, Headmaster Black grew even more furious.
A stream of obscenities spilled from his mouth.
Another, more hot-tempered headmaster finally lost patience.
He barged into Black’s portrait and punched him, knocking him flat.
The two portraits broke into a brawl.
Dumbledore did nothing to stop them.
The other portraits watched with delight, cheering on the more irritable headmaster.
A few even looked as if they wanted to join in.
Apparently, Headmaster Black was not especially popular.
Dumbledore ignored the commotion among the portraits.
Behind his half-moon spectacles, a thoughtful light moved through his eyes.
He seemed to be calculating something.
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS AuroraVale Thank you for reading.
I hope this chapter pulled you a little deeper into the story.
Stay close, because things are only getting more interesting.