Severus Snape

Dumbledore's words made Silas pause. He had originally thought he would need to spend a lot of time persuading his parents, but he hadn't expected them to be so "understanding"?

"Specifically..." Dumbledore said with a smile, his gaze behind his half-moon spectacles carrying a hint of teasing. "After I described tonight's... 'little incident,' especially your jump from the window and the subsequent 'sightseeing' in downtown London, your parents unanimously agreed that rather than constantly worrying about you blowing up the entire house while practicing magic one day, or causing another large-scale Muggle disturbance, it would be better to let you spend some time getting familiar with and controlling your magic in a more professional and safer environment—that is, Hogwarts."

Silas (Internal Monologue): Are parents in Britain this open-minded? They're practically paragons of free-range parenting! Back in my previous life, I would have gotten a mixed-gender beating and a grounding package! But... I like it!

He was overjoyed, but he still tried to maintain a facade of innocent shyness, as if embarrassed to have worried his parents: "Thank you, Professor. And thank you to my parents for their understanding. But..." He glanced around the office, which was filled with strange silver objects and books. "Where will I stay? I can't stay in your office forever, can I?"

"Of course not," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "Hogwarts has many empty student dormitories, especially during the summer holidays. You can pick one you like to stay in temporarily. The house-elves will prepare your daily necessities. Of course, before the official start of term, many of the castle's facilities and rules will be different, so you'll need to be careful about your safety."

"That's great! Thank you, Professor!" Silas immediately forgot his slight displeasure with Legilimency and was so excited he almost jumped. Being able to check into Hogwarts early was something countless Harry Potter fans dreamed of!

"Bye, Professor!" He couldn't wait to explore the castle. He casually waved goodbye to Dumbledore and then skipped towards the door, his floating cloak fluttering merrily behind him, its collar even perked up as if bidding farewell.

The heavy oak door slammed shut behind him with a "clang," and the office returned to silence, leaving only the faint breathing of the portraits and the crackling of the fireplace.

After a few seconds of silence, from the shadows in the corner of the office, the air distorted like rippling water. A tall, thin figure in a pitch-black wizard robe, with greasy hair and a sallow complexion, dispelled the Disillusionment Charm and materialized. Professor Severus Snape crossed his arms, his face wearing his usual expression of sarcasm mixed with impatience.

"Dumbledore," Snape's voice was low and smooth, with clear skepticism. "I observed the boy for a full ten minutes. Apart from that unstable, but admittedly space-law-related, portal, I see nothing special about him. As for the... ridiculous sparks he displayed later."

Snape's lips curled into an undisguised sneer. "Aside from that, I only saw a reckless, rude, and clearly spoiled brat who happens to possess the talent for wandless magic—though it is indeed genius for a seven-year-old child, it's hardly enough reason for you to go to such lengths, even keeping him like a rare pet next to Hogwarts."

He used the word "next to," implying Silas was not a formal student and his status was awkward.

Dumbledore did not answer immediately. He walked over to Fawkes' perch and gently stroked the phoenix's warm feathers, his gaze seeming to pierce through the walls and see the figure in the red cloak darting excitedly through the castle corridors.

"Severus," Dumbledore finally spoke, his voice becoming serious and deep. "You observed very carefully, but perhaps... not deeply enough."

He turned around, his half-moon spectacles reflecting the firelight, making his blue eyes appear exceptionally profound. "What I sense from him is not just that peculiar 'Vishanti' magic. There is also... a deeply hidden, entirely different dark potential. Very vast, very... tempting."

(Of course, the "dark magic potential" Dumbledore sensed was the faint fluctuation emanating from the gray branch on Silas's skill tree that connected to the Dark Dimension, which had yet to be unlocked.)

"The wizarding world," Dumbledore's voice carried a hint of imperceptible weariness and heaviness, "can no longer afford a second Tom Riddle. We cannot risk letting such an uncontrollable power, so close to darkness, grow wild without guidance."

He looked at Snape, his eyes sharp. "Keeping him here, under our watchful eyes, observing him closely, guiding him, and even... restraining him when necessary, is far more prudent than letting him become an unknown variable out there."

A flicker crossed Snape's dark eyes, as if he had thought of something, and his expression became even more somber. But he did not argue, merely asking coldly, "Is that all the reason you brought him here? Because of a... premonition?"

"Not entirely," Dumbledore shook his head and walked to the Pensieve, tapping its rim lightly with his finger. "Initially, I sought him out merely because of Kingsley's report. A seven-year-old child flying in an unprecedented way, causing a Muggle disturbance, and escaping using a space magic that even the Aurors couldn't understand. That in itself was unusual enough."

He paused, emphasizing his words. "And, Severus, did you notice that cloak? That is no ordinary magical item. It possesses a nearly legendary, complete self-awareness and powerful magical fluctuations. In my perception, its level of existence... perhaps, possibly on the same level as Nicolas Flamel's Philosopher's Stone."

Snape's pupils contracted slightly. He knew the value and significance of the Philosopher's Stone all too well. A sentient cloak comparable to the Philosopher's Stone, worn by a seven-year-old child? The implications forced him to re-evaluate Silas Cyril, whom he had dismissed as a "rude brat."

Silence fell in the office. The two wizards, each with their own thoughts, clearly understood that this "little guest" who had suddenly entered Hogwarts would likely bring more unpredictable variables to the already turbulent wizarding world. Meanwhile, Silas was currently busy trying to find a dormitory with a view of the Black Lake in the deserted Gryffindor Tower.