A Deeper Connection: A New Beginning

A Deeper Connection - Part II

All conversation stopped when Professor McGonagall cleared her throat to inform her colleagues about the arrival of Thomas Prince, who was staring at the floating candles and the enchanted ceiling in wonder. Before the stern professor could more than utter the name of the Potions Master's ward, Dumbledore swept into the Great Hall, once again becoming the centre of attention, "Severus, I am glad that you brought young Thomas to Hogwarts. Harry, my boy, as always it is a pleasure to see you."

Once the greeting had been reciprocated, the Headmaster turned to the Lord of the Prince estate, not even bothering to ask whether Thomas felt well and prepared for today's examination, although his eyes stopped on the Muggle football jumper the Dark Lord was wearing for a brief second, "Severus, have you already conducted the Potions examination?"

"Yes," the Potions Master's familiar drawl echoed through the Great Hall as he reached for one of his pockets, producing a stack of parchments as well as two small vials, "I actually had Thomas answer the same questions I used during the last examination of the first years as well as asked him to brew the Forgetfulness Potion. Since I was rather pleased with the results, I also asked him to brew the Strengthening Solution, despite it being a second year Potion. The results were quite impressive, the scores far above average. Therefore, I see no reason why he should not be placed in second year."

"I see," Dumbledore finally said, while inspecting Thomas' test results.

"What did you expect?" Bridget Hawthorne chuckled, "he is a Prince after all."

While most professors in the Great Hall appeared to agree with her, the sour expression on the Headmaster's face clearly indicated that he neither believed that Thomas was indeed a member of the Prince family nor did he appreciate the comment of his least favourite employee.

Being oblivious to the tension in the room, Professor Sprout placed two plants on the small table in front of her, carefully avoiding the star charts, before turning to the Dark Lord, a genuine smile on her face, "Congratulations on your performance in Potions, Mister Prince. I am Professor Sprout and I teach Herbology here at Hogwarts. It always warms my heart to see young Witches and Wizards excelling in fields of academics they feel passionate about. Since much that we teach in Potions and Herbology overlaps, I think that it would be a good idea for me to start. But before we start, I must ask if you feel well and are sufficiently prepared for today?"

"I... I am ready, Professor Sprout," the Dark Lord answered, his voice slightly trembling as all eyes in the room were suddenly glued on him, his fingers nervously fumbling with the hem of his jumper.

"I am glad to hear that," the Herbology professor smiled, signalling Thomas to step closer to the table.

Before Professor Sprout could continue, the Headmaster had once again made himself the centre of attention, his voice laced with insincere concern, making the Dark Lord want to roll his eyes as he was addressed, "My boy, would you not prefer a more private setting for the examination? I know you must feel nervous with all the strangers around. With all the classes being tested, it will be stressful enough as it is. I just want you to have the best possible environment for your examination. Maybe with only the professor of the subject and myself present?"

Knowing very well what kind of plan the old coot had in mind, the expression of Thomas Prince morphed into one of horror as his meagre frame began to shake, "I... I... No... please... I... I do not want to... to do this alone... Can Ha... Harry and Severus at least stay?"

"Dear, if you do not object, we can all stay here," Professor Sprout smiled, trying her best to calm the trembling child in front of her. Once Tom had nodded his head in confirmation, the Herbology teacher pointed towards the two plants on the table, "Now, dear, do you know which kinds of plants these two are? I have a pair of Dragon hide gloves here for you. You may step closer to inspect them more thoroughly. Take as much time as you like."