A Deeper Connection: A New Beginning

A Deeper Connection - Part II

"Next week?" the Potions Master asked incredulously.

"Early next week even," Harry inserted, "since he does not want me to spend too much time with his nemesis. Once Thomas ' skills and knowledge have been evaluated, of course with him hitting another dead end, Dumbledore will leave for France as well as continue his hunt for Quirrell and the Philosopher's Stone."

"How can you possibly know that?" Severus asked, having lost all his interest in the plate in front of him.

"As Tom said before, he has known the old goat lover for quite some time. Thus, we know his mechanisations," Harry began to explain, "besides that, we have studied his every movement for the last year with the help of our map. First of all, the Headmaster tries so hard to be unpredictable in his daily routine, that his movements are predictable. Secondly, he likes to control everything and everyone around him while simultaneously holding his cards desperately close, trying to be two steps ahead of everybody else. The current situation with him not being in control will undoubtedly lead to rash actions, like the urge to confront Tom again as quickly as possible."

"We will see," the Potions Master answered.

"You will," Harry smiled before turning to the Dark Lord, "shall we retire?"

"Of course," Tom chuckled, knowing only too well that his equal certainly was not tired, but over-eager to get the Dark Lord all to himself.

"Are you sure that he will visit today?" Severus asked, looking up from his Potions notes, "it is almost time for dinner."

"Are we impatient, Severus?" the Dark Lord chuckled, averting his eyes from the Charms textbooks that were scattered on the floor between himself and his equal, "you are just in a foul mood because you cannot work on your less public-friendly projects you do not even dare bringing to Hogwarts. Am I correct?"

In answer, the Potions Master only grumbled, staring angrily at the piece of parchment in his hands.

"You will get back to your more interesting projects," Harry continued, trying to conceal the amusement in his voice, "he will arrive soon."

"If you say so," Severus replied in his familiar drawl.

Choosing to ignore the impatient man for now, Tom turned his attention back to the Charms texts. Although he had spent the last year following Flitwick's teaching and had reviewed a few beginner's texts over the last few weeks, he wanted to make sure that he was aware of the basics. Also, it would paint a convincing picture if it appeared like Harry was teaching Thomas, helping him with the course material he had possibly missed because of his home-schooling.

Not even ten minutes later, the Floo flared up, making all three occupants of the room look up from their reading material. For a fraction of a second, the eyes of the Potions Master and the Glamoured crimson orbs of the Dark Lord met. The corners of Tom's lips curled into a sinister smile as if to say, 'I told you', before it was replaced by an expression of surprise as the boy who had seemingly grown up in the Muggle world stared at the green flames in the fireplace with big eyes.

"Good evening, my boys," Dumbledore said as he stepped out of the green flames, his words accompanied by a fake smile and his trademark twinkle.

"Good evening, Headmaster," Severus greeted his employer as he put his Potions notes on the small, shabby side table next to his slightly tattered wingback armchair, "may I ask for the reasons for this... unexpected visit. Please do not tell me, that you are still doubting the identity of my cous-"