The Promise

"Let's find somewhere to sit!"

After looking around, Hermione and Jerry found two empty seats. Hermione took out the Transfiguration homework McGonagall had just assigned and started working on it.

Jerry was distracted. He wanted to look around the back of the library, near the Restricted Section.

When he reached its iron gate, a cold draft blew toward him, as if warning him away. He tried the gate. It was locked. He wondered whether the Unlocking Charm would open it.

"What are you doing here? That's the Restricted Section. Students aren't allowed inside without written permission from a professor." Before Jerry could try anything, Madam Pince's stern warning rang out.

"I was looking for a book, Madam. I wandered over here by accident, and when I saw the iron gate, I got curious," Jerry explained.

"What book are you looking for?"

"Basic Alchemy, Madam."

"Third row outside the Restricted Section, second bookcase from the left." After a moment's thought, Madam Pince told him where to find it.

"Got it. Thank you, Madam Pince." Jerry thanked her and turned away.

As he walked back, Jerry considered how to get into the Restricted Section. With Madam Pince there during the day, he had no chance. The gate was locked, and the Unlocking Charm might not work. Even if it did, he doubted Dumbledore had left the place without any other protection. For all he knew, Dumbledore would appear the moment he stepped inside and catch him red-handed.

Harry had only been able to enter the Restricted Section because Dumbledore had wanted him to. He had even left the gate unlocked in case Harry didn't know the Unlocking Charm.

Jerry decided to sneak into the library that night and give it a try. If that failed, he would wait until Harry got the Invisibility Cloak and ask him to take him inside.

If even that didn't work, he would have to find a way to get written permission from a professor.

Snape was out of the question. Jerry had just offended him, and he was already a little worried about Potions Class. If he dared ask Snape for permission, Snape would probably march him straight to the Headmaster's Office. The other professors were no better, though Lockhart might present an opportunity next year.

Once he found Basic Alchemy, Jerry took it back to Hermione and began reading.

"Come on, Hermione. It's noon. Let's eat first. We've got classes this afternoon, so we can come back tonight."

Hermione nodded, packed up her things, and left with Jerry.

"Password."

"Cockroach Clusters."

"Albus, what is going on with that child?" The moment Snape entered the Headmaster's Office, he demanded an answer in his rasping voice.

Dumbledore turned around at an unhurried pace. "Severus, welcome. Would you like a toffee?"

"Answer my question, Albus!"

The portraits of former headmasters on the walls heard the commotion and leaned in to listen. A child? What child? Was it Dumbledore's? An illegitimate son? Did Grindelwald know?

"Which child do you mean? Harry? Don't worry, Severus. Harry will be safe at Hogwarts."

Snape gave a cold laugh. "You know who I mean, Albus. You went to the orphanage and brought that child here yourself. Don't tell me you two have nothing to do with each other."

Dumbledore sighed. "Jerry is different from Harry, Severus."

"Do you know what he did last night? He beat three older students so badly they were seriously injured. Even Voldemort wasn't that ruthless when he first arrived. Are you trying to raise another Dark Lord, Dumbledore?"

"Severus, Jerry isn't like Tom was. You mustn't prejudge him."

"I don't prejudge any student," Snape said coldly.

Dumbledore nodded. "I can't interfere with Jerry's choices. I can only guide him. The same goes for you, Severus. He's your student too."

"Then why let him go to Slytherin? Wouldn't Gryffindor or Hufflepuff have been better?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "As I said, I can't interfere with Jerry's choices. He's different from Harry. The Sorting Hat placed him, yes, but if Jerry had objected, he would certainly have spoken to a professor and asked to be Sorted again. He never did."

At that, Snape turned to the Sorting Hat. "What exactly happened during the Sorting?"

"N-nothing much," the Sorting Hat said, sounding flustered. "I just had a little chat with the boy."

Snape snorted and looked back at Dumbledore.

"Tell Severus. He'll find out sooner or later."

The Sorting Hat sounded relieved. "That little bastard tricked me during the Sorting! He coaxed it out of me with sweet talk. He took advantage of an old hat over a thousand years old. No sense of fair play at all!"

"What did you tell him?"

"N-nothing important. I just happened to let slip that Forbidden Human Alchemy was in the library's Restricted Section. You can't blame me! The boy was too crafty."

Snape turned to Dumbledore. "So you want me to watch him and keep him out of the Restricted Section?"

"No. Jerry went there once this morning. He simply didn't get inside."

Snape frowned. "And what if he does get in and finds Forbidden Human Alchemy?"

Dumbledore rose and went to the window. He looked out for a while before answering. "I won't stop him. As I said, if he truly decides to pursue it, I won't interfere."

"Why? Aren't you afraid there'll be another Voldemort, perhaps one even worse?"

"Because of a promise. A rather ridiculous promise, but certain things leave me no choice but to keep it," Dumbledore said thoughtfully.

Snape was not convinced. "You'll regret this, Dumbledore. Don't forget your age. People only fear you because of how powerful you used to be!"

"No, Severus. There are things I understand better than anyone. And Jerry is different from Tom. He grew up surrounded by love. He knows what love is. If we guide him properly, he won't become a Dark Lord."

"Hmph. I hope you're right." Snape turned to leave the Headmaster's Office.

"Wait, Severus. When you return to Slytherin, watch for anyone taking an unusually keen interest in Jerry. Find out where they come from."

Snape looked surprised. "What do you mean?"

Dumbledore offered another cryptic answer. "The world is no longer the one we knew."

And so Snape left the Headmaster's Office with more questions than answers.

"Dumbledore, has something happened?" Seeing how troubled he looked, the portraits of the former headmasters could not help asking.

Dumbledore shook his head without answering them. He only murmured to himself, "I hope you're right."