Hogwarts later that night.
Headmasters office
Ares waited patiently before the Gargoyle, wasting time naming every sweet possible.
"Acid pops, Cockroach Clusters, Fudge flies, Blood-flavoured lollipops, Liquorice Wands, Sugar Quills, Cauldron Cakes and Chocolate Cauldrons."
Suddenly the Gargoyle retreated, and Ares gained entry to the door to Dumbledore's office.
On a random note, he wondered if Goyle had his last name because he was related to a Gargoyle?
"Come in, Mr Peverell."
Yawning, he made his way into the old man's lair. He noticed Fawkes, Snape and McGonagall sitting nearby as he strolled leisurely around the office, looking at book titles, poking trinkets and ignoring the other people in the room.
"I am glad you are having fun, but perhaps you would like to sit down?"
Dumbledore said, slightly less jovial than usual.
"Very well, sir, I will do my best to concentrate." Ares nodded, taking the seat opposite him.
A few awkward moments passed before Dumbledore spoke again.
"You seem to have gained a punishment just before our first meeting since your return to school. That is most unusual." Subtlety was a rather dull approach.
"Yes, Sir, it does seem that way," Ares replied.
"And why has that happened?" Dumbledore inquired.
"I am surprised you don't know, Headmaster," Ares said, eyebrow raised.
"For the sake of this conversation, let us presume I don't know." Dumbledore nearly sighed.
"Maybe I would like us to presume that I don't know the answer," Ares replied snarkily. Dumbledore's eyes stopped twinkling for a second.
"Fine, why were you rude to Professor McGonagall in class today." Finally, Dumbledore grew bored of their chat.
"I was bored, sir," Ares said innocently.
"Bored? Why ever so?" Albus said, leaning in closer, surprised.
"It was a boring lesson," Ares replied.
Minerva appeared affronted by that accusation, while Snape had to hide a smirk.
"Now, my dear boy, being bored is no excuse to refuse to answer a teacher's question." Dumbledore returned to his typical grandfatherly facade.
"I didn't want to tell her. That would have taken up time telling her something we both knew," Ares said plainly.
Dumbledore couldn't help but realise the logic of that argument.
"What do you know about Misters Potter and Weasley and Ms Granger?
They seem to think you attacked them and were the one to turn them into ducks at breakfast." Albus let the bomb drop.
"They have no evidence. I am merely in the fourth year; how could I have taken down three third years and performed a subject that is not taught till our sixth year." Ares replied.
"We can view their memories. They claim you attacked them and Misters Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. They also say that you admitted to turning them into ducks when you attacked them and threatened to do so again." Dumbledore threatened.
Snape gave up. He would have to deduct points from Slytherin, something he hated doing.
"You still have no proof. Memories can be tampered with, and I merely asked them to move out of my way as I hurried to Arithmancy. You can ask Draco and his friends, as well as Diane Carter. They will all agree with me. Plus, are you claiming I can perform to the standard of a sixth-year? If so, why am I being kept in a fourth-year class?" Ares defended himself.
Minerva was getting angrier as she saw the young boy blatantly admitting to attacking her students but getting away with it because he was telling the truth. They had no concrete evidence.
He was obviously a Transfiguration prodigy, and that was how he had managed the Human Transfiguration so well. Regarding the fight, he had four witnesses in his favour, five if you counted him, and only three claiming he attacked them. Once again, she cursed the Slytherin need to never give one of their own up.
Snape felt incredibly smug; his student may be able to get out of losing points and get away with attacking the thorns in his side.
Even Dumbledore could tell he had done all the things he had been accused off; however, nobody had been seriously injured, and Ares wasn't required to answer every question he was asked.
"Very well, it is clear Professor McGonagall has no proof for her accusations other than you are being disrespectful. Therefore, you will only have to continue serving detention," Albus said, disappointed that Ares hadn't owned up in a way that would allow him to be punished.
"Minerva, Severus, you are no longer needed; please leave us. But, Ares, we still have much to discuss." The Headmaster ordered.
Both Professors left reluctantly, leaving only Albus and Ares. They stared at each other for what seemed like hours until Ares grew bored enough to ask.
"Is there something else you wanted, Headmaster? I regret to inform you that I have not begun my research since this morning." Ares drawled.
Dumbledore smiled a sad smile at that,
"My dear boy, is there a reason you are being so rebellious? You were not in this much trouble the last term. Has something happened?" He asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
"Maybe I have settled in enough to feel some semblance of confidence?" Ares said.
Dumbledore shook his head in sadness; Lord Peverell had been right; the death of a mother affects people deeply.
"What do you remember of your mother?" He asked kindly.
Ares almost laughed. The old man thought he was rebellious
because of his mother's death.
"She was kind, beautiful, and she loved me dearly. What of it?" Ares said, playing along. After all, if anything he was told about Lily Potter was correct, he wasn't lying.
"When did you lose her?" Albus asked.
"No offence, but this is a little weird. I mean, you are my Headmaster..."
Professor Dumbledore sighed.
"My boy, it has become clear to me that you are adversely affected by your mother's death. You are a prodigy at magic in Transfiguration, Arithmancy, Charms and possibly even potions. Yet you are letting this chance to learn something new escape you because of your grief."
Dumbledore explained what he thought the situation was.
"Respectfully, sir, I have to disagree. My mother was killed by death eaters when I was two; I can't mourn someone I don't remember. So why do you think we moved to Bulgaria," Ares said with a straight face.
Better to make him think it happened a year before Voldemort was vanquished in case any suspicion arose.
The Headmaster was surprised. He had thought that the boy had lost his mother more recently and to a disease possibly. There were so many possibilities now that he knew about the Death eater's involvement.
Lord Peverell was starting to look like a perfect choice for his order. He had a vendetta against the Dark Lord, a manor for them to meet secretly in and the money to help fund any operations.
If he could convince the Lord Peverell of Voldemort's imminent return, he would be able to secure a strong ally.
"Very well, Ares, attend your detention tomorrow, and that will hopefully be the end. Try to behave better, or at least don't get caught." Albus said, hopefully.
He knew he would forgive the boy anyway after everybody deserved second chances, especially the son of a future possible ally.