Chapter 1: Cornelius Dapper

I wonder what Professor Dapper wants with me, Albus Dumbledore thought to himself as he walked down the corridor leading to the headmaster's office.

Professor Dapper, the headmaster, had asked him to come to his office at dinner the night before, and as he was talking to Albus, he was peculiarly anxious and kept on looking around like he was being watched. It must be important, he had thought to himself as he looked at the professor.

Dumbledore walked briskly down the corridor, his long robes billowing silently behind him. He smirked as he though of this. Albus Dumbledore never got caught in the corridors at night. To his fellow classmates he was known as the Silent One. Besides, there wasn't much of a chance for him to be caught this time of night. All the teachers and students were asleep. The headmaster had told him this would happen. Dapper had put a sleeping spell on the castle. Even the plants were asleep.

He turned a corner and there in front of him was the stone gargoyle that led to Dapper's study.

"Silver Fox" he whispered.

The stone gargoyle swung open and Albus immediately ran up the stairs hoping with all hope that whatever Dapper had to say would not be bad. Dumbledore had enough to worry about with all that was going on. There had been some mysterious cases of first years going missing throughout the year. He frowned as he thought of that but took his mind off the disturbing thought once he opened the door to the headmaster's study.

Professor Dapper was facing the window, the pale moon shining in his sad face. Dumbledore had never seen the professor so worried. Up until now, he seemed chipper and jovial. Tonight in his study, he looked old and his face was lined with worry. He seemed in a trance. Dumbledore coughed and the Headmaster jumped in surprise.

"Oh. I didn't expect you so early. Come…come sit down…" Professor Dapper said warily. Dumbledore sat and looked at the headmaster patiently. He looked deep in thought.

After a long pause, Dumbledore spoke up. "Erm…what is it you wanted me for sir?"

"Oh that. Sorry I'm not my old self these days…Remember…at the beginning of your seven years at Hogwarts…when you were quiet and respectful and never got into any feuds…?" he asked, looking at Dumbledore for the first time since he walked in.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do, sir."

"Then you remember that the first time you finally showed your true colors to the school and me at the end of 5th year when you battled and killed that dragon and saved the school…?"

"Yes, and I fully regret it." He said boldly.

Dapper gave him a puzzling expression and asked, "Why…?"

"I hate killing living things…I hate those who kill for pleasure…and for no reason at all…that is why I regret it," Albus said calmly.

At first Professor Dapper looked puzzled, then he laughed, his face lighting up for the first time since he had walked through the door, "I will never understand you Albus," then Dapper's expression changed and he looked away, "That is why I summoned you,"

"That's an odd reason to summon me…unless…there's something more to this conversation…" Albus said gravely.

"Yes I am afraid so," he smiled weakly. "There is something I want to give you…" And at that, the Professor pulled out a necklace.

Dumbledore gave the Professor a blank look. What was so special about this necklace? It was just an ordinary silver pendant on an ordinary silver chain.

Seeing his puzzled look, Dapper smiled and explained "I was given this by Godric Gryffindor. He told me to keep it safe, tell no one about it and only use it when the world is in great peril. Though he did not explain how to use it, I kept my word and now that I am old and about to die, I feel I have the right to pass it down to you."

"What does it do?" Dumbledore asked, still looking at the pendant.

"I frankly don't know, but I am going to give it to you and maybe it will work if you keep it. Do I have your word that you will keep it safe and never tell anybody about it and only use it when the world is in great peril?"

"You have my word. I will do whatever I can to keep it safe," said Dumbledore said meekly.

"And…?" Dapper said seriously.

"…And if I do use it, I will use it only when the world is in great peril," continued Dumbledore.

"And…?"

"I wont tell a soul,"

"Good, now if you will excuse me I have some work to do…" the headmaster went on, giving him the necklace and he let out a sigh of relief.

Dumbledore took the necklace and shoved it in his robe pocket. Then heard a worried voice behind him say, "Take care of it, Albus."

"I will" he replied.

As Dumbledore walked down the corridor leading to the Gryffindor common room, he pulled out the necklace and frowned. He wondered how it was supposed to work. Then a disturbing thought came to him, "I wonder what perils he was talking about and when they'll happen…" Albus said out loud to nobody in particular.

When he came to the portrait of the Fat Lady, he felt saddened. He could not cope with the idea that Dapper was going to die someday. He had always been a good headmaster and he never let greed get to him.

"Lemon drop…" he said thinking to himself.

"What are you doing out so late young man? You better not be…"she paused as she saw Albus waiting patiently, "…oh never mind Head Boy, sorry I asked."

"No I'm sorry my dear Fat Lady. I am rarely up this late but I had an urgent meeting with Professor Dapper,"

"Oh I hope it went well," she smiled tiredly and opened the portrait hole.

The common room was empty. He wasn't surprised; it was three o'clock in the morning. He walked up the stairs to the boy's dormitories. Still thinking about the necklace, he fell into a restless sleep filled with nightmares about darkness and a mysterious red staring eye.

The next day, Cornelius Dapper died in his sleep.