The Headmaster's Fury

Chapter One

It had been a quiet Sunday afternoon, until high in the tallest tower a door slammed loudly, echoing down through the passages and chambers of the castle, breaking the almost soporific Sunday peace into discordant fragments. A few seconds later and a trail of fury swept through the castle, as Albus Dumbledore stormed along the corridors, face flushed with rage, icy blue eyes flashing like lightning streaking across a stormy sky. His vivid red dressing gown billowed angrily around him, and tendrils of sodden silver hair clung damply to his shoulders, as drops of water dared to cascade from his brow, and wend their way down his face.

All those who saw him coming took one look at the Headmaster's face and made themselves scarce, never in living memory had anyone seen Albus Dumbledore look so angry. Even the bravest cringed against walls, shrunk into dark corners, and tried to pretend that they didn't exist, as the Headmaster strode furiously past them.

Warning whispers spread through the school, as a tense silence fell across the castle like the calm before a storm. Even the ghosts hid. Only Severus, deep in his dungeons, immersed in his latest potions experiment, remained unaware of the Headmaster's furious progress through the school. Unaware of his peril Severus emerged from his dungeons, and barely noticing the uncanny silence that hung in the passages, made his way to the potions classroom for supplies.

He exited his classroom at the exact same time that Albus turned into the passage outside it. Severus who was locking the door carefully, and so had his back to Albus, still failed to realise that anything was wrong.

"SNAPE !" An unusually cold but familliar voice snapped.

Cursing, Severus turned to protest at the unwarranted rudeness, which had caused him to drop several very expensive ingredients all over the floor. As soon as he saw the look on Albus' face, the words froze on Severus' lips, as he turned even paler than normal. Cold blue eyes swept the Potions Master from head to toe. Under the intense force of those icy eyes and tight lips, Severus felt himself shrink slightly.

His perusal complete, Albus spoke, his tone unusually hard, and utterly devoid of it's normal warmth and gentleness. "The entire school is to be summoned to the Great Hall immediately !"

For once, just for once, Severus didn't argue or question, he simply obeyed. Within minutes the Great Hall was full of staff and students, all whispering among themselves - each one asking the same questions. Why had Dumbledore summoned them, and why was their normally genial Headmaster so angry ?

With a resounding crash the large oak doors were flung open, and Albus strode to his place behind the large table at the head of the hall. Instantly silence fell, a tense breathless silence that only comes when a large crowd scarcely dares to move, as hushed expectant faces gazed up at the Headmaster.

"This is a very serious matter indeed !" Albus said sternly, then paused, and swept the assembled staff and students with a gaze which made even the bravest tremble. "Someone has stolen my favourite rubber duck !" Albus thundered so loudly, that the chandeliers shook, and several first years fell off their seats.

Author's Notes

*Grins evily* I wanted to give the impression that Albus was angry over something far more serious than a rubber duck, and then have this big twist at the end, which I hoped would be amusing. I hope I was succesful with this ? And please don't throw things at me. ;) It was really fun to write him so angry.

Minerva makes her appearance in chapter two. A chapter where Albus really tests her limited patience. ;) Please review. This was going to be just the one chapter, but chapter two almost wrote itself. Inspired by a wizard in Lego Harry Potter who is throwing a tantrum because he's lost his rubber duck.