30 CHAPTER 30

A/N: If you want to donate or read up to 35 chapters ahead, you can visit my p-a-t-r-e-on/kurowashi 

If you see grammar errors, please let me know so I can fix them. I'm always open to constructive criticism. 

I would like it if you guys left some reviews.

Thank you for your good words and support.

------

CHAPTER 30

Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts was a haven of eccentricity and warmth, accessible through a spiral staircase behind a gargoyle on the seventh floor. The room, filled with towering shelves, magical artifacts, and peculiar instruments, exuded an aura of mystery. Adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes from wizarding history and influential people, the walls created an enchanting atmosphere. 

Flickering candles floated in the air, casting a soft glow that danced across the richly carpeted floor. Dumbledore's desk, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, held piles of parchments, quills, and a Pensieve, which he was using right before Snape came in.

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his eyes twinkling as he gazed at Severus Snape, who stood before him. Snape had wanted to talk to him about Fredrick Elminster Fawley. 

"Severus, do enlighten me about young Mr. Fawley," Dumbledore began, steepling his fingers.

Snape, ever composed, replied, "He is an enigma, Headmaster. His knowledge of magical theory surpasses that of students much older than him. Around 5th year, to be more exact. Not to mention, he possesses an in-depth understanding of the Unforgivable Curses."

Dumbledore's eyes gleamed with worry; someone's face came to his mind for a second, and then said, "Ah, yes, The Unforgivable Curses. That's a concerning area of expertise for someone so young. What's your take on his interest in such dark magic?"

Snape narrowed his eyes. "I share your concern, Headmaster. His curiosity seems troubling and a dangerous path. He doesn't find the curses abhorrent; instead, he sees them as a means to understand the intricacies of magic. He claims to read about them entirely for defense against the dark arts.

Dumbledore leaned forward, his eyes growing more serious. "We need to dissuade him from this path, even if he self-studied at home; it is too early for someone who doesn't have any inkling about the corruption of the dark arts. He is just a child who doesn't know what kinds of forces he is messing with. Just because he doesn't mean it, it doesn't mean he won't cause accidents, severe accidents."

Snape nodded in agreement. "I agree. Vigilance will be crucial. We can't let his brilliance lead him down a path that may endanger himself or others."

Dumbledore looked at him with determined eyes. "Keep a close eye on him, Severus, and report any developments. We must ensure that young Fawley's brilliance serves the light rather than succumbing to the dark."

Dumbledore always meant it well, but he was not an all-knowing being; he was just a human, and he had many mistakes and regrets; if he could, he would take many of them back, and one of them was his decision to give baby Harry to his monstrous relatives, he knew they were not good people but he at least thought they would treat him like a human being.

It would be a lie if he said he didn't want Harry to be easily impressionable, but he didn't mean him to be abused. He rubbed his temple and thought about how everyone was looking at him for every answer and wanting him to have a solution for every problem. It was exhausting, but he had to do it; no one else could do it. He had to keep those children in the path of light, but he was not going to repeat his mistakes with Tom.

He had to be more humane with the children, and just because Tom chose darkness, this doesn't mean Elminster would choose it, too. He had to never forget this, so he said,

"No, scratch that, keep him in your sight but not as a target; just be there for him; it looks like you like him too. Severus, I never seen you talk about any student with praise. You would just call them passable."

Snape was a bit flustered and said,

"I didn't praise him; I just stated the facts as it is. As for the other students, calling them passable is an overstatement for most of them."

"Just be a mentor for him. I have talked with his mother on multiple occasions; she is a woman who lives for his child. Mr. Fawley is not 'that man'; we need to be vigilant about Mr. Fawley's interest in dark arts, but he grew up with love. He doesn't have a void like him. While interacting with him, we need to do better, be better. ."

...

In the dimly lit dungeon, Elmi took his seat, ready to learn everything he could absorb about potion-making. Professor Snape, with his intimidating demeanor, introduced the class to the delicate art of potion-making.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the minds, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper at death — if... only if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

Snape turned towards Harry and said,

"Potter!" Snape's voice cut through the air, drawing the attention of the entire class. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry, prepared by his studies with Elmi, didn't falter. "You would get a sleeping potion, sir."

Snape, taken aback by Harry's accurate response, pressed on. "What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

Harry, recalling Elmi's guidance, answered confidently, "They are the same plant, sir. Also known as aconite."

The class watched in astonishment as Harry continued to answer Snape's questions with a calm assurance that defied his usual nervous demeanor. Snape, though attempting to trip Harry up, found himself facing a student unexpectedly well-versed in 1st year potion class curriculum. Harry turned towards Elmi and talked with only moving his lips,

--Thank you--

Before they had come to school, Elmi had made Harry read the 1st-year potion-making book a few times to ready him for this moment. Snape didn't want to continue, so after giving Gyriffindor 5 points, he returned to his class. 

Soon, Snape started asking everyone questions, but only Elmi and Hermione were raising their hands. Unlike the usual Snape, he allowed Elmi and Hermione to duke it out. Snape remarked a glint of challenge in his eyes. "What is the primary use of the Draught of Living Death?"

Hermione, her hand high in the air, answered confidently, "The Draught of Living Death is a powerful sleeping potion, Professor."

"Correct, Miss Granger. Can someone tell me the difference between the Wolfsbane Potion and the Elixir of Moon?"

Snape's gaze shifted to Elmi, who calmly responded, "The Wolfsbane Potion allows a werewolf to keep their human mind during a full moon transformation, while the Elixir of Moon can delay the werewolf transformation for a few hours, but it is not recommended to be used if it is not needed as it makes the werewolf more aggressive."

The questions continued with many more; each one met with precise and accurate responses from the two competitors. The classroom buzzed with an air of anticipation as Snape, seemingly enjoying the duel, fired off another question.

"What ingredient is a common element in both the Pepperup Potion and the Polyjuice Potion?"

Hermione, eager to regain her footing, answered, "Lacewing flies, Professor."

Snape, however, directed his gaze toward Elmi, who calmly countered, "It's not just Lacewing flies; Lacewing flies are only used for Polyjuice Potion; it is Casewing Flies that are used both for Pepperup and the Polyjuice Potions."

With that, Elmi brought the duel to a close, emerging victorious in this impromptu display of magical knowledge. The class, witnessing the exchange, couldn't help but be impressed by the depth of understanding exhibited by those two; some were even green with envy. Snape returned to his cold demeanor and said,

"10 points for Slytherin, and as for the loser, better luck next time. Losers get nothing other than humiliation."