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The eighth floor, Headmaster's office.
The space was large and bright, a circular room with walls covered in portraits of former headmasters.
All had their eyes closed, though their occasional fluttering eyelids revealed they were merely feigning rest.
On a high shelf behind the desk sat a tattered hat lying quietly, the Sorting Hat, which Erwin would have recognized immediately.
Snape and Dumbledore sat facing each other.
"So, Severus, would you like something to drink? Perhaps some afternoon refreshments?"
"Lemon sherbet? Toffee finger biscuits? Or some cockroach clusters?"
Snape frowned and refused decisively.
"No, Headmaster. I'm here to discuss Erwin Gaunt."
Dumbledore looked mildly disappointed at Snape's refusal, but when he heard the boy's name, his interest sharpened immediately.
He set down the book in his hands, laced his fingers together, and placed them on the desk.
His expression grew serious.
"So, Severus, can you tell me what you think of young Mr. Gaunt?"
Snape spoke calmly.
"Composed, decisive, brilliantly gifted, and purposeful."
"Oh?" Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon spectacles, and light flashed briefly across the lenses.
He hadn't expected such a comprehensive evaluation from Snape.
Now, Dumbledore's interest in Erwin intensified considerably.
"I thought you might harbor some prejudice against Mr. Gaunt after the Sorting Ceremony. I didn't expect such a favorable assessment."
"Yes, Headmaster. That is my honest evaluation. I have far too many responsibilities to waste time nursing grudges against a first-year student," Snape replied coolly, then added.
"Though his surname is certainly noteworthy, his character suggests he won't become the next Dark Lord. After all, what Dark Lord proceeds to be so popular with girls while so young?"
Dumbledore couldn't help smiling at that.
"No, Severus, I believe you've misunderstood my intentions. My concern for Mr. Gaunt stems precisely from how remarkable his surname is."
"You know as well as I do that it will bring him considerable trouble, and Voldemort will return eventually. In many forms of Dark magic, blood is a crucial component."
"Tom's research in that particular area is formidable, even by my standards."
Dumbledore explained his reasoning.
Seeing that Snape had no intention of responding, he continued.
"Actually, during the summer holiday, I conducted some research into Mr. Gaunt's background myself."
He winked mischievously at Snape as he said this.
Snape's expression soured further.
'If you'd already investigated him personally, what was the point of telling me to observe him?'
He hadn't expected the greatest wizard of the twentieth century to pay such close attention to a mere eleven-year-old boy.
This revelation made Snape feel he needed to reassess his understanding of the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
Apparently oblivious to Snape's changing expression, Dumbledore pressed on.
"I visited the orphanage where Mr. Gaunt was raised. The staff there spoke very highly of him. Every year, he donates substantial sums to cover the orphanage's expenses."
"Most significantly, he has a phoenix. Phoenixes possess the remarkable ability to dispel darkness from human hearts and inspire great courage."
"So you see, he is nothing like Tom. I asked you to observe him because I believe you're in an excellent position to provide guidance, to help him grow stronger more quickly. That way, he'll be better prepared to face the crises that lie ahead."
Hearing this, Snape felt as though he'd swallowed something utterly revolting.
'Ask a Slytherin Head of House to mentor a student who publicly rejected Slytherin? How could anything be more insulting?'
But remembering his conversation with Erwin in the Potions classroom, he hesitated.
As if reading Snape's thoughts perfectly, Dumbledore struck while the iron was hot.
"Of course, Filius mentioned to me yesterday that Mr. Gaunt shows exceptional talent in Charms. I'm certain he'd be delighted to train such a promising wizard for Ravenclaw."
"No." Snape interrupted sharply.
"He is also the last surviving member of Slytherin's bloodline in Britain. As Head of Slytherin House, I have an obligation to provide certain considerations to a descendant of our founder."
"I'll speak with Mr. Gaunt myself."
With that, Snape stood abruptly and strode toward the door, ending the conversation.
Dumbledore watched him leave, the corners of his mouth curling upward as he murmured to himself.
"It seems Hogwarts has gained another fascinating young person, one capable of capturing even Severus's interest."
At that moment, the portraits of past headmasters abandoned their pretense of sleep.
One portrait spoke up, his tone furious.
"A descendant of Slytherin choosing Ravenclaw? This is a disgrace to pure-blood heritage."
"Headmaster Black, Mr. Gaunt is not pure-blood. According to my investigation, his mother was from the Gaunt family, but his father was an ordinary Muggle."
Dumbledore explained with a pleasant smile.
This information only enraged Headmaster Black further, and he began spouting a string of colorful profanities.
Finally, another irritable former headmaster had had enough.
"Just shut up already!"
He charged into Black's portrait and punched him squarely in the face, knocking him to the ground.
The two immediately began brawling.
Dumbledore paid them no mind, while the other portraits cheered enthusiastically for the irritable headmaster.
Two other former headmasters looked eager to join the fray.
It seemed Headmaster Black was not particularly popular.
Dumbledore appeared completely oblivious to the chaos unfolding in the portraits.
His deep blue eyes continued to gleam thoughtfully behind his spectacles, as if contemplating matters far beyond the present moment.