To say Blake was nervous was an understatement - but then again, most would be. The most powerful wizard alive, and his Headmaster, had asked to speak to him in private, and Blake's mind was racing with the possibilities of what it could be about.
The private lessons with McGonagall? The essay writing thing? The letter I sent to my mum? The fight with Malfoy? Tailing Snape and Quirrell? Going into that room with the dog?
Although Blake was beginning to think of excuses or stories for all of them, he zeroed in on what was the most likely reason.
I wouldn't get in trouble because of the private lessons with McGonagall - I just asked, and she's the one that said yes. The fight with Malfoy would've been dealt with ages ago. The only possible explanation would be that Snape saw my outline when I was trailing him, and then they put some detection charms on the dog or the room it's in - God, why didn't I think of that before? They could've checked the letter too, but I saw James leave, so I doubt it - but it still could've happened.
Damn - it doesn't matter. Dumbledore's meant to be a master of every single branch of magic, and I doubt Legilimency is any exception to that. No, especially after the wars he's been through, he's probably a master of both Legilimency and Occlumency. There's no point trying to lie - I've not trained in either. The best I can do is be as honest as I can - Dumbledore's a good guy right? That means he wouldn't use a spell like Legilimency unless he felt he absolutely had to.
"Is everything alright, Blake?" Dumbledore asked him kindly. Apparently, Blake had zoned out again. I've really got to stop zoning out whenever I'm thinking, he thought as he nodded with a smile. Dumbledore stood in front of his office, guarded by what seemed like a statue of a gargoyle - but after this long in Hogwarts, Blake had a feeling there was more to them than meets the eye. As he expected, Dumbledore announced, "Chocolate Frog!", and the gargoyle moved, revealing a staircase behind it. Despite his nervousness, Blake couldn't help but marvel at the magic. Pretty cool, to be honest.
Finally, Blake entered the office. It was pretty much what he had expected from the eccentric Headmaster - a stereotypical place with bookshelves and documents, accompanied by many random things too. Most interesting of all, however, was a cage, holding what looked exactly like the white, spectre-like thing he'd seen talk to Snape the other day.
"Is that-"
"Ah, I see, Fawkes has caught your eye," Dumbledore said happily. Fawkes, huh?
"And yes, Blake, Fawkes is a phoenix."
"Wow," Blake said, truly amazed by the bird. Scarlet and golden, it stood regal on its perch, staring at Blake unblinkingly.
"Can I take a closer look, Professor?"
Dumbledore smiled. "Of course."
As Blake approached, Fawkes maintained eye contact, not blinking even once, and Blake did the same thing. The boy and the bird stood eye to eye as Blake crouched, and in the depth of Blake's mind, it seemed as though the bird was almost trying to look into his soul, as if it was someone trying to see who he was - not physically, at his appearance, but in mind and soul.
"Fawkes is also an excellent judge of character too. And he seems to have taken a great interest in you - as have I."
Blake froze again for a second, before relaxing, turning to look at Dumbledore.
I should avoid eye contact as much as I can - at least it seems like he's not out to get me. Legilimens work best with eye contact, after all.
"Sorry Professor, but, uh, could you explain what's going on?"
Dumbledore smiled.
"Certainly, Blake. You see, it's come to my attention that someone's been… shall we say, investigating matters of the school that perhaps should be left alone by the general student population?"
Blake allowed himself to look embarrassed for a moment, before trying to reply, "I'm not-"
"Don't worry, Blake," Dumbledore said kindly. "It's only natural for students your age to be curious." Suddenly, Dumbledore's expression hardened, and in that moment, Blake was aware of just how small and weak he was compared to the man before him, and he didn't have to fake the shock and nervousness on his face.
"However, when it comes to matters of protecting my students, I refuse to take any such matter lightly." His tone shifted back to the normal, kind one.
"So please, if you know anything about this matter, I ask you to trust me, Blake. Even if I am not your teacher, know that you are still my student, and I consider your health and safety my utmost priority."
It doesn't look like I have a choice here, Blake thought to himself. But maybe it's a good thing - Professor Dumbledore doesn't seem like he's got any ill intentions - and why would he? I was being paranoid over nothing - he's the man that basically defeated two of the most powerful Dark wizards in history. I can trust him.
"I'm really sorry, Professor," Blake began. But… that doesn't mean I shouldn't lay it on just a little bit thick to get some favour from him. To Blake, this wasn't just about getting off the hook from Dumbledore - it was about impressing him too.
"It's just - well, do you mind if I explain everything?"
Blake didn't miss Dumbledore's eyes widening slightly. "Of course."
He inhaled deeply, and locked his eyes onto Dumbledore's, ensuring he would see any signs of reaction.
"Well, it all started in Defence Against the Dark Arts, with Professor Quirrell," Blake began. However, if Dumbledore had any thoughts about that, he didn't show them. Slightly miffed but not showing it, Blake continued seamlessly.
"I don't know why, but ever since the beginning of the year, he's been acting really weird around me, and only me - well, I say I don't know why, but to be honest, there's only one reason why I can think of that he'd act only weird around me…"
At Blake's words, Dumbledore's eyes softened slightly, and Blake let out a mental cheer.
"Anyway, I got a bit paranoid - I knew I was reaching, but what if, you know, he was going to do something to me? The last war only ended 10 years ago, and everyone, even muggleborns like me, know what happened then!" Blake's voice became more frantic, and to be honest - he wasn't even really acting. It was as if the boy's concerns and worries and anxieties over the last few weeks were finally being released, and Dumbledore's eyes softened even further.
"You have nothing to worry about here, Blake," Dumbledore said quietly, but with the steel of a man who'd been through 2 wars, and won them both. Blake believed him.
"A-Anyway, On Halloween, when the troll attack happened, I noticed that you and Professor Snape were acting kind of weird for a second - only for a second," Blake added hastily, not trying to offend Dumbledore, who merely smiled.
"Professor Snape turned around and looked at where Professor Quirrell had been standing, then looked back at you, and then you nodded, and then he left in the opposite direction to the dungeons - and I was confused, because I thought he would be coming to the dungeons to protect the Slytherin students. And then I looked back at the place where Professor Quirrell had fainted - and he was gone!"
At this point, Dumbledore was looking… amused? Intrigued? Blake couldn't tell, but he continued anyway.
"Uh, this is where I probably went wrong though," Blake said, looking at Dumbledore apprehensively - the latter, however, had a small smile on his face, and motioned for the former to continue.
"I kind of got curious about what was going on - because of Professor Quirrell, mainly. I mean, the man's a stuttering nervous train wreck, but he got up and disappeared in seconds after fainting? So yeah, I got curious, and I followed the direction Professor Snape went, and then I somehow ended up near the 3rd floor corridor - uh, the forbidden one - and then I overheard them talking. Something about Professor Snape saying Professor Quirrell was trying to take something, but Professor Quirrell was denying it - uh, then Professor Snape almost saw - actually, he probably did see me - but before he could catch me, a white version of your phoenix showed up, and your voice told Professor Snape to come to the toilet, and uh, yeah, that was that."
Dumbledore was still smiling softly.
"I see. And how, may I ask, did you trail Professor Snape for so long without him, or anyone else, realising?"
Blake's ears reddened.
"Uh, I used the Disillusionment Charm and the Muffliato Charm, sir."
"Splendid," Dumbledore responded, smiling. "Is that all there is to the story, Blake?"
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