Albus meanwhile was horrified. The hope for the wizarding world and he fired a spell at a non-combatant. He didn't turn to Albus or any other adult and he threatened Pettigrew! If he was willing to do that to a friend and playmate what did that mean for the wizarding world when Voldemort managed to return.
As they exited the pensieve, Albus said, "Thoughts?"
"Well, five points to Potter for original solutions." Severus said.
"But he shot a spell at Mr. Weasley! They are supposed to be friends." Albus protested.
"Yes, and in doing so he prevented Mr. Weasley from being kidnapped by a Death Eater. It isn't a solution that would have occurred to me, but given Mr. Potter's level of knowledge it was a correct choice. Five points to Slytherin, and pass on my thanks to Mr. Potter for helping a classmate." Minerva stated.
"Albus, let's cut to the chase." Snape said. "I don't believe you are putting things in the proper perspective. You and I both know what fate has decreed for Potter. You want him to be a willing pawn in your chess match with the Dark Lord."
"It's for the greater good of the wizarding world that he not question wiser heads than his own. If what I believe is true, he may have to sacrifice himself for the well-being of the magical world. It would be so much easier if he were a Gryffindor, member's of that house have an intrinsic grasp of doing the right thing and acting courageously for the good of all, rather than just thinking of themselves."
"Well, Potter is a Slytherin. Thinking ahead is a large part of his make-up and I doubt that he will ever blithely plunge into any plan someone else comes up with. He will always find a way to twist things and make his own, as he did his first year. I strongly urge you to not make plans for him without his input. To do so may very well have… unfortunate consequences."
"All hope isn't lost, Albus, Harry may not be a lion, but he isn't without honor. I find it hopeful that he put the safety of the students ahead of revenge on his parents' betrayer. He was confronted with a dangerous situation and once again he rose to the challenge and came through it mostly intact. Now if we could just have a highly competent defense teacher next year…" Minerva drawled.
"I'm trying to persuade Alastor to come."
Severus got an alarmed look, but even he could not deny the suggested teacher's competence. "I see. At least Potter will be too young to participate in next year's madness."
"Indeed. Although I do find myself wondering if he would rise to the challenge."
"Albus. Don't you dare!" McGonagall scolded.
"I wouldn't dream of it, my dear." Albus said.
"See that you don't. I doubt many of my snakes will consider risking themselves but there are one or two from the poorer families that might consider it. My snakes are ambitious but not stupid. I very much doubt that Potter would, the money is pocket change to him and he is not very fond of the fame he already has. I shall get to enjoy a quiet year next year."
"I wish I could say the same." Minerva frowned.
"What about the obscured family heirloom? How do we know this memory isn't manufactured?" Albus asked.
"Mr. Potter is an organized student. It's possible, even probable, he's an occlumens, and he hid that and that alone from us for whatever reason. It's also possible the family heirloom may have magics on it that keep all but the heir and his chosen companions from seeing it properly. With the exception of the heirloom the memory is clear and sharp so the odds of it being manufactured are slim. I think we need to focus on the larger issues. How do we prevent such things from happening in the future?" Snape asserted.
The rest of their discussion centered on that topic, and Professor Snape returned the memory to its vial to be returned to Harry.
The next day, the train carried the students back to their families. Harry and the Slytherin Quidditch team had made plans to attend the Quidditch World Cup together a couple months before, so they discussed their plans further. They celebrated winning the Hogwarts Quidditch cup and Flint's appointment to the Ballycastle Bats reserves as a chaser. Flint had also gotten a part-time job with the Cleansweep Broom Company as an apprentice broom maker.
Cassandra met Harry at Platform nine and three quarters with a satchel of papers. The plans to go to Nic and Nell's had fallen through. But the Flamels had sent him four tickets for three of the Wimbledon semi-finals games and the four for two of the finals. All of them were mid to late afternoon not morning matches. Once Wimbledon was over he would be spending one afternoon a week with Neville supplementing his dance classes in the muggle world with the dances and etiquette of the magical world. Three afternoons would be spent at Potter Place studying family magic. Dance camp was every morning Monday through Thursday. Lady Augusta had decided that Neville would also be attending. The other days Harry figured was how he would fit in working at the dojo and time to do homework and paint . His summer was lined out. Cassandra had even made him a duplicate of the schedule to share with Aunt Petunia.
"Here you go. Busy summer for you."
"When isn't it?"
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