Interlude: Albus Dumbledore

"Greetings, Quirinus," Albus said as the muggle studies professor entered his office. "Would you like some tea?" he asked, but did not bother standing up to offer. Quirinus never wanted tea. Hard to say if the man was even British really.

"I'd rather not, headmaster,” the bald man dressed in purple robes answered as he sat down on the arm-chair that had been conjured for Harry. An Evans boy, different from the Evans girl.

Leaning back in his chair and feeling his bones creak Albus let out a sigh. What a mess that was. The Evans debacle a dozen years ago had almost caused the school to be closed. The pure-bloods trying to use the excuse of a student being raped as a reason that Hogwarts wasn't safe anymore. Political theatre, everyone knew that they cared not a whit about the fate of some muggle-born, especially considering that it had likely been one of their sons who'd perpetrated the horrid deed.

"Did you look into the documents I sent you?" Dumbledore asked half-heartedly, dreading the answer and wishing perhaps that Quirinus didn't get far into his inquiry. Unfortunately for him the competent professor simply nodded.

"The school documents and the news-paper articles I was able to find in the archive of the muggle educational ministry paint a clear picture. Harry Evans skipped three times as many grades as he bothered actually doing in full. He finished his university qualifications with average grades at the age of ten. Despite the lack of outstanding results, the age at which they were achieved showcases him as nothing less than a prodigy," Quirinus said and shook his head. "A once in a century genius, the boy was offered scholarships to any university he wanted and likely didn't accept simply because he wanted to learn magic instead. Perhaps the only childish thing about the whole debacle. By all accounts he would have been very successful in the muggle world without ever caring about his magical heritage."

Albus sighed. "Forgive this old man, but could you please contextualise the achievement in terms of Hogwarts. I'm afraid I don't quite keep up with muggle education standards,” he asked gently, causing Quirinus to frown and tilt his head.

"The issue with magic is that it takes time and practice to grow, whereas the muggle system is theoretical only. So technically if one was intelligent enough and one had the time to go through the curriculum quickly there would be no limits to progress," he explained. “But if I had to answer the question I would say that the achievement is the Hogwarts equivalent of finishing one's Newts with acceptable grades in one's fourth year."

"Thank you, Quirinus, for looking into this,” Albus said with a slow nod as he processed the information.

"I don't mind, it was interesting, I've always felt like I would have made a good detective when I was younger,” the younger man said with a smirk.

Albus chuckled. "Perhaps, perhaps. A detective is a muggle auror if I remember correctly. Perhaps you will have a fitting adventure during your sabbatical, if that is still the plan?"

"I see no reason not to go through with it, but I’m open to the idea of sleeping on it a few more times."

"It's always good to think things through," Albus agreed. "Well, I don't want to keep you any longer,” he said, causing Quirinus to stand up and quietly go, leaving Albus to think about the child casting wordless spells, learning arithmancy and creating his own spells at a prodigious rate. There were only three such children whom he'd ever known to match Harry's current achievements at his age. They'd all gone on to do horrible, horrible things. Himself included. Perhaps young Evans could avoid that path? If not, Albus would be here, unlike the last three times, to do what was necessary.