Disclaimer. None of the stuff is mine really, all is borrowed or outright stolen form more gifted writers than myself. Ultimately of course all is owned by JKR anyway.

For the Greater Good. How hollow those words felt. That he had forced an innocent child into such an abusive situation purely because he believed it was the best alternative in spite of what others may say. That said child had now lost the closest remaining link to his family because he himself had fallen into the trap of not warning him of his destiny early enough left a distinctly unpleasant taste in his mouth.

He hadn't seen the boy all day. Not surprising after the information he had received last night that he should need some time to come to terms with everything but he couldn't help but be concerned.

It was in the middle of his concerned musings that Albus Dumbledore felt the school wards flare, not in a way that suggested direct interference, more like they were welcoming something, but that made no sense.

Quickly getting up and leaving his meal he ignored the concerned looks from his staff and made his way to the Headmasters office in order to analyse the unexpected intrusion. The minutes it took to reach his destination only served to confuse him more as the castle was giving him no clear indication of cause of the flare.

Finally reaching the door of his office he was stunned to see a man and woman behind his desk. The woman who was sat in his chair was strikingly attractive. Long thick and wavy black hair framed a slightly tanned face with piercing intelligent blue eyes and a strange rueful smile. The clothes she was wearing were clearly from a different era but for all that looked extremely expensive. The most noticeable thing though was still her hair which had a platinum blonde streak, about an inch thick slightly left of centre as Albus was looking.

The man standing behind her was covered in a dark grey/brown cloak with his hood up. Standing about six feet tall there was little that Albus could discern about him save that he appeared to be wearing an odd looking tight dark purple leather tunic beneath his cloak and he carried a strange looking black staff which appeared to have a beautiful white pearl about three inches in diameter at its head. Albus was strangely drawn to the pearl which seemed give off magic in waves and looked to be shimmering strangely.

Albus was extremely wary, in spite of the lack of reaction of the Hogwarts wards to the intruders, and was surreptitiously attempting to reach his wand.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, I have heard much about you" spoke the women holding up her hand to prevent the headmaster for interrupting. "For an awfully long time I have been prepared to despise you and curse you for your arrogance and manipulation."

The professor's eyebrows rose in surprise and no little amusement at the woman's calm statement of her harmful intent towards him of all people.

"Imagine my surprise," she continued, "when the moment I arrive and communicate with the school, I find her defending you and your actions, not condoning them you understand, more stating that while you have made mistakes, for the most part the decisions you have made have been based on the best available information at the time."

Dumbledore's mouth was agape at the stranger's casual mention of communicating with the castle, something he himself had only been able to do very rarely.

"It is rather vexing as I had prepared myself for an interesting duel on my husband's behalf. I knew he would most likely not punish you sufficiently for your transgressions against him so I have been preparing myself mentally for this confrontation and now I find my preparation is all for naught. I find myself rather annoyed."

There was a snort from the man behind her and his staff shook slightly suggesting he was trying to contain his laughter, unfortunately for him his wife noticed. "And you-" she turned and confronted the man, "less of that or I'll be forced to take my frustrations out on you and I promise you the resulting fight will be extremely one sided!" The man immediately tried to calm himself but after a few moments failed and the snort gave way to a rumbling chuckle.

Albus looked on amused as the woman in front of him failed to contain her own mirth as her mouth twitched before she giggled pleasantly.

After a few moments he cleared his throat and dared to break the strangely beautiful moment he had just witnessed. "I'm sorry my lady, I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. Clearly you know of me but I am as yet unable to name you or indeed the husband I have somehow wronged."

"Of course, how rude of me, I am Rowena Potter, though of course you are more likely to know me as Rowena Ravenclaw."