In the Office

Author's note- Please note that I’ve removed the previous “chapter 5”. I found myself unable to continue without taking a step back.

CHAPTER FIVE

"Your request is VERY irregular, Lucius." Albus Dumbledore's voice was strained. He sat back in his desk and regarded his visitor. Lucius Malfoy was agitated. He had refused to sit down and was pacing back and forth gesturing with his cane.

Dumbledore found himself in a very awkward position. If anyone other than Lucius Malfoy had been standing across from him, he would have granted their request. It was crucial to the survival of the wizarding world for the young to be trained properly. It was essential to the survival of the young themselves as well. He had broken enough rules because of that belief that he knew that he would be willing to break more.

Yet, this was a Malfoy. A man who had been a known Deatheater in the past. Perhaps even Voldemort’s right hand. Everything he did was suspect. Anyone he vouched for was suspicious.

“You wish your niece to be enrolled in Hogwarts.”

“Yes.” Malfoy gazed earnestly across the desk at the old headmaster. “She’s a witch. She’s very intelligent. She belongs here.”

“She was raised in America. By tradition, her rightful place would be determined by the Salem Institute.”

"I realize that, Headmaster Dumbledore. But as my niece was never offered her rightful place when she SHOULD have been," He paused. Dumbledore took the opportunity and jumped in.

"Her place is only rightful if it IS offered. Tell me why we should break rules in place for generations. Rules meant to protect us all. WHY I should risk the safety of my students for one child."

“Her potential is great.”

“That may be the problem.” Dumbledore gazed at Fawkes. “Its dangerous to raise young wizardlings in a place saturated by the dark. It warps them. Its better just to let the potential lie dormant.” He picked up a lemon drop. “Or so they say.”

Malfoy realized that he would have to play all his cards. “She was already experimenting with resources available to the outside world. Successfully.” He met Dumbledore’s gaze. “I have a reference letter. To say she is not on the side of the dark.” He laid a plain white envelope on the desk. Dumbledore opened it, and read silently.

"A letter from the Watcher of the Active Slayer? How irregular." Albus Dumbledore watched Lucius pace. "But I don't know if this is enough. Tradition dictates that the schools in range offer acceptance to those candidates in their areas."

"Tradition is that every Malfoy goes to Hogwarts."

"Really? And here I was thinking that you almost sent Draco to Durmstrang?"

Lucius Malfoy regarded the figure of the Headmaster with shock. "I didn't."

Dumbledore smiled grimly. "I may enjoy my candy, young Malfoy, but I keep apprised of things." He picked up the letter. "So, what does the irrepressable Rupert Giles have to say about the girl?"