The incident that had occurred in Umbridge’s class was swift to reach his ears – in fact, if there was a single person in this castle who hadn’t heard of it, they had been sleeping for the past twenty four hours and someone should probably go check on them. On one hand, Severus was in the same camp as Minerva, Pomona, Filius and the rest – the situation was as entertaining as Dolores was irritating, which was saying a great deal.
On the other hand, the fact that the catalyst had been an attack on something he knew full well was an area in which Mister Alden had reasonable frustration with added a layer to this situation that was concerning. The likelihood that Dolores would continue to make such remarks – if for nothing than sheer spite – was high, which lead to the question, “And what will you do if it does?”
There was no accusation in Severus’ tone. This conversation was taking place outside of class, and by this point Alden’s competence in class was enough that Severus rarely needed to fear for his life every time he sat before a cauldron, unlike some students in this school. Then again, Severus had never once permitted such a dangerous child into the N.E.W.T. level courses, so it stood to reason that the dynamics between him and the students in those classes would be different.
As it was, his relationship with Alden was notably less antagonistic than those in younger classes and had been developing since a shift in grading had occurred in the boy’s third year. He was a great deal more aware of things than his tests and essays would indicate, and Severus had recognized it as one of a few possibilities – some prodding later and he had determined that oral testing was the best method of discerning how well the young man knew his material, and Severus had made arrangements in his own way since. He knew though, that it was unlikely such things had been noted in other classes – and Severus had a reputation to maintain that kept him from bringing the matter to Minerva. Despite this, it seemed that his efforts had marked him as someone safe to discuss this with openly – and Severus had no reason not to allow it.
“Though you didn’t hear it from me,” Severus stated slowly, aware of the danger he courted in being too free with information among the student body, “Our pestilent friend is less than pleased by the fact your head of house and the Headmaster have so thoroughly thwarted her desire to expel you. I would not put it past her to do all she can to press you going forward, in an effort to incite you into an action they cannot defend.”
Severely Archived 