HBWnovel Chapter 13 – Albus Dumbledore
Chapter 13 – Albus Dumbledore
The crack wasn't a metaphor; it was a description.
Snape's expression shifted from rigid to one of astonishment and admiration as he held the crystal vial up to his eyes and gently shook it twice.
He downed it in one gulp.
"Head of House!" Malfoy exclaimed in surprise.
"Professor, Professor Snape," the Gryffindor students shouted in shock.
"Henry William! What on earth have you made! If anything happens to the Head of House, every Slytherin will hold you accountable," Slytherin student Millicent Bulstrode harshly reprimanded Hoare.
Millicent Bulstrode had long been displeased with that Henry William, getting so chummy with Malfoy and Potter! His intentions were suspect!
He was trying to ruin all of Slytherin!
"Silence!" Snape, having drunk the potion, commanded, and the tense atmosphere was miraculously calmed.
"Henry William, come with me," Snape said, fixing his gaze on Hoare.
"Malfoy, Potter, keep an eye on the other students."
"Completed vials, label them and place them on the podium."
Snape gave his instructions, clutching Hoare's crystal vial, and ordered, "Bring your things and follow me." He strode out of the room.
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Harry and Malfoy exchanged glances with Hoare, who shrugged in confusion, clutching his own crystal vial as he followed Snape.
Snape remained silent along the way.
Seeing Snape like this made Hoare a bit nervous, perhaps as nervous as a leaf.
The potion was made for Squibs, and honestly, he wasn't sure what effect it would have on someone with inherent magic.
Snape's silence was due to the shock of the sensations within his body, and he felt a sense of dread.
At this moment, the only person he could think of to consult was Dumbledore.
As he left the classroom, he had already informed Dumbledore that he had urgent matters to discuss.
He also arranged for other professors to cover his class.
There was no way he could truly leave the classroom in the hands of two students, especially with Potter involved.
"It wasn't me," Snape, of course, understood Dumbledore's implication. He withdrew his hand and presented Hoare in front of Dumbledore.
"It was him."
Hoare stood opposite Dumbledore, meeting his gaze through the half-moon spectacles.
Dumbledore was evidently surprised by Snape's action, but he quickly recovered and said kindly, "Hello, Henry William."
He emphasized the name Henry William.
Hoare understood that Dumbledore knew he wasn't Henry William, but he didn't intend to expose him.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, hello," Hoare replied with a friendly smile.
"Can you tell me about this?" Dumbledore asked, shaking the crystal vial in his hand.
Hoare glanced at Professor Snape behind him, then at Dumbledore in front of him. "Do we really have to discuss this here? Honestly, it's a bit silly."
Dumbledore was amused by Hoare's words and laughed heartily. "Alright, alright, why don't we go to my office and have a cup of sweet honey tea?"
"It would be even better with some candy," Hoare eagerly suggested, knowing that Hogwarts had everything except sweets and chocolates.
Usually, students brought their own or bought them from classmates who secretly sold them, like George and Fred.
Snape, listening to this unreliable conversation from behind, was nearly fuming.
"Oh, Severus, could you do me a favor and fetch Mr. Filch?" Dumbledore turned his head back, politely requesting Snape.
Snape understood his meaning.
If the potion was truly effective, the best person to demonstrate its effects would be Filch.
Snape turned and left.
"Let's go, Henry."
Hoare followed Dumbledore to his office on the eighth floor of the castle.
At the entrance stood a gargoyle, and Dumbledore spoke the password, "Cockroach Clusters." The gargoyle leapt aside, and the wall behind it split open, revealing a hidden staircase.
"Please, come in," Dumbledore demonstrated, stepping onto the stairs first.
Hoare followed Dumbledore's lead, stepping onto the stairs, which began to rotate slowly. In no time, they reached the upper floor.
It was a room with a domed skylight, and the walls were adorned with portraits of past headmasters, each seemingly engaged in their own activities, though Hoare noticed their furtive glances.