Hogwarts: Homecoming

Chapter 5: The Interview (Part 1)

The ancient castle, a legacy of a thousand years and steeped in the vicissitudes of history, still radiated a mysterious magic amidst the swirling snow. During the Christmas holiday, Hogwarts was much quieter than usual.

In the empty castle, aside from the low whispers of the figures in the portraits lining the long corridors and the occasional clanking of enchanted armor, only Peeves's shrill, piercing songs would occasionally shatter the castle's tranquility.

Severus Snape's powerful strides caused his robes to billow out like a great cape, making him look like an enormous bat that, having spread its wings, had decided to run on its feet. The thunderous expression on his face and his pale, thin lips made it clear that he was in a foul mood.

"Lemon Drop."

Upon hearing the correct password, the ugly stone gargoyle leaped aside with an almost flustered agility, as if it too were afraid of something.

Snape strode through the opening in the wall. The moment he stepped into the circular office hidden behind it, his mood soured even further.

Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of the age, was leaning back in his chair. Behind his half-moon spectacles, his impossibly deep blue eyes were cast towards the high, domed ceiling of his office. His long fingers were steepled on his spindle-legged desk, which was cluttered with bizarre alchemical devices and stacks of unanswered letters.

"Where have you been?" Snape asked, his tone blunt as he glanced at the purple traveling cloak Dumbledore still wore.

"Just out for a walk," Dumbledore replied, lowering his profound gaze with a gentle smile. "You know, Severus, for an old man like me, a bit of moderate exercise is essential."

"Indeed," Snape sneered faintly. "Been out for a stroll for several days, have you?"

Snape's reaction was entirely predictable. Dumbledore merely smiled, unconcerned. "How is Miss Granger's condition?"

"Stable for now. Pomfrey treated her correctly. With a few weeks of rest, she will return to normal." Snape's tone was clipped, but he answered the question truthfully. Yet, when he saw the look of relief on Dumbledore's face, as if the matter were now closed, his anger finally boiled over.

"I assume you are perfectly aware of what those clever-clogs, attention-seeking Gryffindors have done. They were secretly brewing Polyjuice Potion and had the audacity to break into my office and steal my ingredients! Dumbledore, when did this school become so lenient that breaking school rules and stealing a professor's property is now permissible?"

"Despicable acts are never permitted," Dumbledore said, a hint of weariness entering his voice as if Snape's insistence was adding to the fatigue of his travels. He removed the spectacles from his nose and rubbed the bridge of it. "But we should look past their actions to their intentions, Severus, to judge whether their hearts are equally despicable. I do not believe that Harry, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger's desire to uncover the truth behind the attacks can be considered a despicable act."

"So you intend to let it continue? Even if his recklessness leads him into danger?" For some reason, Snape's face seemed to pale slightly in the warm firelight. Though he didn't name the 'he' in his question, Snape was certain Dumbledore knew exactly who he meant.

The office fell silent, the only sounds being the faint snores from the portraits of previous headmasters on the walls and the soft, clear trill of Fawkes from his perch.

"It is not about letting it continue, Severus. It is about observing," Dumbledore said after a long moment, the quiet confidence in his voice having faded slightly. "It is true, courage and recklessness often share a very fine border. But we must be more tolerant with the young, Severus. That is how we avoid stifling the virtues they are born with."

"Tolerant?" Snape's lip twitched. Unwillingly, yet uncontrollably, memories of his own time as a student at this school flooded his mind. "Don't flatter yourself, Headmaster. You have only ever tolerated the students you admire."

Snape's hatred for James Potter and his love for Lily Evans were now entirely transferred to Harry. He was torn between protecting the son of the woman he loved and enduring how much the boy resembled the father he loathed, twisting his emotions into a painful knot.

"Let us end this topic here, Severus," Dumbledore said with a sigh. Since Harry Potter's arrival at the school, they had had this same conversation countless times in private, and even Dumbledore felt helpless against it. "Could I trouble you to go to the main gate and welcome a guest for me?"

Dumbledore stood up. The clothes he was wearing were certainly not fit for receiving visitors. "This is a task I would normally ask of Minerva, but as it happens, she has accepted an invitation from the editorial board of Transfiguration Today to attend a conference. It's a rare chance for her to relax, and I would rather not disturb her."

Snape had no interest in Dumbledore's private meetings. He turned and strode away, his face looking even more grim than when he had first entered, the old memories still churning in his mind.

But then, as if compelled by some unseen force, he stopped just before leaving the office. He turned back to look at Dumbledore, who was now using his wand to clean the mud from the hem of his robes. Snape's voice was filled with suspicion.

"Who have you arranged to meet?"

"Ah..." Dumbledore smiled, and the unreadable light sparked once more in his blue eyes. "I had originally planned for this to be a surprise for you at the gate. But, since you ask... Amos Blaine. One of the students you have admired most over the years."

December 31st, 7:40 PM.

After taking the Hogwarts Express and disembarking at Hogsmeade Station, Amos Blaine trudged through a long, snow-covered path, arriving punctually outside the great iron gates of Hogwarts.

The two statues of winged boars on their pillars had guarded this great school of magic for a thousand years. Amos's nostalgic gaze passed through the iron bars of the gate, flying over the Quidditch pitch with its six tall goalposts, across to the dark, ancient castle perched on the cliffside, and finally to the endless expanse of the Forbidden Forest.

He had to admit, the feeling of being back here was even better than he had imagined.

"I suspected when I was on the train that it would be you meeting me, Professor."

With a loud groan of rusting metal, the main gate swung slowly open. Amos stepped through and walked towards the dark figure striding to meet him. When the gaunt, impassive face of Severus Snape was revealed in the dim light, Amos put down his briefcase, opened his arms, and offered a sincere smile.