Chapter 7

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Good grief! If Sybill becomes any more delusional, I will not be able to resist the urge to AK her. I overheard, entirely involuntarily, I might add, her conversation with the headmaster today. The hag makes me shudder when she has the best of days and appears as normal as she'll ever appear, which, unfortunately, is increasingly rare these days. But today evidently wasn't her best day. Not that Albus disgusted me any less. The only difference was that her whiff of whatever the alcohol of her choice is strong whereas the headmaster sticks to his trusted, fucking Muggle sweets. If I ever manage to get out of here alive, I NEVER want to smell lemon sherbets again!

The conversation went like, "H—, H—, Headmaster, this must be it! I saw them on Halloween, as I told you before! By the lake! She faced east, he faced north, it has to be a sign!" And I don't remember what else she was drivelling. And Albus, ratbag that he is, completely humoured her. "Yes, Sybill, I can entirely see your point, and I've taken steps to ensure that if you're right, there will be the right course of action." Whatever the hell that means.

The meeting with Lucius wasn't much better, although the exquisite firewhisky was highly enjoyable. Lately, he's been far too obsessed with all different holidays. He thinks the Dark Lord might strike on Beltane. That, together with his ramblings about the ancient magic activated to defeat the Dark Lord made me positively weary. I sent him home, recommending a night of sex with Narcissa, and he had the audacity to laugh at me.

I'm only relieved Hogsmeade weekends are cancelled, or else I'd be looking forward to spending this Saturday chaperoning dunderheads.

Severus,

If you felt the need to leave the castle, you should have simply said so. That said, I don’t appreciate you leaving so abruptly after I made my suggestion. I thought that we might speak calmly about my idea. I’ve not mentioned anything to Miss Granger of course. I was mainly thinking out loud so to speak. I suppose I was just following the most logical route. She has agreed to help us, and her argument that Harry has too much to worry about at the moment is a valid one.

While she was hoping Ronald would be chosen to bond with her, I can’t see that happening. Not now. The boy is… how shall I say this delicately, temperamental at best. And as you so kindly pointed out, he is serving detention with Filch for being caught in a compromising situation with another young lady, not Miss Granger. Therefore, he is the wrong choice.

You are all that I have. Who else can I trust if not you, Severus?

Think on this and come back to the castle. I don’t mind covering your rounds tonight, but I must say that I don’t feel up to dealing with your classes tomorrow. We can discuss this in further detail later. In fact, I’ve decided to share with you something Sibyll has brought to my attention, though I do know you heard us speaking about it earlier. Quite interesting, that.

Tell my brother hello for me and have a pint on me.

Albus

Naturally, arse that Dumbledore is, he summoned me back to the castle last night. I would have so enjoyed spending the night at the Hog's Head, if only to have some peace and quiet. But no, I evidently do not deserve that.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his description of the Weasley boy. Good riddance, Miss Granger, I'll say! Although I shudder at the idea of Miss Brown and Weasley breeding. I shall have to look for a new job if it happens, for I shan't be able to cope with that level of dunderheadedness.

It seems the Granger girl is more relieved than heartbroken, and I cannot blame her. Her mind would be utterly wasted on Weasley. Alas, I must go meet the old man to hear his latest hare-brained idea. I sincerely hope it doesn't include Yule celebrations and the like, requesting me to be "cheerful."