Adam loved Hogwarts Castle. It was the most amazing place in the world. Once he had recovered from his injuries he spent his time wandering around the castle with Professor McGonagall. Together they had visited the Great Hall which had an enchanted ceiling that changed depending on the weather. Adam's favourite place however was the Astronomy Tower. From the top of it he could see for miles around; he could see the lake, the entire castle and the Quidditch pitch. Adam wasn't quite sure what Quidditch was, but he knew it had a pitch. Maybe when he came here properly he could be on the team. Adam had enjoyed it when he could play football with the other kids in the park back in London and he always felt hurt, not that he would show it, when they said he couldn't join in. When Professor McGonagall had taken him out into the grounds for the first time he had been staggered. Hogwarts Castle from the outside was impressive, to say the least. The castle was huge with its tall towers stretching up into the sky and hundreds of small windows hiding who knew what behind them. he thought that he could spend the rest of life there and still not visit every room.
It hadn't taken him long to decide that he wanted to stay at Hogwarts. He had been virtually certain that he would stay as soon as Professor McGonagall told him he would be with others the same age as he, others who had the same gifts as he did. Once he had actually seen the castle it was settled, he was going to Hogwarts.
Adam had been sleeping in the hospital since they brought him to Hogwarts, despite his knee now being fully healed. Madam Pomfrey had been able to find him some clothes that fit. They looked a little odd, but even so they were much better than what he had previously.
He had just finished getting dressed when Professor McGonagall swept into hospital wing.
"Adam, today we are going to go and buy all the supplies you will need for school," she announced.
Adam froze, he didn't have any money. Didn't they realise this? How was he going to be able to pay for anything? His shoulders slumped; he knew Hogwarts was too good to be true.
"Professor, I... I d-don't..." he stuttered.
"Don't worry about the money, Adam. The school has a fund available which helps children who can’t afford to pay have the opportunity to go to school," she replied soothingly. "The Headmaster has approved for you to use this fund, so the school will purchase all the equipment you need."
Reassured, Adam gratefully followed Professor McGonagall out of the hospital wing. They walked together through the corridors of the school until they came to a room that Adam had never been into before.
"This is my office, Adam," she explained as they entered. "We will be travelling to the shops using Floo. What you need to do is take a pinch of this powder, stand on the fire and shout, 'Diagon Alley'."
Adam did as he was told. After a few seconds of feeling like he was spinning on a roundabout really fast, Adam emerged at the other end, flat on his bum, in what appeared to be a pub. There were tables scattered around with a few groups of people sitting at them. He had messed up. Professor McGonagall had said they were going to the shops, not to a pub! He scanned the room looking for someone who could help him. Suddenly, he heard a whooshing noise behind him. Adam spun around and saw the professor emerge from the fireplace behind him.
"I thought I'd gone wrong somewhere," he admitted with a shy laugh.
"This is the Leaky Cauldron. It's at the entrance to the main wizarding area of London, called Diagon Alley," replied Professor McGonagall.
Adam thought that Diagon Alley was amazing. It was as if someone had taken all the fantastic things he had read about in books and then made shops that sold them. The first shop they visited was the opticians where Adam had his eyes tested. Luckily, the shopkeeper noticed Adam looking very apprehensive at the frames he had in his store, since they were all decidedly odd-looking. When the shopkeeper offered to use a set of Muggle frames, Adam gratefully accepted the offer; all the wizarding frames made him look like an old man.
Adam and Professor McGonagall visited a multitude of other shops. They bought school robes, books, a potions kit and a trunk. They even made a trip out into London so he could buy a few new sets of clothes. Adam was glad about this; he didn't particularly fancy wearing robes the whole time. Professor McGonagall had told him that at school they spent the majority of the time wearing robes, so lots of normal clothes weren't necessary. While in London, they also bought new frames for his glasses. Adam chose a modern-looking pair, where his new lenses would be mounted hanging from a thin black bar that ran across the top of the glasses.
Adam felt completely overwhelmed as they made their way with his packages to their last stop of the day. He had never before had this many things that were truly his. The last stop was to buy his wand; this was what he had been looking forward to the most.
"Welcome, Professor McGonagall and a new student!" said the creepy-looking man that was standing behind the counter of the wand shop. "Why I wasn't expecting you, young man? How surprising..."
"Just get him fitted for a wand please, Mr. Ollivander," Professor McGonagall replied shortly.
"Well, young man, which arm is your wand arm?" Asked the shopkeeper.
Adam looked up at Professor McGonagall, confused.
"Are you right- or left-handed, Adam?" she clarified.
"Right handed, sir."
Mr. Ollivander selected many wands. None of them did anything. Adam tried wand after wand, but still nothing happened.
All the while Mr. Ollivander kept muttering. "Found a wand for every wizard, never one left unsatisfied."
Adam continued trying wands for over half an hour; with each wand that failed Mr. Ollivander went further back into his shop to get the next one. Adam was beginning to worry that there was no wand for him. Eventually, after forty two wands—Adam was counting—he came back with one more.
"I never thought I would find a master for this wand, but I suppose it is worth a try," said Mr Ollivander.
When Adam tried this wand it grew slightly warm and sparks flew out of the end.
"Excellent!" cried Professor McGonagall.
"My boy, this is a very interesting wand that has chosen you..." Mr Ollivander began.
"Just tell me how much, Ollivander," said Professor McGonagall, interrupting him.
Mr. Ollivander quoted a figure and they paid and left the store. Adam was bouncing with excitement. He had a wand! His own magic wand!
"What did he mean about my wand, Professor?" Adam asked as they wandered back down Diagon Alley.
"I wouldn't worry about it. Ollivander is always telling tall stories to young students about their wands. Pay no attention to him," replied Professor McGonagall.
They returned to the Leaky Cauldron. Professor McGonagall had decided that they should have dinner there before returning to Hogwarts. They ordered a meal and sat down at a nearby table, waiting for it to be prepared.
"Professor!" A loud voice boomed across the pub.
The largest man Adam had ever seen was approaching them. He towered over even Professor McGonagall and she was fairly tall.
"Hagrid, please join us," said Professor McGonagall. She pointed to Adam as Hagrid approached the table. "This is Adam. He is a new student who will be joining us this year."
"Pleased to meet you, Adam. Did you have fun shopping today?" asked Hagrid as he sat down.
"Yes, sir. I got my wand!" replied Adam excitedly.
"Well done! Don't call me sir, though. I'm just Hagrid," he replied. "Listen, Professor, I can't stay long, but I though I'd let you know. I had to split up a fight between the Malfoys and Weasleys at Lockhart's bloody book signing today."
"What happened exactly, Hagrid?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Well, looks like Malfoy junior insulted little Ginny Weasley and Malfoy senior joined in. Naturally, her dad took offence and I had to practically pull Arthur off Malfoy in the end," said Hagrid. He stood up reluctantly. "Well, I better be off. I need to find some flesh-eating slug repellent. Couldn't get any earlier."
"Bye, Hagrid," Adam waved as Hagrid left the table.
Their food arrived shortly after. While they were eating, Adam asked, "Professor, who are the Malfoys and Weasleys?"
"They are two wizarding families. They both have children at Hogwarts; I think the Weasleys' youngest will be in your year," replied Professor McGonagall. She raised her eyebrow at him. "Oh, and Adam, it’s not polite to eavesdrop on adult conversations."
They finished their meal in silence and, gathering all of Adam's purchases, they returned to Hogwarts.
Ginny September 1st 1992
Ginny couldn't sleep, she was so excited. She was going to Hogwarts today! She had already packed her trunk and checked she had everything. She then checked it again. Upon repacking her trunk she found the present her parents had gotten her; they probably hadn't intended her to find it until she got to school, but she didn't see any harm in looking at it now, as long as she didn't mention it until she got to school.
It was diary, so she grabbed her quill and opened it, deciding she would make an entry now before the usual rush to King's Cross began.
Dear Diary, My name is Ginny Weasley and I am going to Hogwarts today.
As she finished writing the text began to fade and eventually vanished into diary. Slowly, new writing became visible and took its place.
Hello Ginny, My name is Tom. I went to Hogwarts as well; I'm sure you will enjoy it. Do remember to tell me what house you get Sorted into.
Ginny slammed the diary closed with a squeal. Surely a diary wasn't supposed to do that. Thinking about it, Ginny decided it must be safe as her dad had given it to her as a present.
She was about to open the diary to write some more when her mum called from downstairs, "Ginny, Ron, Fred, George UP! UP! UP!"
Ginny threw the diary back into her trunk and pelted down the stairs, with one thought running through her mind. Hogwarts!
This is brilliant, Ginny thought several hours later, as her family dashed through King's Cross Station. It was her first journey to Hogwarts and she knew they were going to miss the train. When they reached the barrier, her brothers ran straight through one after another.
"We'll go through together, Ginny," her father said as he put his hand comfortingly on her shoulder.
Ginny and her dad ran together at the wall between platforms 9 and 10. Once on the other side she took in the sight of the Hogwarts Express, the giant red steam engine that would carry her off to school. For as long as she could remember she had been coming here to see off one of her brothers, but this year it was her turn! She was going to Hogwarts!
"Quickly, Ginny, we need to get you a seat," her dad said. "Go hug your mum and then get on the train. I'll get your trunk on!"
Ginny trotted over to her mum and hugged her; she accepted the pack of sandwiches her Mum had made gratefully. With a last glance around the station she hopped on the train just as it sounded its whistle and started to pull off.
Ginny waved out of the window until her parents shrank rapidly into the distance as the train gained speed. She stayed at the window watching as London receded behind the now speeding Hogwarts Express. Ginny swallowed, time to go and make some friends, or she could find Ron. She would go and find him first, she decided.
She made her way down the connecting corridor of the train until she found her brother's compartment; when she found it she peered in through the window. Attempting to put names to the descriptions her brother had given her wasn't too difficult. There was Ron, another boy, presumably Neville Longbottom, and a girl, presumably Hermione Granger, in the compartment.
She timidly opened the door to the compartment and stepped inside.
"Hi, guys!" she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
"Hi, you must be Ginny?" Hermione asked brightly.
"Err... Hi," Neville said.
Ginny sat down on the only spare seat in the compartment. An awkward silence settled over the group and it gave Ginny the impression she was intruding on something.
"Ginny, what are you doing here? Buzz off with the other firsties," said Ron, suddenly glaring at her.
Brilliant, thought Ginny. Well, if he didn't want her here, she wouldn't stay. With a huff Ginny stood up and stormed out of the compartment.
"Ron!" She vaguely heard Hermione scolding Ron as she left the compartment.
Ginny wandered the corridor of the Hogwarts Express looking for another compartment. She passed several compartments full of older students... no point trying them. She glanced in a compartment full of first year girls and decided she wouldn’t try to sit there, either; there was too much girly giggling coming from that compartment for her liking. Having grown up with 6 brothers Ginny wasn't big on girly-girl things. There weren't many compartments left now, she was nearing the front of the train. The next compartment seemed to only have one occupant inside, a boy. He looked small enough to probably be a first year, too. She was about to move on, when she thought, He is probably as nervous as me. Ginny finally decided to go in and say hello. She could always find another compartment or squeeze into the giggling compartment later if she and the boy didn’t get along.
Ginny knocked on the door of the compartment and poked her head inside. The boy was busy looking out of the window, so she couldn't see his face, he was nearly as short has her and had light brown hair. He didn't appear to have heard her knock.
"Hi, can I sit here? I can't find anywhere else right now," Ginny said forcing her voice to sound chirpy.
Adam September 1st 1992
Adam watched the countryside roll by. He had been one of the first to arrive at Kings Cross this morning; Professor McGonagall had dropped him off and then returned to Hogwarts. She had been very insistent that he travel on the Hogwarts Express; apparently he needed to make friends. He felt very nervous, too, because he hadn't had much contact with children his own age and had zero contact with wizarding children. When he was on the run he hadn't really associated with any children, and before that, well, he had always been an outcast.
"Hi, can I sit here? I can't find anywhere else right now," a chirpy voice disturbed Adam from his scenery watching.
Adam glanced over at the source of the voice, which turned out to be a girl, and she looked to be about the same age as him. Her most distinguishing feature was her long, vivid red hair. It came down below her shoulders and she had brown eyes. She gave him a funny look. Adam realised he had been staring and had not answered her.
"Er...Sure, come in," Adam replied, silently berating himself.
Adam took a deep breath, he needed to be sociable. For the first time ever this might be a place where he would actually fit in. He noticed that the girl had sat down on the seat opposite him.
"Hi, I'm Ginny," she said, smiling at him.
"Hi, I'm Adam," they both said at the same time.
They both laughed.
"Sorry. I'm really nervous," Adam admitted.
"Me, too. My brothers are all at Hogwarts, but it's my first year," replied Ginny.
"You have brothers? How many?" asked Adam.
"I've got six. Do you have any brothers or sisters at Hogwarts?"
Adam hesitated; he didn't really want to talk about his past to someone who he didn't really know that well. "Six! Well, it's just me here. I didn't even know I was a wizard until a few weeks ago!"
"Oh, so you're Muggle-born!" exclaimed Ginny.
"What?"
"It means your Mum and Dad weren't wizards."
"Oh, no. I guess they weren't," said Adam.
Adam and Ginny talked for the majority of the journey to Hogwarts. Ginny told him about the four school houses Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. She was certain she would be in Gryffindor as her whole family was there and Adam briefly wondered why Professor McGonagall hadn't mentioned these houses to him. He also quizzed Ginny on some of the questions he had about the Wizarding world. It turned out that Quidditch was a sport played on flying brooms and Ginny absolutely loved it. He couldn't believe that witches and wizards really flew on brooms and he couldn't wait until he could learn to fly. Ginny told him all about her family and how her oldest brother in school Percy was a prefect. She told him all sorts of stories about the antics of her mischievous twin brothers George and Fred, too, as well as her other brother, Ron, who was in the second year and, apparently, quite an arse.
Time seemed to fly while they talked. Ginny did most of the talking and Adam mostly listened, but neither seemed to mind. Eventually, they were distracted by a knock on the compartment door. They opened it to find a woman pushing a cart down the corridor. She seemed to be selling all sorts of strange sweets and other foods, most of which Adam did not recognise. Ginny signalled with a pat of her packed lunch that she didn't want anything; from her face Adam guessed that she didn't have any money. Adam was about to do the same when he remembered the two gold coins Professor McGonagall had pressed into his land when they left Hogwarts that morning.
"Erm, Ginny, I'm not very good with this type of money. Could you get me something? To share, I mean," Adam asked, blushing a bit. He didn't want to make a fool of himself by trying to buy more than he could afford.
Ginny blushed slightly, but took the money and bought a selection of sweets, including some strange jumping frogs made of chocolate and a packet of sweets that ranged in taste from delicious, to utterly disgusting. Adam savoured the bubbly feeling he got at actually having something to share with others.
When the train arrived at Hogwarts later that evening, Adam and Ginny left the train, now dressed in their school robes. Adam decided he liked the robes and he thought the way they swirled out behind him as he walked was very cool. They both looked around, unsure what to do.
"First Years! Over Here!" boomed Hagrid from across the platform.
Ginny grabbed Adam's arm and tugged him towards Hagrid. Adam momentarily flinched at the unexpected contact. This earned him an odd look from Ginny, but he quickly recovered. Together with the rest of the first years, they boarded a set of small boats and two other girls, who introduced themselves as Vicky and Demelza, got in behind them. The two girls seemed to already know each other as they immediately launched into a high speed conversation, punctuated with giggles every now and then. Ginny rolled her eyes at this and Adam had to stifle a laugh because he didn't want to seem rude, after all.
Adam had spent a fair amount of time at Hogwarts over the last few weeks, but his first sight of the castle at night was breathtaking. It seemed to him as if every window in the castle was bright with a twinkling light. The castle was reflected in the water in front of their boat as it moved silently towards the opposite side of the lake. An awed silence settled over the little fleet of boats as they approached their destination. All the whispers and giggles of earlier had disappeared as the small band of children were lead by Hagrid from the boats up a set of stone steps into Hogwarts.
Adam saw Professor McGonagall waiting for them at the top of the steps. She was dressed more formally than normal. Gone was her standard black robe and instead she wore an emerald green robe that seemed to reflect the light from nearby torches. Ginny identified her to him in a whisper, making Adam feel guilty of how much he had kept from Ginny so far, and he decided that once he got to know her better he would tell her his full story.
Professor McGonagall guided the group across the Entrance Hall and into a small room. Adam could distantly hear the murmur of many voices; all through his time here in the summer Hogwarts had seemed eerily quiet. Once they had all squeezed into the room Professor McGonagall instructed the gathered group about the four Hogwarts Houses and the upcoming Sorting ceremony. She largely repeated what Ginny had told him earlier. Once she was finished, she led the first years to the doors of the Great Hall. She pushed them open and led first years through. Adam breathed a sigh of relief. He had done it; he had made it to Hogwarts and made, hopefully, his first friend.
The Great Hall had always impressed Adam. However, now that it contained all the staff and students it was very intimidating. He glanced around. The students were all sitting at four long tables, presumably one for each house, while the staff sat at a long table facing the students. Adam's eyes were immediately drawn to the man who sat in the centre of the staff table, the Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. If anyone's appearance matched Adam's mental image of a wizard it was Professor Dumbledore. He had a long white beard and was wearing a strange looking pair of glasses which appeared to be shaped like a half circle. Adam noticed that the headmaster was looking straight at him, as if he was judging Adam's every move, and it felt rather unnerving.
Adam watched as Professor McGonagall moved to the centre of the room and placed a tatty old hat on a stool that had been placed in front of the staff table. Once the professor had stepped back the hat began sing. Amazed, Adam tapped Ginny on the elbow.
"Is that a singing hat?!" He asked.
"I guess so," Ginny giggled. "My brothers wouldn't tell me about the Sorting; well, Fred told me I'd have to fight a troll!"
Adam snorted. "Who would want to fight a troll?"
"Ron nearly did...shh, I'll tell you later, looks like we're about to start." Ginny cut off her story as Professor McGonagall pulled out a sheet of parchment and began to read from it.
"Bradley, Thomas," Professor McGonagall called out.
Professor McGonagall placed the hat and his head, the hall was silent for several seconds.
"RAVENCLAW!" The Hat called.
The Ravenclaw table cheered wildly. Adam was now becoming very nervous. What if he wasn't good enough for any of the houses? What if Professor McGonagall wasn't happy with the house he was in? Would it matter if he was in a separate house to Ginny? He was disturbed from his musings by Ginny's disappointed sigh when a girl with blond hair was sorted into Ravenclaw.
"What's the matter?" Adam asked in a low voice.
"That was Luna. She lives near me. I'd hoped she might be in the same house as me."
"Does it matter that much if you're in a different house?" asked Adam curiously.
"Yeah, it does. You aren't allowed into another houses' common rooms, which is where you spend a lot of your free time," replied Ginny sadly.
This made Adam even more nervous as he waited. He guessed that when he heard Ginny's name he would be up soon after.
"Weasley, Ginevra," called Professor McGonagall.
Adam's stomach began to churn.
Minerva September 1st 1992
Minerva had been paying close attention to Adam. Her heart had swelled with pride when she had seen him standing proudly in his school robes. She really hoped this was a start of a much better life for the poor boy. She was especially pleased when she noticed him whispering in hushed tones with Ginny Weasley. The Weasleys were exactly the sort of friends, in her opinion, that Adam needed to make. As Minerva had led the first year students into the Great Hall, she had watched as Albus had eyed Adam with something akin to suspicion. What on earth had Adam done to warrant his suspicion? .She decided to question Albus on it later.
She drew out the student list and called the first name to begin to the Sorting. At least this year had slightly fewer students than normal. The Sorting rarely surprised her anymore; of course there were times when a student was Sorted into an unexpected house. Most of the time though, students ended up where they expected and the Muggle-borns had no prejudices against any of the Houses and generally were happy wherever they went... except for Slytherin.
When Benjamin Vaisey was sorted into Slytherin. Minerva noticed that only Adam and Ginny Weasley remained.
"Weasley, Ginevra," she called.
She watched as Ginny walked nervously over to her. She placed the Sorting Hat on Ginny’s head and then waited with the other occupants of the Great Hall. While she waited, she covertly observed the reactions of Ginny’s brothers; all four were watching intently from the Gryffindor table and it looked as if they were more nervous than their sister. Looks like we have a Weasley that isn't an automatic Gryffindor, thought Minerva as the seconds ticked past. Even so, Minerva secretly hoped that Ginny Weasley would be placed into her house.
"GRYFFINDOR!!!!" That Hat shouted at last.
The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers and Ginny Weasley ran over to join her brothers.
Adam was now standing by himself and looked decidedly nervous. She had, at Albus' request, not told Adam much about the Hogwarts house system. She suddenly wished she had defied him and steered Adam towards Gryffindor, but there was nothing to be done now.
"Winters, Adam," Minerva called and Adam made his way slowly over to the stool and sat on it. She placed the Sorting Hat on his head and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Adam's Sorting was by far the longest of the night and the longest Minerva had witnessed for several years. What are you talking to the Hat about, Adam? she wondered. The seated students were completely silent as they watched and waited with impatient faces; Adam was, after all, delaying their feast. She noted Albus watching with an intense expression. She also thought she saw Ginny Weasley watching Adam with a worried expression on her face, but when Minerva made eye contact the girl blushed and turned away.
"GRYFFINDOR!!!" The hat called at length, startling Minerva.
Adam jumped up and practically skipped to the Gryffindor table. Minerva was very glad to see Ginny Weasley move over to give him space to sit down and he received slaps on the back from some of the other nearby Gryffindors. As Minerva collected the stool and hat to put them away for another year, Adam turned around and gave her a massive grin. She smiled back and couldn't help but notice that he looked incredibly relieved.
The feast now proceeded as it had done for many years. Albus gave his usual speech during which he informed the students about the Forbidden Forest, which thankfully few dared to enter. He also informed them about the banned list of magical pranking items. This announcement, unfortunately, was generally ignored by the student population. Once the Headmaster had finished it was time to eat.
Minerva glanced along the staff table as she ate, they were all back again. Although if her threats were to believed this would be the last welcoming feast that Silvanus Kettleburn would be attending. Minerva desperately hoped this would also be the last, and only, welcoming feast that Gilderoy Lockhart would attend. Are we really so desperate that we must employ him, Albus? she wondered as she helped herself to a delectable slice of roast mutton.
With the feast nearing its conclusion Albus stood to introduce Lockhart. The new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher leapt up to stand by Albus' side and made a dramatic bow. Minerva promptly looked away. Who does he think he is a teacher or a performer?
"Minerva, would you join me in my office afterwards?" murmured Albus as he made his way back to his seat.
Minerva nodded her head, her eyes following Adam as he and Ginny Weasley were led out of the Great Hall by the Gryffindor prefects.
The two professors left the hall and walked in silence back to Albus' office. Once inside, they wasted little time on pleasantries. They both knew each other too well for that.
"Young Mr. Winter's Sorting was the most interesting tonight I think," Albus commented as he took his seat. "You did not..." he added with a raised eyebrow.
"No, I did not instruct him about the houses because you told me not to, Albus," Minerva interrupted sharply. "I am, however, very glad he is in Gryffindor and that he also seems to have made a friend in Ginny Weasley," continued Minerva.
"Ah, yes, I saw that as well. He will need good friends," Albus sighed. "I do feel that we must instruct our staff to keep a special eye on young Adam when he is here at Hogwarts."
"I will watch him the same as I would any Gryffindor," Minerva replied, "Why does he need to be watched more carefully?"
"Minerva, the last child from a background like Adam's that we took into Hogwarts would have started back in your second year. His name was Tom Riddle," Albus paused. "When he left school he decided to get revenge on the Muggles that had treated him so poorly. He abandoned his old Muggle name in favour of what he deemed a stronger name. He became Lord Voldemort."
Minerva inhaled sharply, "Albus, Adam is a young boy. He has been through a horrible time, but I know him. He has a good heart! He is not the next Voldemort!"
"I know, Minerva, but I let Tom slip through my fingers. If I had spotted him earlier I could have stopped him, I could have saved him!" Albus' shoulders sagged. "Do you know, Minerva, that Adam's wand contains a tail feather from Fawkes?" Albus questioned.
This rapid change of topic startled her.
"Fawkes only ever gave two tail feathers; one to Adam and the other to Tom Riddle," Albus continued before Minerva could respond.
Minerva could begin to see where Albus' paranoia had come from, but that didn't mean she was going to let him have his way easily.
"That is interesting," she said, choosing her words carefully. "However, you must give the boy a chance. He is a Gryffindor, which must show that he is different from Tom Riddle."
The two regarded each other intently and she saw his eyes still looked troubled; she would need to make a concession to please him.
"I will watch him, Albus, closely. Please, though, let's keep this between us until anything occurs to make us doubt the Sorting Hat's judgment tonight," she said.
"Well put, Minerva. You will watch Adam, but if you detect any sign of trouble you must report it."
"Very well. Good day, Headmaster." Minerva said.
She swept out of the room, angry that Albus had chosen to judge Adam harshly based on the actions of another. His concern that Adam could become the next Voldemort was unthinkable. Minerva had no doubt that Adam had a troubled past and she thought it likely he would suffer hardships because of it. However, there was one thing she was certain of and that was that Adam was not evil.
Author Notes: Thanks to my beta, Arnel, for her hard work on this.