A Dangerous Game

"After all, nobody canceled the education, Albus! Children should at least learn something this year... Exams are in a week." Minerva looked at Dumbledore, who, sitting at his desk, seemed to be writing something. "You're right," he replied, without being distracted. "However, you and I are forced to stick the plan. As you may remember, it's extremely important that Harry learns something from our new professor of Defense against the Dark Arts." "Of course, if Gilderoy was able to teach someone something in principle!" "Can't disagree, Professor. However... He is very good at setting up the famous Harry against vanity. And this is very useful, given the extraordinary nature of the current circumstances." "I'm sure Potter has already learned everything perfectly," the woman objected irritably. "This is a school. Not a chess game! It's time to take care of other equally important things, Albus." "Which you are very successfully coping with, Minerva. Have you talked to Severus yet?" "Yes. And it even seemed to me that this news was somewhat of his... Pleased. Unless, of course, in his case it can be considered as a sign of joy that people usually call a smile," McGonagall snorted, recalling the crooked Snape's smile. Dumbledore got up, crumpled a piece of parchment in his palm, on which he had previously left notes, and then approached the sorceress and handed it to her. "Everything is going as it should. Don't worry about anything, Minerva," he assured, flashing his half-frame glasses, and his thick mustache twitched, hiding an approving grin. "Very soon we will know for sure who opened the Chamber of Secrets... In the meantime, return this to Miss Granger's hand. And tell Madam Pomfrey to let Harry into the hospital no sooner than you announce the ripe Mandragora. The boy himself must figure out where to look for a clue." "I don't like this, Dumbledore... " the Dean of Gryffindor frowned, looking down at the crumpled parchment. "Trust me, Professor, as you've always did. We shouldn't interfere now. Our main task is to guide Harry. And do it discreetly." "By putting him in mortal danger? He's just a boy!" "And he won't be alone. You don't think I'm going to let him go down there completely unprotected, do you?" McGonagall shook her head. Dumbledore took her hand in his and squeezed it lightly in a soothing gesture, leaning forward slightly. "Dear Minerva. You know very well that everything I do, I do for Harry. I believe in him. And you have to believe in him, too. He's much stronger than he looks at first glance," Dumbledore added. The woman, with some difficulty, stopped frowning and looked at him with concern. "This is a very dangerous game, Albus..." she said. "And, unfortunately, I know it like no one else. Therefore, I have no right to make a second mistake." "What has Miss Granger learned so far about it?" McGonagall asked quetly. "Almost everything! Admires, doesn't it? Sometimes we, adults, completely underestimate the sharpness and flexibility of a child's mind," gallantly touching a woman's hand with his lips, the wizard very quickly moved to the shelves and cabinets, among which he disappeared for a few moments. "I just added a tiny note at the very bottom! I'm sure Miss Granger just didn't have time to do it herself for obvious reasons," he said from the depths of the distant boxes to the astonished Minerva. She looked at the piece of paper again and read: "Pipes"? "Undoubtedly"! his answer came immediately. "You never cease to amaze me, Dumbledore." "For the sake of this compliment of yours regarding my abilities, everything was started, my dear," the director added, finally appearing from behind the shelves. "Oh, for God's sake, Albus!.." McGonagall was absolutely not in the mood to joke. In such times. "It's absolutely true," he hastened to reassure again, hiding something in the pocket of his robe, and Fawkes flew up to his hand. "However, now I have to leave you again. Unfortunately, the Board of Trustees has not yet changed it's decision regarding my suspension, and I must prudently pretend that I am not here. Not for long, of course, I guess!" "Be careful, Professor Dumbledore..." "And you, Professor McGonagall." And he disappeared as soon as the phoenix waved it's flaming wing. The witch folded the parchment for Miss Granger and, dimming the light, left the office. She completed the assignment that evening, putting the "note" in the petrified Hermione's hand, and discussed the general details with Madam Pomfrey. And only in the morning she had to visit the greenhouses to check with Professor Sprout, in how many days her mandrakes would ripen... It's not long to wait.