"Merlin's beard! Those Dementors have harmed another child!" Madam Pomfrey's voice rang with fury through the hospital wing. "The Ministry of Magic summoned them to find Black, and now they're attacking students instead! This is outrageous!"
Dumbledore glanced at Snape, who stood beside Brooke's bed with his eyes downcast, regarding the trembling fifth-year with undisguised disgust. For Snape, those who schemed and plotted to steal academic work ranked as his second most-hated group of people—his first being the Marauders, most of whom were either dead or currently teaching at Hogwarts.
"Poppy," Dumbledore said gently, "I regret to inform you that this child's condition was not caused by a Dementor attack, but rather by a spell cast by another student."
"A spell?" Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's impossible! What kind of spell could possibly make someone look as though they've been subjected to the Dementor's Kiss?"
"It is not impossible, Poppy." Dumbledore glanced at Snape, noting his Head of Slytherin had no intention of explaining. The headmaster coughed lightly and continued with visible reluctance, "In fact, if I'm not mistaken, this spell originated from studying Dementors themselves. The effect is nearly identical to their... feeding process. So Poppy, you may treat him as you would any victim of prolonged Dementor exposure."
Madam Pomfrey was no fool. Quite the contrary—she was exceptionally perceptive. Beyond her initial shock at Brooke's condition, she quickly registered the tense atmosphere between Dumbledore and Snape. She said nothing further, instead following the headmaster's advice and beginning Brooke's treatment with practiced efficiency.
Watching Madam Pomfrey work, Dumbledore turned to Snape. "Severus, I believe we should have a discussion—about this incident, and of course, about Sean. What do you think?"
Snape's expression remained blank, his dark eyes fixed on Dumbledore. "Of course we should talk. In fact, Sean was already preparing to discuss with both of us the matter of someone within Hogwarts attempting to steal his experimental data and research materials." His voice turned cold. "Dumbledore, you understand the significance of Sean's current work. His latest paper represents the second phase of modifying the Wolfsbane Potion formula. This concerns whether the potion can be made accessible to all werewolves, reducing the harm they cause during transformations. It's crucial to reintegrating werewolves into wizarding society—vital for both werewolf wizards and the broader magical community."
Snape's eyes narrowed. "If this data were stolen, it would be a catastrophic blow to the entire endeavor. It could set back werewolf integration by years, perhaps decades. Sean wishes to discuss this theft with you, as Headmaster of Hogwarts."
These words, naturally, were not Snape's own formulation. After stopping Sean from continuing to drain Brooke's happy memories, Sean had immediately returned to his dormitory, written out this precise argument, and slipped the note to Snape before Dumbledore could arrive to handle the situation personally.
As for the effect of these carefully chosen words... at the very least, from Snape's perspective, witnessing Dumbledore's brief flash of surprise and embarrassment made the delivery worthwhile.
"Ahem..." Dumbledore coughed lightly, the embarrassment vanishing from his features as swiftly as it had appeared. His usual gentle, grandfatherly demeanor returned smoothly. He regarded Snape with twinkling eyes. "Severus, did Sean instruct you to say those things?"
Just as Snape understood Dumbledore, so too did Dumbledore understand Snape. Though neither could know everything about the other, just as Snape could detect Dumbledore's momentary discomfort, Dumbledore knew perfectly well that the words his Potions Master had just spoken were definitely not something Severus Snape would have formulated himself.
Snape made no attempt to dissemble. "These words came from Sean, yes. They represent his position." His voice hardened. "But regardless of whose intention they represent, Dumbledore, I believe he's absolutely correct."
Dumbledore nodded slowly. "Of course, Severus. Sean's concerns are entirely valid. However, there are... nuances we should discuss properly, are there not?"
"I'll fetch him," Snape said curtly. "We'll meet in your office."
"Excellent. Thank you, Severus." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled once more. "I'll prepare refreshments—perhaps some sherbet lemons and hot chocolate. See you shortly."
Dumbledore and Snape parted ways, heading respectively toward the Headmaster's office and the Slytherin common room.
When Snape arrived at Sean's private quarters, he found his star student seated at his desk, quill scratching rapidly across parchment covered in complex calculations. Approaching quietly, Snape examined Sean's work. He could now recognize, to some extent, the mathematical methods Sean employed—a blend of Muggle chemistry principles and magical theory that produced remarkably efficient results. Snape hesitated, unwilling to interrupt such focused work.
Sean, however, sensed his professor's presence immediately. Without pausing his calculations, he said, "Professor, is it the Headmaster who wishes to see me?"
"Yes. Dumbledore wants to speak with both of us."
"Understood. I'll finish these calculations momentarily."
"There's no rush," Snape said quietly. "Dumbledore won't mind waiting."
"It's fine—these aren't critical equations anyway." Sean's quill continued moving. "Best not to keep the Headmaster waiting too long, especially since I'm hoping to secure certain... special privileges from him."
Hearing this, Snape's lips twitched in what might have been the ghost of a smile. "Very well. Let's proceed."
Sean completed his final notation with a flourish, gathered his materials into his Undetectable Extension Charm bag, and rose from his desk. Together, professor and student departed the Slytherin common room, leaving under the watchful, speculative gazes of the other house members as they headed toward the Headmaster's office.
Behind them, whispered conversations erupted the moment the door closed.
"Do you think Sean will be punished by the Headmaster?" one second-year asked nervously.
"It's possible," another student replied doubtfully.
"I don't think so," a third-year interjected. "As long as Professor Snape supports him, even Dumbledore wouldn't dare punish him."
"True enough. Our Head of House clearly favors Sean above everyone else."
"Of course he does," someone else scoffed. "Any professor would treasure a student capable of publishing multiple papers in top academic journals. Besides, this entire incident was the Slytherin Brotherhood's fault to begin with. Sean was simply seeking justice. In my opinion, he did absolutely nothing wrong!"
"Exactly!" another voice chimed in. "Those Brotherhood elitists, using Slytherin's name while acting like..." The speaker's voice dropped to a disgusted whisper. "Despicable. Absolutely despicable."