Smoke-Novel

Dumbledore winced. There had been a scandal in one of the small continental
schools over the sexual abuse of students just a few years before. Every teacher
in the magical world had felt the horror and shame to some degree. "I may have
overreacted."
"Oh, do you think you might have?"
Dumbledore looked away. "Very well, I did. He was angry?"
"I knew the man was brilliant, and that he was powerful, but I felt that power
radiating in anger. That means he is at least as powerful as I, which is fairly
powerful indeed."
"I hired him for several reasons," Dumbledore said. "His magical power was one
of them. And yes, I know he is not a traitor, and I also knew he was not under
the Imperius. I would say he has slightly more immunity to the Imperius than
you do, although not the natural immunity Harry has."
"I had some minor information for him," Snape said. "He has not been to the
castle since he left Monday night. Could he have been attacked in his home?"
"No," Dumbledore stated. "Impossible."
"Why?" Snape asked, puzzled.
"He scored O's in all of his subjects for both the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s, and he
has the Minor Gift in Languages." This was the ability to learn between 60 and
100 languages with ease. Those with the Major Gift, such as Barty Crouch
Senior, could sometimes learn over 200. "However, his real talents and interests
lie in Old Magic, especially Ritual Magic. He is likely the most knowledgeable
practitioner in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Until Voldemort's
return, he coached hex breakers for the Ministry and curse breakers for
Gringotts as well as teaching here. I assure you, while it may be possible to
break into his home, he can not be caught there."
"Well, something must have happened to him!"
Dumbledore opened and then shut his mouth. Just then, a Messenger Spell
appeared in front of the Headmaster. "That is from John. He asks that you and
I come to your private laboratory."
"His Patronus is a puffskein?" Dumbledore shrugged. Then Snape realized other
things as well. "How did he even know where my private laboratory is?" Snape
growled. Then he thought. "How did he know I was here?"
"He knows a great deal about Hogwarts," was all Dumbledore would say.