Child of Hogwarts: Part I

Chapter Three - Dumbledore

CHAPTER THREE

Dumbledore

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, surreptitiously caressed the wood of his desk with one slender hand, tuning out the argument taking place in front of him. Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape were both among his favourite people in the world... separately. Though at times their interactions could be amusing, and he would even venture a guess that most of their squabbling was really in good fun (for Minerva, at least), at other times their bickering could turn unaccountably nasty.

Today's... discussion... fell into the latter category.

It seemed that Lucius Malfoy had offered to make a donation to the school. Well, to Slytherin House, anyway. He had informed Severus that morning that he intended to purchase the Slytherin team a set of brand new Nimbus 2001 broomsticks – a gift, he claimed, born of a desire to see the team remain top of the Hogwarts league next year. It escaped nobody's notice that the Slytherin seeker had graduated last month, leaving a vacancy for Lucius' quidditch-minded son. Severus had accepted the offer immediately.

Minerva was in a high temper.

'- Completely out of line, Severus, and an unbelievable slap in the face to the rest of the school!' she continued to rant at the Potions master. 'Favouritism, plain and simple, and it gives such an unfair advantage when you consider the rest of the teams will –'

'And what,' Snape sneered back, his silky voice cool and disdainful, 'Would you call your indulgence of Potter last year, Minerva? Would you not call that favouritism? Did bending the rules for Potter not advantage your players last season?'

Minerva coloured, but recovered quickly. 'A completely different matter, Severus. Allowing one child to play a year early hardly seems comparable to allowing a boy to purchase a place on his house team! Not to mention the broomsticks for the others.'

'He has not been placed on the team yet, Minerva,' said Snape snidely. 'And I hardly think you would want to quibble over inappropriate broomstick purchases. After the stunt you pulled last year?'

Minerva bristled immediately. 'Stunt, Severus? I have no idea what you are referring to!'

Snape's lip curled. 'Why, the broomstick you procured for Mr Potter to play, Minerva. I seem to recall that the Nimbus 2000 was the top of the line broomstick last autumn.'

Minerva blushed again, and shot a look at Albus, who was still studying his desk as he listened to the conversation with a serene expression.

'That...' She hesitated. 'That was not of my doing, Severus.' she said at last, pulling herself up and smoothing her bun back into place. Severus sneered and opened his mouth to continue the accusation, but Albus decided to intervene.

'No, indeed,' he said lightly, sitting back in his chair and gesturing that the two professors should be seated as well. 'I am afraid that particular show of favouritism was mine.' He smiled slightly at the pair as Minerva seated herself primly on the edge of the sofa, and Severus sputtered in rage and surprise while he remained on his feet. Albus offered no apology.

'Headmaster –' Severus began, but Albus cut him off with one raised hand.

'Sit down, please, Severus, and let us have an end to this argument. It seems unlikely we shall resolve the disagreement this evening, and anyway, what is done is done.' Severus still looked mutinous, but he took a seat in the proffered armchair without further comment. Albus rose from his desk and swept across the room to join the professors in the sitting area. 'Some tea would do, I think,' he said, raising his wand and giving a cheerful wave. A full tea set appeared before them immediately, spinning itself horizontal and landing with a soft clatter of china on the little table.