Chapter 8
"That wasn't smart Albus," Phineas purred as the Headmaster collapsed into his seat once more.
"Put a sock in it," hissed Armrose Swott.
"Mudbloods and dark creature into the grounds I ask you, and any idiot could figure out how to get past the tree eventually," continued Phineas, ignoring the old headmaster.
"You've overseen students expelled for much less" chimed in Dilys Derwent. Dumbledore gave Phineus a withering look. "Phineus, do you really want me to expell your great-great grandson?"
"Absolutely not, it would leave a stain on my noble line."
"So what is your point? I am as you can imagine, very tired."
"My point my dear Albus," Phineas said softly, "is that is surely is unwise to make the young Slytherin have cause to lose faith in you, as his...ah...example of justice. I have observed him Albus, he's a stickler for the rules. And you've broken several to look after your...favourites."
"I don't have favourites," said Dumbledore sharply.
"You damn near adopted James Potter just then."
"I was merely congratulating him on saving the boy."
"James Potter bullies Severus you know. They all do."
"I'd hardly call it bullying, the boys do not get along I know that, a rivarly -"
"Favouritism Albus. What's wrong? You do not wish to see ill of your favourites?"
"I already told you I do not have favourites."
"And yet you moved heaven and earth for the werewolf."
"His name is Remus and it was the right thing to do."
Dumbledore had not realised but had he had moved from his chair and was standing right in front of Phineas's portrait. Which was smiling at him.
"And Severus? Was how you handled him the right thing to do? Giving Sirius a light verbal spanking, House Gryffindor points? And For Severus? A trip to the hospital wing and...? No real repercussions for what could have happened to the boy? He really could have died tonight. Not to mention the other one, Potter. Was ignoring him the right thing to do?"
"I did not ignore him. I just asked him to keep the secret."
"With a complete disregard to what message that sent the boy."
"It sent that I care about Remus' welfare!"
"At the expense of Severus."
Dumbledore opened his mouth and closed it again before moving towards the wall of cabinets containing the pensieve.
"Of course, don't let me be misunderstood Albus," Phineus said quietly. "We are at war. You cannot afford to lose support. And you would lose quite a fair amount if this got out. Imagine, a werewolf, almost murdering two students..."
"Hold your tongue Phineas," Dumbledore sighed before opening the cupboard to his pensieve and sighing as he pulled out a particularly large memory from his head. He stood watching the silvery blue mist swirl around the basin. A face stared back up at him, leaving with Madam Pompfrey. A boy of fourteen, with lank greasy long hair, his dark brows furrowed over darker eyes, mouth twisted in an expression of hatred and despair. Dumbledore sighed again. He would speak to him in the morning.