Professor Severus Snape

Dumbledore's words caught Silas off guard. He had originally thought he would have to do some serious persuading to win over his parents. Who knew they would be so "understanding"?

"To be specific..." Dumbledore said with a smile, a hint of teasing in his eyes behind his half-moon spectacles. "After hearing my account of tonight's... 'little incident,' especially your leap from the window and subsequent 'sightseeing tour' through central London, your parents unanimously agreed that rather than constantly worrying that you might blow up the entire house while practicing magic one day, or cause another large-scale Muggle disturbance, it would be better for you to spend some time in a more professional, safer environment—namely Hogwarts—getting familiar with and learning to control your magic."

Are British parents really this open-minded? They're practically role models for free-range parenting! If this had happened in my previous life, I'd have gotten a mixed doubles beating followed by house arrest! But... I like it!

He was overjoyed inside, but he still tried to maintain an obedient expression of "sorry for making my parents worry." "Thank you, Professor. And thank my parents for being so understanding. But..." He looked around the Headmaster's Office, which was piled with strange silver instruments and books. "Where am I going to live? 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 may choose one you like and stay there for the time being. The House-elves will prepare your daily necessities. Of course, before the official term begins, many of the castle's facilities and rules will be different, so you will need to watch out for your own safety."

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

"Bye, Professor!" Eager to explore the castle, he gave Dumbledore a casual wave and skipped toward the door. The Levitating Cloak drifted happily behind him, its collar even perking up as though it, too, were saying goodbye.

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

After several seconds of silence, the air in the shadows at the corner of the office twisted like rippling water. A tall, gaunt figure in jet-black wizard robes, with greasy hair and a sallow face, dispelled his Disillusionment Charm and appeared. Professor Severus Snape stood with his arms folded, wearing his usual expression of mingled sarcasm and impatience.

"Dumbledore," Snape said in a low, silky voice filled with unmistakable doubt, "I observed that boy for a full ten minutes. Aside from that unstable portal, which did indeed involve the Law of Space and was worth noting, I saw nothing remotely special about him. As for those... ridiculous sparks he displayed afterward."

The corner of Snape's mouth curled in undisguised contempt. "Other than that, I saw only a reckless, rude, clearly spoiled brat who happened to possess a talent for Wandless magic—though that is indeed remarkable for a seven-year-old child, it hardly warrants such a grand effort from you, much less keeping him beside Hogwarts like some rare pet."

He used the word "beside," implying that Silas was not an official student and occupied an awkward position.

Dumbledore did not answer at once. He walked over to Fawkes's perch and gently stroked the phoenix's warm feathers, his gaze seeming to pass through the walls and settle upon the crimson-cloaked figure happily darting through the castle corridors.

"Severus," Dumbledore finally said, his voice turning solemn and deep, "you observed very carefully, but perhaps... not deeply enough."

He turned around. The firelight reflected off his half-moon spectacles, making his blue eyes seem especially profound. "What I sensed from him was not merely that strange magic of the Vishanti. There was also a... deeply buried, utterly different dark potential. Vast. And very... tempting."

(Of course, the "Dark magic potential" Dumbledore sensed was the subtle fluctuation emitted by the still-locked gray branch in Silas's skill tree, the one connected to the Dark Dimension.)

"The wizarding world," Dumbledore said, his voice carrying a trace of barely perceptible weariness and heaviness, "cannot accommodate a second Tom Riddle. We cannot take the risk of allowing such an uncontrollable power, one so close to darkness, to grow unchecked 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 if necessary, is far more prudent than letting him remain outside as an unknown variable."

A flicker passed through Snape's black eyes, as though he had thought of something, and his expression darkened further. But he did not argue. He merely asked coldly, "Is that your entire reason for bringing him here? Because of a... premonition?"

"Not entirely." Dumbledore shook his head and walked to the Pensieve, lightly tapping its rim with a finger. "At first, I sought him out solely because of Kingsley's report. A seven-year-old child flew in a manner never seen before, caused a Muggle disturbance, and escaped using a form of Space magic that even Aurors could not comprehend. That alone was unusual enough."

He paused, emphasizing his next words. "And, Severus, did you notice that cloak? It is no ordinary magical object. It possesses near-legendary, complete self-awareness and powerful magical fluctuations. From what I can sense, its level of existence... may perhaps be a creation on the same level as Nicolas Flamel's Philosopher's Stone."

Snape's pupils contracted slightly. He understood the value and significance of the Philosopher's Stone better than anyone. A sentient cloak comparable to the Philosopher's Stone, worn by a seven-year-old child? The implications forced him to reassess Silas Cyril, whom he had regarded as nothing more than an "ill-mannered brat."

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