"May I ask why you think that?" Harry asked
"The day of the troll attack, Snape had a limp, we think he'd gotten it from when he tried to get past Fluffy" Adrian said
"Fluffy?" Harry raised an eyebrow
"It's a giant three headed dog" Ron said
"A cerberus? Dumbledore's put a cerbrus in a school? He really has lost it, wait, how do you know? Did Dumbledore tell you?"
"No" Hermione shook her head "we ended up there by accident"
"Of course you did" Harry sighed, there was no way that the Gryffindor golden boy and boy-who-lived just happened to stumble on it "how did you stumble up on a three headed dog?"
"We was walking then the staircases changed" Hermione answered "then Filch came and we ran so we didn't get in trouble, we ended up hiding when we realised where we were"
"Hmm, fine but I don't think Snape stole it"
"You're only saying that because you're a Slytherin" Ron replied
"No, I'm saying it because it's too obvious." Harry responded "think about it, imagine you wanted to steal whatever was in that corridor"
"Oh, it's something to do with Nicholas Flammel" Ron blurted out and Hermione elbowed him
"Anyway" Harry continued but vowed to look up Flammel later "if you wanted to steal something then you'd be drawing less attention to yourself. Snape has always been attracting attention, everyone knows not to piss him off and he's worked with Dumbledore for years. He's too obvious a suspect, don't you lot ever read books or watch TV? It's always the least obvious suspect"
"This is not a book!" Hermione snapped "This is real life!"
"Says the muggle raised witch at the magical school that houses giant three headed dogs and has students that fly on broomsticks" Harry commented dryly "either way, believe what you want, now I'm going unless you want anything else"
"Actually, the headmaster wants to talk to you" Adrian said "told me to bring you whenever possible"
"Fine" Harry said "lead the way"
....
The Potter brothers left Hermione and Ron and made their way up to Dumbledore's office with an awkward silence, neither were willing to say anything to the other. Apart from a yawn from Harry, neither made much noise, soon they reached the headmasters office.
"Hello Mr Potter" Dumbledore greeted Harry "thank you for bringing him here, Adrian"
"No problem sir" Adrian smiled
"Now Mr Potter, firstly I'd like to commend you on your quidditch victory" Dumbledore turned his attention back to Harry "I must say, it was an impressive catch, I've never seen a person use their mouth to catch a snitch before. An ingenious method, if I do say so myself"
"Thank you sir" Harry replied "but I doubt quidditch is the reason you've called me up here"
"You would be correct, firstly I was made aware that you are contracted to marry Miss Daphne Greengrass"
"I don't see how that is your concern sir" Harry said calmly but he was clenching his fists as he spoke
"I'm simply worried about you" Dumbledore said in his grandfatherly voice "such a huge responsibility for one so young. I can understand if you are upset, and if you wish then I can help you get out of the contract" Dumbledore hoped that this would help get Harry on his side
"No thank you sir" Harry refused
"No? Are you sure?" Dumbledore asked
"I'm sure sir, I already have a way out of the contract should I chose to take it"
"Should you chose to take it?" Dumbledore repeated "are you saying that you're considering marrying miss Greengrass?"
"Not this every second but yes, I am"
"Don't you think you're a bit too young to be worried about these type of things?" Dumbledore asked
"I'm only young in physical age sir" Harry said slowly "I am more than willing to accept responsibility for my actions" Dumbledore thought on Harry's words, it sounded to him like Harry may have had some traumatic experience in his life, it would have likely caused him to grow up faster, that would explain the boys attitude.
"Is there anything else sir?" Harry asked
"Yes, there is" Dumbledore said "after your incident with the troll, I had confirmed that your story was true by asking the portraits. I must say, that it is was an impressive story and achievement. I would like to know where you've learnt those spells, they should not have been taught in your year"
"Library, and older students" Harry answered "I looked at spells in books, sometimes I asked older students to show me them, other times I practise just based off theory. Plus I ask the teachers for help sometimes"
"Hmm, impressive" Dumbledore said, not entirely convinced that the first year in front of him could already perform such advanced spells from just simple studying "May I ask what spells you have learnt so far?"
"The disarming spell" Harry answered "which I practised on Daphne, her book flew right out of her hand. I've learnt some random spells such as cleaning charms and pretty much anything I could get my hands on"
"You seem to have an incredible thirst for knowledge" Dumbledore replied "may I ask why you feel the need to learn these spells?"
"A combination of things sir" Harry responded "curiosity is one reason. Interest is another, as is boredom"
"Ah, of course" Dumbledore chuckled "are those your only reasons?"
"There's also value" Harry said
"Value?" Dumbledore asked
"My education is paid out of my trust vault" Harry began explaining "and that is just a small portion of the Potter vault, money is valuable and a lot of it has been spent on my education. I don't intend to waste it, I want to make the most of my limited time here"
"My dear boy, there are more important things than money" Dumbledore said benignly
"Tell me that when you don't have any" Harry responded coolly "now I don't intend to be rude sir but unless you have anything else to say, I'd like to go and rest"
"Ah, but of course, however I have one more thing I'd like to say. I've noticed that you occasionally sound like a much older person Hadrian, why is that?"
"Some of us had to grow up early sir" Harry replied emotionlessly "now, goodbye" Harry turned and left, leaving behind a confused Adrian and a thoughtful Dumbledore.
....
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