Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality

Minerva was speechless.

'This is not a request, Mr. Potter,' the Headmaster said. The full, entire force of the wizard's gaze was turned on the boy. 'This is your punishme-'

'You will explain to me why you allowed this man to hurt the children placed in your care, and if your explanation is not sufficient then I will begin my newspaper campaign with you as the target.'

Minerva's body swayed with the force of that blow, with the sheer raw lese majeste.

Even Severus looked shocked.

'That, Harry, would be most extremely unwise,' Dumbledore said slowly. 'I am the primary piece opposing Lucius on the gameboard. For you to do such a thing would strengthen him greatly, and I did not think that was your chosen side.'

The boy was still for a long moment.

'This conversation grows private,' Harry said. His hand flicked in Severus's direction. 'Send him away.'

Dumbledore shook his head. 'Harry, did I not tell you that Severus Snape has my fullest confidence?'

The boy's face showed the shock of it. 'This man's bullying makes you vulnerable! I am not the only one who could start a newspaper campaign against you! This is insane! Why are you doing this?'

Dumbledore sighed. 'I'm sorry, Harry. It has to do with things that you are not, at this time, ready to hear.'

The boy stared at Dumbledore. Then he turned to look at Severus. Then back to Dumbledore again.

'It is insanity,' the boy said slowly. 'You haven't reined him in because you think he's part of the pattern. That Hogwarts needs an evil Potions Master to be a proper magical school, just as it needs a ghost to teach History.'

'That does sound like the sort of thing I would do, doesn't it?' said Dumbledore, smiling.

'Unacceptable,' Harry said flatly. His gaze was now cold and dark. 'I will not tolerate bullying or abuse. I had considered many possible ways of dealing with this problem, but I will make it simple. Either this man goes, or I do.'

Minerva gasped again. Something strange flickered in Severus's eyes.

Now Dumbledore's gaze was also growing cold. 'Expulsion, Mr. Potter, is the final threat which may be used against a student. It is not customarily used as a threat by students against the Headmaster. This is the best magical school in the entire world, and an education here is not an opportunity given to everyone. Are you under the impression that Hogwarts cannot get along without you?'

And Harry sat there, smiling thinly.

Sudden horror dawned on Minerva. Surely Harry wouldn't -

'You forget,' Harry said, 'that you're not the only one who can see patterns. This grows private. Now send him -' Harry flicked a hand at Severus again, and then stopped in mid-sentence and mid- gesture.

Minerva could see it on Harry's face, the moment when he remembered.

She'd told him, after all.

'Mr. Potter,' said the Headmaster, 'once again, Severus Snape has my fullest confidence.'

'You told him,' whispered the boy. 'You utter fool.'

Dumbledore didn't react to the insult. 'Told him what?'

'That the Dark Lord is alive.'

'What in Merlin's name are you on about, Potter?' cried Severus in tones of sheer astonishment and outrage.

Harry glanced briefly at him, smiling grimly. 'Oh, so we are a Slytherin, then,' Harry said. 'I was starting to wonder.'

And then there was silence.

Finally Dumbledore spoke. His voice was mild. 'Harry, what are you talking about?'

'I'm sorry, Albus,' Minerva whispered.

Severus and Dumbledore turned to look at her.

'Professor McGonagall didn't tell me,' said Harry's voice, swiftly and less calm than it had been. 'I guessed. I told you, I can see the patterns too. I guessed, and she controlled her reaction just as Severus did. But her control fell a shade short of perfection, and I could tell it was control, not genuine.'

'And I told him,' said Minerva, her voice trembling a little, 'that you, and I, and Severus were the only ones who knew.'

'Which she did as a concession to prevent me from simply going around asking questions, as I threatened to do if she didn't talk,' Harry said. The boy chuckled briefly. 'I really should have gotten one of you alone and told you that she told me everything, to see if you let anything slip. Probably wouldn't have worked, but would have been worth a shot.' The boy smiled again. 'Threat's still on the table and I do expect to be briefed fully at some point.'

Severus was giving her a look of utter contempt. Minerva raised her chin and bore it. She knew it was deserved.