The old man sat at his desk. His head was bowed, his long silver hair falling into his brilliant blue eyes. He looked deeply concerned and lost in thought. The door to the office swung open and in walked an older woman. She wore beautiful emerald green robes and had her black hair twisted back in a bun on top of her head. The man at the desk had yet to notice her arrival. He was still lost deep in thought. The woman stood over him for a minute, then made an impatient noise.

"Albus Dumbledore! How long are you going to shut yourself up in this room? Come down for dinner this instant! Its being served to the teachers that have arrived in the Great Hall," The woman said.

The man looked up, smiling faintly.

"Ah, Professor McGonnagall. I didn't hear you come in. What did you say about dinner?" Dumbledore asked.

"Come down to the Great Hall, and eat! I don't remember the last time I saw you eat Albus!" McGonnagall said, glaring at him like he was a naughty child she had to punish.

Albus smiled faintly at her.

:My dear Professsor, I'm not the least bit hungry. There are some things more important then food on my mind," He said in a sad voice.

Professor McGonnagall tilted her head, looking at him with narrowed eyes.

"What is wrong with you Albus?" She demanded.

Dumbledore sighed.

"So you haven't learned what happened...I figured you wouldn't...but one never knows..."

Professor McGonnagall sighed with impatience.

"Do tell me what you're going on about Albus! What has happened to make you so upset?" She asked.

Dumbledore looked her straight in the eyes. His own blue eyes were missing their usual twinkling brightness.

"A very terrible thing has happened Minervia. Professor Flitwick...is dead," Professor Dumbledore said in a grave voice.

Professor McGonnagall gasped.

"Filius! But...how...what...Albus how did that happen?" McGonangall asked, her eyes wide with hurt and disbelief.

"It..was terrible. I just recently learned what happened myself. He went, as usual, to his summer home. It happened there. He was attacked by Death Eaters," Dumbledore said in a low voice.

McGonnagall held her hand to her throat. She seemed unable to speak. Her eyes were still wide with horror over this news. She sunk into a chair in front of Dumbledore's desk. Dumbledore sighed.

"Filius was a tragic loss. He was a great man, a loyal friend, and an irreplacable teacher," Dumbledore said.

McGonnagall nodded.

"I simply can't imagine anyone else teaching Charms!" McGonnagall said in a low voice.

"Nor can I Minervia, nor can I. But alas, I must find a new teacher for that subject," Dumbledore said in a grave voice.

"Albus! Who could possibly replace Filius?" McGonnagall asked.

"That is exactly what I am pondering Minerva." Dumbledore said solemnly.

Minerva scrunched her forehead up.

"It is an impossible task! No one could match him in his skills!" She said.

"Quite true, but we can not-" Dumbledore began, but was cut off as his office door was flung violently open.

In came Reubus Hagrid with tears pouring down his face.

"DDDDUMBLEDDDDDDORE! ISSSS IT TRU'?" Hagrid cried and shook violently as his gigantic tears poured down his face.

Dumbledore just sighed and shook his head. "I presume you are referring to Professor Flitwick's death?" He asked in a heavy voice.

Hagrid's eyes got wide. "HE'S DEAD!!" He bellowed and started to cry again and ran to Dumbledore's side for a comforting hug.

Dumbledore patted him on the back.

"There there, it will be alright, this too shall pass," Dumbledore said soothingly.

Hagrid sniffled and wiped his gigantic tears on Dumbledore's nice blue robes. "GOOD MAN!" He bellowed again and started crying violently.

Dumbledore stared down at the huge tear stains on his periwinkle blue robes and smiled. "Another robe ruined, but that is alright," He said with a smile.

"OHHH NOOOO! I JUSS KEEP RUININ' EVERYTING!" Hagrid cried and sat down in a chair that he proceeded to crush with his weight. "OHHH NOOOO! THE CHAIR IS BROKE!" He cried again.

McGonnagall shook her head, staring at Hagrid with a nervous look on her face.

"I shall...go..inform the other teachers..." She said, then got up and walked quickly away.

"How...DID...HE...DIE??" Hagrid choked out from beneath his tears.

"Attacked by Death Eaters. Apparently Lord Voldermort's wrath will stop at nothing to crush those who oppose him," Dumbledore said sadly.

"Voldemort..." Hagrid muttered through gritted teeth and looked positively mad.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes Hagrid, yes. Now, I must find a new teacher for Charms," Dumbledore said.

Hagrid stared at Dumbledore then started to cry again. "NO ONE GOES TER ME CLASS NO MORE!" He cried and tried wiping his tears on his short sleeves.

"I am truly sorry Hagrid, truly. But at least the younger grades are still required to take your class, just forget about the older kids," Dumbledore advised.

Hagrid shook his head no. "BUT HARRY! HARRY'S IN TER OLDER GRADE!" He cried.

Dumbledore sighed. "Harry..." He said softly. looking off into the distance.

"MY BEST FRIEND HARRY! FANG MISSES HIM TOO I KNOW HE DOES!" Hagrid yelled violently and nodded at Dumbledore like they were old college buddies remembering all the chicks they got...BACK IN THE DAY.

Dumbledore did not seem to be listening or looking at Hagrid. His mind was back in the clouds. He nodded to himself.

"Yes...I think she will do.." He said quietly.

"Hermoine?" Hagrid asked looking bewildered.

"No no man, Hermonie could never teach charms. I think I have someone in mind though..if she will do it..." Dumbledore said.

Hagrid's eyes got wide. "To replace...me?"

"Shut up Hagrid," Said one of the pictures on the wall.

"NO YOU SHUT UP OLD MAN! COME DOWN 'ERE AND I'LL GIVE YOU A PIECE OF ME MIND! OHHHH THATS RIGHT. YOU CAN'T! YOU'RE A PICTURE! HA HA HA!" Hagrid said and grrrr'd at him.

Dumbledore was still in thoughtful silence, thinking of the troubled days to come. Then the door opened again, and in walked Severus Snape, his black robes billowing.

"Flitwick's dead hu?" Snape asked in an emotionless voice.

"WHY DO YA CARE!" Hagrid yelled and stared at him with his big eyes looking like a bull seeing red.

Severus cackled and sneered at him. Then he walked over to Dumbledore's desk and inspected his hand. It was all black and withered looking, like it had died.

"Have you been taking the potion I gave you?" Snape demanded of Dumbledore.

"I would take anything that you asked me too Severus." Dumbledore said with a smile.

Snape raised an eyebrow, then nodded.

"Fine. Whatever. Good day," He said and walked away.

Dumbledore waved to him til he was out of the door, then went back to thoughtful silence. Hagrid looked around suspiciously. Thing seemed out of the ordinary. He wondered who this new...Charms teacher would be. Well, she would never win him over! Never! His loyalty would always belong to dear departed Professor Flitwick! I sure hope that she's a nice person to the kids, Hagrid thought, especially Harry. Man, I sure love Harry. I wouldn't want to hit a girl again. Not like last year.

Dumbledore nodded again to himself, then got up. It was time to face the music.