"So the boy learned quite a lot from the Greengrass family library."
Dumbledore sat comfortably behind his desk, his blue eyes sparkling thoughtfully.
Across from him, Professor McGonagall looked unusually serious.
"I mean no disrespect, Albus," she said slowly, "but even when you were young, you didn't possess such terrifying talent."
Dumbledore immediately corrected her.
"To be precise…"
"It wasn't even close."
McGonagall fell silent briefly.
Then Dumbledore continued softly.
"That's exactly why we absolutely cannot allow the boy to walk down the wrong path."
Professor McGonagall nodded firmly.
"Yes. Merlin knows the child has already suffered enough."
Her expression softened slightly.
"If he enters my House, I'll teach him properly."
She stared directly at Dumbledore afterward.
Clearly implying something.
Dumbledore immediately smiled knowingly.
"My dear Minerva, you know perfectly well that House placement is determined by the Sorting Hat."
"We have no right to interfere."
"Of course," McGonagall replied calmly.
"Even so, I still believe he's perfectly suited for Gryffindor."
Her tone sounded remarkably certain.
Dumbledore chuckled softly before nodding slowly.
"It seems the boy has already become capable of standing on his own to some degree."
Then he pulled a piece of parchment closer before beginning to write rapidly with a quill.
"How about letting him retrieve it for me?" Dumbledore asked casually.
"Oh, and perhaps he can also meet Harry while he's at it."
"I originally planned to send Hagrid for that task."
McGonagall immediately frowned.
"Albus, Lucas is still only eleven."
"Are you truly certain he can handle a responsibility like that?"
"Why not?" Dumbledore replied calmly.
"I believe he's more than capable."
"You've already seen his abilities yourself."
McGonagall still looked dissatisfied.
"…You always say that."
…
Some time later, after Professor McGonagall finally left the office, Dumbledore remained seated quietly with the parchment still in his hands.
He seemed deep in thought.
Eventually, however, a faint smile appeared on his face.
He folded the letter neatly before handing it toward the phoenix perched nearby.
"Take this to him, Fawkes."
"He's been wanting to meet you."
Fawkes gently took the parchment into his beak.
Then flames erupted brilliantly.
The phoenix vanished instantly.
Dumbledore watched the empty air for a moment before speaking casually toward the shadows.
"Severus."
"Would you like some honey tea? Perhaps a few lemon drops as well?"
A cold voice answered immediately.
"You still intend to let that child attend Hogwarts normally?"
Snape slowly stepped out from the darkness, his face gloomy as ever.
"Of course," Dumbledore replied calmly.
"Why wouldn't I?"
Snape's expression darkened further.
"Have you completely lost your mind from old age?"
"Do you even know how many people that boy killed with the Killing Curse in Albania?"
"And now you want to nurture another Dark Lord?"
"No."
Dumbledore shook his head gently.
"On the contrary."
"If we abandon him now, that's what would truly push him toward darkness."
Snape slammed a hand onto the desk.
"Then send him to Azkaban!"
"He used the Killing Curse. That's a fact!"
Dumbledore's voice remained calm.
"Severus."
"Lucas was the victim."
"When he fought back, he didn't even understand what the Killing Curse truly was."
His eyes became serious.
"We cannot punish victims merely because they resisted their abusers."
"I personally witnessed what those children suffered in Albania."
"What those werewolves did…"
Even Dumbledore's expression darkened slightly.
"The children Lucas rescued endured horrors no innocent child should ever experience."
Snape fell silent momentarily.
Eventually, however, he spoke coldly again.
"I'll watch him carefully."
"If he reveals even the slightest sign of danger…"
"I won't show mercy."
Then Snape stared directly at Dumbledore.
"And I strongly advise you not to trust him too much."
Dumbledore calmly folded his hands together.
"Actually, I've already decided to ask him to retrieve that item for me."
"And while doing so, he'll naturally meet Harry."
The moment those words left his mouth—
Snape's face changed dramatically.
"What did you just say?"
His voice became dangerously sharp.
"Dumbledore… have you gone insane?"
"You actually dare trust him this easily?"
"A mysterious amnesiac child from Albania with absurd magical talent?"
Snape's breathing became heavier.
"Have you forgotten why you went to Albania in the first place?"
"Of course not," Dumbledore answered quietly.
"I went because I discovered traces of Voldemort there."
"Exactly!"
Snape slammed both hands onto the desk.
"Then you should understand the implications!"
"That boy is ruthless enough to become the Dark Lord's next servant!"
His eyes grew increasingly intense.
"Or worse…"
"What if he is the Dark Lord himself?"
The office became silent instantly.
Snape stared directly into Dumbledore's eyes.
"What if Voldemort somehow resurrected himself into another body using unknown magic?"
"Have you ever seen an eleven-year-old with talent like this before?"
"And don't forget—"
"That boy came from Wool's Orphanage."
"The same orphanage where the Dark Lord himself grew up."
Snape's voice became colder and colder.
"You truly see no connection there at all?"
Dumbledore remained completely calm.
"He isn't Voldemort."
"And Voldemort would never save people the way Lucas did."
Snape immediately sneered.
"What if rescuing those children was merely part of the act?"
"You should remember better than anyone that manipulation was always Tom Riddle's greatest talent."
He took a deep breath before continuing darkly.
"If he truly is Voldemort…"
"Then you're about to hand both that object and Potter directly into his hands."
Snape's expression became grim.
"And you promised me Harry would remain safe."
Dumbledore looked at him quietly.
"I trust Lucas."
"I know what kind of person Voldemort is."
"And I know what kind of people his followers become."
Snape's voice turned bitter.
"You truly trust him?"
"Then why are you testing him with this mission at all?"
His eyes narrowed sharply.
"I know you, Dumbledore."
"No matter what game you're playing, Potter should never be involved."
"If your gamble fails—"
Dumbledore interrupted softly.
"Since when did you begin caring so deeply about Harry?"
Snape froze instantly.
Silence filled the office.
A terrible, painful silence.
Finally, Snape answered in a low voice—
"You already know why."
"…For Lily."
....
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